Free gondola rides, complimentary access to lakeside swimming areas and high-alpine reservoirs, and countless other benefits: with the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card, you have all the highlights of the region in your back pocket. Explore the best destinations in and around Zell am See and Kaprun with a single card – and at no extra cost!
What is the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card?
One of Austria’s premium guest cards – and your ticket to the most exciting attractions in one of the country’s most diverse year-round destinations. With the Zell am See-Kaprun Card, you’ll get to visit the glacier, the mountains, Lake Zeller See, and numerous recreational attractions free of charge during your summer holidays. Additional Bonus Partners offer generous discounts on their services.
The Summer Card is valid for the full duration of your stay in Zell am See-Kaprun between May 15 and October 31.
How much does the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card cost?
The Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card is not available for purchase. Stay at a partner property such as Carpe Solem Kaprun, and the card is automatically included for free in the cost of your booking. You will receive it upon check-in, and your experience-packed holiday in the SalzburgerLand can begin!
Who gets the most benefit from the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card?
In short: You do! Whether you're traveling with family, chasing vertical gains, or simply eager to discover something new each and every day, the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card gives you access to the region's best attractions – either for free or at a significantly reduced rate.
- For families: Every day a new adventure – without constantly having to reach for your wallet. Mountain lifts with playgrounds and family-friendly hiking trails, gorges, reservoirs, lakeside beaches… in other words, the complete package!
- For hikers & mountaineers: Thanks to your Sommer Card, you will be able to let the lifts carry you up those first few hundred vertical meters – significantly less effort, more scenery, and that gloriously fresh alpine air.
- For avid explorers & active vacationers: Lake today, gorge tomorrow, museum the day after? No need to decide in advance – the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card keeps all your options open.
What services are included with the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card?
With its wide range of benefits and discounts, the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card ranks among the best guest cards in Austria. Glaciers, mountains, and lakes dominate the holiday regions of SalzburgerLand, and you are right in the heart of it all:
- ride lifts up the Kitzsteinhorn, the Schmittenhöhe, and the family-friendly Maiskogel for free
- enjoy boat rides on Lake Zeller See at no cost
- marvel at the blend of nature and engineering achievements at the High Alpine Reservoirs.
And that’s far from all. Many other Premium and Bonus Partners offer discounts and added perks of their own whenever you present your Summer Card. We will show you the most beautiful destinations in Zell am See and Kaprun you can visit for free with card in hand.
» View all included benefits
Top 5 Excursion Destinations in Kaprun
Kitzsteinhorn Glacier
Snow in summer? On the Kitzsteinhorn glacier plateau, you can toboggan across snowfields even in the warmest months of the year. The lifts take you to
- Gipfelwelt 3000, including the National Park Gallery and Cinema 3000
- the summit restaurant
- the Top of Salzburg viewing platform.
Here you will find yourself eye-to-eye with Austria’s highest peaks: the Grossglockner, Grossvenediger, and the Wiesbachhorn. All the while allowing the crisp alpine air to fill your lungs. For families, stops at the water playground near the Langwied base station and the playground at the Alpincenter are also highly recommended.
Which cable cars operate on the Kitzsteinhorn in summer?
In summer, you have several ways to reach the Kitzsteinhorn by lift:
- Gletscherjet 1 or the Panoramabahn (Kesselfallstraße 60, 5710 Kaprun): These lifts take you to the Langwied stations, then on to the Alpincenter. From there, take the summit lift and/or Gletscherjets 3 & 4 all the way to the top and Gipfelwelt 3000. These cable cars are included free of charge with the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card.
- MK Maiskogelbahn and 3K K-onnection: The 3K K-onnection departs from the top station of the MK Maiskogelbahn and also runs to Langwied. The panoramic ride on the 3K K-onnection is offered for a reduced fare with the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card (not fully included).
Kaprun High Alpine Reservoirs
A trip to the Kaprun high alpine reservoirs impresses with
- the location of the turquoise-colored lakes surrounded by 3,000-meter peaks
- the fascinating history of their construction
- and the engineering feat of the dam walls themselves (tours available).
How do you get to the Kaprun High Alpine Reservoirs?
From the Kesselfall parking garage in Kaprun, shuttle buses take you – for free with the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card – up to an elevation of 2,040 meters and the breathtaking Mooserboden Reservoir, evocative of a Norwegian fjord. One highlight of the ascent is the ride on the Lärchwand inclined lift, Europe’s largest open funicular, capable of transporting up to 185 passengers at one time. It, alone, rises roughly 430 meters vertical meters. Allow about 45 minutes for the journey from the Kesselfall to the second reservoir.
Once at the top, you will find self-guided themed paths, hiking trails, a via ferrata climbing area, and places to stop for refreshments. One popular hike leads from the upper reservoir, along the herb path, to the Fürthermoaralm – taking about 45 minutes.
Maiskogel in Kaprun
The family-friendly Maiskogel mountain is easily reached from the Kaprun Center, offering hiking and adventure opportunities for all ages. The MK Maiskogelbahn carries you from the Kaprun Center up to the mountain station at 1,570 meters – free with the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card.
