Vienna travel guide

In Vienna, putting Schönbrunn Palace and the old town in different time slots keeps the walking short.

Schönbrunn's main tour costs 42 euros for adults and takes about 75 minutes, audio guide included. From the airport, the S7 to the city costs 5.50 euros; from 7 September 2026 the S7 runs only to St. Marx, not Wien Mitte. A 24-hour city transport ticket costs 9.70 euros digital or 10.20 euros on paper.

UNESCO listed Schönbrunn in 1996 and the Historic Centre of Vienna in 2001. Opening hours vary by season, so check the date in the official information before you go, and plan 2 or 3 nights.

Visa and entry requirements for Austria

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Visa (Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs) (Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs)
• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) (European Union)
• EES (Entry/Exit System) (European Union)

Schönbrunn's main Palace Ticket costs 42 euros for adults, 30 euros for children aged 6 to 18 and 31.50 euros for students and people with disabilities. It includes an audio guide or printed guide and takes about 75 minutes. The palace opens daily 8:30 to 17:30 from 27 March to 30 June and 1 September to 2 November, and until 18:00 in July and August.

UNESCO listed the palace and gardens in 1996 as a place where Habsburg Baroque architecture and garden design survive together. See the palace in the morning and walk the gardens in the afternoon. From 3 November to March, hours differ, so check the official information.

Based on Schönbrunn's official information, checked on 23 October 2026.

According to Vienna Tourism, the S7 from the airport to the city costs 5.50 euros: 2.30 euros from the airport to the city boundary plus 3.20 euros within Vienna. With a Vienna City Card or a multi-day ticket, you only need the extra 2.30-euro airport-to-boundary ticket.

From 7 September 2026 the S7 runs only to St. Marx, not Wien Mitte; for the centre, change to trams 18 or 71 or bus 74A. The 24-hour ticket (9.70 euros digital, 10.20 euros paper) is valid only in the central Vienna zone, so it doesn't cover the airport section. Check for service changes in the official information before you arrive.

With 2 nights: on day one, see Schönbrunn Palace in the morning and walk the gardens in the afternoon; on day two, walk the old town around St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Graben. Last entry at Schönbrunn is 45 minutes before seasonal closing, so avoid going in late afternoon.

With 3 nights: add rest and city travel on day three, and fix your airport time first. The old town involves lots of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.

Plan meals in Vienna around Wiener schnitzel, Sachertorte and apple strudel. Schnitzel is breaded, fried veal or pork, and one plate is filling; Sachertorte is a chocolate cake, and apple strudel is apple rolled in thin pastry and baked. We don't pick restaurants or prices here. On palace days, move lunch into town to keep travel short. Menus vary, so ask staff about price and portion size before ordering.

Schönbrunn's hours change by season, so check the official information once your date is fixed. The airport S7 route has changed, so re-read Vienna Tourism's information before you arrive. Austria is in the Schengen Area; check entry requirements for your nationality. The local emergency number is 112.