Franz Josef travel guide

Franz Josef owes its very existence and, of course its name, to the great block of ice that sits 5 km south of the village. Of the two principally tourist-based settlements (Franz and Fox), Franz is the larger and better serviced. As you might expect it is very much a seasonal destination, crowded in summer, quiet in winter. Although the glacier can of course be visited in the rain and the guided glacier walks are rarely cancelled, the scenic flights, and essentially, an overall impression of the glaciers from above and below, are completely dependent on favourable conditions. Plan to give yourself at least two days in the area. If you have scenic flights booked, these can be forwarded if it’s cloudy. While you wait there are a few things to keep you occupied, even in the rain . The average annual rainfall in the area is 5 m over 180 rain days. In summer always book your accommodation well in advance.