• ©© Niederösterreich Werbung/Maximilian Pawlikowsky

Short holiday in Semmering: escape the daily grind by train

Car-free travelling between cultural scenery and hiking trails

For over 150 years, the Semmering Railway has been taking people to a place where the pace slows down and the air becomes clearer. Emperor Franz Joseph, Arthur Schnitzler and Stefan Zweig already knew that the Semmering is more than just a holiday destination: it is a place where you can get closer to nature, culture and yourself.

Travelling by train takes around 90 minutes from Vienna or Graz to a world of architecture, history and nature - without the need for a car. Whether you are a history buff or a landscape explorer, everything is possible at Semmering.

5 tips for 3 days

2| Walk and marvel

A leisurely stroll through the town, past magnificent villas and grand hotels worth seeing, such as the legendary Südbahnhotel. Along the Hochstrasse Museum , 10 showcases tell the story of villa construction at the turn of the century.

4| Hiking on the Semmering

The hike from the top of the pass connects two mountains: Sonnwendstein and Hirschenkogel. If you wish, you can stop off at the Pollereshütte on the Sonnwendstein and enjoy regional specialities. For those who want to speed their way down into the valley, there are mountain carts available on the Hirschenkogel.

5| Culture and cuisine

The Kultur.Sommer.Semmering brings music, literature and culinary delights to one place from July to September: In the former Grandhotel Panhans or in the newly built Kulturpavillon. The 5-course gala dinner with theatre and wine accompaniment will make you feel like in the old days.

Travelling to the Semmering

  • Take the Südbahn railway to Semmering station
  • continue with the RUFbus to the accommodation
  • Bus route 343 runs between Gloggnitz railway station and Semmering Passhöhe