ÖBB's Railjet network is one of Europe's best. Private transfers are door-to-door. Both have a place in alpine ski-trip planning. Here's how the math actually works for INN-, MUC-, and SZG-served resorts.
The short answer
For groups of 4+ people, families with kids, late-arriving flights, or trips with heavy ski equipment, private transfer almost always wins on total cost-of-time. For solo travellers, couples on a budget, daytime arrivals, and routes with direct ÖBB Railjet service, train + resort connection is the better deal.
The two break points to know:
- At 4 people, the per-person private transfer cost roughly equals the train + ski-bag fees + resort taxi
- At 22:00 landing, private transfer becomes the only reliable option (last useful regional connections from Innsbruck Hbf to Arlberg/Ötztal/Paznaun drop off after ~21:30)
How they actually work
Private transfer
A pre-booked driver meets you at the airport arrivals exit with a name board. Loads your bags, drives you door-to-door to the hotel. Fixed price, flight-tracked, child seats on request. Time: airport-to-resort drive only — typically 1.5h (INN→Sölden) to 3.5h (MUC→Lech).
Train + connection
You take the airport-to-city link (S-Bahn at MUC, bus 6 at INN, bus at SZG). Then ÖBB Railjet to a regional hub (Innsbruck Hbf, Salzburg Hbf). Then a regional ÖBB train to the resort station (Sölden has no train station; St. Anton, Mayrhofen, Schladming, Zell am See do). Then resort bus or short taxi to your hotel. Time: 4-6 hours typical.
Cost comparison
For four people, INN-MUC-SZG → Tirol/Vorarlberg ski resort, one-way:
| Route | Train (4 people) | Private transfer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| INN → Sölden | ~€100 + €60 resort taxi | ~€220 (V-Class) | Transfer +€60 |
| INN → St. Anton | ~€80 + €30 resort taxi | ~€220 (V-Class) | Transfer +€110 |
| MUC → St. Anton | ~€280 + €60 resort taxi | ~€450 (V-Class) | Transfer +€110 |
| MUC → Lech | ~€280 + €60 resort taxi | ~€520 (V-Class) | Transfer +€180 |
| SZG → Schladming | ~€90 + €25 resort taxi | ~€280 (V-Class) | Transfer +€165 |
Notes:
- Train prices include 2nd-class Sparschiene fares booked early; rate doubles for last-minute or 1st-class
- Ski-bag fees (€10-25/bag depending on operator) add up across changes
- Resort taxi rates are evening / weekend; daytime sometimes cheaper
- Child seats in private transfer free of charge; in resort taxis usually unavailable
Time comparison
For the same routes:
| Route | Train door-to-door | Private transfer | Time saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| INN → Sölden | ~3h (with bus + Hbf wait + B186 taxi) | ~1.5h | 1.5h saved |
| INN → St. Anton | ~2h | ~1.5h | 30min saved |
| MUC → St. Anton | ~5h with one change | ~3h | 2h saved |
| MUC → Lech | ~6h with two changes | ~3.5h | 2.5h saved |
| SZG → Schladming | ~3h | ~1.5h | 1.5h saved |
Time saved matters more on a 4-day trip than a 14-day trip — losing a half-day of skiing each way costs you 25% of your trip.
When train wins
- Solo traveller, daytime arrival: Cheapest per-person option, comfortable Railjet seats, scenic
- Couple on a budget, no kids: Train makes sense if you have time and energy
- Resort with direct rail station (St. Anton, Mayrhofen, Schladming, Zell am See, Bad Gastein): Removes the resort-taxi leg
- Combining the trip with a city stop (Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna): Train integrates naturally
When transfer wins
- Family with kids under 12: Train changes with sleepy kids = misery
- Group of 4+: Per-person economics flip in transfer's favour
- Heavy ski/board equipment: One load vs. four hand-carries across changes
- Late-arriving flight (after 22:00): Trains stop running; private transfer 24/7
- Resort with no train station (Sölden, Galtür, Ischgl, Lech, Zürs, Saalbach): You'll need a resort taxi anyway after the train, the cost adds up
- Saturday changeover with peak-week traffic: Driver picks the route that's moving; train has no flexibility
- Carrying a buggy + ski bags + suitcases: V-Class fits everything; trains require playing Tetris
The resort-station map (which resorts have direct rail)
ÖBB stations at or in walking distance of resort centre:
- Tirol: St. Anton am Arlberg (S16 station in centre), Mayrhofen (Zillertal regional), Innsbruck (city, all resorts via local bus)
- Vorarlberg: Langen am Arlberg (5 min from Lech via taxi/bus), Bludenz (Montafon access)
- Salzburger Land: Zell am See, Schladming, Bad Gastein, Saalfelden (close to Saalbach)
- Carinthia: Bad Hofgastein, Mallnitz (Mölltal access)
Resorts WITHOUT useful rail (need road transfer regardless):
- Tirol: Sölden, Obergurgl, Hochgurgl, Galtür, Ischgl, Kühtai, Seefeld
- Vorarlberg: Lech, Zürs, Stuben, Damüls
- Salzburg: Saalbach-Hinterglemm (use Saalfelden + 20 min drive), Obertauern
For these, the train's "savings" disappear once you add the resort-taxi leg. Private transfer pricing flattens.
Hybrid strategy: train one way, transfer the other
This is genuinely the best plan for some trips:
- Train inbound, transfer outbound: Arrive relaxed via Railjet, take a transfer back to catch an early or late flight without train stress
- Transfer inbound, train outbound: Land late, get to hotel fast; on the way back, you're not in a hurry for the early-morning resort taxi
- Train one direction, group of 2 splits with friends: Mix-and-match for cost optimization
We can quote either single-direction transfer; the cost is roughly half a return.
A note on luggage handling
Train: You carry all bags through changes. Munich Hbf to Innsbruck Hbf has elevators but they get crowded on changeover Saturdays. Innsbruck Hbf to platform-7-for-Arlberg-train involves stairs in some sections.
Transfer: Driver loads at airport, unloads at hotel. Done.
For a couple with two carry-ons it's a non-issue. For a family with two ski bags + four suitcases + two boot bags + a buggy, the train option is a workout.
FAQ
Do ÖBB trains carry skis and snowboards? Yes — Railjet 2nd class has overhead racks, 1st class has dedicated ski-bag space. Regional trains are more variable. Most operators charge a small ski-bag fee (€10-25 depending on route).
Can I combine a transfer one way with a train the other? Yes. We quote single-direction transfers; you can pair with a Railjet ticket booked separately on ÖBB.at.
What about cross-border trains from Munich to Austrian resorts? Munich → Innsbruck Railjet runs roughly hourly, 1h 50min direct. From Munich you can also take RegioBahn-style services to Garmisch and onward to Mittenwald/Innsbruck — slower but cheaper. Direct Munich → St. Anton is one Railjet change at Innsbruck.
Is private transfer worth booking for a 7-night trip if I'm staying in one resort the whole time? Yes — you pay only twice (in + out). Once you're at the resort, ski buses cover everything. The transfer is purely for the airport-to-resort and back legs.