🚆 Skiing in Austria without a car: 8 resorts near the station

Snowy passes and tire chains? There is another way. In Austria, dozens of ski resorts sit right on the rail line, and you can reach the lift without a car. The ÖBB train gets you to town, and from there a ski bus, gondola, or free shuttle takes over.

We have picked 8 such resorts, from the state of Salzburg to Styria. Each one has equipment rental, lodging within walking distance of the station, and a clear route to the slopes. Below, see exactly where the station is near the lift, what slopes await you, and how to save on transfers.

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How to reach the slopes without a car

💡 In short:

Take an ÖBB train to town, and from there a ski bus, gondola, or on-demand shuttle gets you to the lift.
Rent equipment locally so you do not have to carry skis and boots on the train.
A ski pass often includes a free ski bus.
Train schedules and prices: 09/2026, check the ÖBB website and the website of your chosen resort.

1. Bad Gastein, Salzburg

Bad Gastein in the state of Salzburg wins you over with its belle epoque retro atmosphere. In winter, you ski Stubnerkogel from here, part of the large Ski amadé area. The main advantage for those without a car: the Stubnerkogelbahn valley station is a couple of minutes' walk from the train station (per skigastein.com, 09/2026).

Panorama of Bad Gastein in a mountain valley

After the slopes, stretch your legs at the Felsentherme thermal baths a few meters further on. The resort center has hotels and guesthouses within walking distance, and you can get equipment at a local rental shop. No need to bring your own on the train. Free ski buses with a valid ski pass run to all sectors of the valley, which together offer about 180 km of runs (per skigastein.com, 09/2026).

2. Werfenweng, Salzburg

Also in the state of Salzburg, but with a different character. Werfenweng is a model "soft mobility" village and a member of the Alpine Pearls network, where a car-free vacation is thought through down to the last detail (per werfenweng.eu, 09/2026).

Village street in Werfenweng with the Tennengebirge mountains in the background

By train, you reach Bischofshofen, Pfarrwerfen, or Werfen. From there, the on-demand W³-Shuttle takes you to your lodging; book it in advance by phone. Within the village, a free ski bus runs to the slopes, and rental shops operate both at the valley station and in the center. The ski area is small and family-friendly, but you can definitely leave the car at home. It is best to look for lodging in advance: check hotel prices in Werfenweng on Trip.com.

3. Zell am See

Let us look at Salzburg once more, this time at Zell am See on the shore of Lake Zell. The train brings you right into town, the valley station of the cityXpress gondola is a couple of minutes' walk from here, and rental is right nearby. Many hotels and apartments are also within a few minutes' walk of the station.

Street in Zell am See with painted houses and mountains

The local ski area is called Schmittenhöhe. If that is not enough, a ski bus will take you to Kaprun, where you go up to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. The Zell am See, Kaprun bus is free with the Ski ALPIN CARD (according to zellamsee-kaprun.com, 09/2026). Together with the glacier and neighboring areas, this card opens up about 408 km of slopes (according to alpincard.at, 09/2026). No plans for the evening? On Thursdays, join a free torchlight walk through the town. Check accommodation prices in Zell am See.

4. Kitzbühel, Tyrol

Kitzbühel also has a train station right in the center. Accommodation is not a problem here, and neither are slope kilometers: the KitzSki area has 233 km of slopes and about 57 lifts (according to kitzski.at, 09/2026). The Hahnenkammbahn valley station is right next to Kitzbühel-Hahnenkamm station.

Ski buses take you free of charge to the area's other valley stations. And the best part: with a valid ski pass, you can ride the train for free during the day between St. Johann in Tirol and Kitzbühel-Hahnenkamm, as well as between Westendorf and the same station. There is one condition: the dress code is "ski clothing" (according to the KitzSki website, 09/2026). Check hotel prices in Kitzbühel.

5. St. Anton am Arlberg, Tyrol

Further west lies St. Anton am Arlberg in Tyrol. ÖBB brings you right into the resort, where hotels, restaurants, bars and rental shops await. Several lifts are within walking distance of the center, and ski buses run throughout the region.

