Where is Zell am See, Austria?

Zell am See is in Salzburg state near the border with the Tyrol in central Austria. The Zell am See ski resort is located 110km south of Salzburg, 142km east of Innsbruck and 167km south-east of Munich. Zell am See is close to Austria’s highest mountain - Großglockner (3,798m)

The train is the recommended travel method to Zell am See.

Flying to Zell am See

Closest major airports include Austria's best ski city Innsbruck & historic Salzburg in Austria, plus Munich in Germany. Salzburg is a delightful Austrian city and worthy of a visit if one has the time.

Search & book a flight to Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich, or other European airport.

Flights into Innsbruck Airport

Innsbruck airport is serviced by flights from mainland Europe, Scandinavia and the UK. Flights numbers and options increase during the winter season. The airport is conveniently located close to the centre of Innsbruck.

The Innsbruck city centre and central bus & train station is a 20min bus ride from the airport via the Route F bus at the terminal. Taxis offer an alternative.

Flights into Munich Airport

Munich international airport receives a vast number of flights every day from worldwide destinations.

Munich (MUC) airport is well served by efficient train transport which link quickly with trains to ski hubs like Innsbruck. Take the S8 line from the main terminal (trains every 10min) to the major Ostbahnhof for trains direct to Innsbruck. change at Worgl for Zell am See. Travel time is 3hr.

A total of 8 major car rental companies are available at Munich airport; however the vehicles may not be set up for winter driving (i.e. snow tyres, chains), and one may be better served hiring a car closer to the ski destination.

Flights into Salzburg (WA Mozart) Airport

Salzburg (WA Mozart) (SZG) airport receives direct flights from most European & UK destinations. Connecting flights from worldwide destinations is possible via major hubs like Paris.

The airport is 15-20min from the centre of beautiful Salzburg. If travelling to your ski destination by train, take city bus number 2 from the terminal to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof main railway station. Most of Austria is now an easy train trip away.

If driving is your thing, a total of 7 car rental companies are available at Salzburg airport.

Airport & Hotel Transfers

The Powderhounds recommend taking the train from the airports to Zell am See, but for those with larger groups or just cannot abide public transport, the most efficient mode of travel is a private transfer. Search & book a private transfer to Zell am See .

Train Travel to Zell am See Ski Resort

Train transport options to Zell am See abound and the train is the recommended travel mode to the resort.

Trains run regularly direct to Zell am See. Most train journeys to Zell am See from Innsbruck take around 2hr and require a change at Wörgl. Trains from Munich to Zell am See take about 3hr and also require a change at Worgl.

From Salzburg the rail journey is shortest (1.5hr) and requires a change at Swarzach-St Veit. If coming from south-eastern Austria (Lienz etc) changes are required at Spittal-Millstattersee and Swarzach-St Veit.

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Driving to Zell am See

The Zell am See ski resort is about a 2hr drive from Innsbruck, 1½hr from Salzburg and 2½hr from Munich.

From either west (Innsbruck) or south (Italy), drive via the main A12/E45 motorway and head east, exit near Wörgl, taking the B178 and B164 via St Johann, Fieberbrunn and Leogang to the B311.

From Salzburg , go via the A1 and B21 to Lofer, then head south onto the B311. From Munich travel via the A8, A93 and B172 and B178 to Lofer and the B311.

From all directions head south on the B311 direct into Zell am See.

Zell am See Car Rental

If you don’t have a car & wish to rent, the closest car rentals are in Innsbruck or Salzburg, either at the airport, or in the city centre (cheaper). Zell am See has several car rental locations if you require a car once already in the resort.

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Getting around Zell am See

Local buses run efficiently around Zell am See and the local environs. The main bus station is in the Post Office Square in the centre of town. All buses stop at the train station and regular buses, free for anyone with a ski pass, connect Zell am See to all the ski-lift base areas and also Kaprun - Kitzsteinhorn via the Tauern Spa Hotel.

Nearby Ski Resorts

A host of nearby ski resorts can be conveniently reached by car, bus or train from either Schuttsdorf or Zell am See stations. Ski resorts accessible by train include the vast SkiCircus Saalbach at Leogang and Fieberbrunn (or bus to Saalbach), iconic Kitzbuhel-Kirchberg, the huge SkiWelt, Wildkogel at Bramberg, Weiβee Glacier World & resorts in the Zillertal via Krimml.

Buses also connect to SkiCircus at Saalbach and Hinterglemm, and if skiing under the new ZellamSeeXpress gondola at Schmitten, you can continue all the way to the valley bottom near Viehhofen (also part of SkiCircus Saalbach) and catch the gondola back up to Zell am See or take a bus back to Kaprun (buses run every hour).