Zugspitze Private Tour: Cable Car to Peak from Garmisch

The cable car ride to the peak takes under ten minutes, and the glacier sits right at the top.

A private day tour of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Zugspitze combines a cable car ascent of Germany's tallest mountain with a three-hour guided exploration of the peak, glacier, and facilities, followed by a walking tour of Ludwigstrasse in downtown Partenkirchen and free chocolate samples. The tour runs six hours with a live English or German-speaking guide, includes all cable car tickets, and operates in most weather with backup options if mountain access is not possible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Zugspitze3h · entry included
2. Ludwigstrasse1h

Tour Zugspitze and Garmisch-Partenkirchen

• Take cable car to Zugspitze peak
• Tour peak, glacier, and facilities
• Visit downtown Partenkirchen
• Tour Ludwigstrasse street
• Sample chocolates at favorite shop

The experience

What makes the Zugspitze different from other Alpine peaks is the cable car itself: it covers nearly 6,000 feet of elevation in under ten minutes, so you spend your time at the summit instead of climbing toward it. Once at the peak (just under 10,000 feet), you're standing on the border between Germany and Austria, with views that reach into five countries. The guides have been running this route for over nine years and know the mountain's engineering, history, and the specifics of what you're looking at when you get there.

The three-hour tour of the peak covers the glacier, the cable car facilities, and the landscape itself. After descending, the route moves into downtown Partenkirchen to walk Ludwigstrasse, the town's famous street, and stops at a chocolate shop where you get free samples. The whole day is six hours from start to finish.

Cable car tickets are included in the price, and the tour operates in most weather conditions. If the mountain is inaccessible on the day you book, the operator arranges secondary tour options instead of canceling. Your guide will be fully vaccinated, and the vehicles and guide follow the operator's coronavirus safety standard.

What’s included

• Cable car tickets up and down the mountain.
• three-hour guided tour of the Zugspitze peak, glacier, and facilities.
• walking tour of Ludwigstrasse in downtown Partenkirchen.
• free chocolate samples at a local shop.
• fully vaccinated guide.
• coronavirus safety protocols on all vehicles and with the guide.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 08:45

AgesAdult (16 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6): free

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by all things garmisch, tours and outdoor recreation

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you prefer a guided experience with a single group rather than joining larger crowds, and want your guide to lead you through the mountain's history and engineering during the six-hour ascent.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How long do you actually spend at the top of the Zugspitze?

The three-hour guided tour at the peak covers the glacier, the facilities, and the views across five countries. The cable car ride itself takes under ten minutes each way, so the rest of the time is spent exploring and learning about the mountain.

What is Ludwigstrasse and why do you stop there?

Ludwigstrasse is the famous street in downtown Partenkirchen, and the tour includes a walking tour of it after you descend from the peak. It's where the chocolate shop stop happens, and you get free samples there.

What happens if the weather is too bad to go up the mountain?

The tour operates in most weather conditions, but if the mountain is not accessible on your day, the operator arranges secondary tour options instead of canceling the booking.

Is this tour private or shared with other travelers?

This is a private tour, so you and your group have the guide and the itinerary to yourselves.