-Europe.Austria.Vienna-
Vienna won the title for best city to live in, for the tenth time in a row. Impressive achievement considering the competition. The city is lively with good transport connections, is green, low crime rates with plenty to see and do and eat and therefore visit!
I have a love-hate relationship with Vienna , on one hand I love the city that keeps a reminder of its glorious days of the Austria-Habsburg empire with all its amazingly grandiose buildings and on the other hand there is always this chill-to-the-bone wind that I have come to associate with visits to Vienna. It is difficult to write about a big city like Vienna as it has so many things to experience as a visitor. I visited Vienna on many occasions and am always surprised by what I missed to see here.
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Table of Contents
Getting to Vienna
I know of 3 main train stations where people arrive at: Wien Central Station (Wien Hauptbanhof), Wien West Station (Wien Westbahnhof) and Wien Meidling. All three stations are well-connected by the public transportations that brings you to where you want to go after.
Same goes with the Vienna airport, there are 3 ways to get from the airport to Vienna city center. For the trains , in arrivals walk right and follow the signs for train. You will see ticket booths and paths leading to the station under the Terminal.
- City Train Airport that goes every 30 minutes. Currently it costs 12 Euros for a single journey and 21 Euros for a return trip. (Children below 15 years of age travels for free). For schedules and tickets go here.
- Vienna Airport Lines – Costs 8 Euros per way. (half price for Children 6-14 years old). For tickets click here.
- *Cheapest Option: OEBB RailJet or the S7 – S-Bahn Line also goes every 30 minutes and costs 4,20 Euros until the Vienna city limits. Train schedules could be checked here. *Money Saving Tip: If you have the Transport ticket which is for travelling within the city limits, then you only need to pay 1,80 Euros by selecting the “Kernzonengrenze” option.
Parking in Vienna
In any big cities, parking is limited and often it is a problem to drive within the city. Whenever we drive to Vienna, we park at the Park + Ride. We parked at the Spittelau P+R (access to U4, U6) as well as Hütteldorf P+R (access to U4) . In general the cost to park there is Eur3,60 per day. For longer term parking there are options and has to be checked at the individual website.
There are parking garages in the city center as well , they cost averagely 20 Euros per day.
In case you need a rental car, I use and recommend RentalCars. They have a wide range to choose from.
Getting Around Vienna
If you are there for some days , I recommend the 24-/48-/72-hour Ticket. If you happen to start your visit on a Monday the weekly ticket should also be considered. Information about the tickets for U-Bahn, trams and buses are available at the Wiener Linien site.
*Money $aving Tip: There is a Day Ticket available which is cheaper than the 24 hour ticket. It is valid on the day of purchase up till 1:00am the next morning. The catch is : the day ticket is only available on the online shop or on the mobile app of Wiener Linien. (See link above)
If you have the Vienna Pass, the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus is included.
In the warmer months, scooter rental to get around the city is available. Here is the link for the details.
Seeing Vienna
When you decide to see Vienna at your own pace, it is a good option – you can scan through the neighbourhoods and spend more time at the places that catches your interest. The Neighbourhoods 1, 2 and 3 are focused on the historic center on or near the Ring Road. Here is a link to a very good map for orientation.
Neighbourhoods :
1. The Vienna Ring Road
2. Hofburg + Surroundings
3. Stephansplatz + Surroundings
The Vienna Ring Road
On this broad boulevard, many renowned monuments are built , if you are pressed for time (which would be a shame…) and want to see some of Vienna then you should at least visit this.
There is an available bright yellow tram meant for tourists – The Vienna Ring Tram – click here for the operating hours and ticket prices – it runs for 25 minutes with a commentary of buildings you see. I would only take it if I had a time constraint, otherwise it is pleasant to walk as the trees provide shade around or the public transport trams that run around it is another option that allows you to hop on and off. With the Vienna Pass the Vienna Ring Tram is included.
