Zell am See–Kaprun pairs a lake town with a glacier. Zell am See sits on the shore of a clear Alpine lake under the Schmittenhöhe, with a pretty old centre, lidos and boats; ten minutes away, Kaprun is the gateway to the Kitzsteinhorn, the “Top of Salzburg” at 3,029 m, where skiing starts in October and snow lies all year. In summer, you can swim in the morning and stand on a glacier in the afternoon, visit the vast Kaprun reservoirs high in the Hohe Tauern and drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, one of the most spectacular mountain roads in Europe, to Austria’s highest peak. Give it three days in summer, or a week on the slopes in winter.
Right now in Zell am See-Kaprun (Zell am See)
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Zell am See–Kaprun at a glance
- Best for: lake and glacier in one trip, the Grossglockner road, family summers, reliable early- and late-season skiing and the Hohe Tauern National Park.
- How long: 2–3 days in summer for the lake, the Kitzsteinhorn and the Grossglockner road; a week for a ski holiday.
- Best time: late June to mid-September for the lake and the high road; December to April for skiing, with glacier skiing from October.
- Getting in: trains from Salzburg take about 1 hour 30 minutes; Salzburg Airport is about 80 km away and Munich Airport about 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Getting around: regional buses link Zell am See, Kaprun and the lifts, free with the summer guest card. As of October 2026, the cable car to the Top of Salzburg costs €61 return for adults.
- Before you go: entry rules, money, mountain safety and driving are in our Austria travel guide.
Zell am See and Kaprun: which base?
Zell am See
The bigger town, on a delta on the west shore of Lake Zell (4.7 km², up to 68 m deep), with a car-free old centre, a lakeside promenade, the railway station and the Schmittenhöhe cable cars starting from town. Thumersbach, on the east shore, gets the evening sun. Best for: restaurants, shops, the lake and train access.
Kaprun
A village at the mouth of the Kaprun valley, with a castle, family hotels and the Maiskogel family ski and summer area on its doorstep; the glacier lifts start about 10 minutes up the valley. Best for: skiers and hikers who want to be close to the Kitzsteinhorn.
Top things to see and do
Prices and hours below were checked on the official sites in October 2026. They change, so check before you go.
The Kitzsteinhorn and the Top of Salzburg
A chain of gondolas and cable cars climbs from the valley station to the Gipfelwelt 3000 at 3,029 m, with two panorama platforms looking over the Grossglockner and the Hohe Tauern, a national park gallery and a cinema, all reached through a tunnel in the mountain. In July and August, the Ice Arena on the glacier has snow play, sledging and a “glacier beach”. As of October 2026, a return ticket to the Top of Salzburg costs €61 for adults, €45.50 for youths and €30.50 for children, valid until 26 November 2026 and for non-skiers through the winter. At 3,000 m the air is thin and cold, so take it slowly and bring a warm jacket, sunglasses and sun cream even in summer.
Lake Zell
One of the cleanest lakes in Austria, warming to around 20 °C or more in high summer. Swim at the lidos in Zell am See, Thumersbach and Seespitz, hire a pedal boat, an electric boat or a stand-up paddleboard, or take a scheduled boat round the lake, which takes about 40 minutes. In winter, when it freezes hard enough, the lake becomes a skating rink. See our lake swimming and beaches guide and boat trips guide.
The Schmittenhöhe
Zell am See’s home mountain (1,965 m) has gentle summit walks with views of more than 30 peaks over 3,000 m, adventure trails for children and, in winter, broad, sunny slopes that run down to the edge of town. As of October 2026, an adult return costs €45 in the summer season, which runs until 1 November 2026; a combined ticket with a lake cruise costs €65.
The Kaprun high mountain reservoirs
High in the Kaprun valley, the Wasserfallboden and Mooserboden reservoirs, at about 2,040 m, are held back by huge dams built after the war, surrounded by glaciers and 3,000 m peaks. You get there by shuttle bus, Europe’s largest open inclined lift (the Lärchwand) and another bus from the Kesselfall ticket office. As of October 2026, the 2026 season runs from 22 May to 11 October, daily 8:10–15:30, and an adult return costs about €39.50. Walk along the dam crest, join a tour inside the wall or hike to the glacier edge.
