Guest cards in Austria
9 regional maps that are already included in the price at AlpenParks
What is a guest card? A guest card—also known regionally as a regional card or summer card—is a personalized discount card that overnight guests receive free of charge starting with their first night. Depending on the region, it offers free or discounted access to mountain railways, swimming pools, museums, and public transportation. It cannot be purchased separately. In nine AlpenParks regions, it is included in the cost of your stay.
Nine AlpenParks regions, nine guest cards. And each one represents money you’ve already paid—depending on the region, the card fee is covered by the local tax or included directly in the room rate. If you leave the card in your nightstand, you could easily miss out on savings amounting to a three-digit sum during a family week.
But here’s the thing: “free” doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere. At Hochkönig, the card gives you unlimited rides on the mountain railways. In Gastein, you “only” get a discount on the same service. If you know this beforehand, you’ll plan your vacation differently—and won’t be annoyed afterward by a ticket you didn’t have to buy.
Zell am See-Kaprun Sommerkarte
JOKER CARD
Glückscard Viehhofen
Hochkönig Card
Lungau Card
Gastein Card
Salzburger Sportwelt Card
Plateau Card
Welcome Card
Two types of cards, two sets of expectations
- All-inclusive cards provide access to mountain railways, swimming pools, and attractions at no extra charge: Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card, JOKER CARD, Glückscard Viehhofen, Hochkönig Card, LungauCard.
- Discount and transportation cards replace the car ticket and reduce admission fees, but do not include a free ride up the mountain: Gastein Card, Salzburger Sportwelt Card, PlateauCard, Welcome Card Osttirol.
| Card | Valid for | Season 2026 | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zell am See-Kaprun Sommerkarte | Zell am See-Kaprun | 15.05.–31.10. | All-Inclusive |
| JOKER CARD | Saalbach Hinterglemm | 22.05.–26.10. | All-Inclusive |
| Glückscard Viehhofen | Viehhofen | 15.05.–31.10. | All-Inclusive |
| Hochkönig Card | Maria Alm, Mühlbach and Dienten | Summer gondolas 09.05.–08.11. | All-Inclusive |
| LungauCard | Salzburger Lungau | 22.05.–01.11. | All-Inclusive |
| Gastein Card | Bad Hofgastein, Dorfgastein and Bad Gastein | 22.05.–08.11., all year | Discounts and mobility |
| Salzburger Sportwelt Card | 7 locations included St. Johann-Alpendorf | Summer season | Discounts and mobility |
| PlateauCard | Seefeld, Leutasch, Reith, Mösern-Buchen, Scharnitz | year-round | Discounts and mobility |
| Welcome Card Osttirol | the entire district of East Tyrol | year-round | Discounts and mobility |
| As of August 2026. All validity periods and services are subject to the information provided by the tourism associations of the respective regions. Opening hours vary by operator. | |||
AlpenParks resorts at a glance:
Zell am See-Kaprun Summer card
Valid in: The Zell am See-Kaprun vacation region, May 15 through October 31; some partners extend as far as Mittersill, Ferleiten, and the Krimml Waterfalls.
- All open cable cars on the Kitzsteinhorn, Schmittenhöhe, and Maiskogel—up to TOP OF SALZBURG at 3,029 meters.
- Water activities included: boat tours on Lake Zell, the three beach resorts, and the Zell am See indoor pool.
- Around 40 attractions plus a Guest Mobility Ticket for buses and trains—available digitally in the regional app instead of on paper
One detail that many overlook: Between July 15 and September 15, the card doesn’t become valid until 3:00 p.m. on the day of arrival, and four top attractions (Schmittenhöhe summit ride, Summit Cable Car and Glacier Jet 3+4, MS Schmittenhöhe, high-mountain reservoirs) are only available starting on the second day of your vacation. So don’t plan your glacier day for the afternoon of your arrival.
Included at the AlpenParks Hotel & Apartment Central Zell am See, the Chalet & Apartment AreitXpress Zell am See, and the Hotel & Apartment Orgler Kaprun. AlpenParks estimates savings of up to 500 euros per week for a family of four—depending on how much you actually use the card.
JOKER CARD Saalbach Hinterglemm
Valid in: Saalbach Hinterglemm; select services also available in Leogang; public transportation throughout the Pinzgau region. May 22 through October 26, 2026.
- Unlimited access to up to six mountain railways in Saalbach Hinterglemm, plus the Asitz and Steinbergbahn in Leogang twice daily.
- Käpt’n Hook outdoor adventure pool, the valley-end train, mini-golf, and tennis courts at no extra charge.
- 20 percent discount on bike tickets for up to nine mountain railways, including Fieberbrunn—valid only when purchased at the ticket offices in Saalbach Hinterglemm.
At the AlpenParks Hotel & Apartment Sonnleiten Saalbach, the card is included in the price from the day of arrival through the day of departure.
Glückscard Viehhofen
Valid in: Viehhofen in the Glemm Valley, May 15 through October 31, 2026. The included services take effect starting on the second day of your vacation; the mobility ticket is valid starting on the day of arrival.
- The zellamseeXpress departs right from town and takes you to the Skicircus as often as you like, free of charge.
- The Sonnkogelbahn and Schmittenhöhe, boat tours on Lake Zell, and the beach resorts around the lake are included.
- Over 50 bonus partners offer discounts—from the Großglockner High Alpine Road to bike rentals.
