Where is Sölden, Austria?

Sölden is the largest standalone ski resort in Austria, located in the Tirol (Tyrol) state, toward the southern end of the Ötztal (Oetz valley). The ski resort rises over the town of the same name and includes various upper mountain hamlets including Hochsölden, Innerwald, Unterwald & Ausserwald. Soelden is just 85km by road to the southwest of Austria’s great ski city, Innsbruck. The best gateway airports are Innsbruck (INN), Zurich (ZRH) & Munich (MUC).

Aside from Sölden, the Ӧtztal’s main towns are the resort villages of Gurgl ski resort further south, and to the north, Längenfeld (14km by road) & Oetz (31km to the north). A further 7km north, Ötztal Bahnhof provides a major logistics & services hub, plus important train access from Innsbruck, Munich or Zurich.

Flights to Sölden

The best gateway international airport for Sölden depends on where one is flying in from. For those residing in the UK or Europe, the best airport is also the closest, Innsbruck (INN). Only 81km from Solden, one can get to the ski resort in a little over an hour after exiting the airport terminal! By public transport (bus-train-bus), the journey is around 2 to 2½hr.

For those travelling from further field, the best airports are either Zurich (ZRH) or Munich (MUC). Both are incredibly convenient. Munich airport is 230km to the north of Solden and takes around 3hr by road to the ski area. Zurich airport is around 283km west and takes over 3½hr by road to get to Soelden. Both Munich & Zurich airports (& city) have rail (& then bus) connections to Sölden with around three changes required along the way, depending on the time of travel. Allow up to 5hr for either journey by public transport.

Search & book here for flights to Innsbruck or another European airport.

Private Transfers & Airport Shuttle

Whilst the Powderhounds recommend taking the train & bus from the airport to Sölden if you are in a larger group of 3+ people or just have the cash to splash, the quickest & most stress-free way there from the airports is by private transfer. Get picked up by your driver direct from the airport terminal and be dropped off at your hotel door.

Search & book here for private transfers to Sölden.

Train & Bus to Sölden

A sure way to POW (Protect Our Winters) is by taking the train & bus to Sölden. The railway station at Ötztal Bahnhof is around 38km from Soelden, at the start of the valley. The station is on the main line between Innsbruck & Zurich and gets regular trains stopping at least every 30min throughout the day. The route 320 bus meets the train just outside the station and takes around 1¼hr to get to the centre of Solden. Total journey time from Innsbruck Hbf main station is generally less than 2hr.

Search & book train tickets to Ötztal Bahnhof.

Once in Solden or anywhere else in the Ötztal the local bus network is all one needs to get around. Free for those staying locally & with a Guest Card, bus services from the Ötztal Bahnhof train station run at least 35 times per day up the valley via Oetz & Laegenfeld to Soelden & beyond. Buses run every 15-minutes during the busier times of day. If without a guest Card, purchase a ticket from the bus driver, online via the OBB app, or go in via the back door & chance your arm that they don't check you! The important bus routes are:
• 320 - route between Haiming <--> Obergurgl that runs the entire Ötztal & takes in all of the main stops along the way including Ötztal Bahnhof, Oetz, Längenfeld & Sölden.
• 44 - route between Längenfeld <--> Sölden
• 60 - route between Kaisers <--> Obergurgl (via Sölden)
During winter there are other local town shuttles for those staying in the upper villages of Hochsölden, Innerwald, & Ausserwald.

Driving to Sölden

Driving to Solden is easy via the A12 motorway to the Oetz valley. The drive up the valley is not at all challenging, but there are a lot of speed cameras & traffic police to contend with! The greatest challenge on the road is indeed the highly variable speed limits. Over the length of a kilometre stretch of road the speed limit can change up to 5 times. Stay alert if you want to avoid a very expensive speeding fine.

If you rented a car from either Germany or Switzerland or if you have your own car from another country, note that one requires an Austrian Vignette to drive on the motorways. The Vignette can be in the form of a Toll Sticker or Digital Vignette. Toll stickers are easily purchased at most petrol stations .

For anyone day-tripping by car, the once plentiful free car-parking (including undercover) at Soelden is now paid parking. Rates are not too outlandish though and no doubt assist in making people take the bus instead.

Once in Sölden, the multitude of local free ski buses will get you anywhere you need to go.

An interesting alternative road access to Sölden ski resort is up to Alpengasthof Sonneck above the Venter Tal. A drop off here will get you starting in the Heidealm sector.

Ötztaler Glacier Road

The Ötztaler Glacier Road is a private road with a toll gate that operates from mid-spring through summer to mid-autumn up to the base of the Rettenbach & Tiefenbach glaciers. A toll to use the road is applicable to non-skiers. In Autumn, when the Solden Glacier Ski Area is open, all skiers with a valid ski lift pass can use the road for free. Parking is at the lift bases at the bottom of both the Tiefenbach & Rettenbach glaciers. An alternative to driving is the two uphill buses in the morning, and two downhill buses that make the journey each day in autumn for skiers. The trip up takes about 30min from the centre of town. The road is closed during the winter season from early November to the start of May.

Car Rental

If Solden is your only destination in Austria, then a rental car does not represent good value for money. Use the train & bus or get a direct private transfer instead.

All the major airports & cities have car hire available. The closest major rental location to Sölden is Innsbruck airport. If travelling from Zurich, note that rental car rates are significantly cheaper at the city depots than at the airport. If renting a car in Switzerland, read the fine print carefully because some locations charge exorbitant security deposits of up to CHF6,000.

All cars rented from locations in Austria & Bavaria (Munich) will be winterised - i.e. with winter tyres etc, as they are required by law in those countries. However, as there is no legal requirement, rental cars from Switzerland may not be fitted with winter tyres. Ensure you rent a car with them fitted!

Search & book rental cars.

For more information about travelling around the Austrian Alps in winter, see our Travel in Austria page.