Schönbrunn PalaceAttraction
Schönbrunn Palace
The summer residence of the Habsburgs, with state rooms and large formal gardens. Entry is by timed ticket.
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Things to do in Vienna
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Vienna in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsVienna International Airport (VIE)
Getting aroundU-Bahn, trams, buses and on foot
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Best monthsApril to June, September and October
Vienna in brief
Vienna was the capital of the Habsburg empire, and it still looks the part. The old centre lies inside the Ringstrasse, a grand boulevard lined with palaces, museums and the opera house.
The great sights are imperial: the Hofburg in the centre, Schönbrunn Palace a short ride out, and the Belvedere with its Klimt paintings. Schönbrunn uses timed tickets and sells out in summer.
Music and coffee houses are part of daily life. Leave time to sit over a coffee for an hour, as the Viennese do.
Top attractions in Vienna
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Schönbrunn Palace
Hofburg
St Stephen’s CathedralAttraction
St Stephen’s Cathedral
The Gothic cathedral at the heart of the city, with a patterned tile roof and towers to climb.
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Belvedere PalaceAttraction
Belvedere Palace
Two Baroque palaces in a garden, home to Klimt’s The Kiss.
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Kunsthistorisches MuseumAttraction
Kunsthistorisches Museum
The art collections of the Habsburgs, with Bruegel, Vermeer and Raphael.
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Prater and Giant Ferris WheelAttraction
Prater and Giant Ferris Wheel
The old amusement park and its nineteenth-century wheel, with views over the city.
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Photo: Schönbrunn Palace — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0); Hofburg — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0); St Stephen’s Cathedral — Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0); Belvedere Palace — Martin Falbisoner (CC BY-SA 4.0); Kunsthistorisches Museum — Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0); Prater and Giant Ferris Wheel — Manfred Werner (Tsui) (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
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Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Vienna Airport (VIE)A pre-booked car from arrivals to your hotel. Alternatives are the City Airport Train or the regular S-Bahn.
Trains from ViennaTrains reach Bratislava in about an hour, Salzburg in about two and a half hours and Budapest in under three hours.
Car rentalNot needed in the city. Useful for the Wachau, the lakes and the Alps.
Flights
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Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
Innere Stadt
The old centre inside the Ring, steps from the main sights.
2
Neubau and MuseumsQuartier
A creative district of cafés, small shops and museums, just outside the Ring.
3
Leopoldstadt
Across the Danube Canal, near the Prater. Good value and well connected.
4
Wieden
Beside the Naschmarkt and the Belvedere, with a local feel.
Hotels in Vienna with live prices
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Vienna day by day
- Day 1: The old centre and the HofburgSt Stephen’s Cathedral and the Graben, the Hofburg, a coffee house, then the State Opera in the evening.
- Day 2: Schönbrunn and the BelvedereSchönbrunn Palace in the morning with a timed ticket, lunch at the Naschmarkt, then the Belvedere.
- Day 3: Museums and the PraterThe Kunsthistorisches Museum in the morning, the MuseumsQuartier, then the Prater towards evening.
- With a fourth dayTake a day trip to the Wachau Valley or Bratislava.
Local tips
- There are no ticket gates. Validate your ticket before the first ride, as inspectors fine on the spot.
- Most shops are closed on Sundays. Museums, cafés and restaurants stay open.
- In a coffee house you may sit as long as you like. A glass of water comes with the coffee.
- The State Opera sells standing-room tickets on the day of the performance.
- Tap water comes from Alpine springs and is very good to drink.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
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Travel guide
Vienna is best from April to June and September to October, and 3 days covers the main palaces and museums. Trains and a coach service link the airport to the centre in about 20 to 30 minutes. The S7 train runs a shortened route until October 2027.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Vienna?
April to June and September to October are mild. December brings Christmas markets and cold weather.
How many days do I need in Vienna?
Three full days cover the main sights. Add a day for the Wachau Valley.
Should I book Schönbrunn Palace ahead?
Yes. Entry is by timed ticket, and summer days sell out.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
From the airport, the City Airport Train runs non-stop to Wien Mitte in sixteen minutes, and regular trains also run to the city. Taxis and pre-booked transfers are available too. Choose by luggage, arrival time and budget.
Are shops open on Sundays in Vienna?
Mostly not. Shops close on Sundays and public holidays, apart from those in the main railway stations.