Train to Innsbruck - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Destination station: Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, Südtiroler Platz 7 - east of the old town centre.

• Documents: Austria is part of the Schengen area - an identity card is sufficient, a passport is not required.

• Currency: euro (EUR) - payment cards are accepted almost everywhere, cash comes in handy at markets and smaller establishments.

• Best time to go: spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) - smaller crowds, pleasant temperatures and lower accommodation prices. The ski season runs from December to March.

• How much to go for: a weekend (2-3 days) is enough for the Old Town, the Hofburg and Ambras castles and the views from the Nordkette cable car. A week allows you to combine the city with trips to the Alps.

Spring (April-May)

Daytime temperatures are 13-17°C, crowds are still small and accommodation prices are lower than in summer. A good time for a city break - you can visit the Old Town and castles without long queues.

Summer (June-August)

Temperatures reach 21-25°C. This is the best time for hiking in the Alps and taking the Nordkette cable car. In July and August book accommodation in advance - this is the peak summer season.

Autumn (September-October)

Daytime temperatures are 13-18°C and golden autumn begins in the mountains. Crowds are smaller and accommodation prices are lower than in summer. Evenings can be chilly, so bring a warmer jacket.

Winter (November-March)

The ski season runs from December to March and the resorts around Innsbruck offer runs for all levels. In December, plan a visit to the Christmas market at Goldenes Dachl. November is the quietest month - some attractions may have reduced opening hours.

You will travel from Poland to Innsbruck with one or two changes - usually via Munich or Vienna.

From Kraków

• You travel approximately 8-9 hours with a change in Vienna or Munich.

• You change at the same station.

From Katowice

• The route runs via Munich or Vienna and the journey takes approximately 8-9 hours.

• You have one change at the same station.

From Wrocław

• Via Germany or the Czech Republic you will arrive in approximately 9-10 hours.

• You change in Munich or Vienna.

From Warsaw

• From Warsaw the journey takes approximately 10-11 hours via Munich or Vienna.

• You can leave in the morning and arrive in the evening, or choose an overnight connection.

From Poznań, Gdańsk and Łódź, you will travel to Innsbruck with a change via Warsaw or Kraków, and then via Munich or Vienna. If you want to stop along the way, spread the journey over two legs and visit Munich or Vienna.

Seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg. You can buy your ticket without registration - you receive it by email and SMS. 30 minutes before departure you receive an SMS reminder with a link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats.

With PKP Intercity and POLREGIO, skis and snowboards are treated as hand luggage. Carriage is free of charge if the equipment is stored in a bag.

The rules for refunds and exchanges on PKP Intercity tickets are clear: a refund is possible up to 20 minutes before departure and an exchange up to 30 minutes before departure. You can find details on the ticket refunds and exchanges page.

From Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof station, walk west towards Goldenes Dachl - the route is well signposted. By tram you will reach the Old Town in just a few minutes.

Public transport in Innsbruck is based on trams and buses that serve the whole city and the surrounding area. A single ticket costs a few euros and a day ticket a little more. For several journeys a day, a day ticket will be more convenient.

The Nordkette cable car (Nordkettenbahn) departs from the city centre - the station at Rennweg is a few minutes' walk from the Market Square. In just a few minutes you ascend to an altitude of over 2,000 m above sea level with views of Innsbruck and the Alps. There is an entrance fee.

You can reach the ski resorts around Innsbruck - such as Nordkette, Axamer Lizum and Kühtai - by bus or ski bus. Check current connections before you go, as timetables change depending on the season.

Taxis wait at the station and are useful when you have heavy luggage or are heading to resorts outside the city.

The main attractions are within a 2 km radius of Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, so you can explore the centre on foot.

Where to stay:

• Old Town - closest to the main attractions, higher prices, ideal for a short stay

• Mariahilf - a quiet neighbourhood on the other side of the River Inn, local cafés and lower accommodation prices

Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof)

This is the symbol of Innsbruck - a bay window of a building on the Market Square covered with 2,657 gilded tiles, commemorating the wedding of Emperor Maximilian I to Princess Bianca Maria Sforza. Inside is a historical museum dedicated to the emperor's era. There is an entrance fee. The visit takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

Hofburg Palace

This is the former residence of the Habsburg emperors in the heart of the city. The interiors include state rooms, a chapel and a portrait gallery. There is an entrance fee. The visit takes approximately 1-1.5 hours.

