Zugspitzbahn Cog Railway
Zugspitzbahn Cog Railway
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Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles261 reviews
Excellent
124
Very good
92
Average
30
Poor
7
Terrible
8

Anne J
Hjorring, Denmark14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Couples
Fantastic ride to the Zugspitze, a bit expensive, but worth it, even on a rainy day. We took the Zugspitze round trip. The train up and the cable car down to Eibsee and a walk around Eibsee. Very beautiful tour.
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jimpec
Stavanger, Norway71 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Fun experience but should use some upgrades and refinement. Took this train from the top station at Zugspitze and down. Really crowded ride which took quite a while. Worth trying - once..
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

monideepa d
Bangalore District, India1,089 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
The train from München brought us to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and thereafter, we decided to take the cogwheel train all the way up to the Gletscherbahnhof on the Zugspitze glacier.
Seated for the first time ever on the cogwheel train, operated by Bayerische Zugspitzbahn, we set off from the Zugspitzbahnhof in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Needless to say that it was truly a never to be forgotten experience; the intermittent slow and rapid ascents that the train took as it meandered through the snow-clad mountains and tracks was exciting and exhilarating.
Moreover, I could now proudly claim that I had travelled by the highest railway in Germany which also happens to be the third highest in entire Europe.
Apart from others who were tourists like us, there were skiers who were getting on and off at the intermediate stations of Hausberg, Kreuzeck-/Alpspitzbahn, Hammersbach, Grainau and Eibsee.
We exchanged friendly waves with passengers who were making their descent when our trains stopped side by side allowing smooth crossing for each other.
We had the option of taking the cable car from its base station located between Eibsee Bahnhof and the idyllic Eibsee lake. The cable car is known to transport passengers at record-breaking speed reaching the Zugspitze summit in just 10 minutes.
But we decided to continue our journey by the cogwheel train and I am so glad we did so, because the last portion of the train ride was through a tunnel cut through a mountain.
The train had been brought to a halt before beginning its commencement into the tunnel and when I peered out through the window, I caught sight of a sign which read 2040; so, I assumed that we were at the height of 2040 metres above sea level. On the other side, under the focus of a bulb, stood a statue; but I am not sure who it is dedicated to, as I could not see it clearly from my seat.
To be very honest, the ride through the dark tunnel and the realisation that we were actually travelling through the inside a mountain, was a tad bit scary and not without the feeling of claustrophobia. As a welcome distraction, we watched the video being displayed on the tv screen. It showed the arduous and adventurous construction of the tunnel. It was something I would not have missed watching for anything.
At the end of an hour and a couple of extra minutes, we reached the Gletscherbahnhof, located at the height of 2,588 metres above sea level and got off the train.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marcus F
Basket Range, Australia64 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019
An unbelievable feat of engineering, and the best way to acclimatize on your journey up to the summit. The scenery is spectacular and the train stops just before heading into the mountain at the half way point for a photo opportunity of the valley below and the alps above. As you climb, about 45 minutes pass and your body can adjust to the altitude slowly. Take the cable car up first and the altitude can come on a lot quicker.
Written September 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter
71 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
A good option is a family ticket for € 138 (2 + 2), which covers all subsequent journeys. You need to watch changes at several stations. I suggest you get a map at the checkout, which turns out to be very useful. There is a parking next to the start station.
Written August 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sampo
Kaarina, Finland54 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Couples
From GaPa Bahnhof to Grainau the train is like an ordinary train. In Grainau you change to a cog train. After Eibsee the cog train starts climbing up in a 4,8 km long tunnel, about 1400 vertical meters. Walk out of the train top station and you'll find youself in the glacier. Then take a gondola up to the top of Zugspitze at 2943 meters. Train ticket is included in the ski pass (min. 2 days' pass). Without a skipass its quite expensive but worth it, if the weather is fine.
Written March 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Traveller87987687
Bangkok, Thailand3,110 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2017 • Couples
If you start your trip from Zugspitz-station on Olympiastraße 27 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, note that there is free parking on a parking lot at the corner of Olympiastraße and St.-Martin-Straße. The entrance is opposite to the LIDL supermarket which is right next to the Zugspitz-station building.
I guess the parking lot belonged once to a business that is assumingly gone. There is an abandoned building next to the parking lot. There is one strip along St.-Martin-Straße where parking is prohibited. The rest of the parking space was for free and public at the time of my visit.

At the supermarket you can by some snacks and drinks. There is plenty of space and quiet corners up on the summit where you can sit and consume your brown-bag lunch.

