Vienna PASS: All incl. Sightseeing Pass for 85+ Attractions

Vienna’s Vienna PASS is built for a full sightseeing schedule. One card covers up to 90 attractions, including Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunn Zoo, the Belvedere museums, the Spanish Riding School, the Giant Ferris Wheel, and several imperial collections. You can also ride the hop-on hop-off buses as often as you like.

I like the way the pass removes small payment decisions from your day, and I like having the buses available when Schönbrunn or the Belvedere feels too far to reach on foot. The main catch is simple: you need to visit several sights each day to make the price work, and some popular places still require a time slot.

Key points

• Schönbrunn gives you several included sights in one stop, including the palace, zoo, Maze, and Gloriette.
• Four hop-on hop-off routes and about 50 stops help link the inner city with sights farther out.
• Fast-track entry can save real time, especially at busy museums and the Giant Ferris Wheel.
• The State Opera and Spanish Riding School need careful planning, since tours and included access can depend on schedules.
• The pass is not a public transport card, so subway, tram, and regular bus fares are separate.
• A two-day pass is often the sensible middle choice if you want several major sights without racing through Vienna.

What the Vienna PASS actually gives you

The Vienna PASS is an all-inclusive sightseeing card, not simply a discount booklet. Once you exchange your booking voucher for the physical pass, you show it at participating attractions for admission. Each attraction can be visited once during the pass period, while hop-on hop-off bus rides remain unlimited.

Available periods are 1, 2, 3, or 6 consecutive days. The advertised price is $128 per person, though the final cost can vary by pass length, booking channel, and current offers. Children under six receive free admission to the included all-inclusive attractions when accompanied by an adult with a Vienna PASS.

The card works best for an active visit. If you plan to see one museum in the morning, linger over lunch, and spend the afternoon in a café, individual tickets may cost less. If you want palaces, museums, a city tour, and several paid attractions in a short stay, the pass has a better chance of paying for itself.

Schönbrunn Palace is the pass’s strongest day

Schönbrunn Palace is the clearest reason to consider the pass. This former imperial residence is outside the compact central district, and the included package reaches beyond the palace rooms. Depending on the attraction schedule, you can combine the palace with Schönbrunn Zoo, the Maze, the Gloriette, and other grounds attractions.

That grouping matters. You are not using the pass for one short indoor visit and then moving across town. You can spend much of a day in the Schönbrunn complex, then use the sightseeing bus for the next stop.

Plan the palace early. The pass includes admission, but it does not always mean you can walk straight into the next available tour. A time slot may be required, and the popular periods can fill quickly. Go to the designated group ticket area near the main entrance and ask about the next available time before settling into the gardens.

The pass may include only the State Apartments rather than every palace touring option. Check the current details before you commit your day. If the palace interior is your main reason for visiting, a direct ticket with a guaranteed time may be easier.

Schönbrunn Zoo is a useful addition for families, while the Maze and Gloriette make the stop more varied for anyone who does not want a palace-only morning. The drawback is scale: this is not a quick central Vienna attraction. Allow enough time to make the trip worthwhile.

Imperial Vienna in the center

The pass covers a strong group of central sights tied to Vienna’s former court life. The Hofburg Imperial Palace, Imperial Treasury, Imperial Furniture Collection, Imperial Burial Vault, and Spanish Riding School each show a different side of the city’s imperial story.

The Imperial Treasury is particularly useful for a short visit. It is compact compared with some of Vienna’s large museums, so you can fit it between other central sights. The Imperial Burial Vault offers a very different experience, with the Habsburg tombs in a quieter setting below the Capuchin Church.

The Spanish Riding School requires more care. Included access can depend on the performance or tour schedule, and some options are available only on weekdays. Do not assume the pass guarantees a weekend visit or any time you choose. Check the official schedule before building your day around it.

The Vienna State Opera offers guided tours, but you need to register through the opera’s own system and secure a group tour time. A pass can cover the tour, but it does not remove the need to reserve. The tour is a good choice if you want to see the grand public rooms without buying a performance ticket.

The Albertina Museum and Art Gallery is another easy central stop. Its location makes it simple to pair with the Opera, Hofburg, and other inner-city sights. The pass also includes the Art History Museum, one of Vienna’s major art collections, and the Museum of Natural History across Maria-Theresien-Platz.