St. Anton am Arlberg in winter, surrounded by mountains

Ski Arlberg is considered Austria's largest linked ski area: 300 km of marked runs and 85 lifts (according to skiarlberg.at, 09/2026). There is plenty for those who want to skip the lift too: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, and ski touring are all available here. Check accommodation prices in St. Anton.

6. Serfaus, Tyrol

Skiing by subway? In Tyrol, that is a real thing. Serfaus operates an air-cushion Dorfbahn: it carries you from the parking area in the east through the center to the gondola in the west of the village. A bus from Landeck-Zams station will get you to Serfaus itself.

Snow-covered street in Serfaus with hotels and mountains

The Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis area offers 214 km of runs and 38 lifts with slopes for every ability level (according to serfaus-fiss-ladis.at, 09/2026). The village itself has everything you need for a ski vacation, and there are almost no cars inside. Check hotel prices in Serfaus.

7. Hinterstoder, Upper Austria

If you want to ski without a car in Upper Austria, Hinterstoder is your place. Like Werfenweng, it is part of Alpine Pearls with their focus on soft mobility. You can take the train to Hinterstoder station, then a bus continues into the Stodertal valley.

Hinterstoder in winter among snow-covered mountains

A free ski bus connects several areas: choose between a day at Wurzeralm or at Höss. And if skiing is not your thing, Hinterstoder offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even paragliding in winter. Check the resort's website for exact run kilometers, as the figures vary by sector from season to season. Check accommodation prices in Hinterstoder.

8. Semmering (Lower Austria) and Stuhleck (Styria)

Further east, there are also resorts with a train right at the doorstep. Semmering and Stuhleck do not compete with the western giants in size, but they certainly do in terms of transport accessibility. You can reach the Semmering resort on a RailJet, and a ski bus will take you to the valley station.

View of Semmering among wooded mountains

Staying longer than a day? The area has hotels, a ski school, restaurants, and equipment rental. The Stuhleck area is easier to reach via Mürzzuschlag and a short bus ride, and you can stay overnight in Spital am Semmering. Check the resorts' websites for exact kilometers and ski bus schedules before your trip. Check hotel prices near Semmering.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can you ski in Austria without a car?

Yes, and there are plenty of options. Dozens of resorts sit right on the ÖBB line, and a ski bus, gondola, or booked shuttle takes you to the lift. In Bad Gastein, Zell am See, and Kitzbühel, the valley station is just a couple of minutes' walk from the train station.

Where is the valley station closest to the train station?

In Bad Gastein, the Stubnerkogelbahn station is a few minutes' walk away; in Zell am See, the cityXpress gondola is just as close. And in Kitzbühel, the Hahnenkammbahn lift is right at Kitzbühel-Hahnenkamm station, as close as it gets.

Is it true that you can ride the train for free with a ski pass?

In Kitzbühel, yes. With a valid ski pass, you can ride the train for free during the day between St. Johann in Tirol, Westendorf, and Kitzbühel-Hahnenkamm station. The only condition: you must be wearing ski clothing (according to kitzski.at, 09/2026).

Should you bring your own equipment on the train?

Not necessarily. Each of these resorts has rental shops at the valley station or in the center. It is easier to rent skis and boots on site and travel light without extra luggage.

Which resort is the largest by kilometers?

St. Anton. Ski Arlberg is considered Austria's largest linked ski area, with 300 km of runs and 85 lifts (according to skiarlberg.at, 09/2026). Next come Kitzbühel with 233 km and Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis with 214 km.

In short: what to book

Your choice depends on what matters more to you, the journey or the size of the slopes. If you want the station right by the lift, go for Bad Gastein, Zell am See, or Kitzbühel. If you need the most kilometers, head west to St. Anton or Kitzbühel. If you value peace and quiet and a "green" approach, look at Werfenweng and Hinterstoder from the Alpine Pearls network. And if travel time matters more than the size of the area, the eastern resorts of Semmering and Stuhleck are closest to Vienna.

Have you picked a resort? Compare hotel prices near the slopes on Trip.com and book accommodation within walking distance of the station.

Ski Austria without a car: 8 resorts with train access to the slopes