Holiday with your four-legged friend

This page provides helpful information for dog owners, from dog parks through to the rules to follow when taking your dog to a public park and some tips on hiking with dogs. Keep reading to ensure that your four-legged friend has a great holiday too!

Travel with dogs

Dogs can be taken on the city transportation routes operated by the Innsbrucker Verkesbetriebe and also on public buses outside of Innsbruck for free (muzzled and on a leash). On trains operated by the OEBB Austrian Federal Railways, dog owners are required to pay 10% of the full price for their four-legged friend (= standard ticket) or a minimum rate of € 2, whichever is greater. The only exception is for registered assistance dogs who are allowed to travel for free (no muzzle required).

Doggy etiquette

Dogs in the city and countryside
  • Dogs must be kept on a leash in built-up areas and in the city. 
  • Dogs must be kept on a short leash in public buildings, parks, playgrounds and at markets.
  • Dogs are not allowed on the grass or planted areas.
  • Free bags are available to take care of the dog's business from "Sackerlspender" (bag dispensers) located throughout the entire area. Please dispose of the bags in the assigned bins.
  • From spring to autumn, dogs must be kept on a leash in agricultural fields and on farmland.
  • Dogs are generally not allowed in museums.

Dog parks in Innsbruck

Would you like to give your dog a good run around in the city? Dog parks offer plenty of space for your four-legged friend to frolic around to its heart's content. They can be found in many districts of the city. You can find a list of all of Innsbruck's dog parks, including links and maps, on the city's official website.

Swimming with your dog

Dogs are unfortunately not allowed at the swimming lakes in the Innsbruck region. The region does, however, offer a number of other options for helping your four-legged friends cool off. If you walk along the River Inn from Baggersee lake, heading in the direction of Hall (to the east), for example, you will find a number of small bays. These are ideal for splashing around when the river is low – at your own risk, of course. You can also find some great spots along the River Inn behind the airport or make the most of the streams and cold mountain lakes awaiting you on a mountain hike.

Dogs on lifts and cable cars

The lifts and cable cars in and around Innsbruck are the quickest way to reach a destination high up in the Alps, where you can enjoy stunning views, fresh air and plenty of space to explore. Dogs are also allowed to travel in some of these lifts. Below you can find a summary of the rules that apply to the various lifts and cable cars:

Lifts and cable cars Dogs allowed Dogs travel for free Information
Nordkettenbahn yes yes Dogs must be on a leash and wear a muzzle, Dogs are not allowed at the Alpine Zoo!
Muttereralmbahn lift yes yes -
Nockspitzbahn yes yes -
Patscherkofelbahn lift yes - Dogs must wear a muzzle.
Bergbahn Oberperfuss yes yes -
Stubaier Gletscher yes yes  
Hiking with your dog

Hiking with your dog

Head up into the mountains! A mountain adventure is the ideal way to give your dog plenty of exercise followed by a perfect night's sleep. The mountain landscapes surrounding Innsbruck are truly impressive for both humans and animals, with paths leading through fragrant forests, birds tweeting away up in the trees and a stream burbling along at the side of the path. It even gives apartment dogs the chance to experience the scents of the great outdoors. If you want to take your dog into the mountains with you, you need to bear a few things in mind in order to ensure that you, your dog and other hikers all have a great time.

Be sure to also keep your dog on a leash when hiking, even if it seems like the perfect place for your dog to run around..  If you use a long leash, your dog will have enough freedom to explore by the edge of the path. 

Take caution around grazing animals such as cows. They are not vicious creatures but attacks are not unheard of. You should therefore avoid pastures when out with your dog and keep your distance if you come across any grazing animals. If you ever find yourself in difficulty near grazing animals, be sure to quickly release your dog from its leash so that it can get away quicker. You should then remain calm and slowly leave the pasture without any rapid movements.

Guided hikes with dogs

Hiking fans are sure to love our free mountain hiking programme with qualified mountain guides. Dogs are unfortunately not allowed to accompany you on these tours out of consideration for other participants and in order to prevent problematic encounters with grazing animals. However, there is another option for dog-lovers who are looking for like-minded people: The company Joy and Co organise paid hiking tours for dog owners. Your four-legged friends are more than welcome to join you on these tours, which are run by a dog trainer and biologist who shares lots of interesting information about the flora and fauna that you discover on your hike. Alongside hikes, Joy and Co also offers individual training sessions to help dogs and their owners live together in perfect harmony.

FRESH WATER FOR THIRSTY DOGS

In Innsbruck, crystal clear water flows straight down from the mountains and directly into the city's water supply. If you're out and about in Innsbruck, you can take advantage of the multitude of free drinking fountains to quench your thirst. Find out where these fountains are located on our interactive map. You can, of course, also use the fountains to fill up your dog's bowl when exploring the city.

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