Belvedere, Leopold, and Vienna’s art museums

Art lovers can use the Vienna PASS for a very productive museum day. The Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere are included, along with the Leopold Museum, mumok, 21er Haus, Bank Austria Kunstforum, and the Albertina.

The Upper Belvedere is the essential stop for many people, while the Lower Belvedere offers a different palace setting and exhibition space. The two are not the same visit, so check opening times and allow time to move between them.

In the MuseumsQuartier, the Leopold Museum and mumok work well together. The Leopold focuses on Austrian art, while mumok presents modern and contemporary collections. The nearby Museum of Natural History and Art History Museum offer a more traditional pairing across the square.

Do not try to see every major museum in one afternoon. The pass can tempt you to collect entrances rather than enjoy the displays. I would choose two large museums, then add one smaller attraction or palace room. That gives the card financial value without turning your day into a march from doorway to doorway.

Fast-track access is available at various attractions, but it is not universal. At some places, you go directly to the entrance instead of the ticket counter. At others, you still need to collect a timed reservation. Check the pass app or guidebook before setting out.

The Giant Ferris Wheel and Danube views

The Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater is one of the pass’s more unusual inclusions. It is not a museum and does not require the same concentration as a palace or gallery. The ride gives you a broad view over Vienna and offers a change of pace after several indoor sights.

Fast-track entry can be especially useful here when the queue is long. If you are using a one-day pass, the Ferris Wheel is also an efficient evening option, though sightseeing buses may stop running earlier than you expect. Plan your return separately if you stay late.

The Danube Tower provides another high viewpoint. It sits away from the historic center, so the hop-on hop-off network can help with the journey. As with Schönbrunn, the attraction is more worthwhile when grouped with other nearby stops rather than treated as a single short visit.

Madame Tussauds adds a lighter stop in the Prater area. Families and older children may enjoy it, though art and architecture fans may prefer to spend the same time at the Belvedere or Albertina.

How useful are the hop-on hop-off buses?

The pass includes unlimited rides on four hop-on hop-off routes, serving about 50 stops at short intervals. Buses include free Wi-Fi, audio commentary in 16 languages, an English and German children’s channel, and an app-guided walking tour.

I like the buses most for orientation and for reaching the city’s spread-out sights. Schönbrunn, the Belvedere, the Prater, and Danube-area attractions can take more effort to connect by foot. Sitting upstairs, especially on a glass-topped bus, gives you a quick look at Vienna’s streets and major buildings.

The buses are not always the fastest way across town. For direct trips, Vienna’s subway and trams may be quicker, but those fares are not included in the Vienna PASS. Several people find it easier to walk or use regular public transport once they understand the city center.

Read the route map carefully. One bus may stop nearby without stopping at the exact attraction entrance. A missed stop can cost valuable time on a one-day pass. Bus service may also finish earlier in the evening, so do not rely on it for a late return from the Ferris Wheel.

The buses are a sightseeing feature as much as a transport option. If you want a narrated introduction on your first day, ride a full route before getting off. If you are trying to reach seven or eight attractions, use the bus selectively and walk when the next stop is close.

A realistic one-day plan

A one-day Vienna PASS is possible, but it demands discipline. Start early and choose attractions that sit near one another.

One practical pattern is the Hofburg area in the morning, followed by the Imperial Treasury, the Albertina, and the State Opera tour if a suitable time is available. Move to the Belvedere later, then finish at the Giant Ferris Wheel if the schedule allows.

Another approach is Schönbrunn first, with the palace and one or two additional included attractions there. After lunch, use the bus toward the center for a museum or palace stop. This is less frantic because Schönbrunn gives you several included options in one place.

Do not build a one-day plan around both Schönbrunn and every major central museum. Time slots, bus waits, meals, and walking between stops add up quickly. A one-day pass is best for someone who has already chosen a short list and is ready to keep moving.

Why two or three days can be better

The two-day pass is the safest choice for many first visits. You can give Schönbrunn its own substantial block, then use the second day for the Hofburg, central museums, Belvedere, and one lighter attraction.

