Do you have a long layover in Vienna? This Vienna day guide will help you plan out how to quickly see some of the top sights in Vienna, Austria and make it back in time for your next flight. If you have less than 24 hours in Vienna, this guide will help you plan your quick trip to Vienna.
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is known for its beautiful churches, impressive palaces, rich collection of museums, and traditional cafes. Austria itself is a beautiful country that attracts many visitors due to its many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Good to Know for Austria
Currency: euro
Capital: Vienna
Primary Language: German
Bordering Countries: Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Italy, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Hungary, Slovenia
Getting to Vienna
Vienna is a well-connected international hub for many major airlines. The main airport in Vienna is the Vienna International Airport (VIE). Austrian Airlines commonly flies nonstop from North American cities like Los Angeles to Vienna. Ryan Air and Wizz Air also frequently pass through Vienna.
The airport is 18 km (11 miles) south of the city center.
The simplest way to get to Vienna from the airport is to take a private taxi. The taxi stand is located just outside of arrivals, but will probably cost at least €40. This may seem like a lot for a one-way fare when you’re doing just a day layover visit. By car or taxi it takes about 35 minutes to get from the airport to the city.
For a cheaper and faster option, take the CAT (City Airport Train). This is a dedicated airport train found under arrivals that goes directly to the Wien Mitte station. Single tickets on CAT cost €15 while a round trip fare is €25 at the time of writing (early 2024). Children under 15 travel free of charge. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks at the station at the airport after customs. There are English menus as well as staff on site to help newly arrived travelers. Travel time on CAT from the airport to Vienna is just 16 minutes with trains every 30 minutes.
For an even cheaper option, there are slower city trains like the S-Bahn S7 that also connect to the airport. Both train options are good, however I recommend the CAT if you can afford the couple of extra euros on the price. It is simpler, faster, and more spacious onboard.
Vienna public transportation well developed and pretty reliable, making a quick visit even easier.
Luggage Storage at Vienna Airport
Before you head out into Vienna, you likely have a carry on bag you probably want to store somewhere at the airport. Luckily, Vienna International Airport offers luggage storage.
The luggage storage facilities are typically located in the arrivals area or within the terminal buildings. These services are perfect for travelers who have a layover in Vienna and want to explore the city without carrying their luggage.
The Vienna airport luggage storage can be found in the form of lockers at check-in and arrivals. Prices start at about €5 and depend on the size of the locker and the length of time it is used.
What to See in 12 Hours in Vienna (or less)
Here are the top nine things to see during a long layover in my ranking order. The more time you have, the more items on the list you should consider seeing. If you only have four hours in Vienna, you probably should only plan to see two or three things on the list.
1. St. Stephen’s Cathedral
St. Stephen’s Cathedral, also known as Stephansdom, is a stunning Gothic cathedral that features a striking multi-colored tile roof and a tall south tower that offers panoramic views of Vienna. Its construction began in the 12th century.
This is one of the most famous and prominent churches in Austria and is a can’t miss on any Vienna itinerary.
Access to certain areas of St. Stephen’s Cathedral is usually free. However, there’s typically an admission fee if you wish to climb the South Tower for panoramic views of Vienna. The fee for accessing the tower observation deck is approximately €6 for adults.
2. Belvedere Palace
Belvedere houses an impressive art collection, particularly renowned for its Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day. Visitors can see works by famous Austrian artists such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka. The top highlight is Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece, “The Kiss,” displayed at Upper Belvedere.
The palace complex consists of two Baroque-style palaces, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, designed by renowned architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt in the 18th century. The palace complex is tied to the Habsburg dynasty.
3. Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
The museum houses an extensive and diverse collection of art spanning several centuries. It showcases works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Titian, Velázquez, and Rubens. Visitors can admire masterpieces from different art movements and regions, providing a comprehensive view of art history. This was my favorite museum in Vienna because of the diverse array of things to see.
Housed in an impressive palatial building, the Kunsthistorisches Museum itself is an architectural gem. Situated in the heart of Vienna’s Museum Quarter (MuseumsQuartier), the Kunsthistorisches Museum is conveniently located and easily accessible.
The standard adult ticket price for entry to the Kunsthistorisches Museum is typically around €20. Reduced admission fees are available for students and seniors.
