The Graz Fairytale Train

Beneath the busy streets and elegant facades of Graz lies a hidden underground world. Here the Grazer Märchenbahn – the Fairytale Express – waits at the foot of the Schlossberg (Castle Hill). This narrow-gauge train runs about 2 kilometers through old wartime tunnels, immersing riders in scenes of magic and myth. Along the route, passengers shine golden lanterns on mysterious tableaux while a narrator’s voice unfolds fanciful stories. Together, local history and imagination create an attraction that is as enchanting as it is educative. An award-winning travel journalist now explores the ride’s origins, its artful design, and what visitors experience aboard this unique piece of Graz folklore.

From War Shelter to Märchenbahn

The Märchenbahn began in the depths of history. The tunnel network under the Schlossberg was dug starting in 1937 as a massive air-raid shelter, protecting up to 40,000 Graz residents from bombing raids during World War II. After the war, these miles of passages lay mostly unused. In 1968 the city opened a quaint Märchengrottenbahn – a “fairytale grotto railway” – in one branch of the vaults, using battery electric cars to carry guests past static fairy-tale doll scenes. That first incarnation ran until 1978, then lay dormant for a few years. In 1982 the railway reopened (moving its entrance to the Schlossberg plateau) and operated for two more decades.

Hidden Past: The Fairytale Train winds through tunnels originally dug as a bomb shelter for the city. Today, passengers ride beneath the Schlossberg in the same vaults that saved thousands of lives in World War II.

A major overhaul came in the 2010s. Between 2012 and 2014 the tracks and galleries were rebuilt to modern safety standards, and the old plastic dolls were discarded. The children’s museum FRida & freD was commissioned to craft a new concept. By November 2014 the attraction reopened as the Grazer Märchenbahn (Fairy Tale Express Graz). As local press reported, the update plunges “children and adults into a colourful mixed world of old motifs from the Brothers Grimm and specially created wonder worlds”. All told, about €1.6 million was invested in the reborn ride.

Stations of Story and Wonder

Today the Märchenbahn offers a well-choreographed route of discovery. Two electric trains (with cars side by side) each travel roughly 2 km of track. They pause at 22 themed stations along the way – ten of which are “interactive” stops. Families ride through scenes inspired by fairy tales and folklore: a flower meadow, a giant’s feet, thunderclouds, a glistening ice cave, and more. In the interactive stops (marked by sensors) children use onboard torches to activate special effects. For example, shining a light in the Treasure Cave might reveal glittering gems, or along the Thorn Hedge it might cause a fiery blossom to emerge. Each station is a puzzle of light, shadow, and sound that invites riders to make up their own story.

Visitors hear narration and hints on their headphones while discovering the scenes. Non-German speakers need not worry: the ride now offers tours in English (in addition to German). As one reviewer put it, even those who don’t catch every word can “enjoy the ride” because “there is a lot to look at” in each car, and the narrators’ charming delivery keeps everyone engaged. Parents board with young children in tow, and the atmosphere is part spooky cave, part enchanted forest – a memorable sensory blend.

• Length and gauge: ~2 km of tunnel track, on a 600-mm gauge.
• Stations: 22 total, with 10 interactive stops where riders shine torches to trigger effects.
• Ride time: about 25–30 minutes. Trains depart roughly every 30 minutes (fixed schedule) from mid-morning until early evening.
• Temperature: a steady 8–12 °C inside the mountain; guests are advised to dress warmly.
• Age: Recommended for children 4 years and older (see safety note below). (Kids under 4 cannot ride.)
• Tickets: Adult €11.20; child (under 14) €8.60. Family and group rates are also available.
• Hours: March–June, Sept–Oct – daily 10:30–17:00; July–Aug – daily 9:30–18:00.

Safety Note: The ride’s dark passages can startle little ones. Operators explicitly advise that only children aged four or older should board. In practice, some families report that even older children can be frightened in the pitch-black sections. Parents should judge their child’s comfort with darkness before riding.
Imaginative Design: In the rebuilt exhibit there are no obvious puppets or mannequins. The experience is crafted with light and sound – “a collage of light and darkness” – that “allow[s] a variety of associations” and leaves much up to the riders’ own imagination. In other words, the scenes suggest fairy tales rather than spelling them out.

