Major city · Austria
KalsKals am Großglockner
Base for climbing Großglockner or hiking in Hohe Tauern: 2–3 nights in summer, 1 week for serious mountaineering. Skiers: 3–5 nights in winter.
Kals am Großglockner is a quiet alpine village at the end of a valley in East Tyrol, the main starting point for ascents of Austria's highest peak (3,798 m). In summer it's a hiking and mountaineering hub; in winter a small ski resort with a cable car. Most travellers come for the mountain, not the village.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (hiking, climbing), Dec–Mar (skiing)
- avoid Apr–May, Oct–Nov (muddy trails, closed lifts)
- Airports
- INN · KLU · LNZ
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Austria ↗Austria is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Austria ↗Motorways and expressways need a vignette (digital or sticker); driving on them without one brings on-the-spot fines.
- Austria ↗Winter tyres or chains are required in winter conditions; hire cars from outside Austria may not have them fitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kals133 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kals, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Austria-wide
- SIM or eSIMA1, Magenta and Drei are the networks; prepaid SIMs from shops and supermarkets (registration with ID).Austria-wide
- Tap waterTap water is excellent.Austria-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10%, told to the server when paying.Austria-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Austria-wide
- SafetyKals is a safe village.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets in cities cost €0.50 (≈ under US$1); cafés and museums have free ones for guests.Austria-wide
- Emergency numbers133 police · 122 fire · 144 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close on Sundays and holidays; Saturday afternoon closures in small towns.Austria-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportINN Innsbruck Airport (About 2.5 h by car or train+bus via Lienz).
- Getting aroundOn foot in the village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4 (≈ US$4–5)
- BeerBeer (0.5 L)€4–5 (≈ US$5–6)
- Metro or bus rideBus Lienz–Kals one way€6 (≈ US$7) (check)
- Budget bedApartment (up to 4), a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- INN Innsbruck Airport (About 2.5 h by car or train+bus via Lienz) · KLU Klagenfurt Airport (About 2 h by car) · LNZ Linz Airport (About 3.5 h by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest Jun (14 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kals: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
8 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
7 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
14 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
14 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot in the village. Bus line 4408 runs between Großdorf and Lienz up to 9 times a day (48 min). A car is useful for exploring the valley but not essential if you stay near the cable car.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus 4408, about 48 min
East Tyrol's main town with a castle and pedestrian zone.
Door to door: About 40 min
Car via the Grossglockner High Alpine Road (toll), about 30 min
Village at the foot of the Grossglockner with a famous church.
Matrei in Osttirol
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via Huben, about 20 min
Small town with a castle and access to the other side of the Grossglockner.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ködnitz (main village)
Hotels, guesthouses and apartments near the church and bus stop.
Großdorf
Quieter, closer to the cable car valley station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 2 nights × €120 | €240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €120 | €480 |
| Bus Lienz–Kals return2 × €12 · check | €24 |
| Kals 1 cable car return (summer)2 × €30 · check | €60 |
| Grossglockner High Alpine Road toll (car)1 × €40 · check | €40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €84 |
| Trip total≈ €232 per person per day, bed included | €928≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Schnitzel with salad | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Beer (0.5 L) | €4–5 (≈ US$5–6) |
| Bus Lienz–Kals one way | €6 (≈ US$7) (check) |
| Kals 1 cable car return | €30 (≈ US$35) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Großglockner climbs require experience or a guide: do not attempt alone if you are not confident on rock and ice.
- Last bus to Lienz departs early evening: check the timetable.
- The cable car (Kals 1) operates in summer and winter but may close for maintenance in shoulder seasons.
- Weather changes fast in the mountains: carry layers and rain gear even on a sunny day.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 133
- Fire
- 122
- Ambulance
- 144
- Mountain rescue
- 140
- EU-wide emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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KalsKals am Großglockner
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police133
- Fire122
- Ambulance144
- Mountain rescue140
- EU-wide emergency112
Embassy
The nearest embassy is in Vienna. For consular help, contact your country's embassy in Vienna.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Lienz → Kals: about €6 (≈ US$7), 48 min (check)
- Taxi Lienz → Kals: €50–70 (≈ US$60–85) (check)
Say or show
- Grüß Gott — Hello (groos got)
- Danke — Thank you (dahn-keh)
- Wie viel kostet das? — How much is it? (vee feel kost-et dahs)
- Wo ist die Seilbahn? — Where is the cable car? (voh ist dee zile-bahn)
- Ich brauche einen Bergführer — I need a mountain guide (ish brow-khe eye-nen berg-fueh-rer)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kals. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (hiking, climbing), Dec–Mar (skiing) · avoid Apr–May, Oct–Nov (muddy trails, closed lifts) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the cable car, parish church and key hiking trails with seasonal opening dates.
- Eat pages with last orders and reservation requirements.
- Bus timetable fixture with real-time departures.
- Mountain guide booking integration.
Sources
Ask about Kals
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