At the base station of the MK Maiskogelbahn, you will find
- a family and adventure park with water slides and bouncy castles
- the Maisi Flitzer, a year-round alpine coaster,
- and Bründl Sports for all your hiking gear.
What can you do on the Maiskogel?
At the mountain station, mountain bikers take off on single trails with lots of flow back to the valley. Hikers head for the next hut or aim for the Dreiwallnerhöhe. And children get to make the most of the playground with its slides, swings, climbing elements, and a marble run. If you want to journey higher still, you can transfer at the top station to the 3K K-onnection – a spectacular gondola that takes you all the way up the Kitzsteinhorn (discounted with the Summer Card). And by the way: the views from the Maiskogel are magnificent, extending from Lake Zeller See across the Pinzgau “grass mountains”, all the way to the Steinernes Meer.
Sigmund Thun Gorge
The Sigmund Thun Gorge in Kaprun is a fascinating natural wonder: Wooden walkways lead you through a narrow ravine carved out by torrents of water over the course of centuries. The gorge is 320 meters long and up to 30 meters deep – always well worth a visit in any weather. Especially atmospheric: the Klammlichter evenings in summer.
How long does a visit to the gorge take?
You’ll need about 30 minutes to walk through the gorge. And why not combine your visit with a stop at the turquoise Klammsee lake at the top of the gorge – a perfect spot for a walk or a picnic. While you relax, the kids can play at the playground nearby.
Kaprun Museum
Housed in a 400-year-old farmhouse on the Kirchbichl in the heart of Kaprun, the museum’s atmospheric setting is a highlight in itself. Displays provide insights into the historical development of Kaprun, from the power plant at the Mooserboden to the glacier lifts. In the Machlhütte right next door, visitors discover various rotating special exhibitions.
Top Attractions in Zell am See
Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See
Unbeatable views and a colorful range of experiences await you on Zell am See’s popular local mountain. You can reach the Schmittenhöhe via various cable cars, all free with the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card. In addition to panoramic hikes, here are some of our favorite highlights for your day out on the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See:
- Schmidolin’s Adventure World & Baptism of Fire: with your passbook in hand, follow the family trail featuring a series of interactive game stations. The route begins either from the AreitXpress or CityXpress mountain stations.
- Schmidolin’s Chair of Fire: an e-motocross course at the AreitXpress mountain station
- Schmitten Offroad Course at the AreitXpress mountain station
- Plettsaukopf Reservoir and playground: just a short hike from the CityXpress mountain station.
- Alpine trail from the Schmittenhöhe to the Sonnalm
- Sonnkogel: big playground with slides, climbing tower, and water play area by the Sonnalm restaurant
- Paragliding
- Kaiserblick panorama platform & Elisabeth Chapel at the Schmittenhöhebahn mountain station. Even Empress Elisabeth was moved by the views from here at the chapel – which she visited more than 120 years ago.
Water Experiences in Zell am See
Enjoy the contrast of deep-blue Lake Zeller See, the green Pinzgau mountainsides, and white glacier peaks during a boat tour – free with the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card. Water sports on Zeller See include swimming, stand-up paddling, and sailing.
Can you swim in Zeller See? Yes! The Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card includes free use of the swimming beaches in Thumersbach, Schüttdorf, and Zell am See. Water temperatures reach a refreshing 23 to 24°C in summer. You can also enjoy a day of swimming at natural spots outside the designated swimming areas, such as the Wieshof, the Yacht Club, and Erlberg (Thumersbach).
Special experiences at the lake include the Zeller Lake Magic light, water, and music shows – which take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Free Mobility throughout SalzburgerLand
When you stay at Carpe Solem Kaprun, you will also receive the Guest Mobility Ticket in addition to the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card. This is your free pass for all public transportation in the SalzburgerLand region. Which means: you will be able to explore the full range of attractions between glacier, mountains, and lake, and you won’t need a car to do so. Simply make use of the public buses and trains – it’s way better for the environment, and kinder on your travel budget as well.
Your Accommodations in Kaprun, incl. Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card:
Carpe Solem Kaprun *Opening Winter 2025/26*
Carpe Solem Kaprun is centrally located in Kaprun, right on the Kapruner Ache and just a 10-minute walk from Maiskogel family mountain and its lift. In addition to its fantastic location and panoramic views of the Kitzsteinhorn, it features
- modern hotel rooms and fully equipped holiday apartments
- a restaurant with sun terrace
- 2 wellness areas: a family spa with indoor pool, kids pool, and saunas, and an adults-only spa with infinity pool facing the Kitzsteinhorn and a range of saunas.
The Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card is included in the room price for guests of Carpe Solem Kaprun. The bus stop is just a short walk from the hotel – and thanks to the Guest Mobility Ticket, public transport is also free of charge.
Photo materials © Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus (Nikolaus Faistauer, Expa-Pictures, JFK photography), Kitzsteinhorn, Schmittenhöhe (Branislav Rohal, Max Steinbauer)
Verena J.
E-Commerce Specialist bei ALPS RESORTS
Frühaufsteherin mit einer Leidenschaft für einsame Berge und gute Geschichten, immer auf der Suche nach spannenden Ausflugszielen und Erlebnissen.
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