Please sign in to post.

10 hours in vienna- what can I see?!

I have a 10 hour lay over in Vienna! What can I do in that amount of time? What is the best way to and from the airport and the top city attractions? Help needed!!

Posted by
81 posts

The fastest way (16 minutes, €16 roundtrip) is probably the City Airport Train, which delivers you from level -1 of the airport to the City Air Terminal at Landstrasse/Wien Mitte railroad station. Two lines of the the U-bahn (underground) system cross there; you can buy a 24 hour pass (€5.70, also good on buses and trams) that can take you near to anywhere worth going.

Plenty of stuff to see: St. Stephen's Cathedral, Kunsthistorisches (art history) Museum and its nearby twin Naturhistorisches (natural history) Museum, Hofburg Palace, Vienna State Opera, Schönbrunn Palace (the Versailles of the Hapsburgs), and much more. Research and enjoy!

Posted by
521 posts

I completely agree with Chris - plenty to see and do, and the 24-hour pass gives you great flexibility. There also is an airport bus that is less expensive, but it does take longer than the train to get in/out. If you are taking the train, there are automated ticket machines right in the airport station. If you are taking the bus, you can pay the driver. Click here for the Vienna airport website to see exact details on transport to/from the airport.

To add to what Chris has already said, the Hofburg is downtown and right near Saint Stephen's Cathedral - both are worth seeing. In the Hofburg there are multiple things including the Imperial Apartments/Sisi Museum/Silver collection (all one museum), the Imperial Treasury, and even the Spanish Riding School. Nearby is the often-overlooked Capuchin Church, with the Imperial Vault underneath. The vault contains the tombs of the Hapsburg family members, and the tombs are stunning.

Finally, one of the best things I did was recommended in Rick Steves' guidebook and it is the tram tour of the Ringstrasse, or ring road that encircles old Vienna. The tram is public transit so your 24-hour transit ticket would cover it, and Rick Steves provides a self-guided tour of some great sights as you travel around. Well worth it in my opinion!

The food is great as well, so make sure you enjoy before you have to head back to the airport.

There are enough things to see in Vienna to keep you busy for a week - 10 hours will easily be filled.

Posted by
1287 posts

We had one day in Vienna-we arrived about 8:00am and left about 5:00. Our favorite thing was Schonbrunn Palace, but we also spent some time in the downtown area.

Posted by
691 posts

Sue, i would suggest staying downtown, Schonnbrunn is very beautiful but will take most of your time. there is many different sights you can see around the ringstrase. it is such a beautiful city! have fun!

Posted by
8 posts

Thanks for all the helpful information! Are there lockers at the Vienna airport to store any luggage?