Our daughter and family with 2 boys ages 5 and 7 will be joining us (for my birthday) in Vienna for a couple days. Best option I've found to make Saturday at end of May enjoyable for all is to purchase Schönbrunn combo tickets including Children's Museum, Maze and Zoo. (I think that would be more interesting for them rather than a 2-hour walking tour, Haus der Musik, and Stadt Park/playground. I'm open to other ideas and comments.)
If I decide on the combo ticket for all 6 of us, should I book my husband and I on one ticket and daughter's family of 4 on a separate ticket? This way if we arrive and/or leave at separate times, they will have their own ticket to further explore.
If I purchase tickets online and print paper tickets, I've read we would have to stand in line at the ticket office to get the online exchanged for other tickets for both Children's Museum and then for the Zoo. Can this be avoided if we choose to download tickets to phone? I expect that everything will be crowded.
When purchasing tickets, does the online website issue a separate ticket for each person or are they all bundled into one ticket indicating number of people?
I appreciate any additional advice. Thanks.
Posted by
Niagara, Ontario
1723 posts
Gayle, the admission times are fixed, all under the name of the person ordering the tickets. You cannot change the order or receive a refund.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
8210 posts
It’s been 10 years so verify this is still an option, but the last time we were in Vienna we didn’t go into the Schonbrunn Palace since we had toured it a previous year. We took the bus over from our hotel to a side entrance to just enter the gardens. And, we did walk over to the zoo while we were there and enjoyed it. The zoo had a cost to enter but not the palace grounds.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5601 posts
Gayle, I can't comment on the logistics of the tickets. Maybe write to Schonbrunn directly.
Regarding activities with small children at Schonbrunn, I would avoid bringing them inside the palace. Mega boring for them. You are correct to focus with them on the Children's Museum, the Maze/Labyrinth and zoo. You might also consider the carriage museum on the grounds, which is family friendly.
Another VERY family friendly place nearby is the Technical Museum. I spent a lot of time there with my kids when they were young. Another sleeper kid-friendly museum in Vienna is the Transportation Museum Remise in the Third District - https://www.wienerlinien.at/web/wl-en/transport-museum-remise - perfect for those ages.
I do not think that the Haus der Musik is suitable for the ages of your grandsons - a lot of reading and very little for little hands. I personally avoid the playground at Stadtpark - it isn't a very good one. I like the one at Karlsplatz but playgrounds are everywhere. Where are you staying?
Hope that helps.