Linz Pöstlingberg Old Town private walking tour: Mountain railway

The Pöstlingbergbahn is Europe's steepest adhesion railway, and it takes 20 minutes to reach the top.

A private walking tour of Linz with a licensed local guide, combining a trip up the Pöstlingbergbahn mountain railway to Pöstlingberg with a walking tour of the Old Town. You ride the railway both ways and visit the late Baroque Pöstlingbergkirche and the Aussichtsplattform observation deck overlooking the city and surrounding forests. The 6-hour option includes a ride on the Grottenbahn, an underground dragon-express through a miniature world of dwarves and fairy-tale characters built into a 19th-century fortress. Choose from three durations: 3 hours for Pöstlingberg alone, 5 hours adding the Old Town walk, or 6 hours with both plus the Grottenbahn.

Step-by-step itinerary

Pöstlingberg and Linz Old Town Tour

• Meet guide at Motel One Linz-Hauptplatz
• Ride Pöstlingbergbahn to Pöstlingberg
• Walk to Aussichtsplattform observation deck
• Visit Pöstlingbergkirche pilgrimage basilica
• Enjoy Grottenbahn underground dragon-express ride
• Walk through Castle Park and pass Landhaus
• See the New Cathedral in Linz Old Town
• Return by Pöstlingbergbahn to Linz

The experience

You meet your guide at Hauptplatz square in front of Hotel Motel One and hop on the Pöstlingbergbahn together. The railway climbs steeply through woodlands for 20 minutes to reach the Bergstation at the summit. From the Aussichtsplattform observation deck, you take in views across Linz, the green forest landscapes and distant mountains. The Pöstlingbergkirche, a late Baroque pilgrimage basilica built in the middle 18th century, sits at the top. Inside you'll see the choir, altar and the figure of Maria Pöstlingberg that has drawn pilgrims for centuries.

If you book the 6-hour option, you'll ride the Grottenbahn, an underground train that winds through a colorful miniature world of dwarves, animals and fairy-tale characters. The route passes through one of seven fortress towers built in the 1800s, turning the ride into something between a journey and a storybook. Families with children often choose this addition for that reason. After Pöstlingberg, you descend by railway back to the city.

The walking portion of the tour (included in the 5 and 6-hour options) takes you through Linz Old Town with your guide, passing the pleasant Castle Park, the Landhaus and the monolithic New Cathedral. Your guide holds an official Linz license and speaks fluently in your chosen language, English or German. The tour is wheelchair accessible throughout, and all surfaces and areas are accessible. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, or sit on an adult's lap during the railway ride. Check your email the day before for any final details from your guide.

What’s included

• Private tour with a licensed local guide fluent in English or German.
• round-trip tickets on the Pöstlingbergbahn mountain railway.
• entry to the Pöstlingbergkirche and access to the Aussichtsplattform observation deck.
• walking tour of Linz Old Town highlights including Castle Park, the Landhaus and the New Cathedral (in the 5 and 6-hour options).
• Grottenbahn underground fairy-tale ride through a 19th-century fortress (in the 6-hour option only).

Options for this experience

2 options

3-hour tour: Pöstlingberg via the Pöstlingberg railwayGuide in English or German · 14 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 20:00Duration: 3 hours. Visit Pöstlingberg using the Pöstlingberg railway and see the Bergstation, the viewing platform and Pöstlingberg Church. Railway tickets are included. Expert guide: an official five-star guide who specializes in this type of tour. The guide speaks the chosen language fluently. ATLI009

5-hour tour: Pöstlingberg and Old TownGuide in English or German · 14 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 20:00Duration: 5 hours. Visit Pöstlingberg by the Pöstlingberg railway and take in the highlights of Linz Old Town on a walking tour. Round-trip rail tickets are included. Expert guide: an official five-star guide who is an expert in this kind of tour. The guide speaks the chosen language fluently. ATLI009

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day14 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 20:00

Book up to10h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Rosotravel - Vienna Tours

Is this one for you?Book the 3-hour option if you want Pöstlingberg and the mountain railway without committing a full morning or afternoon to the Old Town. Choose the 5-hour tour to combine the mountain experience with a guided walk through the city's historic center. The 6-hour option with the Grottenbahn suits families traveling with children or anyone drawn to the fairy-tale theme, since the underground ride adds a different kind of experience to the day.

Traveler reviews

4.67★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

How long does the Pöstlingbergbahn ride take to reach the top?

The Pöstlingbergbahn takes 20 minutes to climb to the Bergstation at the summit. It is Europe's steepest adhesion railway, so the ascent is steady but the views build as you rise through the woodlands.

What is the Grottenbahn and who should ride it?

The Grottenbahn is an underground dragon-express that travels through a miniature world of dwarves, animals and fairy-tale characters inside a 19th-century fortress. It is included only in the 6-hour tour option and is popular with families and children, though anyone interested in the magical theme enjoys it.

Can I do just Pöstlingberg without the Old Town walk?

Yes. The 3-hour option takes you up the Pöstlingbergbahn to see the Bergstation, observation deck and Pöstlingbergkirche, then back down, with no Old Town walking portion. The 5-hour option adds the Old Town walk, and the 6-hour option adds both the Old Town walk and the Grottenbahn.

What makes the Pöstlingbergkirche worth visiting?

The Pöstlingbergkirche is a late Baroque pilgrimage basilica that has attracted visitors since the middle 18th century. Inside you'll see ornate choir work, the altar and the figure of Maria Pöstlingberg, which is considered the real treasure of the church. The location at the summit also means you experience it surrounded by forest and mountain views.

Is this tour accessible for people using wheelchairs?

Yes. The tour is fully wheelchair accessible: all areas, surfaces and transportation options are accessible. The Pöstlingbergbahn railway itself accommodates wheelchairs, as do the observation deck and the Old Town walking route. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, or sit on an adult's lap during the railway ride.