Cable cars, mountains and the zoo
Rated 4.6 out of 5 by 421 GetYourGuide reviewers
The best value full day above Innsbruck: the return ride to the Top of Innsbruck plus the Alpine Zoo, which sits on the same funicular line. Ideal for families; just allow a whole day and avoid 2 to 19 November 2026, when the cable cars are closed.
Starts inInnsbruck city centreAll year
Start early at the Hungerburgbahn station beside Congress Innsbruck, Rennweg 3. The funicular reaches the Alpine Zoo stop in about 7 minutes, and many people do the mountain first while the light is clear, then stop at the zoo on the way down.
From the Hungerburg the Seegrube cable car climbs to 1,905 m, where the restaurant terrace looks straight down on the city, and the Hafelekar cable car finishes the job in about two and a half minutes at 2,256 m. A wide path leads in 10 to 15 minutes to the summit at 2,334 m, with the Karwendel nature park behind you.
Back down at 750 m, the Alpine Zoo keeps around 2,000 animals from some 150 alpine species on a hillside: wolves, lynx, bears, eagles, otters, ibex and a lot of fish. The zoo says no other zoo has such a complete collection of alpine wildlife. Give it two hours, then ride the funicular back to the old town.
The Hafelekar cable car runs from 09:00 to 16:45, and the zoo closes at 17:00 in winter and 18:00 from April to October, so the order matters less than an early start.
In winter
From 20 November 2026 the Nordkette is a snowy high-alpine world above the city, and the zoo stays open all winter with most animals active; marmots, reptiles and amphibians rest. In Advent the Hungerburg has a small Christmas market from 20 November, right by the funicular.
In summer
In summer you can add a walk from the Hafelekar or the Seegrube, and from April to June the zoo has young ibex, chamois and deer, says the zoo's own listing.
Our summary of the reviews GetYourGuide shows on the product page.
Hungerburgbahn station, Congress Innsbruck (Rennweg 3)
Funicular towards the Hungerburg
Alpine Zoo (750 m)
Get off here on the way up or down; around 2,000 alpine animals
Hungerburg (860 m)
Change to the Seegrube cable car
Seegrube (1,905 m)
Restaurant terrace above the city; change to the Hafelekar cable car
Hafelekar, Top of Innsbruck (2,256 m)
Views and the 10 to 15 minute walk to the summit at 2,334 m
It costs only a few euros more than the Top of Innsbruck ticket on its own, and the zoo is on the way. If you only want the zoo and a short ride, the zoo and Hungerburg combi is cheaper.
Checked against the GetYourGuide listing on 20 October 2026. Prices and options change: the calendar shows the current ones.
The Nordkette cable cars are closed for maintenance from 2 to 19 November 2026.
What to do. Book from 20 November, when the winter season begins.
The mountain and the zoo each deserve a couple of hours, and the top cable car stops at 16:45.
What to do. Start by 09:30 and bring warm layers and comfortable shoes; the listing also asks you to carry ID.
The mountain first on a clear morning, then the zoo on the way down. The Hafelekar cable car stops at 16:45 and the zoo closes at 17:00 or 18:00, depending on the season.
Yes. It covers the return ride from Congress station to the Hafelekar at 2,256 m, not just the lower stations.
Yes, every day from 09:00 to 17:00. Most animals stay active; marmots, reptiles and amphibians rest in winter.
No, the listing says pets are not allowed on this ticket.
The Innsbruck Card includes the Alpine Zoo and one up and one down ride on the Nordkette, so card holders do not need this ticket.
GetYourGuide · 4.8/5 from 1194 reviews
The one mountain trip almost every visitor should make: from the old town to 2,256 m in about 20 minutes, with the whole of Innsbruck below you and the Karwendel behind.
Departs from Hungerburgbahn station, next to Congress Innsbruck, Rennweg 3 · Valid for one day; the ride up takes about 20 minutes, allow half a day
GetYourGuide · 4.4/5 from 729 reviews
The classic family half day in Innsbruck: ride the Zaha Hadid funicular up from the old town, spend a couple of hours with wolves, bears and lynx at the Alpine Zoo, and carry on to the Hungerburg viewpoint before riding back.
Departs from Hungerburgbahn station beside Congress Innsbruck, Rennweg 3 · Valid for one day; allow 2.5 to 3 hours
GetYourGuide · 4.7/5 from 576 reviews
The best-value way to see Innsbruck if you plan a full day or two of sightseeing: the Nordkette cable cars, Swarovski Crystal Worlds with its shuttle, the museums and all the city buses and trams on one card.
Departs from Innsbruck Information, Burggraben 3, at the entrance to the old town
Sources: getyourguide.com, getyourguide.com, nordkette.com, nordkette.com, nordkette.com, alpenzoo.at, christkindlmarkt.cc, oebb.at. Checked October 2026. Photos: GetYourGuide.