Austria

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Transportation:

Other way to get to Soelden, Austria:

Flights:
The closest airport to Sölden is Innsbruck Airport (INN), which is about an hour's drive away.
You can find flights to Innsbruck from various European cities.

Train:
The nearest train station is Ötztal Bahnhof, located at the entrance to the Ötztal valley.

Vienna to Sölden: There are several direct train services from Vienna to Sölden.
The journey time is typically around 4-5 hours, depending on the specific train and route.

Bus services:
Several bus companies offer direct services to Sölden from major cities in Austria and Germany.

Accommodation:

At 2000 euros for the week, it might seem pricey, but splitting the cost between three couples made it very affordable.

For groups of five or more, I wholeheartedly recommend this apartment.

You can reach out to the owners via email at info@altposchach.at
They are fluent in both English and German and were incredibly helpful throughout our stay.

The apartment itself was well-appointed, with a fully equipped kitchen, comfortable furnishings, and even storage space for our ski equipment.

We especially enjoyed the views from the living room, which offered stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains.

The owners were incredibly welcoming, even assisting me personally with ski shoe fittings, which was incredibly helpful as it was my first time skiing.

Accommodation in Sölden tends to be pricier than average.

For instance, you can find options on booking.com starting from €220, while agoda.com offers some from €160.

Unfortunately, we couldn't find any listings on hostelworld.com.

Day 3: We ventured to a larger ski resort, eager to explore new terrain and challenge ourselves on more challenging slopes. In the evening, we strolled through the charming village of Sölden, enjoying the festive atmosphere and savoring a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. The evening concluded with a friendly game of cards back at the apartment.

Day 4: Opting for a more relaxed pace, we enjoyed a leisurely morning, soaking in the mountain views. Later, we embraced the spirit of winter with a thrilling sledding adventure down the snowy slopes.

Day 5: While the rest of the family hit the slopes early, I nursed my sore muscles and enjoyed the peaceful mountain atmosphere. Later in the afternoon, I joined them on the slopes for a few more exhilarating runs.

Day 6: On our final day, we made the most of our time on the slopes, skiing from dawn till dusk. We capped off the day with a memorable family dinner, sharing stories and laughter as we reminisced about our incredible week in the Alps.

Day 7: We woke early for the long drive back to Poland, carrying with us the memories of a fantastic winter adventure in Sölden.

One week in Sölden:

Skiing in the Austrian Alps can be an expensive endeavor, but with some careful planning, you can enjoy a memorable winter vacation without breaking the bank. Our recent trip to Sölden served as a valuable lesson in budget-conscious travel.

Pre-Trip Preparations:

Skiing Gear:
Before even leaving Jordan, we visited local markets for affordable ski gear.
Surprisingly, we found excellent deals on ski trousers (4 euros), gloves (2 euros),
a ski jacket(4 euros), and even ski goggles (1 euro)!

This significantly reduced our equipment costs.

Flight Fare Strategies:
Securing affordable flights is crucial.
While flying to Prague might have been more convenient for our family pick-up, we opted for more budget-friendly flights to Poznan, Poland, saving us a considerable sum.

Our flights with Ryanair cost us 250 euros for both my wife and me.

Accommodation and Food Savings:

Budget-Friendly Accommodation:
We found a fantastic two-bedroom apartment in Sölden, offering ample space for our group and a fully-equipped kitchen.
This allowed us to prepare many of our own meals, significantly reducing dining expenses.

Grocery Shopping:
To further minimize food costs, we stocked up on groceries in Poland before our trip.
While we still enjoyed dining out at local restaurants (around 230 euros total), cooking at home for breakfasts and dinners helped us stay within our budget.

Skiing Resorts:

Ski Pass Strategies:
We took advantage of multi-day ski pass discounts, which offered significant savings compared to purchasing daily passes.

Equipment Rentals:
My family generously lent me their ski equipment, saving me the cost of renting. For the days I needed to rent, I opted for intermediate-level skis to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Pack Your Own Snacks:
To avoid overpriced on-slope snacks, we packed our own sandwiches, fruits, and water.
This simple habit saved us a significant amount of money.

Skiing within budget:

Our recent skiing trip to Sölden, Austria, was an incredible experience, but like any adventure, it came with its costs.
Here's a breakdown of our expenses to help you plan your own budget:

• Accommodation:
  Our flat rental was a fixed cost of €2000 for 6 adults.
  
  

• Transportation:

  • The van rental cost us €465.

  • Fuel expenses approximately €418.
    
    

• Skiing:

  • Ski pass was €67 (2024 price) per person per day in Gurgl resort.
    (check the section below for more details.)

  • Equipment rentals were €55 per person per day.
    (total cost will depend on what you rent and for how long)
    
    

• Other Expenses:

  • Grocery shopping: €300 for all of us for 1 week.

  • Restaurants: €230 for 6 adults. (one dinner)

  • Snacks: €50 (water, crisps, chocolate, hot drinks) per person for whole week.

Skiing cost breakdown:

• Significant Savings Online:

  • Purchasing ski passes online can lead to substantial savings compared to buying them at the ticket window.
    
    

• Example 2025 Top Season Prices (Adults):

  • 1-day pass: €75 (cash) / €65 (online)

  • 2-day pass: €146 (cash) / €127 (online)

  • 3-day pass: €230.50 (cash) / €202.50 (online)

  • 5-day pass: €374 (cash) / €329.50 (online)

  • 7-day pass: €485.50 (cash) / €427 (online)
    
    

• Seasonal Price Variations:

  • These prices are for the 2025 top season, the most expensive period.

  • Pre-season/off season and peak season prices are significantly lower.
    
    

• Reduced Rates for Children and Youth:

  • Children and youth ski passes are available at much lower prices.
    
    

• Official Website for Details:

  • For the complete price list, ticket options, and other essential information, please visit the official Gurgl website: gurgl.com.

Ski passes cost breakdown:

Skiing posts