What made our time in Innsbruck extra special was our last minute decision to not rent a car. This totally changed the dynamic of the trip. On previous trips to Europe we’ve always rented a car, and like the freedom it allows…plus it’s nice to drive on really well-maintained roads for a change. I haven’t relied on public transportation since living in Boston over a decade ago, but it’s generally something I enjoy figuring out in new cities, so I was up for the challenge.
After arriving in Innsbruck via train from Munich Airport, my first move was to buy a Tirol Card. For 99 euros, it gave me unlimited access to all trains and buses within the Tirol region for an entire month. Aside from it being more economical than buying single tickets for each trip, it also made things logistically easier as well — never having to stop to buy a ticket before hopping on a bus or streetcar. Since the kids are under 6, they were free. Tirol is a big area, and we didn’t scratch the surface on all the places we could have gone with the card, though we certainly got our money’s worth, even though we only used it for 3 weeks, not a full month.
Other things we learned about traveling via public transportation with little kids in Innsbruck:
- I was so glad we didn’t bring the double stroller. It would have been so hard to get on and off the buses and streetcars. Our single BoB was perfect, and Ali was totally happy to ride in the “jump seat” when his legs got tired.
- Bringing Ali’s Micro scooter was a great move. He rode it everyday, and it gave us another way to get him around without him walking miles. It also breaks down easily into 2 small pieces that easily fit under the stroller.
- Don’t trust Google Maps to route you on public transportation in Innsbruck, and I suspect this is true for other cities as well. Instead, I used the tool on the Innsbruck public transportation website, which was always spot on.
- I bought the Tirol card at the IVB office near the old area of Innsbruck. They’re often busy, but it was worth it to be able to talk through the different options with someone.
- Not having to tangle with carseats for 3 weeks was pure bliss.
- For my transportation-obsessed boys, this mode of travel made every trip out of the house an adventure, and by the end of the trip we were hopping onto buses and trains just to see where we’d end up. It took me at least a week to feel comfortable with the system (the map is intense), but the possibilities are endless and we could get everywhere we wanted to via public transportation and a short (1 mile max) walk.