The Sigmund Thun Gorge
Just above Kaprun, a wooden walkway clings to the walls of a narrow gorge carved by the Kapruner Ache, with a waterfall roaring below. It takes about 30 minutes. As of October 2026 it costs €8.50 for adults (€7.70 with a guest card) and opens until 2 November, 9:00–15:30 in October.
Nature
- Lake Zell (Zeller See)
Peaks and mountains
- Grossglockner
- Kitzsteinhorn
- Schmittenhöhe
Other sights
- Sigmund-Thun-Klamm
Viewpoints
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road
Protected areas
- Hohe Tauern National Park
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road
Opened in 1935, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road climbs 48 km over 36 hairpin bends from Bruck-Fusch, 10 minutes from Zell am See, to Heiligenblut in Carinthia, crossing the Alps at the Hochtor (2,504 m). Highlights include the Edelweissspitze (2,571 m), the highest point you can drive to, with a 360° view of more than 30 three-thousanders; the Fuscher Törl; and the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe (2,369 m), facing the Grossglockner (3,798 m), Austria’s highest mountain, above the Pasterze, the country’s longest glacier, which is retreating fast. Look out for marmots by the road. Allow a full day there and back, with stops at the exhibitions included in the toll.
- Season: the road is closed in winter. In 2026 it opened on 25 April and closes at the start of November (in 2025 it closed on 2 November); the closing date depends on snow.
- Hours: from 1 September 2026, 6:00–19:30 (last entry 45 minutes before closing); in June to August, 5:30–21:00. You can’t drive it at night.
- Tolls (2026): €46.50 per car for a day ticket (€36.50 after 18:00), €40 for electric cars (only at the toll booths), €36.50 per motorbike; a second-day ticket costs €17.50. Parking and the exhibitions are included.
- Tips: go early for clear views and fewer cars; check the weather and the webcams, since cloud can hide everything; fill up before you start; and use low gears on the way down to save your brakes. Cyclists ride it too, so overtake with care.
Hiking, biking and the national park
South of Kaprun lies the Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest in the Alps, with glaciers, waterfalls and more than 300 peaks over 3,000 m. Easy walks include the Pinzgauer Spaziergang, a balcony trail from the Schmittenhöhe towards Saalbach with views of the glaciers, and the lake circuit, about 25 km by bike. From the reservoirs, trails lead up to the edge of the Karlinger glacier, and national park rangers lead guided walks in summer. The region has well-marked mountain bike and e-bike routes, and the Tauern Cycle Path runs along the Salzach valley. Thunderstorms build on most summer afternoons, so start early. See our hiking guide and cycling guide.
Skiing at Zell am See–Kaprun
The region has three ski areas: the Kitzsteinhorn glacier (from about 900 m to 3,029 m), the Maiskogel family area in Kaprun and the Schmittenhöhe above Zell am See. The Kitzsteinhorn is one of Austria’s most snow-sure areas: in 2026 its season was planned to start on 10 October, with the full winter season from 27 November 2026 to 4 April 2027. As of October 2026, a Kitzsteinhorn day pass costs €82 for adults in peak season (19 December to 12 March) and €74 at the start and end of the season; children born in 2021 or later ski free with an adult. For a longer stay, the Ski ALPIN CARD covers the Kitzsteinhorn, the Schmittenhöhe and Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn: 408 km of slopes and up to 121 lifts.
Activities and best months
- Boat tripsFour excursion boats sail Lake Zell on scheduled and panoramic routes, stopping at piers around the lake: the MS Schmittenhöhe (the largest, about 250 passengers), the MS Großglockner, the 1947 nostalgia boat Libelle and the electric 'Maria Franziska von Trapp', christened in June 2026. From the sun decks you see the Steinernes Meer to the north and the Hohe Tauern to the south.
- HikingMore than 400 km of marked trails run between the grassy Pinzgau mountains and the Hohe Tauern, from family walks on the Maiskogel to glacier tours on the 3,203 m Kitzsteinhorn with mountain guides; the Schmittenhöhe has a high panoramic promenade. Huts along the way serve their own cheese, bacon and butter.