A three-day pass suits you if Vienna’s museums are a major priority. You can divide the Art History Museum, Natural History Museum, Albertina, Leopold Museum, and mumok across separate visits instead of rushing through them. It also leaves room for the Opera tour, Spanish Riding School, or Military History Museum.

The six-day option makes sense for a slower trip or for anyone determined to visit a wide range of museums and outlying sights. You may not use the bus every day, but the longer validity lets you spread out the included admissions.

The pass activates according to its validity rules, so check when the first day begins. Since the days are consecutive, avoid exchanging or activating it before you are ready to start sightseeing.

Guidebook, app, and discounts

The printed guidebook is more useful than a simple attraction list. It provides opening information, city details, planning help, and tips for choosing among the many included sights. The app adds current guidance, attraction information, and an app-guided walking tour.

Use these tools before leaving your hotel, not only at the attraction desk. Mark the places that need reservations, note opening days, and group nearby stops. The bonus booklet offers discounts with selected local businesses, which can add value, though the free admissions and bus access are the main reasons to buy the pass.

The pass does not include a public transport Travelcard. If you plan to use the subway, trams, or regular city buses, buy the appropriate transport ticket separately. The hop-on hop-off buses are included, but they do not replace Vienna’s full public transport network.

Collection, cancellation, and access details

Your voucher must be exchanged for the actual Vienna PASS at the Vienna Sightseeing Office, 3-5 Opernring, numbers 17-24, facing the Vienna State Opera. The service center is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Bring an official passport or photo ID. The person who placed the order must be present to collect the pass. If you are buying it as a gift, enter the recipient’s name during booking so the collection details match.

The activity is wheelchair accessible. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option may help if your dates are not settled.

Who should buy the Vienna PASS?

I would choose this pass for a first visit focused on major sights, especially if you have two or three days and enjoy moving at a brisk pace. It is also useful for families who want to add the zoo, Ferris Wheel, or Madame Tussauds without stopping to calculate every ticket.

It suits museum fans, palace enthusiasts, and anyone who likes having several options each day. The bus network is a real help when your plan includes Schönbrunn, Belvedere, the Prater, and Danube sights.

I would skip it if you prefer slow mornings, long café breaks, or only two or three paid attractions. I would also compare direct palace tickets if a guaranteed time at Schönbrunn or the State Opera matters more than flexibility.

Should you book it?

Book the Vienna PASS if you can name at least four or five included sights and are prepared to visit several each day. A two-day pass is a sensible starting point for most people, while three or six days give you more room to enjoy the museums.

Before paying, check current admission lists, attraction hours, and reservation rules. If your plan includes Schönbrunn, the Spanish Riding School, or the State Opera, confirm the time slots first. Used with a clear plan, the pass can save money and waiting time. Used without one, it can become an expensive invitation to rush.

FAQ

How many attractions are included with the Vienna PASS?

The pass includes free admission to up to 90 Vienna attractions, including Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunn Zoo, the Giant Ferris Wheel, the Albertina, the Belvedere museums, and many others.

How long is the Vienna PASS valid?

You can choose a pass valid for 1, 2, 3, or 6 consecutive days.

Are hop-on hop-off buses included?

Yes. The Vienna PASS includes unlimited rides on four hop-on hop-off routes serving about 50 stops.

Does the pass include Vienna’s subway and trams?

No. A public transport Travelcard is not included. The included transport is the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus service.

Can I visit an attraction more than once?

Each attraction can be visited once during the pass validity period. Hop-on hop-off bus rides are unlimited.

Do I need to reserve attraction times?

Some attractions require advance reservations or operate with timed entry. Check the individual opening hours and booking rules before visiting.

Is Schönbrunn Palace included?

Yes. Schönbrunn Palace is included, along with the Maze, Gloriette, and other Schönbrunn attractions listed with the pass. Check current tour and reservation details before arriving.

Is the Vienna State Opera tour included?

A guided Vienna State Opera tour is included, but you need to check the schedule and register for an available group tour.

Where do I collect the physical pass?

Exchange your voucher at the Vienna Sightseeing Office at 3-5 Opernring, numbers 17-24, facing the Vienna State Opera. The office is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.

What should I bring when collecting the pass?

Bring your official passport or photo ID. The person who placed the order must be present to collect the pass.