The ride on the cog railway takes roughly 80 minutes, and has 6 stops on the way. Each of those stops has parking lots and you can choose to start your trip from either of those stations.

After a 30 minute ride through the tunnel you’ll end up at the final station on a plateau called “Zugspitzplatt”. It is on 2600 meters above sea level. The remaining 400 meters to the summit you can either way hike up, or take the cable car “Gletscherbahn” which is included in the 53 Euro return ticket.

Be aware of the change of the price list on their web-site. There is a summer and a winter list, which are both available, but I don’t know on what day it changes.

The new cable car from the Eibsee-station, opens in December and goes straight up to the summit. That might be more convenient, especially for tourists that are in a rush. But I actually liked the fact that the train ride plus the cable car took 90 minutes to reach the summit. To me it was always a pleasant thing to approach a destination slowly with no rush whatsoever. It gives you more time to absorb the mountain atmosphere and the feeling for altitude. Which, then again is only the second best thing to hiking up all the way.

I wish you all a good time and the same glorious, sunny weather and blue sky that I had the pleasure to experience on my trip yesterday.
Written October 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ActRegular_traveller
Canberra, Australia2,624 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2016 • Couples
We were in G-P for 2 nights so decided to go up the Zugspitze (highest mountain in Germany) for a look. There had been a few showers overnight and the morning showed us a light dusting of snow higher up on the surrounding mountains. There was still cloud on the mountain peaks, but we were hopeful it would clear later in the day (not the case).

Adult day tickets were EU 44.50 each - same whether we were skiing or not. We caught the 9.15 train. It became quite full as skiers got on at later stops. For the first few kilometres it was running as a conventional electric train with overhead wires, but at Grainau it became a cog rail system. Most of the skiers got off at Eibsee & must have caught the long cable car up to the top from there. The train was inside the mountain for over 4.5km, so not much to see for that part. The terminus is also inside the mountain at Zugspitzplatz, about 2500m up the mountain. The one way trip by train took about 75 minutes. We caught a cable car up the last few hundred metres on the same ticket.

Since the top of Zugspitze was in cloud with visibility at about 100m, we only spent a short time playing around in the light snow before going back inside, having a hot chocolate at the bar and catching the long cable car all the way down to Eibsee (same ticket). This was spectacular - the cable car emerged from the cloud about 100m down the mountain and the views were stunning - we were able to take photos out a small window on one side of the car as there were only a few passengers at that time of day. Much better photos than from the train as it was both more elevated and with no glass reflection. That cable car descends/ascends about 1900m. We arrived at Eibsee where there was a short walk of about 200m to the train station and we managed to catch a train back to G-P a good deal earlier than if we'd caught for the train right from the top. Overall the trip that way was much faster. We were back in G-P before 1pm.
Written December 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

steve34515
Altamonte Springs, FL37 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Couples
We spent from noon until 1800 for an hour on the top of Zugspitze.
Drove from resort-had to wait 50 min for next train which takes you to Eibsee where you get the cable car (for efficiency) or continue on the train. The cable takes you to the top. When at the top you spend your time, get your pics and maybe drink a beer if thats your thing...then reverse the process. The problem is that the process on the way down is harder. 1-hour long cue to get in the cable car
2-45 minute wait at the Eibsee station for a packed train back to Garmish
3-more stops on the way down that were 5-7 min (estim) to get back to Garmish.
It took us 2 hours to get down the mountain.
In my humble opinion it is better and 1/2 the price to go to Mittenwald, take the cable car up in 10 minutes, have a nice hike at the top (lots of beautiful trails), have far fewer tourists, then you have time to drink a beer and get down in 10 min AND have a gorgeous town to walk around with your extra time.
AN IMPORTANT TIP- if you do take the Zugspitzbahn, then Eibsee is the switch point for the cable car. Was not told to me or the many other tourists riding up and all were confused if and when to get off the train on the way up
Written October 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stuart C
Munich, Germany29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2016 • Couples
Probably the most relaxing way of getting up a mountain you will ever experience, deep in the best views the region has to offer. The journey, just over an hour, winds from Garmisch to the Zugspitze through traditional Bavarian countryside with cows with bells, wooden huts, green green pastures and views of the blue Eibsee lake. Tickets for the journey can only be described as 'reassuringly expensive' as the engineers and techies amongst us see the incredible gradients the cogged track winds through and the long, long tunnel on the last 20 minutes of the journey. The sheer brilliance of the complexity of this mode of transport to the top of Germany's highest mountain justifies the price.
Recommend packing warm clothes (just in case, it is a mountain!), wearing sturdy shoes and taking sun glasses - sun and snow combo can be hard on your peepers.
Written July 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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