The Summer Card
From 15 May to 31 October, the Zell am See–Kaprun Summer Card is given free to guests from their first night at partner hotels and guesthouses; you can’t buy it. It includes the cable car to the Top of Salzburg, the Maiskogel, lidos and swimming pools, regional buses and the Kaprun reservoirs, plus free or discounted rides on the Schmittenhöhe and many other discounts. With the Kitzsteinhorn alone costing €61, it makes staying overnight much better value than a day trip.
Day trips
The Krimml Waterfalls, the highest in Austria at 380 m in three tiers, are about an hour west by car or on the narrow-gauge Pinzgauer Lokalbahn; as of October 2026, the WasserWelten combined ticket (exhibition, waterfall trail and parking) costs €15.90, and the season runs to 27 October 2026. The Liechtensteinklamm gorge near St Johann, the spa town of Bad Gastein and Saalbach are all within an hour. Kitzbühel is about 45 minutes away, and Salzburg about 1 hour 15 minutes by car.
Nearby destinations
- Kitzbühel34 km
- Salzburg56 km
- Hallstatt69 km
- Zillertal70 km
- Bavarian Alps85 km
- Dolomites93 km
- Cortina d'Ampezzo101 km
- Innsbruck106 km
Getting there and around
By train. Zell am See is on the main line from Salzburg to Innsbruck, with direct Railjets and regional trains from Salzburg (about 1 hour 30 minutes) and Innsbruck. Buses run from the station to Kaprun and the glacier.
By air. Salzburg Airport is about 80 km away (Postbus 260 runs to Zell am See); Munich and Innsbruck are the other options, with winter transfer buses.
By car. From Salzburg take the A10 Tauern motorway to Bischofshofen or the B311 via Lofer; you need a vignette for the motorway sections. Winter tyres are required in wintry conditions from 1 November to 15 April.
When to go and how long to stay
Zell am See lies at 754 m in a basin where cold air collects in winter, so winters are colder than in Vienna or Salzburg and the lake can freeze, while summers are mild, with thunderstorms. On the glacier it is far colder, with snow possible in any month. The table uses GeoSphere Austria’s 1991–2020 climate normals for the Zell am See station.
| Season | Average temperature | Rain and snow per month | Sunshine per month | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | −4.4 to −2.1 °C | 53–67 mm | 61–96 hours | Cold and snowy; peak ski season, lake sometimes frozen |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 3.0 °C rising to 12.8 °C | 71–114 mm | 141–189 hours | Spring skiing on the glacier; valley green by May |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 16.3–17.8 °C | 149–160 mm | 181–192 hours | Mild, with afternoon storms; lake swimming and the Grossglockner road |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 12.9 °C falling to 1.7 °C | 109 falling to 70 mm | 146 falling to 60 hours | Clear September days; glacier skiing from October |
Zell am See gets about 1,180 mm of precipitation and about 1,610 hours of sunshine a year, with an average temperature of 7.4 °C.
3 days in summer
Day 1: the Kitzsteinhorn in the morning, the Sigmund Thun Gorge and the lake in the afternoon. Day 2: the Grossglockner High Alpine Road from early morning. Day 3: the Kaprun reservoirs or the Schmittenhöhe, and an evening boat on the lake; or the Krimml Waterfalls.
A week in winter
Spend sunny days on the Schmittenhöhe’s wide slopes above the lake, colder or snowier days on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, and a day or two on the Ski ALPIN CARD in Saalbach; rest with a spa afternoon or a winter walk around the lake.
Weather month by month
Where to stay
- Zell am See centre: lakeside hotels and apartments near the station, the promenade and the Schmittenhöhe.
- Thumersbach and Schüttdorf: quieter, often cheaper, with lake views or easy road access.
- Kaprun: family and ski hotels closest to the glacier.
- Bruck and Fusch: farm stays and inns at the foot of the Grossglockner road.
Practical tips
- Stay overnight: the free Summer Card covers the glacier, buses and lidos.
- Watch the weather: save the glacier and the Grossglockner for a clear day, and go early.
