One of Europe’s most important capitals, Vienna is known for its focus on high culture. The historic center is dense, but it’s also lovely and filled with amazing architecture including some famous palaces.
Vienna is one of Europe’s great cities and definitely the grandest city in the German-speaking world, but all of that gorgeous architecture and culture doesn’t come cheap. The cultural and historical opportunities here are rivaled by few others, and things are quite tidy and organized too, so be prepared to spend some money to really enjoy it all.
| Population | 1,600,000 |
| Area | 2,300,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+1 |
| Currency | Euro |
| Airports | Vienna International Airport (VIE) |
Hotels in Vienna are rather expensive at the mid and upper ranges of things, but some bargains do exist in the lower reaches. You’re likely to be staying outside of the main ring road area, so you’ll sacrifice some time going back and forth, though it does keep your budget more intact. Vienna hostels can be good bargains, however, as can private rooms at those hostels.
Hotels in Vienna stay fairly crowded all year long, except for mid January through March, when some pretty good deals are available. Generally the high season for Vienna hotels lasts from April through October, but also includes all major holiday periods. Hostels typically don’t vary their rates much at all through the year.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 26.32 - 54.74 |
| 33.68 - 61.05 |
| 42.11 - 68.42 |
| 71.58 - 161.05 |
| 227.37 - 310.53 |
Pension Liechtenstein Doubles from €70/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central 3-star hotel in Vienna |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 12.63 - 29.47 |
Wombats City Hostel – at The Naschmarkt Beds from €18/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central hostel in Vienna |
Most of the most famous attractions in the city are cheaper than they are in, say, Paris or Rome, but those who want to hit all the main highlights will still find it fairly expensive. Fortunately the public transportation is efficient and reasonably priced, and there are plenty of interesting things to see and do that don’t cost anything. If you want to see all of the city’s top sights in 2 or 3 days, see our Vienna Pass review as it might be your best bet.
The free (tips-based) walking tours of Vienna are a great way to get oriented and see most of the famous buildings within the Ring Road in just a few hours.
The tram that simply goes around the Ring Road is a great DIY tour, although you’ll have to get a printed or audio guide to know all of the best highlights.
The hop-on, hop-off bus tours are also recommended. One route even includes Prater Park and its famous Ferris wheel and it’s included in the same price.
| Location | Description | Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schloss Schönbrunn | Vienna's most famous attraction is this castle on the edge of the city. Price includes audio guide. The Grand Tour costs a bit more. | adults ages 6-18 | 30.53 22.11 |
| Hofburg Palace | This huge and ornate palace is another must-see Vienna sight. Price includes audio guide. | adults ages 6-18 | 17.89 11.58 |
| Museum of Fine Arts | This enormous museum is Austria's answer to the Louvre. Price includes audio guide. | adults under 19 | 22.11 0.00 |
| Giant Ferris wheel in Prater Park | Another of Vienna's most popular attractions. | adults child | 12.63 5.26 |
For food and drink this is a typically expensive European capital, with sit-down meals costing quite a bit, and cheaper offerings often being hard to find. The exception is the sausage stands and noodle stands, which are all over town, where a filling meal can be fast and fairly cheap.
| Food Type | Description | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget breakfast | Many hotels will include breakfast. If not, sandwiches and sausages are good budget options. | 5.26 - 8.42 |
| Budget lunch | There's a wide variety of casual and fast-food places to choose from, usually serving local specialties. | 7.37 - 11.58 |
| Budget dinner | Dining at proper restaurants in Vienna is rarely cheap, but portions are usually large and filling, at least. | 11.58 - 20.00 |
| Beer (.5l glass) | Very good local lager is served most places. | 3.16 - 6.32 |
| Table wine (bottle) | Decent quality table wine can be affordable in many restaurants, and even cheaper in markets. | 5.26 - 10.53 |
| Bratwurst | There are little sausage kiosks all over town, with relatively cheap beer as well. | 3.16 - 5.26 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Taxi from airport to city center | 31.58 - 34.74 |
| Commuter train from airport to city center | 4.21 |
| Express train from airport to city center | 11.58 |
| 3km taxi ride in Vienna | 7.37 - 12.63 |
| Public transport ride in Vienna | 2.11 |
| All-day public transport card | 8.42 |
Vienna has a large and busy airport, which is only 18 km outside the city center.
Perhaps even more popular are train arrivals since Vienna is within fairly easy reach of Salzburg, Prague, Munich, and Budapest, which are all great destinations as well.
Vienna’s historic center is flat and compact so it’s easily walkable for most visitors.
The city has a tram system that goes around the Ring Road (which surrounds the historic center) and goes out in all directions from there.
Vienna also has a modern metro system, although it’s more useful for commuters than tourists since it mainly just connects the suburbs to the city center.
| Month | High F | Low F | Precip (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37 | 28 | 1.5 |
| February | 41 | 30 | 1.6 |
| March | 51 | 36 | 1.8 |
| April | 59 | 42 | 2.0 |
| May | 69 | 51 | 2.4 |
| June | 74 | 56 | 2.8 |
| July | 78 | 60 | 2.7 |
| August | 78 | 60 | 2.3 |
| September | 69 | 53 | 2.1 |
| October | 58 | 45 | 1.6 |
| November | 46 | 36 | 2.0 |
| December | 39 | 31 | 1.7 |
Vienna has a pleasant climate through most of the year, and summer is definitely the busiest season. Days are warm and humid, but rarely so hot that it becomes problematic. Spring and fall are usually quite mild, with low rainfall in general. Winters can get cold, but accumulations of snow are rare so as long as you are dressed properly you should be fine.
| 21 Mar | 5:56am | 6:08pm |
| 21 Jun | 4:54am | 8:59pm |
| 21 Sep | 6:39am | 6:55pm |
| 21 Dec | 7:42am | 4:03pm |