Our group of 8 is planning to do the timed entry, self guided audio tour of the palace. We prefer that to allow flexibility to move around or stay as long or short as we prefer, versus a small group private tour. Any feedback on this plan? Is the audio tour good? Are we missing out by not doing the private tour? Thanks for any feedback if you’ve done either.
Posted by
31 posts
The audio tour is excellent: well-narrated and thorough. We did the full State Apartments tour, and it was worth it. If you go wandering the grounds, beware: The Gloriette is a farther hike than it seems and quite steep.
Posted by
2383 posts
An advice from locals for visiting Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens:
Most visitors arrive at the main gate, do their tour, and then walk up the steep hill to the Gloriette, which is on the very top. It is much less strenuous to do it the other way round. Enter the premises via the Maria Theresia Tor (south-east garden entrance), already being at the hill top, walk comfortably to the Gloriette. Climb up to its roof terrace for a wonderful view. After that have a coffe and a cake in the café. Then stroll downhill to the palace's main building.
It is rather simple to get to the Maria Theresia Tor (Tor = gate) by public transport. At Meidling Bhf. (Meidling train station) bus 8A departs, ride until stop Stranitzkygasse, then just walk straight over the bridge into the gardens. Meidling Bhf. is a major public transport hub, reachable from all parts of Vienna, most notably by subway U6, several S-trains (Schnellbahn), tram 62, WLB (Badner Bahn). What would be the best choice will depend where you will be coming from.
Posted by
OP
11 posts
Thanks wmt1 for the locals tip. So is the stuff at the Maria Theresia gate free to visit and we’ll actually start our timed entry when we get down the hill to the main building? Just trying to understand how much time to allow at the upper location before getting to our assigned entry time. Thanks.
Posted by
2383 posts
Yes, the timed entry refers only to the tour through the palace building. All other premises (garden, woods, Gloriette, fountain, obelisk, maze, etc.) can be visited freely all day long. I would calculate half an hour for walking down the hill from Gloriette to the main building and around it (the entrance is on the side not facing the garden). For mobility impaired people there is a little train going down, but I don't how often it runs.
So you should arrive early enough to climb to Gloriette's roof terrace (if weather permits) and/or relax in the café.
Posted by
Virginia
32 posts
Schoenbrunn's back yard is (1) awesome gardens and (2) the world's oldest zoo (1757) and still one of the best. We've devoted a full day to the zoo - twice.