How to Spend One Day in Vienna | Itinerary + TOP Things to Do

Have limited time in Austria's capital? This itinerary outlines how to see Vienna in one day, including the top sights, how to get around, where to eat, and more!

Vienna is an absolute joy to visit and a city I would happily return to again and again. It’s impeccably clean and well preserved, the buildings are grandiose, and getting around is a breeze with the walkable city center, cheap bike share program, and handy tram/metro.

Summers are filled with outdoor activities and events while winters bring some of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

And of course, there's the cafe culture of decadent cakes and coffee in the afternoon...who doesn't love that?

While one day in Vienna will be an extremely full day with little time to spare, it's doable. So let's dive in!

This map shows everything included in this day trip to Vienna itinerary. Click the icon in the very top left to see a list view of each pinned location. Select the top right button to enlarge the map. Click the star to save to your own Google Maps account. To access this map once saved (after clicking the star), open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), select the menu button, go to "your places", select "maps", and you will see this map listed.

• Blue - train stations
• Red - Vienna sights and attractions
• Purple - restaurants and cafes

Is it possible to see Vienna in one day?

While a perfect scenario would allow 2 or 3 nights in Austria's capital, it's not impossible to see the city and top sights in 1 day.

Vienna’s position between several other large cities like Budapest, Munich, and Prague makes this a convenient stop for a night before continuing to your next destination...so it makes perfect sense to stop here for a day between destinations.

Do I recommend spending more time in the city if you can? Yes.

If your only option is to spend just one day in Vienna, do I still think it's worth it? Absolutely.

A big reason why one day in Vienna is doable is because the city center/sightseeing core is actually quite small. Outside of Schonbrunn Palace, you can walk everywhere.

This is not a Barcelona, Rome, London, Paris, etc., where the sights are spread out...making it difficult to stuff your itinerary to the brim.

What about a day trip to Vienna?

There are several popular cities 2.5 hours or less by train from Vienna: Bratislava (1 hour), Brno (1.5 hours), Salzburg (2.5 hours), Linz (1 hour), Budapest, (2.5 hours), Graz (2.5 hours).

While I only recommend this for "aggressive" travelers, it's a great way to get a taste of the city if you aren't able to stay the night. Just be sure to book the earliest train to Vienna and the latest train back. 

Depending on train schedules, you may have to swap Schonbrunn Palace for the Hofburg Palace to save time.

Getting into Vienna's city center

Vienna's city center is super easy and cheap to get to with the convenient U-Bahn, aka metro, system.

I always use Google Maps when using public transportation. It shows which U-Bahn/metro line to take, which direction to go, and upcoming departure times.

Getting to Vienna City Center from Wien Hauptbahnhof

If you're arriving at the Wien Hauptbahnhof train station (also called Vienna Centrale), your quickest and cheapest option is to take the U1 metro line. It will take about 20 mins and cost €2.40 per person (€2.60 if purchased on the tram).

There are usually tickets machines at the tram stops. This is where I buy my tickets. You can also buy your tickets and access them on the WienMobil app.

Consider buying a 24-hour pass for €8. You can buy these tickets online or via the WienMobil app.

AWA Tip: don't forget to validate your ticket once you board!

Blue ticket validation machines are at the subway and S-Bahn station entrances. Insert your ticket into the machine with the text side facing up until you hear a beep. Streetcar/bus tickets must be validated in the vehicle itself.

If you have several people in your party or prefer to take a car with your luggage, take an Uber. It will be around €10-15 and take 15 mins.

GETTING TO VIENNA CITY CENTER FROM Westbahnhof

Take the 10-minute metro ride on the U3 line or a 15 minute Uber for €12-16 if you're arriving at the Westbahnhof station.

Getting to the Vienna City Center from Vienna International Airport

Since time is of the essence, I recommend booking an Uber or Bolt taxi to go directly to the city center. The ride will take about 15 minutes.

There is also a City Airport Tram offering non-stop service to the city center for €14.90.

