Vienna is an unnervingly beautiful city packed with elegant palaces, world-class coffeehouses, and enough museums to exhaust even the most feverish of culture nerds...

It’s also a city that requires a LOT of prep work.

Because yes, before you’re able to waltz through gilded halls packed with history, and devour cakes like it’s your full-time job, there’s a lot to learn about the best ways to maximize your time, avoid crowds, save money, and avoid the city’s many tourist traps.

Don’t worry though – below, I’ve compiled all my top Vienna tips and must-knows for first timers… so you can get all your info in one place, and have more time to plot your cake consumption strategy. I hope you find it helpful!

1. Know that Vienna is also called Wien

First off – be sure to remember that the German name for Vienna is Wien, so anytime you see that, whether on a train sign, website, or next to ‘schnitzel’, you’re basically just seeing the local language name of the city.

This is particularly helpful to remember because some search engines and transport booking sites default to German names, so if you type in trains to Vienna rather than trains to Wien, you might not actually get any results. So… remember: Wien is the way to go.

PS: Do note that Wien is actually pronounced with a V sound (so like, Veen)… not a W sound. Likewise, your ‘wiener schnitzel’ is actually pronounced like ‘veen-uh schnitzel’.

2. Know the pros/cons of staying in different areas

In terms of where to stay, Vienna is pretty spread out, so you have a lot of options.

To give you a quick overview of the city’s layout: Vienna has 23 municipal districts that are numbered, so they’re referred to as the Bezirke, or Bezirk if we’re just talking about one.

The layout of Vienna’s Bezirke starts with an inner ring, meaning the most central districts are lower in number, so the Innere Stadt or city centre where most of the touristy sights are is the 1st District. A fun trick for figuring out which district something is in is to look at the postal code – the district number can be found in the middle.

Now, do note that all these different districts have their own character and personality, as well as separate neighbourhoods within them, so deciding where to stay will really depend on what you’re looking for. 

If you can afford it, staying in the 1st District, of course, puts you within walking distance to the main sights, but with the excellent public transport in the city, this isn’t a requirement. There are many grand historic hotels in this area aimed at the luxury market though, if that’s what you’re looking for.

In any case, reading up on local blogs is always a fun way to learn more about what different districts have to offer. I thought Visiting Vienna was a really good website when I was planning.

The most important thing, in my opinion, is finding a place in your budget that looks good.  Location-wise, so long as it’s close to an U-Bahn or tram line, you’re fine, because then you’re never far away from the sights. On my recent trip I stayed in the 13th, which was nice and affordable, plus it was within walking distance to Schönbrunn Palace, so I got to go there in the early morning before the crowds!

3. Learn a bit about Vienna’s history before you go

Another must in my opinion? Learn a bit about Vienna’s history before you go!

Much of Vienna’s tourism hotspots are grounded in the city’s imperial history and sights, so you will really enjoy your visit SO much more if you have a rough grasp of the Habsburg Family and Empire, including Empress Elisabeth, AKA Sisi, in particular.

There are loads of movies and TV shows about her, though they’re definitely of questionable accuracy. Die Kaiserin, or The Empress, on Netflix is really good though. 

4. Know the best ways to get from the airport to the city

Next, let’s move onto transport and getting around Vienna!

First, in terms of arrivals, there are a few options to get from the airport to the city center. 

The most convenient public transport option is the CAT which is a dedicated Airport Express train that costs €14.90 one way, or €24.90 for a round trip, and takes you from the airport to the Vienna City Centre Station, or Wien Mitte Station, in 16 minutes. 

A much more affordable alternative is taking the S7, which is slower at 25 minutes because it makes more stops, but it’s also much more affordable at only €4.50 one-way. This might also work out to be more convenient depending on where exactly you’re staying, since it stops at more stations, so be sure to enter your hotel destination on Google Maps rather than searching more generally. 

