Vienna Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

Vienna is one of Europe's great capitals and, although it is very enjoyable to walk around its streets, the distances can be considerable. This is an inconvenience 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 £35 (increases 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 when booking is only a guide: 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: takes you through the historic centre, including iconic buildings such as the State Opera House, Parliament and St. Stephen's Cathedral.
• Blue line: connects the city centre with modern and leisure areas such as the Prater, the Danube Park and the 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 district of Grinzing and Kahlenberg hill for panoramic views.

This other Vienna Sightseeing bus pass with cruise included is one of the most comprehensive options for exploring Vienna. You can choose between 1, 2 or 3-day tickets and access 4 different routes with more than 50 stops throughout the city. It also includes a boat trip on the Danube, a guided walking tour, a city guide and discounts on attractions.

This bus also has a children's channel on the audio guide (in German and English), ideal if you are travelling with children.

How it works

• Choose a 1-, 2- or 3-day ticket, depending on the length of your visit.
• The pass is activated on first use and is valid for consecutive calendar days.
• During this period, you can hop on and off at any of the more than 50 stops.
• When you purchase your pass, you will receive a digital guide to Vienna to help you plan your trip.
• Choose the day for your cruise when you make your booking; you will receive all the details by email.
• Audio guide on board in several languages, with a children's channel available.

What's included

Vienna Sightseeing bus routes

• Red route: takes you through the historic centre and places such as the State Opera, City Hall and the Museum of Art History.
• Blue route: takes you to areas such as the Prater, Danube Island and the Vienna International Centre.
• Yellow route: connects the city centre with Schönbrunn Palace, the Belvedere and the Military History Museum.
• Green route: climbs up to Grinzing and Kahlenberg hill, with panoramic views and cultural stops.

After exploring the most popular and comprehensive options, if you're looking to save money without sacrificing the convenience of a tourist bus, tourist cards that include access to hop-on hop-off buses 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 between cards for 1, 2, 3 or 6 consecutive days.
• Unlimited access to the Vienna Sightseeing bus throughout the validity of the pass.
• Free, skip-the-line entry to over 90 city attractions.
• Includes museums, palaces, cultural experiences and exclusive discounts.
• Easy activation: the pass is activated upon first entry or use of the bus.
• You can redeem your 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 the Vienna 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 schedule or are visiting at different times.
• You can redeem it up to 1 year after purchase.

Take the complete routes

There are two ways to get the most out of Vienna's sightseeing buses. The first is to take the complete tour (or tours, 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 you'll encounter along the way. All tours run daily, although schedules may change during the off-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 sightseeing 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 attractions.

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 any option, you can hop on and off the bus as many times as you like on the days it is running. The time 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 the artificial light, creating a unique atmosphere that can only be experienced at nightfall.

When you check 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 former summer palace of the Habsburgs is located. 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 about Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna Tickets and Tours you will find all the information you need to make the most of the tourist bus routes and easily reach the palace.