Rax Cableway — Attraction in Gemeinde Reichenau an der Rax

🌟 My Honest Experience Visiting Semmering as a Family with a Toddler (Day Trip from Vienna)

We did a day trip from Vienna to Semmering using the train (Railjet RJ 657), arriving at Semmering Bahnhof at around 3:15 PM. The train journey itself was very smooth, comfortable, and scenic — highly recommend sitting on the left-hand side in the direction of travel for the best views as you approach Semmering.

However, visitors with small children and strollers should be aware that the walk from Semmering station to the Zauberberg cable car station is much harder than it looks on the map. While it shows about 10–15 minutes on paper, in reality, it took us 25–30 minutes of steep uphill walking, especially challenging with a stroller and toddler. There were no taxis or local transportation options waiting at the station, so you’re fully on your own to make the uphill walk.

Once you reach the cable car, the staff is very helpful, and the ride up the mountain is short and scenic. The panoramic views from the top are beautiful and worth seeing. The Panorama Café offers simple food (burgers, schnitzel, fries, drinks) and great views — nice for a short snack and break.

Overall, while Semmering itself is lovely for nature and scenery, it is not very stroller- or toddler-friendly for a day trip unless you’re very comfortable with long uphill walks. I would strongly advise families with small children to plan accordingly, possibly consider staying overnight nearby or hiring a local taxi in advance if available.

✅ The good parts: • Beautiful mountain views and UNESCO Semmering railway experience • Smooth scenic train ride from Vienna • Relaxed atmosphere at the cable car summit

⚠️ Things to be aware of: • Steep, tiring uphill walk to cable car • No taxi availability at the station • Not ideal for small kids or strollers for a day trip

Still, I’m glad we did it and experienced Austria’s famous Semmering railway — but I would recommend families with young kids consider Gmunden, Hallstatt or Mariazell as easier alternatives for nature day...

The website makes it sound like it is really easy to get there by train. It in fact either very challenging or very expensive. Your options are 1) walk for around 1 hour 10 mins each way, 2) a bus which you can only pay cash (no nearby ATMS) and the timetable is rubbish. We got the 14:30 cable car down and had just missed a bus, and the next one wasn't for two hours. 3) a taxi which costs €20 each way for a 10 minute drive, so a huge rip off. Incredible views, but the cable car is already very expensive so add on the very challenging journey to and from, and it's something to take into account before booking. Personally I wouldn't go again...

The views from up here are breathtaking, but like many other experiences, the over all feel that you are left with is heavily based on the people. We left here so happy that I want to go back as soon as possible. The people operating the cable car are just delightful. They were helpful and kind and the operator even offered to take our picture as he watched us struggle with a selfie 😅. Everyone we encountered was so pleasant and helpful, and the ride was absolutely amazing. The hikes on top of the mountain are all quite easy as you are already up there, but one view is more breathtaking than the next. Definitely don't...