Weekend getaway ideas by train from Innsbruck!

You don't even have to go as far as the Dolomites for hiking. Innsbruck is surrounded on all sides by the Tyrolian Alps. There'll be plenty of great hikes just outside their backdoors.

It might depend on how they got to Innsbruck in the first place. Mittenwald is a short distance away; Garmisch-Partenkirchen is not much farther. You could even go up to Oberammergau and Linderhof.

If you leave early in the morning, it's about 3½ hours to Hohenschwangau via Reutte.

Brennero, Italy, is less than an hour away via train over Brenner pass.

To the east, is Zell am See.

Munich's only 2½ hours away by regional train, less than 2 hours by express, but that might be how you got to Innsbruck in the first place.

Dolomites for hiking are closest - and anyplace in the Tyrol. As mentioned Bavaria is nearby but cost wise I think you can find great places closer. All depends on what you want to do - if you need big castles and museums - Munich - if you need hiking and outdoor - go to Bolzano to the south of Innsbruck!

They are flying into Munich and have a shuttle from Munich to Innsbruck. They have some some organized travel, but also 4 - 5 long weekends starting Thurdays late morning to return late Sunday evenings to travel. They are all 20ish and adventurous! All have rail passes. Thanks for any suggestions. I know that want to go to Cinque Terre for the last weekend which is the longest time they have off from classes.They will be in Innsbruck from July 2 to August 15. I know also Prague has been mentioned as well as Venice and Rome. Not sure how they will fit this all in! They will have to prioritize!

Salzburg (2hrs) and Vienna (5 hrs) are both very accessible from Innsbruck and well worth a visit.

Wow, there are so many possibilities. Just depends on what they like and what interests them. Also, how much time do they want to spend travelling to experience a different country and culture. Sure, Prague is possible--it's a 9 to 12 hour train trip depending on when you depart. So, that leaves Friday and Saturday to tour the city. Rome is a 10 hr. trip. Note that if a train route in Italy indicates a compulsary reservation, then you are required to reserve seats on that train which is an additional amount of money, even though you have a pass. If you are going to travel on a night train, you must also make reservations. Couchettes also need reservations. Some of my top choices for cities to visit would be Murren in the Berner-Oberland area of Switzerland (breathtaking), Salzburg (beautiful), Venice (so different & fun to explore), Florence (David!), Rome (unbelieveable--lots to see & do). For my daughter and I, Prague left us uneasy. It was o.k. during the day, however, we did not feel safe at night. I'm sure the students will have fun making lifetime memories!