Zell am See
Zell am See is a lakeside resort in Austria's Salzburg state, where you can swim in Lake Zell in summer and ski the Schmittenhöhe in winter.
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Zell am See is a town in the Austrian state of Salzburg, set in the Kitzbühel Alps beside Lake Zell. The lake is peanut-shaped, about 4.7 square kilometers in area and about 68 meters deep. The historic center sits on its western shore. The town lies about 60 km south-southwest of Salzburg city and about 100 km east of Innsbruck. The Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain, is about 30 km away.
People come for the lake in summer and the ski areas in winter. The Schmittenhöhe, at 1,965 m, is the town's home mountain and is reached by cable car from the town center. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier in nearby Kaprun holds snow for much of the year, though that depends on how much falls. Since the 1990s, winter has drawn more overnight stays than summer, though summer is still strong.
Zell am See in five
- Ask if your hotel issues the Summer CardThe Summer Card runs 15 May to 31 October, is issued only by partner accommodations and cannot be bought. The tourism site lists an adult contribution of €9.28 to €10.44 per person and night in 2026.Zell am See cards compared
- Know the 15 July to 15 September limitsIn peak weeks the card works from 3 p.m. on arrival day, and the Schmittenhöhe lift, Gletscherjet 3+4, the Lake Zell panorama boat and Kaprun reservoirs only from day two.
- Buy the Hike & Swim Ticket if your hotel is not a partnerValid 14 May to 1 November 2026 for six consecutive days: €146 for adults, €109.50 for youths born 2008 to 2010 and €73 for children. It covers the Kitzsteinhorn, Maiskogel and Schmittenhöhe cable cars (not ski lifts) and the three lidos.
- Arrive by train or bus 260The station stands in the town center, and bus 260 runs from Salzburg main station via the airport. By car, the tourism site gives about 1.5 hours from Salzburg and 2.5 hours from Munich.Salzburg
- Budget the local and mobility taxesFrom age 15 the local tax is €2 per night in Zell am See and in Kaprun, rising in Kaprun to €3.50 from 1 November 2026. A €0.50 mobility tax per night buys the Guest Mobility Ticket for regional transport.Tourist taxes in Europe
Things to do in Zell am See
See all attractions in Zell am See
Need to know
- Airport
- Salzburg (SZG), about 80 km; bus 260 runs via the airport
- Getting there
- Train to the town center; Westbahn direct from Vienna three times a day
- Getting around
- Walk the center; buses and the Pinzgau railway; Guest Mobility Ticket
- Best base
- The center for trains and lifts; Kaprun for the glacier
- Time needed
- 3 days for the lake and one peak; 4 to 5 with the Glockner road
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow16 rainy days9 snowy daysHigh1°Low-8°Ski seasonJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 9
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- FebruarySnow12 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh3°Low-6°Ski seasonFebruarySnow
Mixed
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- MarchRain15 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh6°Low-4°Spring skiingMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring skiing
- AprilRain15 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh10°Low0°Shoulder seasonAprilRain
Good
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Shoulder season
- MayRain20 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low4°Green, cards openMayRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, cards open
- JuneRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low8°Hiking, lake opensJuneRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hiking, lake opens
- JulyRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low10°Peak, lido daysJulyRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 177 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak, lido days
- AugustRain18 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low10°Peak, lido daysAugustRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 173 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak, lido days
- SeptemberRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh17°Low6°Clear, quieterSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, quieter
- OctoberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low3°Autumn, cards endOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn, cards end
- NovemberRain12 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh7°Low-3°Cool, quietNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- DecemberSnow14 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh2°Low-6°Ski, AdventDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 8
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski, Advent
Average daily high and low in Zell am See, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Zell am See
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
-3
- Feels like
- -5°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 18%
Zell am See
11:02 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°3°18%Monday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Tue8°4°8%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Wed11°3°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu12°5°0%Thursday: Clear. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri12°4°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat13°3°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun10°4°12%Sunday: Rain. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 06:55 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Coming up
Every year
- JanMozart WeekSalzburg, a day trip
- Mar–AprSalzburg Easter FestivalSalzburg, a day trip
- Jul–AugSalzburg FestivalSalzburg, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Hohe Tauern and the Glockner roada full day by car or tourToll, hours and the closing season are on the Hohe Tauern page; choose a clear day for the summit views.Read the guide
- Krimml WaterfallsPinzgau train, bus or carThe falls sit at the western end of the Hohe Tauern park, with their own season and ticket.
- Salzburgbus 260 or train; car about 1.5 hoursThe Guest Mobility Ticket covers public transport across the state of Salzburg.Read the guide
Before you go to Zell am See
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Rules for Zell am See, checked
- Summer Card 15 May-31 Oct: issued only by partner accommodations, not sold; 2026 adult contribution €9.28 to €10.44 per person and night.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Hike & Swim Ticket 2026: 14 May-1 Nov, six consecutive days; adults €146, youths €109.50, children €73.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Local tax from age 15: €2 per night in Zell am See and Kaprun (Kaprun €3.50 from 1 Nov 2026), plus €0.50 mobility tax.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Zell am See
Zell am See FAQ
Is the Zell am See Summer Card worth it?
It is worth having when it comes with your hotel, since it covers the Schmittenhöhe, the Kitzsteinhorn and the lidos. It cannot be bought, so if your hotel is not a partner price the Hike & Swim Ticket instead.
How many days do you need in Zell am See?
Three days cover the lake, one lift to a summit and a Kaprun day. Add one or two for the Grossglockner road and Krimml Waterfalls.
Zell am See or Kaprun: where should you stay?
Zell am See for a station, a lido and a town evening; Kaprun for the glacier lifts and reservoirs. Both charge a local tax from age 15, and Kaprun's rises to €3.50 a night from 1 November 2026.
How do you get from Salzburg to Zell am See?
By bus 260 from Salzburg main station via the airport, by direct or connecting trains to the town-center station, or by car in about 1.5 hours. Drivers should read the toll rules in the Austria guide first.
What is there to do in Zell am See when it rains?
Use the indoor pool, the Kaprun Museum, the Vogtturm Museum or a mine or gorge nearby, all listed as card partners. Keep the Schmittenhöhe and Kitzsteinhorn for clearer hours.