How Much Does Vienna Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Vienna is a city of imperial grandeur where costs reflect its high standard of living, yet it remains more accessible than other major European hubs like Zurich or London. Daily budgets typically range from $100 / €85 for budget-conscious solo travelers to $918 / €780 for those seeking a luxury experience in the city's historic palaces. While museum entries and traditional coffee house visits can add up quickly, the city's infrastructure is designed for efficiency and value. Visitors can expect to pay around $45 / €38 for major tours like the Schönbrunn Palace Grand Tour, but balanced with smart transit choices and casual dining, the city's elegance is attainable for most. This guide outlines how to navigate the cost of Austrian culture without overspending.
Is Vienna expensive to visit?
Vienna is moderately expensive, with daily expenses ranging from $100 / €85 to $918 / €780 depending on whether you choose a hostel dorm or a five-star imperial suite.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Vienna
$100
per person /day
$306
per person /day
$918
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $300 | $918 | $2,754 |
| 5-Day Trip | $500 | $1,530 | $4,590 |
| 7-Day Trip | $700 | $2,142 | $6,426 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is recommended to factor in a 15% buffer to cover the 3.2% Vienna Tourist Tax (Ortstaxe) and the custom of rounding up bills by ~10% for restaurant service. Additional small costs include museum cloakroom fees of ~$2.35 / €2, which are mandatory for large bags and umbrellas.
How Does It Compare?
See how Vienna stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Vienna
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Budget Meal (Main + Drink) Average for a Schnitzel or Goulash in a casual neighborhood Gasthaus. | $21 €18 |
| Vienna Cappuccino (Melange) A 'Wiener Melange' in a historic coffee house like Café Central will be higher, around ~$7.65 / €6.5. | $5.48 €4.66 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Public Transport Single Ticket Valid for one continuous journey in one direction, including transfers within the city zone. | $3.77 €3.2 |
| 24-Hour Public Transport Pass Best for tourists. Digital tickets via the WienMobil app are often ~$0.59 / €0.5 cheaper. | $12 €10 |
| City Airport Train (CAT) Single Takes 16 minutes from the airport to Wien Mitte. Buy online to avoid queues. Return tickets cost ~$29 / €25. | $18 €15 |
| Taxi 40100 Airport Fixed Rate Valid for up to 4 passengers. Must be pre-ordered or requested specifically as a 'fixed price' trip. | $49 €42 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed in a central hostel Prices for a bed in a 6-bed mixed dorm. Naschmarkt is the most popular location. Booking 2 weeks in advance saves ~$5.89 / €5. | $45 €39 |
| Mid-range hotel room (Double) Standard price for a 'The One' room near major transit hubs like Westbahnhof or Hauptbahnhof. | $171 €145 |
| Luxury 5-star hotel room Historic luxury near the Opera. Prices for iconic spots like Hotel Sacher or Bristol often exceed ~$706 / €600 during weekends. | $571 €485 |
Activities (5)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Schönbrunn Palace Grand Tour Includes 40 rooms and audio guide. The smaller 'Imperial Tour' (22 rooms) is ~$38 / €32. Booking weeks ahead is mandatory. | $45 €38 |
| Sisi Pass (Combined Imperial Ticket) Includes Schönbrunn Grand Tour, Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments, and Furniture Museum. | $67 €57 |
| St. Stephen's Cathedral All-Inclusive Includes the Cathedral tour, Catacombs, South Tower climb (stairs), North Tower (lift), and Treasury. | $29 €25 |
| Vienna State Opera Standing Room Available online 80 minutes before the show or at the box office. Best way to see world-class opera for under ~$24 / €20. | $21 €18 |
| Musikverein Seated Concert Standard mid-tier seat in the Golden Hall for a major orchestra. Standing tickets (Stehplatz) can be found for ~$12 / €10. | $77 €65 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Austrian National Library Entry Grants access to the Prunksaal (State Hall), one of the world's most beautiful library halls. | $13 €11 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Casual dining at a neighborhood Gasthaus costs approximately $21 / €18 for a main dish and a drink, while a signature Wiener Melange coffee averages $5.48 / €4.66. For those looking to save, street-side Würstelstände (sausage stands) and local sandwich shops provide high-quality quick meals for under $12 / €10.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Bitzinger Würstelstand Albertina
$6.47–$11 / €5.5–€9.5Innere Stadt · Street food area
The Käsekrainer (cheese-filled sausage) is iconic. Standing at the high tables offers great views of the Opera.
Trzesniewski
$2.12–$12 / €1.8–€10Dorotheergasse · Local chain
Try 3-4 different open-faced sandwiches for a light, traditional snack under ~$9.42 / €8.
Gasthaus Kopp
$14–$26 / €12–€22Engerthstraße · Local chain
Authentic, non-touristy portions are huge. One Schnitzel can often feed two.
Schnitzelwirt
$17–$29 / €15–€25Neubaugasse · Local chain
Legendary among travelers for massive portions; be prepared to wait for a table.
