We will be in Vienna in early Sept. We plan on buying advance tickets for the Schonbrunn Palace, understanding that it will probably be crowded! Do we have to buy early tickets?
We will be there 3 days. Do we really have to book a city tour ? Or can we navigate ourselves?
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7025 posts
I didn't take a city tour of Vienna, which was unusual because I almost always do that, and I had no problem navigating around by myself. Vienna is pretty easy with a guidebook and a city map.
Posted by
11136 posts
Vienna is very walkable. I see no need for a tour. We also used the subway one day and found it easy to navigate. We enjoyed Schonbrunn’s gardens which even had a small zoo.
Posted by
Salt Lake City, UT, United States
304 posts
That’s not just any zoo. It’s the oldest continuously operating zoo in the world. It’s very high on my To Do in Vienna list.
Posted by
near San Francisco
4593 posts
There are 3 Rick Steves audio app tours for St Stephen's Cathedral, a city walk and a Ringstrasse tram tour that I really enjoyed doing.
Posted by
1896 posts
Vienna is very walkable.
Not all sights are in the very center. Make use of your time efficently, i.e. use public transport (tram, subway, bus) as often as possible. Public transport is well organized, fast and safe (even in the night). Signage is consistent and easy to understand, there is a map at every stop, so you will get along easily.
For 3 days I recommend buying 72-hour passes, valid for unlimited use of all means of public transport within the Vienna State area.
Posted by
613 posts
DIY is fine. Re: Schoenbrunn. There are two tours, the long tour-- public rooms plus Imperial Apartments is best.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
City tours in Vienna are an active waste of time, as much of the area inside the Ring is pedestrianised and tour buses aren't allowed.