INN Mountain DO, Innsbruck Austria - September 25-27 2015
Sep 21, 2015, 11:06 am
#106
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
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Posts: 5,063
Just as an update for everybody arriving on train or bus services:
There are no border closures at the moment. OEBB rail services are running normally exept between Salzburg and Germany. Connections from Salzburg to Innsbruck ("corridor trains") are back on a normal schedule albeit being sometimes a little bit late. There are no problems between Munich and Innsbruck and usually no or little waiting times at the border in Kufstein at the moment.
This may change at any time but at the moment everything looks pretty quiet. For updated train service information, check http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp.
There are no border closures at the moment. OEBB rail services are running normally exept between Salzburg and Germany. Connections from Salzburg to Innsbruck ("corridor trains") are back on a normal schedule albeit being sometimes a little bit late. There are no problems between Munich and Innsbruck and usually no or little waiting times at the border in Kufstein at the moment.
This may change at any time but at the moment everything looks pretty quiet. For updated train service information, check http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp.
Sep 22, 2015, 3:21 am
#107
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My 1:29pm Munich-Salzburg train is cancelled. Just leaving the airport on the way into the city. Do see some other trains that are still running and hopefully can reroute. Noticed a couple others cancelled, too.
Sep 22, 2015, 4:02 am
#108
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if time is no issue - you could also take regional express trains from munich to garmisch partenkirchen and from there via seefeld to innsbruck. the trip takes around 2 hours 45 minutes.
Sep 22, 2015, 4:41 am
#109
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Ticket office took care of me very quickly. I'm on a train at 1255 to Freilassing and connecting bus from there.
Sep 22, 2015, 5:35 am
#110
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: INN
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Sep 22, 2015, 10:31 am
#111
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Well....just finished "a three hour tour, a three hour tour". At least the weather cooperated and didn't start getting rough (and Tom didn't get lost).
Train came in at 2:36 and I was at the bus stop by 2:40 for the 2:45 special service into Salzburg. It never showed. We were told the next bus was at 3:45. Wasn't there by 3:50 so about 20 of us started the trek into the city (google maps said 81 mins on foot to Salzburg HBF). One of our party said they saw an empty bus after we left, but we would not have made it back to the train station for it. I can't independently verify that as I did not see a bus. There was a cab line that did have some cabs when we first arrived, but that was the last of them. About a dozen people were in that line and 50 in the bus line when I left.
A driver of one of the refugee buses stopped briefly and told us the border was closed. That may account for the delay or absence of both bus and cabs. Certainly made up my mind, along with about 20 others, to start the trek in.
Refugees were arriving by bus under police escort and being placed on a train. Police were at the top of the stairs looking over all the incoming passengers (and they shuttled officers back and forth in two big police buses with black windows). Looked like a line off to the side of passengers that were getting further screening when we walked up the exit stairs. On the way in there was a heavy police presence at another station, too, as well as in Munich.
Crossed into Austria on foot along with two Germans (actually talked politics most of the way--sure made the time go by). Passed a hundred or more refugees at the crossing and many others were being brought in by bus with police escorts and placed on trains. There were members of the Red Cross visible providing drinks and services - also a lot of tents and tarps. No one was coming across the way we came into Austria.
My German friends found a train station on their GPS that showed good service so we headed there, with arrival at 4:50 (an hour into our hike now) for a 5:10 train. I was at my hotel at 5:40, 3 hours after arrival at the Freilassing train station. If I took the original route my GPS suggested, without the diversion for the train station, I would have arrived a few minutes sooner in the end.
I talked with an older couple with large suitcases from the U.S. They were talking about just going back to Munich and eating their prepaid hotels and train tickets onto Vienna. If there was a bus eventually, I hope they hung around long enough to catch it. I suggested they check the train schedule and allow some time, but didn't sound like they wanted to deal with trying to continue into Vienna at all.
Another younger Japanese couple had huge suitcases with wheels and they turned back about 5 minutes out.
At least I'm safely here, though a little worn out and definitely tired as I barely slept on my two flights.
Walking across the border:
I didn't attempt to take any photos of camp sites or close ups. These are from the cell phone.
Train came in at 2:36 and I was at the bus stop by 2:40 for the 2:45 special service into Salzburg. It never showed. We were told the next bus was at 3:45. Wasn't there by 3:50 so about 20 of us started the trek into the city (google maps said 81 mins on foot to Salzburg HBF). One of our party said they saw an empty bus after we left, but we would not have made it back to the train station for it. I can't independently verify that as I did not see a bus. There was a cab line that did have some cabs when we first arrived, but that was the last of them. About a dozen people were in that line and 50 in the bus line when I left.
A driver of one of the refugee buses stopped briefly and told us the border was closed. That may account for the delay or absence of both bus and cabs. Certainly made up my mind, along with about 20 others, to start the trek in.
Refugees were arriving by bus under police escort and being placed on a train. Police were at the top of the stairs looking over all the incoming passengers (and they shuttled officers back and forth in two big police buses with black windows). Looked like a line off to the side of passengers that were getting further screening when we walked up the exit stairs. On the way in there was a heavy police presence at another station, too, as well as in Munich.