You can, of course, also just get a taxi. This is super easy to do through the Taxi 40100 counter when you leave the airport – they also have an app, and charge a fixed rate of €42 for a maximum of four people. 

Cost-wise, this would probably make sense for a larger group or if you’re travelling with a ton of luggage… though beware that with traffic, it may not necessarily be the quickest option. 

5. Use Google Maps or the WienMobil app for transport directions

In terms of planning your journeys, I found that Google Maps is usually pretty good with Vienna’s transport system, though there’s also a special WienMobil app that you can use as well. 

NOTE: I did have a few instances that the trains listed on the Google Maps app didn’t match exactly with the trains that arrived or what was written on the signs, so it’s helpful to kind of understand the general way the transport system works in terms of directions and things, rather than follow Google Maps blindly.

For instance, as with most train systems, the information screen usually shows trains based on their train number and also their final destination to indicate which direction it’s travelling, so let’s say, the U4 Hütteldorf. That tells you which line and also which direction.

But sometimes there are trains that are on that same line and direction, but they’ll show a different final destination name, maybe because it ends partway along the route or sometimes there’s train lines that branch off into two separate lines.

In any case, sometimes the train listed will not match the train Google Maps listed exactly but it’ll still be fine for you to go on, depending on how soon you’re getting off. So before you panic about the screen showing something different, have a look at the stops along the way first. 

6. Learn the basics of Vienna’s public transport system

Now let’s talk about public transport tickets. Luckily, Vienna’s trams, buses, Metro and S-Bahn all use the same ticket system, so with one ticket you can actually use different modes of transport to complete your journey. 

Even luckier, Vienna’s travel zones are fairly simple in that the city is pretty much all considered one zone called the Core Zone, and most visitors will probably not travel out of the Core Zone unless you’re going to and from the airport, so you don’t need to worry too much about zones when buying tickets in the city.

So long as you stay in this zone, any ticket you buy will be valid on all modes of transport, even regional trains, again, so long as you stay within the Core Zone.

In terms of how the system works, Vienna’s public transport functions mainly based on trust, so there aren’t fare gates or turnstiles at every station and no mandatory checks when you board a bus or tram.

But it’s important to note this does NOT mean the journey is free! You are still responsible for buying and validating your ticket correctly – it’s just you don’t need to show anybody until an inspector asks for it. 

So always have your ticket on you and validated by putting it through one of these machines. This is super important because an unvalidated ticket is considered as bad as no ticket at all. 

7. Consider transport passes to save money

All that said, if you plan to be in town for a few days or a week, I highly, highly recommend getting a transport pass of some kind, because then you get unlimited travel for a set period at one price and you don’t need to worry about buying and validating tickets every time.

It usually works out to be the cheaper option too if you plan to use public transport more than 3 times in 24 hours, which is very easy to do. 

The options can be a bit confusing though, so let me walk you through them.

The cheapest one that is JUST transport only is the one you buy from Wiener Linien, who run most of the public transport in Vienna. They have passes for 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours and 7 days. 

This is the option I went for because I was going to buy an attractions pass separately. There are, however, two other options that combine unlimited public transport with discounts on local attractions and restaurants as well, with different prices depending on the pass duration and also any add-ons.

These two options are the Vienna Welcome Card, which is slightly cheaper but includes fewer discounts and attractions… and the official Vienna City Card, which is owned by the city and includes transport as well as discounts to over 200 different attractions and restaurants.

Ultimately, the best option is going to depend on what you plan to do, so the only way to know for sure is to do the math and crunch the numbers. I have a free spreadsheet that can help with that – you can find it here.

All that said, public transport is excellent in Vienna so there really isn’t much need for those hop-on, hop-off buses as a mode of transport, as they are SUPER expensive relatively speaking, though they can be convenient if you don’t want to do too much planning. 

8. Train stations can be confusing in Vienna

If you’re not flying into Vienna, maybe you’re coming by train, then it’s important to note there’s a few different large train stations in the city. The main one is the Wien Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), which is confusingly actually not that close to the central historic main sights… but it is massive and very modern thanks to the fact that it only opened in 2015. 