While you can take trains/buses to the city, I don't recommend this. Too much time will be wasted waiting for the train and then having to switch lines at the main train station to reach the city center.

SEE ALSO: BEST TIME TO VISIT AUSTRIA – IDEAL SEASONS AND MONTHS

Getting around Vienna

The city center of Vienna is entirely walkable and nothing is more than a 20-minute walk away.

The compact layout plays a considerable factor in successfully seeing all the main sights during your one day in Vienna. The U-Bahn (metro) and tram also connect many of the tourist sights.

The furthest sight on this 1 day Vienna itinerary is Schonbrunn Palace. Take the U-Bahn (Vienna's metro) to get there in 10 minutes. Or grab a 15-minute Uber.

If you like bike riding, consider using WienMobil bicycles to get between sights even faster. Registration is free and rides are charged in 30-minute increments at €0.75.

Jake and I loved riding around Vienna. There are plenty of bike lanes and the city felt very bike-friendly.

Between the tourist-friendly U-Bahn and tram, WienMobil bikes, Uber, and your own two feet, you can reach all the top destinations in minimal travel time.

Start your day trip to Vienna with a city center Walking Tour

Consider starting your 1 day in Vienna with a walking tour focused on sights within the famous Ringstrasse, the street that circles the city center. This will take you past the main tourist attractions in Vienna and give you a brief history. 

Recommended Tours:

• Vienna City Center Small-Group Walking Tour - 2.5 hour walking tour of the city center with a max of 15 people.
• Vienna City Bike Tour - 3 hour tour.
• Hidden Gems in Vienna Inner City Private Walking Tour - private tour option that takes you to both the usual sights as well as some unique spots.
• Historical Hitler Walking Tour of Vienna - great for those with an interest in WWII.

If a scheduled tour doesn’t work, consider doing a self-guided tour. I liked Rick Steve’s Vienna City Walk. You can download the audio tour via the Rick Steve’s app on your phone. It takes about 1 hour.

This is the perfect way to start your day in Vienna as it will introduce you to the layout of the city and many of the sights listed below.

Vienna Opera House

Once you finish your guided or self-guided walking tour, make your way over to the Opera House.

We all know Vienna is considered the classical musical capital of Europe, home to prodigies like Beethoven, Strauss, and Mozart. A day in Vienna would not be complete without a quick stop at the Opera House.

Enjoy the exterior and take a peek inside to see the glamorous lobby.

Those interested in a more detailed look and a brief history of the building should consider the 40-minute tour. It’s €15 and the schedule is different every day. Check the times online and purchase your tickets in advance.

FOR THOSE STAYING THE NIGHT...BOOK AN EVENING PERFORMANCE

Consider buying tickets for that evening’s performance at one of the ticket windows before/after the tour. 

If you like to travel on the cheap, purchase standing-room tickets for as little as €4! You can buy these tickets online or at the box office starting at 10:00 am the day of the performance (or 80 minutes before the performance).

Coffee and cake at Cafe Demel

Walk 9 minutes for a coffee break at Cafe Demel.

The atmosphere will take you back to the glory days when Vienna was the capital of the Hapsburg empire. The interior is that of an old-world Viennese cafe.

Make reservations in advance if you don’t want to risk a long wait. Jake and I got lucky and snagged a seat at the coffee bar.

We tried the Demeltorte, a chocolate walnut cake with apricot filling and a milk chocolate glaze, along with traditional apple strudel.

Both were fantastic and not the typical dry cakes you'll find at other popular Vienna cafes. Cafe Demel also serves the ever-popular Sachertorte that Vienna is particularly known for.

Taking a coffee and cake break is a must, even if you only have 1 day in Vienna. This is part of the culture, much like afternoon tea is a part of British culture.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Walk 5 minutes to reach St. Stephen’s Cathedral. A Gothic masterpiece and the center of Vienna.

You can enter a small section of the cathedral for free. It's €6 to enter the entire cathedral.

I did Rick Steve’s audio tour of the cathedral and really enjoyed it. You can download it on the Rick Steve’s app.