Inside the Märchenbahn: Design and Interactivity

Step inside one of the coach cars and the design becomes apparent. Each rider has a mounted hand-held torch to focus on the displays. The station tableaux themselves are minimalist: painted backdrops, cut-out shapes, and moving light beams. When a train stops, the narration (via on-board speakers) poses riddles or quotes a fairy-tale line while the spotlights play across mirrors and fog machines. For example, a section billed as an Oriental theme might feature a shimmering lamp and Middle Eastern melody, while the Guard scene has quiet ticking clocks. The openness of the designs means parents and children see slightly different things: one child might imagine a princess while another sees a mountain troll. This creative approach is deliberate – designers wanted to spark each rider’s own story interpretation.

Tours run with a recorded guide. Since reopening, the train offers audio tracks in German – and in English as well. Riders choose their language when boarding. The content is a mix of narrations, soundscapes, and even some ambient music. In practice, many guests enjoy it like a silent movie: rather than following every word, they watch the visuals while the guide adds flavor. Even non-German speakers have praised the ride, noting that “even without understanding every word, there is plenty to look at” and the speaker’s charm makes the show engaging.

Behind the scenes, note that the Märchenbahn teams with other family attractions in Graz. A combined 24-hour ticket is available for €13.50–15.50 which covers admission to the Fairytale Train and to the city’s FRida & freD children’s museum and the adjacent Salon Stolz theater. In effect, Graz has branded these as a package of children’s cultural experiences.

Planning Your Visit: Tickets and Tips

Practicalities are straightforward. The train’s portal lies at Schlossbergplatz 1, right next to the glass Schlossberg lift that rises up the hill. (You can combine a Märchenbahn ride with a round-trip on the Schlossberg elevator or even the famous underground slide above it.) Trams (lines 3 and 5) stop at Schlossbergplatz, and the maze of tunnels is clearly signed from street level.

Daily service runs on a clock: first train around 10:30 (9:30 in summer) and the last train by 5:00 pm (6:00 pm in summer). Tickets are sold on-site before boarding. Important: each trip lasts about 25 minutes and riders must stay on board for the full ride – there is no midway exit once the train departs. The coaches hold only about 20 people at a time, so expect to wait a short while if a train has just left.

Families should bundle up a bit: the chilly 8–12 °C tunnel is pleasant for warm-weather, but on a cold day you’ll definitely want a sweater. On the other hand, cameras (without flash) and smartphones do fine; many visitors snap photos of the glowing scenes. As noted, young children under four are not admitted. Adults with mobility issues should inquire, as the ride involves one low step to enter and there are no handicapped provisions. (In fact, the operators note that very seriously disabled passengers cannot board due to safety rules – a regrettable but transparent policy.)

Lastly, the Märchenbahn tends to draw crowds from late morning through mid-afternoon, especially on weekends and holidays. Many visitors combine it with the Schlossberg’s other attractions (clock tower, gardens, cafes). If possible, consider a weekday visit or early arrival. The train regularly fills up by midday. Group bookings are possible for schools and clubs, but groups over 20 are split across two departures since each train holds only 20 riders.

Graz’s Fairytale Treasure: Cultural Context

The Grazer Märchenbahn is a perfect example of how Graz blends heritage with family-friendly tourism. It turns a forgotten piece of the war-era Schlossberg into something playful and unexpected. In fact, at the 2014 reopening the city’s mayor quipped that the tunnels have become a “Kinderstollen” – literally a children’s tunnel. The reuse of the vaults reflects a local emphasis on sustainable cultural spaces (the Schlossberg also hosts the rock concert hall Dom im Berg and museum exhibits in the old bunkers).

By day, the Schlossberg is one of Graz’s most-photographed landmarks. By day (and night), families can wander its gardens, ride the funicular, or view the cityscape. By contrast, the Märchenbahn offers a hidden discovery: an underground adventure that feels worlds apart from the city streets. It has become a quiet centerpiece of Graz’s children’s culture. Attendance has grown steadily: by 2019 the Märchenbahn was recording thousands of riders each year, especially school groups and young families.

In the end, the Fairytale Train exemplifies Graz’s knack for repurposing history into learning. It educates visitors about the Schlossberg’s past – without a textbook – and at the same time sparks creativity. Within minutes, riders move from WWII bomb shelters to a dragon’s lair or a giant’s castle, all in one trip. Whether on a rainy afternoon or as part of a castle-hill excursion, the experience leaves an impression: it is history, ride, and imagination all rolled into one.