Very Eastern Bloc at Innsbruck Stop

A12 Eastbound
Innsbruck
Austria


Where is it?

Pull off the A12 at the information point. Park up and the toilets will be to your right, past the information board.


What’s it like?

If you drive into Austria from Munich and are heading for Italy as we were, you might just pass by Innsbruck and this stop. We wanted to take in the sights of Innsbruck on our way down south and stopped to look at the information board. Whilst we did that we also decided to use the toilets.

So bear in mind this is a toilet stop next to a busy motorway high up in the Alps. It’s not part of a service station. No fuel, no restaurant, not anything. So don’t expect much.

I guess the thing to say is that the views are the best thing about the place. And the views are pretty damned fantastic. But then when you enter the toilet the first thing to strike you is that whoever built them obviously built the local roads, and used the local road builders’ favourite material. CONCRETE. Concrete takes over the place.

These are the greyest toilets I think I’ve been in, and as a result these are also some of the coldest toilets I’ve been in. And the scale of the place! It’s huge. You could fit coach loads of people in there. So, you can’t argue with the proportions, or necessarily with the cleanliness, but these are some of the unfriendliest feeling toilets I’ve come across. More Eastern Bloc than Austrian Alps.


Marks out of 10:

3. At least they were serviceable.


Comments to the management:

Even if we shouldn’t expect much for this sort of stop, these toilets are the coldest I’ve come across.

Possibly the Highest Toilets in Europe?

Seegube Station
Next to Leingartner's Seegrube & Hafelekar Restaurant
Seegrube Lift (1.905 meters)
Innsbruck
Austria


http://www.nordpark.at/96.html?&L=2


Where is it?

Take the Seegrube lift at Nordpark in Innsbruck. Once you have got off the lift head straight past the exit on the left and entrance to the restaurant. The toilets are through some fairly heavy grey doors.


What’s it like?

From potentially some of the lowest toilets in the world to some of the highest. High up above the tree line in the Austrian alps I was not that sure what I’d find in the way of toilet facilities. On previous winter visits to French resorts in the Alps I’ve always been presented with some fairly rudimentary and dirty toilets. With this in mind my expectations were not high on this visit. Nevertheless, the drive from Munich had made a wee stop essential. So what can be said here?

Well I’d have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Innsbruck itself has a lot to offer for the summer visitor. And I’d have to say the trip to these toilets must be one of the most scenic in the world. The lift is newly refurbished and although at 19.50 euros return is a little expensive, is a trip you should not miss.

The toilets themselves are also surprisingly good. In fact they were well beyond my expectations; maybe because this is Austria and not France? When it comes down to it these were well thought out and high-grade toilets that would be at home in any restaurant. The designers had thought about who would be using them and there was lots of space for skiers with bulky clothing and equipment. The materials were also heavy so that they’ll wear well. They were also very clean, except for the floor that having been recently cleaned had muddy boot marks from the various walkers who had taken a break.

So overall, a good place to pee in a spectacular setting!


Marks out of 10:

8. A must see.


Comments to the management:

Keep up the Austrian efficiency.