If you’re looking for the station closest to the sights, that would actually be Wien Mitte Station, which is also known as the Vienna City Centre Station. 

There’s also Wien Meidling, which is southwest of the city centre, and Wien Westbahnhof in the West. These could be handy to use if they are closer to your accommodation, but generally, just keep in mind that they exist, so don’t get them mixed up if you’re trying to get to a specific station.

9. Focus on free attractions in Vienna to save some cash

Vienna is filled with amazing sights – it truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but unfortunately, many of these places come with price tags to match.

The good news is: if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of free options available!

Not only is admiring all the architecture and palaces from outside generally free, there are also some great free sights including…

• The permanent collection at the Wien Museum by Karlsplatz, as well as their contemporary art space called Wien Museum MUSA
• All the District Museums in the city
• Some churches like Peterskirche and Minoritenkirche 
• City Hall tours, which they offer for free on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays
• As well as all the lovely parks and green spaces

There are also some days that certain museums are free, like the first Sunday of every month, for instance. 

10. Don’t miss out on the paid attractions in Vienna

I should say though: if you’re into art and/or history, a lot of Vienna’s attractions are worth paying for to see the inside.

Unfortunately though, when you pay for attractions one by one, the costs can really add up… so if you plan to see many of them, it might be worth looking into a sightseeing pass like the Vienna Pass which includes a bunch of attractions for one set price.

NOTE: The price of the Vienna Pass is still quite steep though, so be sure to do the math and see if it’s actually worth it for you… bearing in mind, this pass does let you skip the line in many places.

I did buy a Vienna Pass on my recent trip because I wanted to see and do EVERYTHING in the name of research, so it was really worth it for me, but unless you’re seeing a bunch of things, it’s probably more cost effective to just pay for the handful you want to see.

11. Try to diversify your sightseeing itinerary for a well-rounded experience

Now, when you’re trying to decide which paid attractions to do in Vienna, you are bound to be overwhelmed because there are just SO many different options. 

So… allow me a quick knuckle crack and I’ll share my personal opinions with you, after three visits. You should of course ultimately choose based on personal interests, but I hope this is a helpful starting point.

When it comes to choosing paid attractions in Vienna, I highly recommend you pick…

1. At least one palace 
2. At least one art attraction 
3. At least one historic attraction 
4. And if you have time, a quirky smaller niche thing you’re interested in

I’ll expand more on each section below, but if you’re short on time or funds and you want the best value for money attraction, my personal opinion is that’s the Albertina.

Not only is it housed in a stunning Habsburg residential palace, inside you’ll find a vast collection of artwork scattered across four floors with some of the most famous names in art history. Not only that though, there are also state rooms included in your visit, where Archduchess Marie-Christine once lived, so you get your palace fix as well. 

12. Know the pros/cons on each of Vienna’s palaces

Of course, when in Vienna, twirling around palaces is probably on your to-do list.

So, in terms of Viennese palaces, the most famous ones for tourists are…

• The Hofburg, which is the sprawling complex right in the middle of the city
• Schönbrunn Palace, which is southwest of the center 
• Belvedere, which is slightly southeast

Again, all of these are worth appreciating from the outside, but how should you decide which ones to get tickets to?

Well, Hofburg is mainly known for the museums and attractions that it houses, like the Sisi Museum and Spanish Riding School.

If you want a more palace-y experience with state rooms and everything, Schönbrunn is probably the better choice, and they have tons of interesting museums and sights there as well – so many in fact that you could probably spend a whole day there.

 

Belvedere is also stunning, but it’s more of an art gallery these days, so it’s great for art lovers, but less so if you want to experience royal history. 

So, do with that info as you will, but do note that all of them will be tremendously crowded, so try to visit them earlier in the morning, or just before closing.

