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Is the Innsbruck Card Worth It for Tourists? Honest Review
Austria isn’t really a budget destination, and Innsbruck, the pretty capital of Tirol, is no exception.
Picking the right city pass can either save or sink your wallet.
When I was planning a 3-day trip to Innsbruck in July with my mum, I kept asking myself—is the Innsbruck Card worth buying or not as a tourist?
With dozens of sightseeing spots on offer, we weren’t sure if the card would be worth its price. But after doing the maths and actually exploring the city, the answer became clear.
In this post, I’ll share our exact costs, how we used the card, and where we saved money.
If you’ve already booked your hotel and flights, this guide will help you decide whether the Innsbruck Card fits your plans—or if it’s better to skip it.
Types of cards in Innsbruck for tourists
Why Innsbruck card is the best of all passes for travellers?
The Innsbruck Card, available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, is by far the best of all the city passes. It includes free access to public transport which is the cheapest way to get around Innsbruck and covers entry to most of the top attractions across Innsbruck.
Some highlights include Swarovski Crystal Worlds, the Alpine Zoo, the Nordkette Cable Car, Imperial Palace, the City Tower in the Old Town, the Bergisel Ski Jump, guided city walking tours.
And even the Hall Mint Museum in the charming nearby town of Hall in Tirol is included in this card. All of these are included in the pass—no extra charges.
The 48-hour Innsbruck Card was a real money-saver during my 3-day trip. It saved both time and hassle—I could simply show the card and walk straight into attractions without waiting in line or buying tickets on the spot.
It is something similar to Salzburg card that includes entry fees+public transportation
How much does the Innsbruck Card cost?
- 24-hour card – Approx 60 euro
- 48-hour card – Approx 70 euro
- 72-hour card – Approx 80 euro
Here’s the cost breakdown from my actual trip during 2022
| Attraction | Entry Price Without Card |
|---|
| Nordkette Cable Car (return) | €47 |
| Hofburg Palace | €9.50 |
| Ambras Castle | €12 |
| Swarovski Crystal Worlds | €23 |
| Tyrolean Evening Show (25% off) | €24.75 (was €33) |
| City Transport (at least 5 buses) | ~€10 |
| Total cost for my sightseeing without card | €124.50 |
| Cost of 48h Innsbruck Card + Show | €87.75 |
| Total Savings | €36.75 |
On top of saving nearly €37, we also avoided queues and didn’t need to buy tickets on the spot. That made moving around easier—especially on hot summer days!
How to decide if you need 24,48 or 72h Innsbruck card?
Apart from considering the number of days in Innsbruck, you need to do more math to check whether you need the card.
Just because you’re spending 3 days in Innsbruck, don’t assume the 72-hour Innsbruck Card is the best choice. In many cases, it won’t give you full value for your money.
Take this example: say you’re in Innsbruck for three days. On day one, you go on a day trip to Mittenwald in Germany or spend the day wandering around the Old town
The day trip isn’t covered in your card. And you won’t have to use the card in Old town.
In this case, you’re better off buying the 48-hour Innsbruck Card for the remaining two days.
Do the 24, 48 or 72 hours need to be used in one go?
Yes—they do. Once you activate the Innsbruck Card, the clock starts ticking. You can’t split the hours across different days.
For example, I used my 48-hour Innsbruck Card for the first time around 12:30 pm on day 1 when I visited the Imperial Palace.
That meant it stayed valid until 12:30 pm on day 3. I used it before it expired—taking the funicular down from Hungerburg to Old Town after visiting the Top of Innsbruck.
No matter when you first swipe it—morning, noon or evening—the card stays valid for the exact number of hours you chose: 24, 48 or 72. So it’s smart to plan your first use carefully to get the most out of it.
Where to buy the Innsbruck card
You can either buy it online on their official website before your trip or in person at the Tourist Information Centre in Old Town Innsbruck.
Buying it at the info centre is handy if you arrive without a fixed plan—you can ask for help and pick the right pass.
I bought it at the tourist information centre, as I wasn’t sure about the benefits. My hotel owner in Innstrasse had already given me the Innsbruck Welcome Card for free.
But once the staff at the tourist information centre explained the difference between the Welcome Card and the Innsbruck Card, I realised I actually needed the Innsbruck Card.
How to the card at attractions
Most attractions will scan your QR code from the card ( or phone if you have digital pass) at their ticket counter and give you a ticket to enter.
For places like the Nordkette cable car or funiculars, you can scan the Innsbruck Card directly at the entry gate—no need to visit a ticket desk.
Public transport works the same way—carry your card, and show it if there’s a ticket check. There’s no need to validate or scan it before boarding
How to Get around Innsbruck using Innsbruck card?
As the Innsbruck Card covers IVB buses, trams, the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus, and cycle rental from Die Börse, getting around the city is simple and cost-free.
IVB Buses
IVB buses are the main way to get around Innsbruck. They’re easy to spot with electronic displays on the front showing the route letter and destination. Look out for lines like A, B, J—these are the ones included in the Innsbruck Card.
You can board the bus from the front or middle door, depending on the model. There’s no need to tap the card anywhere—just carry it with you. If there’s a ticket check, you simply show your Innsbruck Card to the inspector.
I used the buses several times during my trip—they were always on time and covered most parts of the city.
Do avoid the postbuses (usually numbered routes)—those are not covered. I took postbus to get to Wattens to see the famous Swarovski world.
Trams
Trams in Innsbruck are clean, quiet, and very convenient. I used them to get around the city centre, especially around Maria-Theresien-Straße and the Old Town.
You can board the tram from any door, and like the buses, there’s no need to validate or tap the card. Just keep it with you and show it during checks.
They’re a great option if you want a smooth, traffic-free ride between major sights.
Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus
This bus is ideal if you’re short on time or don’t want to bother with public routes. It loops around all the major tourist spots, and you can get on and off wherever you like.
It’s fully covered by the Innsbruck Card—just show your card when boarding, and you’re good to go.
Die Borse Bike Rental (3 Hours Free)
If you’re feeling active, the Innsbruck Card gives you 3 hours of free bike rental from Die Borse at Leopoldstrasse in Old town.
It’s perfect for a relaxed ride along the riverbank or around the Old Town. Bikes are available first-come, first-served, so get there early in the day if possible. Don’t forget to carry your card—they’ll scan it when you pick up the bike.