*Money Savings Tip: Tram #1 from SchwedenPlatz brings you around the Ring Road without the commentary. This is a cheap alternative especially when you have the 24-hour transport card.
Parliament Building Vienna
The architecture has an unmistakable Greek influence with the columns in the front. The fountains in the front is topped by a marble statue of Athena, the Greek goddess of Wisdom, War and Peace. To learn more about the Parliament, you can do a tour inside – more information about how to do that and registration here
Rathaus Vienna (Town Hall)
Home to government offices – like everywhere else in the world, where you go to be tortured by bureaucracy (I am half kidding) – in front of it is the Rathausplatz where important events are often held. The grounds are hosts to the ChristkindlMarkt near the Christmas season and is very popular. Here is the link to the webcam view of the Rathaus from Burgtheater across the road.
Burgtheater Vienna
The National Theater building has an impressive facade – this one is exceptional with the paintings and sculptures paying tribute to famous artists and poets. There is a bust of Shakespeare as well as references to Romeo and Juliet in the form of painted frescoes.
Interesting fact: The frescoes were painted by young artists Frank Matsch, Ernst and Gustav Klimt. Gustav Klimt of course went on to international recognition with his painting “The Kiss” and the “Golden Adele” (My favourite – I like to imagine some great artist painted me and became world famous). In the Burgtheater is the grand opportunity to see the early works of Gustav Klimt – where he even painted himself into the fresco. There is a daily tour possible of the theater – here is the link on tour times and ticket prices. Also for the plays which are in German.
*Money Saving Tip: An hour before a performance the remaining tickets sell for 25% less or if you don’t mind standing for the performance , the tickets are just 4 Euros. Great Deal
Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera)
The Opera House is world renowed and shows international operas as well as ballets. Once a year, it host the OpernBall , attended by the creme-de-la-creme of high society all over the world. It follows the tradition of Balls with Debutantes and the whole area is transformed into a grand ballroom dance floor. Tickets for the opera can be bought here. The tickets normally sell like hot cakes as soon as they are available. It is one of the things that are unique to experience while in Vienna. Still there is a possibility of getting affordable tickets. I have seen seats going for Euro 15 for Madame Butterfly. All seats come with screens with 8 language subtitles.
*Money Saving Tips : The cheapest tickets are for the standing tickets. You can buy standing tickets in advance by signing up for the Theater Card. Another way is to go to the ticket office (Stehplatz-Kasse) on the day of the performance for 10 Euros. Each person is allowed to buy only one ticket.
*Money Saving Tips : Besides being actually in the opera house itself , there are some operas which are broadcasted live outside the Theater. This is free to enjoy. Click the link to check for shows.
Another way is live streaming to the comfort of your own home. Here is the link.
Natural History Museum and Art History Museum
The Natural History Museum has a mirror building right opposite which is the Art History Museum. Entry to the Natural History Museum and the Art History Museum is free with the Vienna Pass. Without the Vienna Pass , check for the tickets at the link for ArtHistoryMuseum and NaturalHistoryMuseum.
Museums Quartier
I found the Museums Quartier to be a great hangout place. Lots of seating areas to chill and I suspect a lot of locals spend time here. There are modern art museums , bars, restaurants and cafes. This area has a different vibe, its young and fresh with changing exhibitions for different interests. Among them with free entry with the Vienna Pass are Leopold Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK).
Stadt Park (City Park)
The city park reminds me of Central Park in New York. This piece of green heaven in the middle of the city has a river flowing through it. It is a nice and relaxing to walk around here. The main touristic draw is the monument and golden statue of Johann Strauss.
Justizpalast
Not many people know that normal people can go there. It is after all the seat of the Supreme Court. There is of course a security scan to go through but after that you are able to go in to the best view in the main hall. After taking photos, head on up to the Justiz Cafe for coffee and to get a view over Vienna.