13. Use my secret trick to have big attractions all to yourself

This simple tip makes me irrationally proud, and is something I discovered on my most recent visit.

So, if you want to have a big attraction all to yourself, a very easy trick for feeling like it’s all yours is getting in at the first time slot, then skipping the first bit of the audio guide.

Why does this work? Simple – since everyone is doing the audio guide, they’re kind of bound to the specific timing of that guide, but if you skip the first section, you’re a solid minute or two ahead of everyone else and you can fully appreciate all the rooms and artifacts by yourself. Such a good hack! Plus, nobody will stop you from going back to see what you missed. 

14. Definitely visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum if you can

Now, onto art attractions in Vienna – my personal pick would be the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Inside, you’ll find the largest art museum in the country, filled with artworks that were once part of the Habsburgs’ private collection, all housed in a jaw dropping Renaissance Revival style building. This museum is worth seeing for the architecture alone, and there’s a stunning café in the middle as well. 

But hey, Vienna is a cultural powerhouse, so if you’re interested in other types of art like contemporary or modern, be sure to look into all the options before you commit.

15. Consider some of Vienna’s more offbeat history attractions

History-wise, you again have so much to choose from, but I have two more under-the-radar recommendations if you are really interested in learning about the history of Vienna.

Both of them are housed in the Neue Hofburg. The first is the relatively new House of Habsburg Tour, which is a self-guided audio tour that walks you through the history of the Habsburgs through real life artifacts and displays. This is probably one of the best ways to learn about Habsburg history through a clear, linear narrative, so I can definitely recommend this for any first time visitor.

And if you want a broader overview of contemporary Austrian history, the House of Austrian History is really well done. This museum covers the history of Austria from the end of the Habsburg monarchy up until present day, with very well organized displays corresponding to different decades. If you want some more modern insights into Vienna’s history, then this one is a must-visit.

16. Don’t miss Vienna’s nicher museums and sights

All that said, don’t forget that Vienna seems to have a museum for every interest under the sun, whether you want to learn more about coffee, crime, clocks or contraception, so be sure to look up the many different museums in the city and pick one you can be especially nerdy about.

As a travel blogger, it should come as zero surprise that I went to a museum dedicated to globes for instance… as well as the Prunksaal, or State Room of the Austrian National Library, which was a gorgeous bookish dream, and one of the prettiest libraries I’ve ever been to.

17. Make sure to catch a concert in Vienna

Another very popular thing to do in Vienna is a classical music concert. After all, Vienna was home to some of the greatest composers of all time in the 18th and 19th century, including big names like Mozart, Beethoven, the Strausses and more. 

But do beware that not all concerts are made equal – I’d advise booking your concert online and vetting reviews beforehand, rather than spontaneously buying tickets on the street.

There are many guys in touristy areas dressed up in costumes trying to sell you concert tickets on a whim, and often these are made-for-tourist productions that aren’t of the highest quality. So, do some research beforehand to maximize value for money!

18. Don’t miss Vienna’s most iconic food and drink specialties

Next let’s chat food and drink! 

When in Vienna, you of course want to try some classic Austrian food, so some good ones to put on your radar include…

• Wiener Schnitzel, deep fried pork cutlets 
• Tafelspitz, a boiled beef in broth 

And sweet dishes like…

• Kaisherschmarrn, a scrambled/shredded pancake
• Apfelstrudel, an apple strudel usually served warm in a vanilla sauce
• Palatschinken, a thick crepe like treat usually filled with apricot jam 

Besides just these dishes though, Vienna is also especially known for its cakes and coffee culture.

The most famous one is Sachertorte, frankly not my favourite because it’s just kind of dry and boring… so don’t feel obligated to order that one just because it’s the most famous.

There are many other cakes and pastries you can enjoy in Vienna. I’m partial to fluffy cakes so I like the Wiener Nusstorte, which is made with walnuts, and the Esterházy Torte, which is vanilla and almond. Sure, it’s Hungarian in origin but you’ll find it everywhere in Vienna.

