Outrage in the Berchtesgadener Land: inconsistent cable car prices for locals!

Outrage in the Berchtesgadener Land: inconsistent cable car prices for locals!

The Traunstein district provides its holiday guests a special attraction: With the Chiemgau card you can use the Jennerbahn for free since June 2025. However, this offer, which was made possible by a partnership between Berchtesgadener Bergbahn AG (BBAG) and the Inzeller Touristik, causes resentment among the locals in the Berchtesgadener Land. While the guests of the surrounding communities benefit from this advantage, local residents have to pay regular prices. This unequal treatment has caused outrage for both locals and tourists, such as BG Land 24 berichtet.

The chairman of the Berchtesgaden, Bartl Wimmer, explains that the measure is considered as a short -term advertising measure. The municipalities Bergen, Grassau, Inzell, Ruhpolding and Siegsdorf finance the offer through a levy, which gives the locals the feeling that their needs are not adequately appreciated. Against this background, many demand the introduction of the same conditions for their own guests.

Chiemgau card and their advantages

The Chiemgau card not only acts as a guide to free mountain railways such as the Jennerbahn, but also enables guests to use almost all Upper Bavarian bus lines in the corresponding communities. Since May 1, 2023, the municipalities of Chieming, Seon-Sebruck and Inzell have also been integrated into this offer, which increases the number of communities involved in Chiemgau to a total of 13

The guest card is given in the accommodations on arrival and applies until departure. In Inzell, both the guest card and the Chiemgau card are recognized as a local transport ticket. However, some municipal compounds or in-house lines, such as the bus to the Winklmoos-Alm, are excluded.

Sustainable mobility in focus

The expansion of the offer is viewed by Stephan Semmelmayr, managing director of Chiemgau Tourismus e.V., as a milestone for sustainable mobility. In addition to the Chiemgau card, guests also have the opportunity to use the bus lines free of charge with the 49-euro ticket, whereby it is recommended to submit the ticket for billing reasons.

While these developments significantly improve mobility for tourists in the region, it remains to be seen how the long-term relationship with the Chiemgau card and the Berchtesgadener Land can be designed. The conversations about possible further developments of the regional guest card are already absorbing speed, while at the same time there is uncertainty about the durability of the cooperation.