Swing Kitchen
$11–$18 / €9–€15Multiple locations · Local chain
Best vegan fast food in Vienna. The 'Swing Burger' meal is ~$17 / €15.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Vienna's public transport is exceptionally reliable, with 24-hour passes costing $12 / €10 and single tickets priced at $3.77 / €3.2. While the City Airport Train (CAT) offers a quick 16-minute transit for $18 / €15, pre-ordered taxis to the airport offer a fixed rate of $49 / €42, which is often more economical for groups of three or four.
Accommodation Overview
A dorm bed in a central hostel near Naschmarkt costs about $45 / €39, whereas mid-range hotels near major transit hubs like Hauptbahnhof average $171 / €145 per night. Luxury travelers can expect to pay $571 / €485 or more for iconic stays near the State Opera, such as Hotel Sacher or Bristol.
Accommodation Budget in Vienna
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Book standing room tickets at the Vienna State Opera online 80 minutes before the show for just $21 / €18 to experience world-class performances.
- 2 Utilize the WienMobil app to purchase digital 24-hour transport passes, which are often ~$0.59 / €0.5 cheaper than physical tickets.
- 3 Purchase the $67 / €57 Sisi Pass if planning to visit multiple imperial sites, as it covers the Schönbrunn Grand Tour, Sisi Museum, and the Furniture Museum.
- 4 Drink the city's 'Hochquellwasser' for free; it is high-quality mountain spring water available from public fountains throughout the city.
- 5 Visit Bitzinger Würstelstand Albertina for a high-quality, budget-friendly sausage meal in the heart of the 1st District.
- 6 Eat at Trzesniewski on Dorotheergasse for iconic, inexpensive open-faced sandwiches that are a local staple.
- 7 Look for 'Mittagsmenü' (lunch specials) at neighborhood restaurants in the 7th and 8th districts for significant discounts compared to dinner prices.
- 8 Book Schönbrunn Palace tickets several weeks in advance to avoid the need for more expensive last-minute guided tour options.
- 9 Opt for the Stehplatz (standing tickets) at the Musikverein for approximately $12 / €10 to hear the Vienna Philharmonic for a fraction of the seated price.
- 10 Save on airport transit by taking the S-Bahn S7 line instead of the CAT; it takes 25 minutes but costs significantly less than $18 / €15.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jul, Aug, Dec
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-25-40%
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Accommodation in December spikes significantly due to world-famous Christmas markets. January and February are freezing but offer the lowest hotel rates and less-crowded museums.
Events to Watch
- ● New Year's Concert (Jan 1): +200% hotels
- ● Vienna City Marathon (April): +40% hotels
- ● Opera Ball (Feb): +100% luxury hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Explore the vast grounds and gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, which are free to enter even if the palace interior requires a ticket.
- 2 Visit the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) to see the honorary graves of Beethoven, Brahms, and Strauss at no cost.
- 3 Enter the front section of Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral) for free to admire the Gothic architecture without a full tour ticket.
- 4 Attend a free guided tour of the Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 13:00.
- 5 Wander through the Volksgarten to see the impressive rose gardens and the Theseus Temple during the blooming season.
- 6 Walk across the Donauinsel (Danube Island), a 21km long recreation area perfect for hiking and waterfront views.
- 7 Visit the Maria-Theresien-Platz to admire the monumental statues and the architecture of the twin museums from the outside.
- 8 Hike up the Kahlenberg for a panoramic view of the city and the Danube river.
- 9 Browse the Naschmarkt food stalls for the atmosphere, which is free to experience despite the tempting paid samples.
- 10 Explore the Lainzer Tiergarten, a massive wildlife preserve on the outskirts of the city with free entry.
- 11 Walk through the courtyards of the Hofburg Imperial Palace to see the historical architecture and the Swiss Gate.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Spanische Hofreitschule Gala Performance
The only place where the classical 'High School' of equestrian art is practiced. Gala seats provide the best view of the baroque hall.
9-Course Dinner at Steirereck
A world-renowned 2-star Michelin experience in Stadtpark. The bread trolley alone is worth ~$18 / €15.
Original Sacher Torte Experience
Includes a slice of the original cake and a Melange coffee in the opulent red hotel dining room (~$11 / €9.5 cake, ~$10 / €8.5 coffee + service).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Vienna
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Vienna and what they cost
Salzburg
$77 / €65 by Train (Railjet)
$21 / €18
$129 / €110
Bratislava
$49 / €42 by Boat (Twin City Liner)
$14 / €12
$100 / €85
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
Excellent - cards are now accepted even at Naschmarkt stalls and most Würstelstands (sausage stands).
Round up the bill or add ~5-10%. In cafes, round up to the next Euro for simple orders. For a ~$53 / €45 meal, pay ~$59 / €50.
Avoid 'Euronet' machines found in tourist zones due to high fees (~$4.71–$5.89 / €4–€5). Use bank ATMs (Bank Austria, Erste Bank, Raiffeisen) for standard fees.
Connectivity
eSIM: $12–$21 for 10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18 / €15 at the airport for a 20GB prepaid plan.
WiFi: Excellent in cafes and public squares (Wien.at Public WiFi).
Use an Airalo or Holafly eSIM for instant data; A1 and Magenta offer the best local coverage.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Vienna.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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