Vienna in a Day: Grandeur on a Budget

Experience the imperial elegance of Vienna - where culture and history unite.

22 April 2023

A trip to Vienna as a tourist promises to be an experience of a lifetime. The city is known for its spectacular architecture, music, art, and cultural heritage. Visitors can immerse themselves in the city's vibrant history, indulge in local cuisine and wine, and explore the finest museums, galleries, and palaces.

Day trip plan

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Vienna's Grandeur on a Budget

  • Start the day at St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna's most important religious site, free to enter but splurge on the optional climb up to the tower to see panoramic views of the city.
  • Take a stroll through the lush Burggarten, a park that features a statue of Mozart and the beautiful Palmenhaus greenhouse.
  • Spend some time at Kunsthistorisches Museum, one of the city's most impressive art museums, offering a wide range of masterpieces from the Habsburgs' collection, cost of admission included in Vienna Pass.
  • Stop for lunch at Naschmarkt, a bustling open-air market, where you can sample local delicacies like schnitzel and Sachertorte.
  • Afternoon coffee break at Hotel Sacher where the namesake pastry was created. Enjoy the luxurious surroundings and order a classic Viennese coffee and a slice of the famous cake, a bit pricey but worth the indulgence.
  • End the day at Schönbrunn Palace, an 18th-century imperial residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site you can explore on a budget with a Classic Pass.Entry to Palace's main attractions included in Vienna Pass.

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Vienna by plane is to fly directly to Vienna International Airport. There are numerous airlines that operate flights to Vienna such as Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, and more.

Car

If you are traveling from neighboring countries or just around Austria, driving to Vienna is a great option. The A1, A2, and A4 highways lead directly to Vienna and there are plenty of parking spots available in the city center.

Train

Getting to Vienna by train is convenient with Vienna Central Station being the main transportation hub. You can travel from numerous European cities to Vienna by train such as Berlin, Budapest, and Prague.

Boat

Although there is no direct boat transportation to Vienna, you can take a Danube river cruise which stops in Vienna for sightseeing. These cruises usually start from Budapest or Passau and offer stunning views of the Wachau Valley.

Bus

Traveling to Vienna by bus is relatively easy with many companies offering services to Vienna from other European cities. Eurolines, Flixbus, and RegioJet are some of the companies that operate bus services to Vienna.

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