Kufstein

Kufstein is a city in the Austrian state of Tyrol with a population of about 20,000 inhabitants, making it the second largest city in Tyrol after its capital Innsbruck. It is flanked by the Brandenberg Alps in the northwest and the Kaiser Mountains (Kaisergebirge) in the southeast. Kufstein is located along the river Inn in the Lower Inn Valley (Inntal). Most travellers visiting the Austrian Alps pass through Kufstein either by train, bus or car as it is the first city south of the Bavarian border. Kufstein is known for its fortress, and is also associated with one of the best known German language folk songs - the Kufstein Song (das Kufsteinlied) - which rose to popularity in the 1960s.

Understand
Archaeological findings in the Tischofer Cave in Kaisertal near Kufstein denote a settlement of the area more than 30,000 years ago, the oldest traces of human habitation in Tyrol. Incorporated into the Roman Empire in 15 BC, the Inn river formed the border between the Roman provinces of Raetia and Noricum.

The remote Kaisertal in Kufstein until recently was the last settled valley in Austria without transport connections, prior to the completion of a tunnel road in 2008. North of the town, the Inn river leaves the Northern Limestone Alps and enters the Bavarian Alpine Foreland.

The town area comprises several small lakes, such as Pfrillsee, Längsee, and Hechtsee; Egelsee and Maistaller Lacke are protected nature reserves.

The municipal arrangement comprises the cadastral communities of Kufstein, Morsbach and Thierberg; the town itself is divided into five quarters (Zentrum, Sparchen, Weissach, Endach, and Zell).

By train
Kufstein can easily be reached by train. With the being a local railway hub, Kufstein is served by local, regional, night, long-distance, and high-speed (WESTbahn, ICE and Railjet) trains (https://www.oebb.at/en/fahrplan).

See the overview for rail travel in Austria for a general overview.

By plane
The largest international airport nearby is Munich Airport (MUC IATA) (121 km) and is easy to reach by train. Innsbruck (INN IATA) (86 km) and Salzburg (SZG IATA) (104 km) have smaller international airports and are also connected by public transit.

By car
One-way roads and expansive pedestrian zones make driving into town unattractive. There are parking fees throughout the city center.
 * From the North (from Germany) using the Autobahn A93 Rosenheim / Dreieck Inntal to Kufstein, Exit Kufstein Nord.
 * From the South using the Autobahn A12 (Innsbruck -  Kufstein), Exit Kufstein Süd.

By bike
The Inn cycle path (Inn-Radweg) passes through Kufstein, leading from the upstream Tyrolean valleys down to the Danube River where it connects to the Danube cycle path.

Get around
Kufstein is fairly small, and all tourist attractions can easily be reached by foot.

Bikesharing stations from Regiorad are spread around town.

Four urban bus lines and many regional buses (https://www.vvt.at) cross the town with nearly all stopping at the bus station next to the train station.

Numerous electric cars are available for Carsharing throughout the town (https://www.beecar.at).

Do
Cycling, hiking, rock climbing, swimming in alpine lakes, and nearby skiing/snowboarding in winter are popular activities.


 * Ride the Kaiserlift chair lift for a hike and meal at a mountain hut.

Go next

 * — state capital of Tyrol and largest city in the Alps
 * — between Innsbruck and the
 * — the largest alm in Europe and one of the most remote settlements in the Alps
 * — historic salt mining city with the best preserved old town centre in western Austria
 * — home of the Swarvoski Crystal Company and their museum, the world famous
 * — famous for its silver mine