Austria • Salzburg and Carinthia
Grossglockner High Alpine Road: Austria's Signature Mountain Drive
An iconic Salzburg and Carinthia route with engineered viewpoints, glacier panoramas, and one of Europe's most memorable high roads.
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The Grossglockner is a seasonal private toll road (early May to early November).
Compare the linked options for your dates. Prices, availability and cancellation terms vary by provider and offer; check the full details before booking.
Last updated: October 16, 2026
Visitor Snapshot
Use this quick summary to make faster booking decisions before you dive into full details.
- Primary destination
- Zell am See
- Nearby airports
- Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich
- Suggested stay areas
- Heiligenblut, Zell am See, Kals am Grossglockner
What makes this road special
Grossglockner is designed for scenic immersion. View decks, interpretation points, and wide pull-offs make it easy to combine driving pleasure with meaningful stops. The operator counts 36 bends along the 48 km road, which climbs to the Hochtor at 2,504 m.
How to plan your day
Enter early, drive the full span with slow pacing, and include the glacier access spur if weather is clear. Reserve time for short walks near lookout platforms.
- Morning entry for lower traffic
- Panorama stops every 30 to 45 minutes
- Late-lunch break with valley views
Toll and practical details
This is a paid scenic road, and the ticket is usually valid for same-day exploration. Keep your receipt accessible for re-entry checks.
The 2026 car day ticket costs €46.50, reduced to €36.50 for trips after 6 p.m. The road is open from the start of May until the start of November (in 2026 it reopened on 25 April). 2026 opening hours: until 31 May 06:00–20:00 (last entry 19:15); 1 June to 31 August 05:30–21:00 (last entry 20:15); from 1 September 06:00–19:30 (last entry 18:45). Night driving is banned outside opening hours. From 15 October 2026 until the final winter closure, which the operator expects in early November, the operator applies reduced autumn rates: car €36.50 instead of €46.50 and motorcycle €30.00 instead of €36.50, with autumn opening hours 06:00–19:30 (last entry 18:45) until 26 October and 08:00–17:00 (last entry 16:15) from 27 October 2026 (operator page checked 16 October 2026). Check the operator’s prices, opening times and road conditions before you drive (checked 16 October 2026). At our check on 16 October 2026 (06:48 CEST) the operator showed the road open to cars, buses, motorcycles and bicycles with no restriction notice; on 13 October it had shown the road closed to motorcycles and bicycles until further notice, and on 11 October it had allowed cars and buses only with winter equipment (winter tyres, or summer tyres with snow chains), so in October the status changes from day to day. This is a dated snapshot, not live data; look at grossglockner.at on the morning you drive.
Best trip combinations
Pair this drive with Innsbruck, Zell am See, or the Bavarian Alps depending on your loop direction and hotel commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grossglockner open year-round?
No. The operator opens it from the start of May until the start of November (in 2026 from 25 April); in winter it is closed because of snow. Exact dates depend on snow clearance and weather. At our check on 16 October 2026 (06:48 CEST) the operator showed the road open to cars, buses, motorcycles and bicycles with no restriction notice; on 13 October it had shown the road closed to motorcycles and bicycles until further notice, and on 11 October it had allowed cars and buses only with winter equipment (winter tyres, or summer tyres with snow chains), so in October the status changes from day to day; this is a dated snapshot, not live data, so check grossglockner.at on the morning you drive.
How much time should I budget?
Plan at least half a day, and ideally a full day if you want to enjoy viewpoints without rushing.
Plan Your Trip Further
Scenic Drives
Where to Stay
Itineraries
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