My husband and I will be traveling to Vienna Sept 12-15, 2024 (late Thurs-Sunday). Our hostel is near the city center. We will be seeing a few sights, such as the Sisi combo, St Stephens, Schonbrunn Palace. We will likely arrive in Vienna by train from Germany and then fly out of Vienna. I know there are Vienna city cards and passes and wonder if we should get one of those or if we would be better off on our own. Sounds like the Vienna card is good if you are using public transit but it can be difficult when going to the airport. We also might rent bikes and use those to move about the city as opposed to public transit, depending on if our hostel has parking for them. Looking for insight. Also what else should we see not listed here. I'm a horse fan so we plan to see a Spanish Riding School performance.
Posted by
Pennsylvania
213 posts
We spent a few days in Vienna last June and had the same question. I read on this forum that the Vienna Pass is a better option than the City Card, but I can’t quite remember way. We didn’t get either, though, because when I did the math, we MIGHT have saved only a couple of euros when compared with the regular prices of the sights (your itinerary sounds similar to ours). So it didn’t seem worth it and wasn’t an amazing deal, at least in your case. I would recommend adding up the cost of what you want to do and comparing it to the cost of the Pass or City card.
But we did purchase a 3 day transit pass, though, and I felt it was a good value for unlimited rides.
Posted by
1906 posts
The best option is to buy a transit pass for the week (€17.10). For going to the airport you just need an add-on ticket for €2.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4412 posts
In Rick's books he now devotes a section to whether to get city passes and helps you do the math, it often seems appealing but doesn't pencil out.
If you're really a horse fan, those white horses grow up on a farm outside Graz which you can do as a daytrip.
Posted by
Orlando
95 posts
Do you know if they give seniors discount in Vienna?
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all for the replies. I think we will try for the transit pass only and rent bikes for the majority of our moving about the city. I emailed the Hostel and they do have a garage we can park them in free of charge. Replying to Miami's question, I don't know anything about senior discounts. You would need to research that online or at the tourist info when you arrive. I've never been to Vienna but I am looking forward to it.
Posted by
1906 posts
There is a bike sharing system in Vienna, see here: https://www.wienerlinien.at/wienmobil/rad
(It is in German only, but you can translate it with Google Translate or a translation extension in your browser.)
The bikes can be picked up at defined places, the required app will show you the availability. The bikes must be returned to one of those places, i.e., you won't need a garage.
Biking in Vienna can be tough, especially if you had not been in Vienna before.
A lot of places, e.g. museums, have senior discounts. You should always ask for it. There is no senior discount for public transport (except for single ride tickets and the one year transit pass, both of them not suited for tourists).
Posted by
Los Angeles
4412 posts
Museums and churches often have a senior discount but it's only a euro or two.