Vertical Link

This Alpine metropolis is characterized by elegant, historic buildings from the Belle Époque, rising skywards from right next to the Gastein Waterfall. The buildings are nestled in a spectacular, rocky setting. They were built there for the aristocracy, close to the wellspring of healing Gastein thermal waters, which emerge right there in the historic town center.

The unique architecture and history of this town also comes with a number of challenges. When the hotels were originally built in the town center, automobiles were still in their infancy. Travel in those days literally involved "horse power". That said, sufficient hotel parking by today's standards simply doesn't exist. The railway station is 100 meters higher. Narrow and steep streets lead from there to the historic town center.

"Through the mobility concept developed by the Bad Gastein town council, the great challenges which result from Bad Gastein's unique topographical situation are solved in equally unique and future-forward ways:
The newly created parking opportunities in the parking garage next to the Stubnerkogelbahn and in the parking garage by the waterfall in the town center guarantee plenty of parking for hotel guests, day visitors and locals. The pedestrian connection, known as the "Vertical Link", assures easy, convenient, barrier-free access to the entire town. Your car in the garage, though with complete mobiity around the clock. Bad Gastein is pursuing the path towards modern, low-traffic and eco-friendly mobility."

- Mayor Gerhard Steinbauer

The mobility concept developed by Bad Gastein solves the problem. The core aspects of this concept are: Provide plenty of parking spaces for guests and locals which, strageically placed on different levels, completely interconnect Bad Gastein. Meanwhile, the "Vertical Link" allows barrier-free access between the underground pedestrian passages and the train station.

In the area of the car park next to the Stubnerkogel lifts, a parking garage with approximately 500 spaces is being constructed. From here, and with the help of the "Vertical Link" which connects to the underground walkway, a connection is also provided to the parking garage at the waterfall. There will be three architecturally unique access buildings to this in the area of Karl-Heinrich-Waggerlstraße, the forecourt of the railway station and at the Stubnerkogelbahn. In this way, the historic town center will be fully connected to the train station and Stubnerkogelbahn, located at higher elevations in the southern part of town.

Comfortable, barrier-free mobility is provided by means of moving walkways, similar to those we find in airports. Use of the "Vertical Link" is intended to be a memorable experience in its own right.

The newly created parking opportunities in the parking garage next to the Stubnerkogelbahn and in the parking garage by the waterfall in the town center guarantee plenty of parking for hotel guests, day visitors and locals. The pedestrian connection, known as the "Vertical Link", assures easy, convenient, barrier-free access to the entire town. Whilst their car is parked in the garage, hotel guests are easily able to reach all of the most important infrastructure in town - barrier-free. Bad Gastein is pursuing the path towards modern, low-traffic and eco-friendly mobility.