Crossed into Austria on foot along with two Germans (actually talked politics most of the way--sure made the time go by). Passed a hundred or more refugees at the crossing and many others were being brought in by bus with police escorts and placed on trains. There were members of the Red Cross visible providing drinks and services - also a lot of tents and tarps. No one was coming across the way we came into Austria.
My German friends found a train station on their GPS that showed good service so we headed there, with arrival at 4:50 (an hour into our hike now) for a 5:10 train. I was at my hotel at 5:40, 3 hours after arrival at the Freilassing train station. If I took the original route my GPS suggested, without the diversion for the train station, I would have arrived a few minutes sooner in the end.
I talked with an older couple with large suitcases from the U.S. They were talking about just going back to Munich and eating their prepaid hotels and train tickets onto Vienna. If there was a bus eventually, I hope they hung around long enough to catch it. I suggested they check the train schedule and allow some time, but didn't sound like they wanted to deal with trying to continue into Vienna at all.
Another younger Japanese couple had huge suitcases with wheels and they turned back about 5 minutes out.
At least I'm safely here, though a little worn out and definitely tired as I barely slept on my two flights.
Walking across the border:
I didn't attempt to take any photos of camp sites or close ups. These are from the cell phone.
Sep 22, 2015, 5:27 pm
#115
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Join Date: Mar 2000
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Do bear in mind that Innsbruck should be less affected than Salzburg, being
farther west. I am still considering getting contingency tickets for the return.
About the tourist discount card - the brochure says "diverse Hotels" - would
that include the Hilton, or is the Hilton too dignified for that sort of thing?
We'll get to the Hauptbahnhof just around the time the tourist office there
closes, so that won't be any help.
See you all soon!
farther west. I am still considering getting contingency tickets for the return.
About the tourist discount card - the brochure says "diverse Hotels" - would
that include the Hilton, or is the Hilton too dignified for that sort of thing?
We'll get to the Hauptbahnhof just around the time the tourist office there
closes, so that won't be any help.
See you all soon!
Sep 22, 2015, 10:30 pm
#116
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Posts: 31,849
Sep 23, 2015, 1:37 am
#117
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: INN
Programs: LH/OS SEN, HHonors Gold, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 357
Do bear in mind that Innsbruck should be less affected than Salzburg, being
farther west. I am still considering getting contingency tickets for the return.
About the tourist discount card - the brochure says "diverse Hotels" - would
that include the Hilton, or is the Hilton too dignified for that sort of thing?
We'll get to the Hauptbahnhof just around the time the tourist office there
closes, so that won't be any help.
See you all soon!
farther west. I am still considering getting contingency tickets for the return.
About the tourist discount card - the brochure says "diverse Hotels" - would
that include the Hilton, or is the Hilton too dignified for that sort of thing?
We'll get to the Hauptbahnhof just around the time the tourist office there
closes, so that won't be any help.
See you all soon!
The Innsbruck Card is available at the Hilton. I just called them to make sure they have the 24 and 48 hour ones available (the did not but they promised me to have sufficient stock by Friday). For most of you I guess the 24 or the 48 hour version will be OK - with the 24 hours, you can get in Friday evening at the Seegrube and the sightseeing program. You don't need it on Saturday evening to get to the restaurant (it's two minutes from the Hilton and a short walk from Ibis or Central). The Sunday morning brunch can be reached via bus line C or M.
Sep 23, 2015, 1:41 am
#118
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: INN
Programs: LH/OS SEN, HHonors Gold, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 357
These are the locations for Saturday evening and Sunday morning brunch:
Saturday dinner from 7 pm at Bistro Gourmand de Thierry
Sunday brunch from 10 am at Soulkitchen Innsbruck
Saturday dinner from 7 pm at Bistro Gourmand de Thierry
Sunday brunch from 10 am at Soulkitchen Innsbruck
Sep 23, 2015, 7:28 am
#119
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: INN
Programs: LH/OS SEN, HHonors Gold, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 357
Just checked by Thierry and had a look at the fresh black truffles which will be used for the black truffle crusted beef fillet which will be featured on the menu on Saturday evening. Looking forward to that!!
By the way, weather is supposed to be nice for the entire weekend but bring some warm clothes for the evening (especially for the Friday evening dinner at the Seegrube which is at 1.905 meters asl).
By the way, weather is supposed to be nice for the entire weekend but bring some warm clothes for the evening (especially for the Friday evening dinner at the Seegrube which is at 1.905 meters asl).
Sep 23, 2015, 6:23 pm
#120
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My merino Wolford tights are packed. I may even bring along a pair of cashmere silk Wolfords, which I usually reserve for mid-winter.
In case anyone wants to know what I think Austria's best export is -- Wolfords. I'd say all sorts of good things to eat, but then I wouldn't fit into my woolen tights. And that would be all kinds of wrong.
In case anyone wants to know what I think Austria's best export is -- Wolfords. I'd say all sorts of good things to eat, but then I wouldn't fit into my woolen tights. And that would be all kinds of wrong.