- Respect the altitude: walk slowly at 3,000 m, drink water, and turn back if you feel unwell.
- Check closing dates: the reservoirs close on 11 October 2026 and the Grossglockner road in early November.
What to pack
Swimwear and a towel for the lake, plus a warm jacket, hat and gloves for the glacier, even in July; sunglasses and high-factor sun cream (snow and altitude double the sun’s strength); hiking shoes with good grip; and a rain jacket for afternoon storms. In winter, ski clothing, goggles and a helmet, which can all be hired locally.
What to pack
- Day packs and anti-theft bagsA 20–30 litre pack carries layers, water, a head torch and snacks on full-day levada walks.
- Dry bags and phone pouchesSpray soaks phones and cameras on open boats to the Algarve caves and on whale-watching trips.
- Fleeces and warm layersIt is cooler at sea than on land, especially on morning whale-watching trips.
- HeadlampsLevada routes such as PR1 and PR9 pass through long, dark, wet tunnels.
- Hiking shoes and bootsMadeira's levadas and the Azores' crater rims are wet, rocky and slippery, so grippy shoes matter more than anywhere else in Portugal.
- Rain jacketsA windproof, waterproof shell keeps you warm on open boats, where wind and spray cool you quickly.
- Reef-friendly sunscreenSun reflects off the water on cruises and cave tours.
- Trekking polesLong stone staircases and steep descents on Madeira's peaks and the Azores' crater rims are easier on the knees with poles.
- Water bottles and hydration packsAlgarve and Alentejo trails are hot and exposed with few refill points.
- Water shoesKayak and small-boat trips to the Algarve grottoes land on rock and wet sand.
Zell am See–Kaprun travel FAQ
How much does the Kitzsteinhorn cost?
As of October 2026, a return to the Top of Salzburg costs €61 for adults; a ski day pass costs €74 to €82 depending on the season. The cable car is free with the summer guest card.
When does the Kitzsteinhorn ski season start?
The glacier season was planned to start on 10 October 2026, with the full winter season from 27 November 2026 to 4 April 2027.
How much is the Grossglockner High Alpine Road toll?
In 2026, €46.50 per car for a day (€36.50 after 18:00), €40 for electric cars at the toll booth and €36.50 per motorbike, including parking and exhibitions.
When is the Grossglockner road open?
From late April or early May to the start of November, depending on snow. In 2026 it opened on 25 April; from September it is open 6:00–19:30.
What is included in the Zell am See–Kaprun Summer Card?
From 15 May to 31 October, the Kitzsteinhorn and Maiskogel lifts, lidos, regional buses and the Kaprun reservoirs, plus Schmittenhöhe benefits and discounts. It is free from your first night at a partner accommodation.
Can you swim in Lake Zell?
Yes. The lidos open in summer, and the water reaches around 20 °C or more in July and August.
Zell am See or Kaprun: where should I stay?
Zell am See for the lake, restaurants and trains; Kaprun for the shortest trip to the glacier and family ski hotels. They are 10 minutes apart by bus.
How many days do you need in Zell am See–Kaprun?
Two or three days in summer for the lake, the glacier and the Grossglockner road; a week for a ski holiday.
Plan your trip
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Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Kitzsteinhorn prices, season and the Summer Card: Gletscherbahnen Kaprun (kitzsteinhorn.at); the Schmittenhöhe: schmitten.at; the reservoirs: Zell am See–Kaprun Tourismus and VERBUND; the Sigmund Thun Gorge: klamm-kaprun.at; the Grossglockner road: Grossglockner Hochalpenstrassen AG (grossglockner.at); Krimml: Krimmler Wasserwelten; climate: GeoSphere Austria 1991–2020 normals. Lake facts, road statistics, boat and train times come partly from secondary sources and are flagged for checking. Prices, timetables and rules change, so check the official links before you go. For Austria-wide entry rules, money and mountain safety, see our Austria travel guide.
Also: zellamsee-kaprun.com · GeoSphere Austria normals 1991–2020, Innsbruck Airport (climate)
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Air quality: OpenAQ · Rates: ECB · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODBL) · Wikidata (CC0)