Vienna Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

Vienna is one of Europe's great capitals, and although it is a pleasure to stroll through its streets, the distances can be considerable. This is a problem that the tourist bus solves. Read on to find out about all the options.

This hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus in Vienna is the most economical option and therefore one of the most popular. Prices start at €39 (increasing if you want to use the sightseeing bus for more than one day) and for this amount you can access any of the 4 bus routes.

How it works

• Choose a 24-, 48- or 72-hour ticket depending on how much time you have available.
• The pass is activated upon first use and is valid until the same time the following day (or days).
• During this period, you can hop on and off as many times as you like on any of the routes.
• The day you select in the booking is only a guideline: you can activate the pass up to one year later.
• Simply scan the QR code on your ticket from your mobile phone when you board the bus for the first time.

What's included

Vienna sightseeing bus routes

• Red line: travels through the historic centre, including iconic buildings such as the State Opera, Parliament and St. Stephen's Cathedral.
• Blue line: connects the city centre with modern and leisure areas such as the Prater, Danube Park and Danube Tower.
• Yellow line: ideal for visiting the city's main palaces, such as Schönbrunn and Belvedere.
• Green line (only available in summer and with 48- or 72-hour passes): takes you to the wine-growing district of Grinzing and Kahlenberg hill to enjoy panoramic views.

The Big Bus Vienna sightseeing bus is one of the most convenient and comprehensive ways to discover the Austrian capital. With a 24- or 48-hour ticket, you can travel freely on the hop-on hop-off system, getting on and off at any of the stops on two routes: the City Route and the Palace Route.

This service will take you to such iconic sites as the Vienna State Opera, Belvedere Palace, the Danube Tower and the MuseumsQuartier. What's more, from the top deck of the double-decker bus you'll enjoy panoramic views that are ideal for your photos.

Types of tickets available

• Discover: 24-hour hop-on hop-off tour, two routes, audio guide and free Wi-Fi.
• Essential: 24-hour hop-on hop-off tour, two routes, audio guide, free Wi-Fi and guided walking tour of central Vienna.
• Explore: 24-hour hop-on hop-off tour, two routes, audio guide, free Wi-Fi, guided walking tour of the city centre and a choice between a river cruise on the Danube or a ticket for the giant Ferris wheel.

What's included

After exploring the most popular and comprehensive options, if you are looking to save money without sacrificing the convenience of the tourist bus, tourist cards that include access to the hop-on hop-off bus are the best choice. With these cards, you can not only move around Vienna freely, but also enjoy skip-the-line entry to museums, palaces and monuments.

Vienna Pass

The Vienna Pass is the most comprehensive and tourist-friendly option, ideal for those who want to see everything without worrying about individual tickets or additional transport.

• Choose from cards for 1, 2, 3 or 6 consecutive days.
• Unlimited access to the Vienna Sightseeing tourist bus throughout the validity of the pass.
• Free, skip-the-line entry to over 90 attractions in the city.
• Includes museums, palaces, cultural experiences and exclusive discounts.
• Easy activation: the pass is activated with the first entry or use of the bus.
• You can redeem the pass up to 1 year after purchase.

Vienna Flexi Pass

The Vienna Flexi Pass is perfect if you prefer to select just a few attractions, without being limited by consecutive days.

• Choose between 2, 3, 4 or 5 attractions of your choice from a list of over 60 options.
• Includes access to Vienna's hop-on hop-off tourist bus.
• Skip-the-line entry to your chosen attractions.
• Valid for 60 days from activation.
• Ideal if you have a more relaxed plan or more spaced-out visits.
• You can redeem it up to 1 year after purchase.

Take the full routes

There are two ways to make the most of Vienna's sightseeing buses. The first is to take the entire route (or routes, as some companies offer more than one) to enjoy panoramic views of the city while listening to audio commentary on the main points of interest along the way. All routes run daily, although schedules may change during the low season.

Hop on and off whenever you want

The second is to use the hop-on hop-off option; this means that during the time you have booked the tourist bus, you can use it as a means of transport, getting on and off at the stops you want as many times as you want. The difference, apart from the views and audio commentary, is that the route is specifically designed for those visiting the city and wanting to see its main points of interest.

Day passes

Passes for Vienna's tourist buses can be for one or more days, depending on how much time you have and your travel plans. With either option, you can hop on and off the bus as many times as you like during the days it is active. The time of use starts from the first time you board the tourist bus.

Take the night tour too

To end the day with a different experience, join the night tour on the Vienna sightseeing bus. Seeing the city lit up completely changes your perspective: monuments such as the State Opera, the Belvedere Palace and the Parliament look even more spectacular under artificial light, creating a unique atmosphere that can only be experienced at nightfall.

When you look at the different routes of the Vienna sightseeing buses, you will find that many of them pass through Schönbrunn. This is an area further away from the centre where the Habsburgs' summer palace was located for many years. Schönbrunn Palace and its majestic gardens are the most popular attraction in Vienna.

There are several options for visiting: a tour of the interior, a tour that combines the interior with exclusive areas of the gardens, enjoying dinner or a concert inside... In this article on Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna Tickets and Tours you will find all the information you need to take advantage of the tourist bus route and easily reach the palace.