In any case, go for the flavours you typically enjoy and there’s no way you can go wrong.

19. Beware of Vienna’s special coffee language

Now when it comes to coffee culture in Vienna, do beware that they take things VERY seriously and kind of have their own coffee language here. So don’t try to just order a latte or cappuccino, instead consider these options…

• Kleiner Schwarzer, basically a single espresso, and a großer Schwarzer is double espresso
• Kleiner/Großer Brauner, a single or double espresso, served with milk or cream on the side to add in yourself
• Melange, or Wienger melange, which is very close to a cappucino, although usually not quite as milky and sometimes comes with a dollop of whipped cream on top
• Einspänner, an espresso topped with whipped cream
• Kapuziner, a double espresso with whipped cream

20. Be choosy about restaurants in Vienna

When it comes to choosing restaurants though, do be careful because a lot of places near famous tourist spots will obviously know their audience and will lure you in with big signs and pictures promising all those classic dishes I just mentioned.

Most of the time, these places will have higher prices and can be very disappointing in terms of quality so I would go by the tried and true method of walking a few blocks away from main tourist spots before you sit down… and of course, always read the reviews. 

I would also be wary of places that have been super hyped on social media. There are a handful that have gone mega viral and therefore have a massive line up all the time, off the top of my head, some examples are… Figlmüller, known for their schnitzel, and Demel, known for their Kaiserschmarrn.

I’m not saying these places aren’t good, but you should make sure to book ahead to avoid wasting time in line, and also just keep in mind there are many other places to get these classics where you won’t just be stuck in a giant line with fellow tourists.

Vienna is a massive city with a lot of local food bloggers so I would advise researching through those rather than just looking at the most viral videos.

21. Don’t miss Vienna’s classic street foods

All this said, dining out in Vienna can be pricey so here are some tips to save. 

The first is to take advantage of the street food scene in Vienna, specifically the Würstelstand, or sausage stand, that are seen everywhere.

One of the most typical must-tries from these are the Käsekrainer, which is a thick cheese filled sausage often served just stuck into a baguette with lots of mustard. My research told me the Bitzinger Würstelstand by the Albertina is super popular and I can confirm it was delicious, plus you can actually take it up to the Albertina terrace and enjoy it there where there’s lots of benches and an amazing view.

Another place for street food that lots of people go to is Naschmarkt, though I personally haven’t been because I’ve heard many people consider it to just be a massive tourist trap.

If you want a market fix, I’ve heard that Brunnenmarkt is a less touristy and more diverse alternative. 

22. Treat yourself to a Heuriger experience

Another fun experience to try, especially in the summer, is visiting a Heuriger, which is a type of wine tavern popular in Austria where wineries serve their own wines, usually with some casual bites like meat and cheese platters.

These can end up being pretty affordable – I went to quite a few in South Styria a few years back, but Vienna also has some in the suburbs that are accessible by tram. If you’re up for an adventure, I’ve heard the 19th has some incredible wine trails you can do that take you to different vineyards and taverns, with some gorgeous views too. 

23. Enjoy Vienna’s multicultural side through food too!

And of course, don’t force yourself to eat Austrian cuisine the entire time!

Vienna is a fairly multicultural city and there are many delicious options from around the world that can often be more affordable as well. Again, consulting local food blogs can be a great way to find some more diverse food options beyond all the cake and schnitzel (though there’s nothing wrong with those, of course!

24. Wake up early or stay out late to avoid the crowds

Now I’ll be real with you: peak times in Vienna can often feel like a scary tourism hunger games. So, a very important tip is to wake up early or stay out late to appreciate Vienna’s beauty without the crowds.

Vienna is very popular with coach and bus tours as well as river cruises, so very often you’ll have huge amounts of people in the afternoon but they disappear by the evening. I know that tourist crowds are inevitable but there’s something so amazing about experiencing the city without hordes of people, so definitely factor that in if it matters to you.

