Bludenz and Arlberg Line - Is it good ?
 

Has anyone taken the Arlberg Line scenic train from Innsbruck to Bludenz ? We are thinking of doing this as a day trip from Innsbruck - does anyone have any opinions on whether this is (or is not) a fun and worthwhile trip to do ?

If it is, any tips on what we might be able to do for a few hours in Bludenz ? Depending on what return connection we get from Bludenz back to Innsbruck we may spend half a day or so at Bludenz - so am looking for suggestions on things to do there.

Thanks all !

Forgot to add - this will be sometime in September 2005, and we are not good at skiing.

The arlberg line is a scenic travel, but I would not say - it is very scenic (there a no glacier views). The view from Bludenz (Austria) towards Lindau (Germany) is also quite senic, as the line follows the shoreline of one of Europe's biggest lakes (Bodensee). Several tunnels prevent sometimes the view. September can be a good month with a stable high pressure weather (but you never know). If you have rainy weather, the mountains are hidden by clouds and you will not see much.

The line is served by international express trains.

For a day train trip from Innsbruck, I suggest Innsbruck - Seefeld, Mittenwald - Garmisch. In Garmisch, take the cog railway up the Zugspitze (Germany's highest mountain), then return to Innsbruck the way you came. This is a much more scenic outing than Innsbruck, Arlberg, Bludenz. On the way up, you have great views of the Inn valley and the mountains south of Innsbruck. Then, after Mittenwald, great mountains on the left side of the train.

For schedules, check http://bahn.de


The Zugspitzbahn station is within distance of the Garmisch main RR station.

Another option is to take the narrow-gauge railway into the Stubai valley. Funny and scenic. You could add a bus ride to the glacier and go up by cable car.

If your intention is to visit a town, Garmisch is the better choice.

Re Bludenz: there is no view of Lake Constance from the town, it is surrounded by mountains. I drove this route once and it was not very scenic.

I.