Vienna has always been on my bucket list, but I wasn’t about to let a tight budget stop me from experiencing its charm. So, I set out to see just how much of this stunning city I could explore without spending a fortune—and honestly, I was surprised at how much I could do for cheap (or even free!). From wandering through grand palaces to finding the best budget-friendly eats, this trip proved you don’t need deep pockets to enjoy Vienna. If you’re looking to soak up history, culture, and amazing food without breaking the bank, you’re in the right place!
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Budget Tips
Vienna is such an insane city. It’s both super easy and super difficult to travel on a budget, however. It’s simple because there are a ton of free things; plazas, markets, some churches, and certain museums, are all free to waltz around and explore. However, for some of the most ICONIC spots in Vienna, like the Opera House, the Belvedere, etc., it’s necessary to buy a ticket. So, you have a few options when it comes to budget traveling through this city. Firstly, you can pick the places that you’re dying to see and pay for those only. You can also get the Vienna Card, which basically gives you free public transportation and discounted access to some of the most famous spots in Vienna. Click HERE to check that out. To skip out on some costs, I recommend staying in a hostel and saving money on food by going to grocery stores for meals and skipping the pricey restaurants! Click HERE to check out hostels in Vienna.
You May Be Interested In…
What To Bring With You To Vienna
- One huge recommendation I have is bringing Rick Steves’s (the travel KING) travel guide book on Vienna and Salzburg with you to Austria. It has walking tours, information, and things like emergency numbers, fun facts, history, etc. in it; this will be HUGELY helpful on your trip
- You will 100% need a european travel plug adapter if you’re coming from outside of Europe. This will let you charge all of your devices!
Things To Do
Take a Free Walking Tour
- One of the things I most recommend is to get a free walking tour of Vienna. Vienna is HUGE, and there is simply so much to see, everything with it’s own history and story. During a walking tour, you will hear the beauty of Vienna from a local!
Visit the Opera House
- The Vienna Opera House is one of the most famous in the world. You have to either buy a ticket to a show or get a guided ticket. If you’re exploring Vienna on a budget, know that an opera ticket is pretty expensive, however, it truly would be such an incredible experience if you have any money to spare!
- The guided tour tickets are relatively cheap if you want to see the inside but aren’t wanting to splurge on a tour!
Go to a Vienna Ball!
- This is something I didn’t get to do but has been on my bucket list FOREVER! If you’re in Vienna during one of the balls, you absolutely have to go.
Visit the Austrian Parliament
- While you can’t wander around on your own, you can get a FREE (!!!) tour through the Parliament building!
Explore the Austrian National Library
- This is the biggest library in the country, and it’s easily one of the most exquisite libraries in world! It’s one of the biggest attractions in Vienna, so be sure to check it out.
Vienna City Hall
- The Vienna City Hall is absolutely incredible. It’s something you really can’t miss seeing while you’re there. You can get a free guided tour there as well!
- Some important tour information:
- The tours are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm
- Tickets will only be issued at the City Information from 8am on the day of the tour. You can’t reserve tickets. A maximum of 50 people can take part at the tour. You have to pick up your tickets by 10am at the latest, and it’s first come, first served.
- Some important tour information:
Hofburg Palace
- This is another of the most iconic places in Vienna. You can explore the parks, squares, and courtyards for free, but you have to buy a ticket to go inside.
- There’s a ton to see, from the Spanish Riding School to the Treasury and Jewels to the Gardens and Museums… and so much more! You can buy a ticket for the Sisi Museum, which is situated within the Hofburg Palace.
Visit the Belvedere
- The Belvedere is a museum and a palace. It is another iconic spot in Vienna that you can’t miss. It’s also a World Heritage sight and the site of the Austrian State Treaty! It’s got some famous and incredible works of art, and it’s also one of the oldest museums in the world! All the information, ticketing, times, etc. can be found below.
Lipizzaner Stallions
- These famous stations at Vienna’s Spanish Riding School are SO cool. The horses and riders put on incredible performances where the horses “dance.” You can look up videos to see what I mean! It’s definitely worth checking out these world-famous horses!
- Ways to see / visit the stallions
- Go to the one-hour public training with commentary in the arena
- Go on a guided tour at the riding school with the arena and the stables
- Go on a architectural tour
Visit the Vienna Naschmarkt
This is Vienna’s most well-known market that basically has everything you can ever think of. From fruits and vegetables, to different meats, to flea markets, to restaurants, it is such a cool place to go for a meal or just to walk around and explore! For location, restaurants, info, etc., click below!
The Albertina Art Museum
- If you’re a big art fan, then you can’t miss this museum!
Natural History Museum Vienna
- This is an epic museum in Vienna that you should definitely check out if you have the time!
- Click here to learn more about the museum.
Heldenplatz
- This is a public space in front of the Hofburg Palace that you can walk around.
Visit The Trinity Column (aka the Plague Column)
- This column was built to ward off a deadly epidemic in Vienna in the 1600s. Its an incredible sight to behold. It’s dedicated to the Trinity, so if you look closely, you can see the number three or multiples of three in the design. For example, you can see how the column has three vertical layers: humans, angels, and the Trinity. Look for the three wings, three scrolls, etc. You can also see the image of the Emperor on the most open side of the column.
Head to a Dinner Show!
Enjoy a dinner show with a multi-course menu and get to spend a whole evening listening to music, watching entertainment, and learning about the legacy of Johann Strauss.
Explore Josefsplatz Square
- This is a small, open square surrounded by cool historical buildings. Deifnelty worth checking out if you have the time!