Visiting during the off or shoulder seasons is also a good way to avoid some of the crowds, although it’s never really quiet in Vienna.

25. Make sure to bring some cash

Another useful tip – make sure you have some cash with you when exploring Vienna, especially coins.

While some places, especially touristy ones, will take card these days, there are still many instances where you find yourself needing cash, like at public toilets and lockers. Though for the latter, do know that in a pinch, museums can also give you a plastic coin that fits the lockers – just ask.

26. You can store luggage in the train station for cheap

If you need to store your bags while visiting Vienna, the train station offers a weirdly affordable option – only €2.50 for 24h in a medium sized locker that could hold two carry-on suitcases!

Usually it’s next to impossible to find safe and affordable luggage storage in big cities, and the last thing you want is to try and drag suitcases around wherever you go. Sometimes you can leave your bags in your hotel before or after checking in or out, but that’s not always possible.

So keep that in mind if you can’t leave your bags at the hotel for whatever reason.

27. Learn some basic etiquette/phrases

In terms of etiquette, do beware that the norm is to keep quiet on public transport and generally keep your voice down in public. If you’re a loud talker, that’s usually not too appreciated, so mindfulness re: volume is essential.

Politeness is also key everywhere you go, and while most locals in touristy areas will speak decent English, it’s still polite to learn a few things in German, like…

• Hello – Hallo (Ha-low!) or Grüß Gott (Grewss-got!)
• Thank you – Danke (Dahn-keh)

28. Be very careful with bike lines!

Many bike lanes in Vienna are right next to pedestrian walkways and to a tourist, it’s not always clear what the difference is, so please be careful and make sure there’s no signs that say you are walking in a bike lane because it’s very easy to do.

29. Make sure you pack lightly for the day

Another important tip is throughout the day, while you’re exploring Vienna, make sure you pack light.

Most museums will make you check in any big bags or coats, or make you leave them in a locker, so if you don’t want to do that then make sure you have a small bag as your day bag and don’t be wearing too many bulky layers. Unless, of course, it’s freezing cold and you kind of have to!

30. Be prepared for closures on Sundays

And in regards to Sundays, do note that Sundays are a day of rest in Vienna so most shops and supermarkets will be closed. 

31. Research beyond the typical tourist sights

Of course, all this said, Vienna is a huge city with SO much to do that a lifetime couldn’t cover it. So, don’t forget to explore beyond the main typical tourist sights.

There’s lots of cool modern architecture for instance, loads of museums, rooftop bars, viewpoints – you name it. I’ll be publishing a larger things to do guide soon, but here are some ideas!

First – the best way to get more off the beaten path is to explore Vienna’s neighbourhoods beyond just the 1st District – the 3rd District is fairly close to the center and is home to some unique Hundertwasser architecture… or going out to the 19th to explore the swanky villas and vineyards might be fun1

If you’re interested in churches, Vienna has many many more to offer beyond the famous Stephansdom. Karlskirche is one of my personal favourites, and a common thing to do here is attend a classical music concert, but there are plenty more options to check out as well so be sure to indulge your curiosity and stop by a few throughout your trip.

And some highlights of modern architecture include…

• The modernist Secession Building, home to exhibitions of contemporary art
• The Wotruba Church, a  bold Brutalist architecture building made of massive concrete blocks 
• DC Towers, AKA Austria’s tallest skyscraper 

Overall, don’t forget that Vienna is a huge ciy with lots of local residents who love it too, so exploring some local blogs for event listings and inspiration will help you see another side to the city that many tourists miss.

Bonus: Look out for the traffic lights!

Finally, when you’re exploring Vienna, do be sure to pay special attention to the traffic lights! Vienna is famous for being one of the first cities to install these cutesy couple traffic lights, representing diverse couples: 

I hope this list of Vienna Travel Tips was helpful!

Let me know in the comments if you have any more to add.