Five places in the mountains that are easily accessible without a car
In the cold season, there are wintry oases away from the usual tourist hotspots that can be reached comfortably and in an environmentally friendly way, even without a car. These places not only impress with their easy access to public transport, but also with the charm of winter, which you can experience there in its untouched naturalness. Let our selection inspire you and perhaps reach your next travel destination without a car.
1. Enjoy the winter in its original form in traditional Tyrolean natural houses
Winter is a much-seen guest in the Tyrolean Pfunds. With a view of the snow-covered mountains, you get a nice, frosty atmosphere. If you're heading to Pfunds, then it's best to go to the cool ones Summit Lodges. The traditional Tyrolean natural houses, which bear the names Yosemite and Yellowstone, leave nothing to be desired with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a large kitchen and a cozy sofa corner by the stove, as well as their own sauna. There are also large balconies on each floor from which you can enjoy the wonderful view of the snow-capped mountains and the village church tower.
The Summit Lodges are not only comfortable in terms of their furnishings, but also in terms of arrival. You can get here easily and comfortably using public transport. The nearest train station is in Landeck. From there a bus runs to Pfunds. The bus stop is about a minute's walk from the lodges. Also cool: In winter, a ski bus runs to the three ski areas in the surrounding area. So you really don't need a car here.
All the more time for the many great excursion destinations in the surrounding area such as Pfundser Tschey (one of the most beautiful high valleys in Tyrol), Pfundser Radurschl (largest contiguous pine forest area in the Eastern Alps), the village center of Pfunds or the Platzertal mine.
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Winter is really beautiful in Bavaria too. Surrounded by a wonderful mountain panorama, snow-covered forests and icy landscapes, a trip here in the cold season is definitely worth it. This is also in the Bavarian Alps Heimat1883. The five great holiday apartments are located in Alt-Garmisch, one of the oldest districts of the town with numerous historic farmhouses.
The historic building with its listed facade was lovingly renovated inside by the hosts Irene and Anton Mangold - from an ecological point of view and using only high-quality natural materials. Here, clay plaster and solid wood furniture, for example made from fragrant pine, meet high-quality design classics and exclusive furnishings.
After a day in the snow you can really relax here. In the basement of the house there is a small wellness oasis with a sauna, steam bath and relaxation room - just the thing in winter.
You will definitely travel to your hometown in 1883 without a car, after all, this accommodation makes it really easy for you. It is located just under a kilometer from the train station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Shopping options are also within walking distance.
3. Stay overnight in Lower Austria directly in the renovated train station building
This is an accommodation that literally screams for traveling by train Holiday at the train station in Wienerbruck near Annaberg in Lower Austria. You'll be happy to leave your car behind to get here, trust us. You can travel directly to your temporary home with one of the most beautiful mountain railways.
The historic train station, which today serves as a cool accommodation, was built in 1910 and housed the dispatcher until around 1990, with the house serving as a waiting room and apartment for the dispatcher's family. Afterwards the station was empty. In 2015, the current owners, the Nutz couple, decided to buy the station and decided to give it a comprehensive renovation. And they succeeded. Today there are two stylish holiday apartments measuring around 50 square meters in the station building, which are equipped with their own outdoor dining area with a fireplace and barbecue area.
In the middle of a fascinating mountain landscape there are three first-class ski areas in the area around the train station: the Annaberg lifts, the Gemeindealpe Mitterbach and the Mariazeller Bürgeralpe. But it's not just winter sports enthusiasts who get their money's worth here. The surrounding area also offers a variety of excursion options, including the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park, the picturesque Ötschergräben, the idyllic Erlaufsee and the important pilgrimage destination Mariazell.
4. Have a really good time in Switzerland in winter
If there's one thing the Swiss can do besides cheese and chocolate, it's winter. The Rössli Mogelsberg St. Gallen is the perfect place for your Swiss winter adventure. Because when the snow falls here, it becomes really romantic.
The hotel with restaurant is an ecologically operated hotel and has been for over 40 years. A real pioneer. The house in traditional Toggenburg knitted construction is built entirely of wood and has 17 individually designed and furnished rooms. The furniture in these is modern and stands in harmonious contrast to the historical architecture of the house.
A special highlight of the hotel is the organic, seasonal and regional gourmet cuisine, which is also a member of Slow Food Switzerland. This means that the majority of the ingredients for the dish come from the region and vegetables and fruits are seasonal. The dishes assigned to each month refer to what nature has to offer in Switzerland over the course of the year.
If you want to make yourself comfortable here in Switzerland in winter, you can do so car-free. Because the Rössli is easily accessible by public transport. The S-Bahn station is only about 10 minutes away from the hotel.
5. Feel tradition and modernity in South Tyrol’s Meran
Of course, a list of car-free winter places is not complete without accommodation in South Tyrol. After all, the mountains and the snow are literally at home here. We recommend this for a trip to the north of Italy Ottmanngut in the heart of Meran. Depending on the room, here you can see the mountain landscape of the Texel group or the hotel's own vineyard.
The Ottmanngut was first mentioned in documents in 1290 and has been owned by the Kirchlechner family since 1850. It was one of the first houses in Meran and is currently run by the 6th generation. After renovation, the Ottmanngut was reopened in a 'new' look in 2012.
The eleven rooms in the house are designed differently, with everything relating to the history of the house. Most of the rooms are decorated with old floorboards as well as furniture and lamps from the family in the Biedermeier, Josephine, Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles.
Slow food is also very important here: the food here is good, clean and fair. If possible, the Ottmanngut only serves dishes that are organic and regional and contain almost exclusively seasonal foods. A changing three-course breakfast is served here every day.
From good food to good travel: you can also easily get here by train. The train station in Merano is just under a kilometer away from the hotel. A transfer can also be organized upon request. Alternatively, there is also a bus from the train station that goes to the “Parcheggio Karl Wolf” station, which is only 300 meters from the hotel. Additional plus: Guests arriving by train or bicycle receive a 5% discount. Well, if that isn't an incentive to leave the car behind!
© Photos: Pexels / brandrefer, Summit Lodges, Heimat1883, farm holidays, Rössli Mogelsberg, Ottmanngut
Nadine Pinezits
Nadine is a freelance editor and copywriter. She lives in Austria and commutes between Salzburg, Styria and Vienna. She is therefore either in the mountains or in the urban jungle, but at the same time tries to spend as much time as possible in her heart country Portugal.
2 Comments
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Nadine Pinezits
Dear Corinne,
very gladly!
For cheaper accommodation, please take a look at our blog article “Five places for under a hundred euros" at. Maybe there is something suitable 🙂
Best regards,
Nadine
Corinne
Hi
Thanks for the positive information!!! The world is not only negative. It would be nice to see cheaper accommodation than just the luxury options.
All the best and continued success in 2024.
Corinne Strigl