St Stephen’s Cathedral Vienna
- This was easily one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever been to. Both the interior and exterior are breathtaking. The ticket information and times are below
- Open
- Monday – Saturday (6 am – 10 pm), Sunday (7 am – 10 pm)
- Entry
- Free
- 7 (ish) euros to enter the catacombs or climb the towers
- Open
Explore St. Peter’s Church
This is another one of Vienna’ beautiful churches. It also has organ concerts you go check out.
St. Charles Church and Resselpark
This spot is so cool. Its a beautiful church and park, and there’s tons of events outside of the church during different times of year. For example, there are things such as Popfest, the Art Advent Market, and other open-air events! There are also church concerts and singing events held inside or in front of the church! I linked one below. It does cost 8 euros to enter.
Schönbrunn Palace
- This is one of the most iconic parts of Vienna. The palace and the grounds are huge, and you could easily spend a whole day exploring. There is simply so much to see here. I’ve listed some must-visits below as well as skipping the line information; otherwise you’ll be standing in line for a while!
- The Palace
- Ticket prices:
- Adults: 27 euros
- Kids (6-18 yo): 19 euros
- Students (19-25 yo): 22 euros
- Ticket prices:
- Schönbrunn Zoo
- This is the oldest functioning zoo in the world!
- It’s typically open from 9 am – 6:30, but it depends on the season. Click here for specific times/days/seasons.
- Ticket prices:
- Adults: 27 euros
- Kids: 15.50 euros
- Kids under 6: free
- The mazes
- There are fun little botanical mazes and some playgrounds for children. I did the mazes with my family and they were actually so fun and funny. If you’re feeling adventurous and silly, go check them out.
- Ticket prices:
- Adult and kids: 5.50 euros
- Palm House Garden and Botanic Gardens
- The palm house is the largest of its kind in continental Europe!
- Ticket prices:
- 9 euros per person
- Buy a ticket HERE!
- I snuck into the back of the greenhouse for free. It was *most likely* not allowed, but I saved 9 euros, so I’ll take it.
- The parks
- The parks are free to enter and explore. They’re astonishing and something you can’t miss!
Some Spots to Eat!
These cafés listed below are more than just a nice cup of coffee; they’re all cultural experiences with a lot of beauty and a lot of history. Famous actors, authors, etc. have met for centuries in some of these spots, discussing ideas and history. The Austrian people worked hard to make them breathtaking, and sitting in one of these restaurants really immerses you in more of the culture.
- Café Mozart is an elegant and ancient cafe in Vienna where you can go in the morning for a snack and a coffee and also late at night for a post-opera glass of wine!
- Hotel Sacher‘s chocolate cake is world-famous. While expensive, it’s an iconic treat to try while you’re in Vienna, as the recipe goes back to the 1800s.
- If you’re only going to go to one spot, make it Café Central. While the line may be intimidating, there’s a reason why people line up to get a spot in here. It feels like you stepped into another world, another era. The architecture is insane, the coffee is fabulous, and the pastries… don’t even get me started!
- If you’re wanting another gorgeous breakfast spot, then there’s nowhere better than Café Gloriette, which has a view of the Schönbrunn Palace!!! The natural light, scenery, and architecture feels like you’re sitting in a scene of Price and Prejudice (and if you haven’t seen that movie, shame on you).
- This spot is pretty pricey though, so if you’re on a budget, either skip this (sadly, because its perfect) or make it your one nice meal, or just get something small.
- Café Demel Wien is another spot to go. On their website, this is their description, and I just couldn’t word it any more perfectly:
- “Since 1786 we have been able to preserve our status as a court sugar bakery – worthy of royal lordships – with the world-famous Sachertorte, with Kaiserschmarrn and much more; produced in one and the same place in the center of Vienna. Our elaborate shop windows always attract the eyes of passers-by and seduce them to enter the Vienna of a past glorious era in the middle of the city. We believe that visiting a coffee house should be an event—in a place that invites you to linger and relax and where you can escape from everyday life for a while.”
- Be sure to check out the HUGE chocolate croissants!
- Zanomi and Zanoni is a spot to get the best gelato in Vienna.
- One iconic Vienna pastry is the Kaiserschmarrn (or Kaiserschmarren), which is a pancake-type dessert.
For Other Vienna Info…
I found this awesome website called Visiting Vienna with guides, current highlights, and frequently updated events and things to do! It’s so awesome. Click HERE to get a deeper dive into Vienna!
Day Trips From Vienna!
There’s lots of options when it comes from day-tripping from Vienna! If you’re on a budget, you can easily hop on a train and go explore nearby cities, but if you want to escape the stress of planning and buying your own tickets, check out one of the day-trip tours below!
Countryside Half Day Wine Tour near Vienna
Day Tour to Hallstatt and Salzburg with Boat Ride
Private Day Tour Trip Salzburg Hallstatt and Melk
Full Day Tour from Vienna to Wachau, Melk, Hallstatt and Salzburg
Prague Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna
One Last Tip…
One of my favorite things about Vienna is the random architecture and statues and funny little spots that are hidden in plain sight. Be sure to keep an eye out for Vienna’s hidden secrets!
Thanks For Reading!
Once again, you being here means the world to me! I’m so excited for your adventures. Roadtripping is one of my favorite things in the world, and I hope that are fully prepared and ready for your adventure! I hope you enjoyed this camping packing list. Keep reading, sharing, on going on all my adventures! xoxoxox, AnitaBelle
