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Guide for eloping in Innsbruck on the Nordkette, and other sessions

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A couple stands on top of the Nordkette mountain chain during their innsbruck elopement. They are wearing all black wedding attire.

Eloping in Innsbruck: where mountain meets city

Tirol, Austria is the heart of the Alps. At the center lies Innsbruck, an gem of a city that gracefully mixes mountain sports, Austrian architecture and an urban lifestyle. It is the perfect place for eloping couples who want easy, direct access to summit views directly from downtown AND a bit of urban cultural flair.

HOW TO PLAN AN INNSBRUCK ELOPEMENT

FULL DAY 8-10 HOUR TIMELINES FOR ELOPING IN INNSBRUCK

An example morning timeline, no hiking:

06:30 – 07:30 Getting ready photos in the hotel

07:30 – 08:00 First look outside in front of the Golden Roof

08:00 – 08:30 Take the Nordkette cable car up to the summit from the city center

08:30 – 12:30 Explore the summit above the city and read vows

12:30 – 13:30 Take the cable car back down to the city

13:30 – 14:30 Have a private brunch with guests, or explore the city for ice cream and snacks on your own

An example summer sunset timeline with a hike:

Unfortunately, the only way to enjoy sunset at the summit is by hiking down. The cable cars stop running between 17:00 and 18:00. If you’re up for the steep, rocky and long hike down, however, pack away your wedding attire and hoof it down. You’ll be alone at the summit once the lifts stop running, and as long as it’s clear and dry conditions, you’ll be able to walk down the well worn trails as the light fades over the city.

12:00 – 13:00 Getting ready photos in the hotel

13:00 – 13:30 First look outside in front of the Golden Roof

13:30 – 15:00 Walk around town and sightsee the Cathedrals, old architecture and grab coffee or ice cream

15:00 – 15:30 Take the Nordkette cable car up to the summit from the city center

15:30 – 19:30 Explore the summit above the city and read vows after the cable car stops running. There will be almost no one around.

19:30 – 22:00 Hike down from the summit to the closest bus back to the city (hungerburg station)

USING THE NORDKETTE CABLE CAR DIRECTLY FROM THE CITY CENTER

The cable car runs directly from the city center to the summit with two changes. You’ll switch cars once at the Hungerburg, and once more at the Seegruber midway station.

Once you reach the summit, you’ll be let out at the Hafelkar station where you can walk to the summit cross.

Both stations have a cafe, and the Seegruber station even has an outdoor lounge area and full restaurant with occasional events and live music.

PRO TIP: if you plan your elopement on the first Friday of the month, you can enjoy sunset at the Seegruber midway station. The cable car runs until 23:00 on the first Friday of every month, so this makes for a really dreamy opportunity, especially during summer!

A couple eloping in Innsbruck stand on the Norkette cable car with a view of the mountains in the distance.

WEDDING VOWS IN INNSBRUCK: GETTING UP THE NORDKETTE

How does reading your vows at 2,334m (7,401 ft) sound? By taking the cable car directly from downtown, you’ll climb above the city and reach the summit in 20 minutes.

The Nordkette cable car runs all year round. It’s operating hours are from 08:00 to 17:00. During summer months, it’s open an hour later. After the snow melts between late June to September, you can begin a number of hikes from the summit, and even a gravity defying via ferrata.

Check out the live summit webcam here.

WHERE TO STAY WHILE ELOPING IN INNSBRUCK

I recommend staying close to the city center. That way, you can walk to all the restaurants and shopping near Maria-Theresien street. If possible, stay right there by the Golden Roof, just a 5 minute walk to the Nordkette cable car station.

4 STAR HOTELS:

3 STAR HOTELS:

HOW TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN INNSBRUCK

Buses and streetcars in Innsbruck are the best way to get around. The city is not car friendly – and for good reason. Years back, Innsbruck wanted to do something about cars and pollution, so they expanded the bike path network and made parking VERY expensive (and yes, they check – I’ve received two €25 parking fines myself for barely expired tickets).

Take advantage of how walkable this city is, and use the J line for the “Peak to Peak” tour. It’ll take you from the Hungerburg just below the Nordkette all the way across the valley to the Patscherkofel.

Often, many hotels in the city offer you a two day tourist pass for the buses, meaning you ride for free!

Check out Innsbruck’s public bus routes here.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN INNSBRUCK DURING YOUR VISIT

Sightseeing in Innsbruck: The Top 10

  • The “Golden Roof”
  • The Imperial Palace
  • The Court Church
  • The Nordkette
  • Swarovski Crystal World (outside the city)
  • Ambras Castle
  • Bergisel Ski Jump
  • Maria-Theresian Street
  • The view across the Inn from Marktplatz, looking at the Nordkette
  • The Innsbruck Climbing Gym (okay, I added this on in there because I’m a climber and think it’s impressive. You might run into a pro climber if you stop by! And honestly I think they have the best lunch in the city, but maybe that’s because I’m always hungry when I’m there)

See this full Innsbruck elopement gallery here.

Shopping in Innsbruck

If you need outdoor gear of any kind, Innsbruck is one of the best cities for shopping. The flagship stores for Black Diamond, Patagonia, Burton, Mammut and more all all in the same neighborhood. The expertise of the staff can’t be beat either. People really know there stuff here.

As well as outdoor gear, there are tons of unique boutique stores, liquor shops, gift shops and other specialty shops.

Eating in Innsbruck

Wine Bars, Cafes and Cocktail Lounges in Innsbruck

OTHER PLACES YOU CAN EASILY TRAVEL TO FROM INNSBRUCK

DAY TRIPS

  • Garmisch-Partenkirche, Eibsee & the Zugspitze – Germany’s tallest peak and most beautiful lake, just 1.5 hours from Innsbruck
  • Mittenwald – a hiking area to the north of Innsbruck on the border of Germany and Austria
  • Östtal – another beautiful valley to the East of Innsbruck with hiking
  • Zillertal – one of the popular valleys in Austria for skiing, hiking and climbing
  • Achensee – an impressive alpine lake with lots of hiking

MULTI DAY JOURNEYS

  • The Italian Dolomites begin only 2.5 hours from Innsbruck
  • Interlaken and Grindelwald are straight to the east in Switzerland
  • Lake Como, Lake Garda and Milan are 3 – 6 hours south across the Italian border
  • Venice is a 5 hour drive south
  • The Slovenian alps and Triglav national park are 6 hours to the southeast
  • Prague is a 6.5 hour drive northeast
  • Budapest is a 7.5 hour drive east through the most beautiful parts of Austria and past Vienna
You’ll also find helpful: Eloping in Austria – 5 Things You Need to Know

ALSO READ: 5 best place to elope in Austria

Dreaming of an Austria elopement, engagement, vow renewal or any other couple’s session like this? Let’s do it!

I’m Mariah, an adventure elopement photographer based in Innsbruck, Austria. I moved from the United States to Germany/Austria in 2018 to chase my love of mountains, photography and a German guy who stole my heart.

I quickly learned I wasn’t the only one dreaming of a better way to get married…so I combined all those things! I’m now a full time adventure elopement photographer. I help other travel and outdoor obsessed couples embrace a “just us” wedding day surrounded by nature.

Join me?

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