Valid at all three Viehhofen properties: Apartment & Ferienresort Rehrenberg, Residence Glemmrise, and Chalet & Apartment Steve Lodge.
Hochkönig Card
Valid in: Maria Alm, Dienten, and Mühlbach am Hochkönig; summer lifts from May 9 through November 8, 2026. In winter, the pass remains valid with its own package of benefits.
- Unlimited access to six summer mountain lifts, including bike transport—Natrun, Gabühel, Karbachalm, Aberg, Hochmais, and Bürglalm.
- The hiking bus connects the three towns, making multi-stage hikes possible without a second car.
- Free access to the outdoor pools in Maria Alm and Mühlbach, tennis courts, the Copper Mining Museum, and the Mittersill National Park Museum, plus one ride on the lift and the summer toboggan run at Biberg.
There are four AlpenParks properties in the region: Hotel & Apartment Maria Alm, Apartments Maria Alm, Hotel & Apartment Hochkönig in Mühlbach, and the Wildbach Lodge Hochkönig. In winter, night skiing at the Simmerlift is also available.
LungauCard
Valid throughout the entire Salzburg Lungau region and Obertauern, May 22 through November 1, 2026.
- All-inclusive concept: Over 30 services free once per stay; 20 to 50 percent off every additional visit to many participating partners.
- One free round-trip ride on several cable cars, such as the Grosseckbahn in Mauterndorf and the Sonnenbahn in Speiereck—strollers and mountain bikes are allowed on board.
- Mauterndorf Castle, outdoor swimming pools, museums, and family parks throughout the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, plus the Guest Mobility Ticket.
At the AlpenParks Hotel & Apartment Carpe Solem Mariapfarr, the card is available upon check-in; alternatively, it’s available digitally in the “Mein Lungau” app.
Gastein Card
Valid in all three towns of the Gastein Valley—Bad Hofgastein, Bad Gastein, and Dorfgastein. Summer program runs from May 22 to November 8, 2026; the card itself is valid year-round.
- Guided hikes and summer concerts are free, as are the city buses in Bad Hofgastein.
- Discounted one-way trips up and down the mountain on all four summer lifts: Stubnerkogel, Schlossalm, Graukogel, and the Fulseck Summit Lift.
- Discounts at Alpentherme, Felsentherme, Solarbad Dorfgastein, and the introductory visit to the Gasteiner Heilstollen.
It’s worth taking a closer look here: The Gastein Card offers discounts; it does not include a free mountain ride. However, admission to the thermal baths is still free—as a complimentary benefit from the AlpenParks Residence Bad Hofgastein, regardless of the card.
Salzburger Sportwelt Card
Coverage: seven locations—St. Johann-Alpendorf, Wagrain-Kleinarl, Flachau, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Radstadt, Filzmoos, and Eben im Pongau.
- Discounts of up to 100 percent, depending on the location and length of stay; for example, the Salzburger Gipfelspiel costs 19 euros instead of 25 euros with the card.
- The Guest Mobility Ticket is included—use buses and trains throughout the state of Salzburg without having to buy a ticket.
- In St. Johann, enjoy free tennis courts (Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), 10 percent off bike and e-bike rentals, and 20 percent off green fees.
Guests at the AlpenParks Hotel & Apartment Alpendorf receive the card at the front desk on the day of arrival.
PlateauCard Seefeld
Area of validity: Seefeld region, including Seefeld, Leutasch, Reith, Mösern-Buchen, and Scharnitz. Valid year-round.
- Guest Card doubles as a transit pass: all regional buses, the Seefeld–Scharnitz train connection, and the Wildmoosbus are free—as far as Telfs and Mittenwald.
- Over 30 guided experiences per season, bookable exclusively or at a significant discount; registration required at least one day in advance.
- Free admission to the Seefeld Local History Museum, the Holzerhütte Museum, and the Karwendel Nature Park; discounted admission to the Olympiabad and Alpenbad Leutasch.
At the AlpenParks Chalet & Apartment Alpina Seefeld, pick up the card at the front desk—or download it in advance to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
Welcome Card Osttirol
Valid throughout the entire East Tyrol district, year-round, starting with the first night booked.
- You can ride regular buses, regional buses, night buses, ski buses, and shared taxis throughout the district for free.
- Discounts at partner businesses in Matrei and the surrounding area: sports equipment rentals, rafting and canyoning tours, the Umbal Shuttle, and the mountain hut taxi to the Virgental Valley.
- No seasonal restrictions, no blackout periods—the card remains valid unchanged even in winter.
The former “Osttirol Guest Card” has been renamed the Welcome Card, but the benefits remain the same. It does not cover mountain railways or tourist attractions—for those, there’s the Osttirol Card, which requires a fee. It’s available at the AlpenParks Hotel Montana Matrei and the AlpenParks Apartment Montana Matrei. Tip: If you’re traveling by public transportation, contact the Osttirol Tourism Association in advance and you’ll ride for free on the way there.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay extra for the regional pass?
No. In all of the regions mentioned, the card is included in the stay starting with the first night. It cannot be purchased separately.
Does each family member get their own card?
Yes, the cards are personalized and non-transferable. Children receive their own card, though in Saalbach Hinterglemm this applies only to those born in 2021 or later, since toddlers are admitted free of charge at participating partners anyway.
Is the ticket valid on the day of arrival?
Most of the time, yes. Exceptions: In Viehhofen, the included services begin on the second day of your stay; in Zell am See-Kaprun, they don't begin until 3:00 p.m. during peak season.