Hofburg Complex and Surroundings
The Hofburg Complex has been growing and houses important museums and treasuries. Nearby is the Spanish Riding School and Heldenplatz. Additionally don’t miss the Austrian National Library.
Hofburg Palace Vienna
It started off as the residence of the Habsburgs who ruled a large part of Europe in the 13th Century. Now it houses the residence of the Austrian President, the National Library, museums and federal offices and the Augustiner Church. In short it has evolved into an extremely large complex which covers a big chunk of the ground in the Historical Center of Vienna. I felt as though I have been transported back in time when strolling on the grounds. The many horse-drawn carriages carrying tourists just adds to the overall atmosphere.
– Imperial Apartments : Link Here for Tickets. Free entry with the Vienna Pass.
– Sisi Museum has a collection of the Empress Sisi : Link Here for more information and tickets which usually is coupled with the Imperial Apartments.
– Imperial Treasury : Valuable collections including two important crowns : Link Here for more information and tickets. Free entry with the Vienna Pass.
– The Silver Collection from the Habsburgs are on display : Link Here for more information and tickets.
State Hall of the National Library
State Hall of the National Library is nothing but impressive – often touted as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. This impression is most surely contributed by the beautiful ceremonial room which was built to impress. The collection of 3.9 million books and seven reading rooms make it the largest library in Austria.
Link Here for more information and tickets. Free entry with the Vienna Pass.
Burggarten
The park was a re-design after the war to be a part of the Imperial gardens. Green grounds with ponds and statues all around. The most famous one being Mozart.
Volksgarten
Sharing the same history as the Burggarten, this is another part of the park. We managed to see the famous roses at the rose garden. The Theseus temple now houses exhibitions.
Stephansplatz and Surroundings
Stephansplatz is a bustling place, full of people. There are multiple roads and streets leading to Stephansplatz. They are shopping streets with shops, restaurants and cafes. It seems natural to come to Stephansplatz for a rest with a view of the majestic St. Stephan’s Cathedral. It is famous for its colourful tiled roof and a tourist draw. It is free to enter the first part of the Church which is impressive and worth to visit. The rest needs ticket entry. Here is the link to check for opening hours and tickets.
The Aida Cafe at Stephan’s Platz claims to have the best ice cream around – well ok the advertisement worked and I decided to get some. Looking for a spot to sit and enjoy the ice cream and the view of the majestic Cathedral wasn’t that easy as it was crowded at the square. Immerse yourself into the Viennese coffee houses , many of them offering the local specialty, the Sacher Torte.
Just around the corner is the shopping street of Graben , unmissable with its plague column. Graben has been around since Roman times.
Nearby at Hohen Markt Street is the AnkerUhr , a mechanical clock with moving historical figures at the top of the hour.
A summary...
This list is by no means exhaustive , there is more which I will talk about in another blog post. The neighbourhoods above can be covered by walking or with the public transport. This guide shows what you can visit when you are in that area to save time and money. It is a good start for exploring Vienna. Viel Spass!
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What an incredible and beautiful city. It is amazing that so much of it survived absolutely in tact from WWII. I was there 30 years ago and must return soon.
Thank you for a wonderful post on one of my dream destinations. I wasn’t aware of the utility of the Vienna pass. It can be used in the museums too is a welcome news for me.
I have always wanted to visit Vienna and I especially would love to go to the Vienna State Opera. The Hofburg Palace Vienna also looks beautiful. Your article makes me want to go to Austria now.
I can totally relate to the chill-to-the-bone cold you’re talking about, I was in Vienna last December and it was freezing. Having said that, I still fell madly in love with the city, especially the architecture and the vibe too. I was lucky to have visited several Christmas markets at that time, as well. I understand your love-hate relationship with the city!
I was in Vienna for only two days. It’s not enough to get to know this beautiful city. I really want to go back there, so your detailed guide will help plan my next visit. I would like to see the Natural History Museum and the Museums Quartier. I hope to see the Hofburg Palace Vienna because it looks impressive too.