Ambras Castle

This is a Renaissance castle on a hill south of the centre, with one of the oldest armour collections in Europe and a Habsburg portrait gallery. It is surrounded by gardens overlooking the Alps. You can get there by tram or bus. There is an entrance fee. The visit takes approximately 1.5-2 hours.

City Tower (Stadtturm)

This is the tower on the Market Square, from which the city bugle call rings out every day. From the top you will see a panorama of Innsbruck and the surrounding Alpine peaks. There is an entrance fee. The visit takes approximately 20-30 minutes.

Court Church (Hofkirche)

This is a Gothic church with the mausoleum of Maximilian I, surrounded by 28 monumental bronze figures representing the emperor's ancestors and allies. There is an entrance fee. The visit takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

Nordkette

This is a cable car from the city centre up to an altitude of over 2,000 m above sea level. In summer it is the starting point for hiking trails; in winter it offers ski slopes with views over the city. There is an entrance fee. Allow 2-3 hours for the ride up and a walk in the mountains.

Tyrolean Folk Art Museum (Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum)

This is a museum next to the Hofkirche where you can see regional crafts, folk costumes and reconstructions of Tyrolean interiors. There is an entrance fee. The visit takes approximately 1-1.5 hours.

One-day itinerary

Start the morning at Goldenes Dachl and climb the City Tower - you'll get a panoramic view of the city and can plan your walk more easily. Before noon, head to Hofburg Palace and the Court Church (Hofkirche), as both are next to each other. Spend the afternoon taking the cable car up to the Nordkette - the views of Innsbruck and the Alps from over 2,000 m above sea level are the highlight of the day. If you prefer to stay in the city, a stroll through the Old Town and the cafés around the Market Square will fill the afternoon.

Weekend itinerary (2-3 days)

Day 1: Arrange your first day in the same way as the one-day plan.

Day 2: Head to Ambras Castle - the Renaissance interiors and gardens will fill your morning. Back in the centre, stroll through the Mariahilf district on the other side of the River Inn, where you'll find local cafés, colourful townhouses and a quieter atmosphere than around the Market Square.

Day 3: If you have time, head to one of the ski resorts around Innsbruck or go hiking in the Alps - a bus will get you there in a matter of minutes.

What to eat

Tiroler Gröstl - fried potatoes with meat and a fried egg - a classic served in most Old Town restaurants.

Knödel - potato or bread dumplings, served with almost every main course.

Kaiserschmarrn - a fluffy, torn omelette with icing sugar and jam, served in a hot pan. An essential dessert.

In the cafés (Konditorei) you'll find apple strudel (Apfelstrudel) and Sachertorte - both are classics of Austrian confectionery tradition.

Where to eat:

• Goldenes Dachl and Market Square area - the most restaurants and cafés, greatest choice, higher prices

• Mariahilf district - a quieter area on the other side of the Inn, lower prices

• Station area - convenient before heading home, good selection of eateries

Souvenirs

• Cheese and cured meats - Tyrolean regional products from shops on the Market Square and in the side streets of the Old Town

• Schnapps and local liqueurs - popular souvenirs from the region

• Figurines in Tyrolean costume - a classic souvenir from Innsbruck

• Wooden crafts - regional handicrafts available in Old Town shops

• Christkindlmarkt - one of the oldest Christmas markets in Austria takes place at Goldenes Dachl in December; worth planning an evening visit

The budget option assumes a hostel or economy hotel, eating in bars and supermarkets and 1-2 attractions per day. The mid-range option includes a three-star hotel, meals in Tyrolean restaurants and 3-4 attractions. The comfort option covers a four-star hotel or apartment, restaurants with table service, and the Nordkette cable car and castles.

Prices are indicative and may vary according to season and availability. During the peak ski season (December-March) and summer season (July-August), accommodation prices are sometimes higher.