Pay €6.50 and climb 343 steps up the south tower to see breathtaking views of Vienna. 

Schonbrunn Palace

One of my favorite palaces in Europe! This palace rivals Versailles, and in some ways, is more impressive as it's been well-preserved, unlike Versailles which went through abandonment, looting, and severe mistreatment.

Schonbrunn is a 15 to 25-minute Uber or 10 minutes via the U-4 metro from the Karlsplatz stop (within the city center).

While it may seem a bit out of the way when looking at Google Maps, it's really not. A visit to Schonbrunn Palace is 100% worth it, even if on a quick day trip to Vienna itinerary. 

A leisurely visit would require 3 to 4 hours. A fast visit can easily be done in 1.5 to 2 hours.

Buy your tickets in advance so you don’t waste time in line. Choose the Palace Ticket (€34) which includes the best rooms.

After wandering the royal apartments, walk past the perfectly manicured lawns in the royal gardens and up to the Gloriette viewing terrane for picture-perfect views of the palace below.

If you'd prefer a live guide to the audioguide, check out this 2-hour tour.

AWA Tip: note that I did not mention Hofburg Palace. You will walk past this on your walking or self-guided tour.

Touring both the Hofburg Palace and Schonbrunn Palace would be redundant and Schonbrunn is the better of the two (in my opinion). 

If you don't think you'll have time for Schonbrunn, Hofburg makes for a wonderful (and quicker) alternative.

Naschmarkt

From Schonbrunn take the U4 metro and get off at the Kettenbrückengasse stop. This will drop you smack dab in Naschmarkt. A large and popular outdoor market with two lanes of stalls selling international food, produce stalls, and other gourmet bites.

This market is worth a look (and great place to grab a quick bite if you have a train to catch back to your hotel). If you're staying the night in Vienna or have a very late train, I suggest ending your one day in Vienna at a more atmospheric restaurant or at Vienna's City Hall

Rathaus (aka City Hall)

If you're visiting in July or August, ending your one day in Vienna at the City Hall is a must.

The Music Film Festival attracts both locals and tourists. Food stands and picnic tables are set in front of the City Hall, aka Rathaus, and recordings of anything from Opera to Jazz performances will be showcased on a large screen.

The food is an eclectic mix of world flavors and there's always a crowd.

During the winter months, this is home to one of the largest Christmas markets. You'll find decorated chalets selling mulled wine, hearty Viennese dishes, and holiday sweets.

Dinner in Vienna

• Skopik & Lohn - nice atmosphere and great wiener schnitzel.
• Gasthaus Grünaue - traditional Viennese and delicious goulash.
• Café Landtmann - beautiful grand cafe atmosphere, nice patio, and excellent apple strudel.
• Gmoa Keller - traditional Viennese and great wiener schnitzel.
• Apron - Michelin star
• Sixta Restaurant Bar - Austrian cuisine known for its goulash, wiener schnitzel, apple strudel, and Tafelspitz.
• Veranda - upscale contemporary Austrian cuisine.
• Do & Co - fun spot for drinks with cathedral views.

Zanoni & Zanoni

Though gelato has more of a connection to Italy than Austria, Zanoni & Zanoni is a must for any ice cream lover! This spot serves some of the most authentic gelato I have had outside of Italy.

The flavors are extremely rich and the place is always packed. Dark chocolate was consistently one of my favorite flavors here (it's almost black) mixed with the biscotti flavor. 

In Summary

I hope this one day in Vienna itinerary helps map out your time. While it's a jam-packed day, you'll see the top sights and get a feel for the city.

The compact layout of the city center and the handy tram/U-Bahn metro allow tourists to fit a lot of sights into one very busy day.

For those who have an earlier train back to their home base and are worried about time, I would end the itinerary at Schonbrunn Palace. To save even more time, swap out Schonbrunn Palace for Hofburg Palace (it's closer and will take less time to see). 

Tour and day trip recommendations for more than one day in Vienna:

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How to Spend One Day in Vienna | Itinerary + TOP Things to Do

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