4. Café Central
You are bound to get hungry during your long layover in Vienna and I highly recommend dining at Café Central. I’ve gone back twice because the desserts are incredible, and the interior of the cafe looks like a work of art itself.
Café Central is also one of the most famous of Vienna’s traditional cafes. Opened in 1876, the cafe is known for being a hub for writers and intellectual leaders. Some of the notable frequent visitors include Leon Tolstoy and Stefan Zweig.
This is a great stop if you are visiting Vienna with kids as it has tons of tasty treats. You could even join a sweet treats tour of Vienna.
5. Hofburg
Once the residence of the Hapsburgs, Hofburg now serves as a presidential home. Many museums and galleries can be found here. A Hofburg tour features a variety of architectural styles as it evolved and grew over time. You can spot Baroque, Gothic, Neo-Classicist, and Rococo architecture just to name a few.
The amount of time you spend here and the number of galleries you visit will depend on the length of your layover. Be sure to at least wander down Heldenplatz/In der Burg Street to see the giant Pegasus statue now suspended over the courtyard near the Spanish Riding School.
A skip the line pass to the Sisi Museum, Hofburg Palace, and the Gardens is a good way to see a lot in a short amount of time.
6. St. Charles’ Church (Karlskirche)
This baroque church was commissioned in the early 18th century and stands as a tribute to Saint Charles Borromeo. The church’s impressive dome, columns, and intricate frescoes draw many visitors, plus it has a shallow reflecting pool in front and a lively park. Visitors have the opportunity to climb the dome and enjoy panoramic views of Vienna.
The basic entry fee to visit St. Charles’ Church is about €10 for adults.
7. Maria-Theresien-Platz
Maria-Theresien-Platz is a significant square located in the heart of Vienna. Situated between the museums and close to other landmarks such as the Hofburg Palace and Volksgarten, Maria-Theresien-Platz serves as a central point for visitors exploring Vienna.
The square is named after Empress Maria Theresa, one of the most influential rulers in Austrian history. It includes beautifully landscaped green spaces and pathways, providing a pleasant area to stroll, relax, and enjoy the surroundings. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists to unwind amidst the city’s hustle and bustle. If you’re visiting Vienna in the summer, this is an especially beautiful place to take in.
8. Schönbrunn Palace
Visiting the yellow UNESCO World Heritage Site of Schönbrunn Palace is one of the top things to do in Vienna, however visiting it is not necessarily easy. Your experience at the former home of Emperor Franz Joseph and Sisi will depend on the time of day and crowds. It is a massive estate with palace rooms and gardens to explore. Because of this, I don’t necessarily recommend it for a layover unless you really want to see it or have a very long layover. You could spend a whole day here itself.
If you’re tight on time, the skip the line pass is the best way to go.
9. Vienna Opera House
It is dubious you’ll have time for a show while you’re on a layover, but the Vienna Opera House is world renowned. If you have time, you should consider touring the Opera House or simply visiting from outside to snap a quick picture. If you’re lucky, you could also catch a classical concert at other nearby venues.
The Vienna State Opera has a long history of hosting some of the most famous operas and ballet performances. Legendary composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss had their works performed here, contributing to its status as a center for musical excellence.
When to Leave the Airport vs Stay
If you have less than a 4-hour layover in Vienna, I would not leave the airport. This would not give you enough time to enjoy Vienna in my opinion. Accounting for the half hour periods between trains and the 16-minute ride on the CAT, you’d really only have an hour in the city itself before you’d need to worry about making your way back to the train station.
If you have a 5-hour layover or more in Vienna, I think a trip into the city is feasible. The more time you have, the more enjoyable it will be.
It will also depend on the hour of day, as most of the top things to see in the city are closed at night. Unless you are heading to a hotel for an overnight layover, I wouldn’t bother trying to leave the airport to see the city by night during a short layover. The best things to see in Vienna as a first- or even second-time visitor are done during the day, at least in my experience.
Can I leave the Vienna airport during a layover?
Whether you can leave the airport during a long layover in Vienna, Austria will depend largely on your nationality and passport. Most American and European passport holders can exit the Vienna airport either without a tourist visa (i.e. if they are a citizen of a Schengen country) or with a visa stamp upon arrival (the case for most American passport holders).
If you are able to leave, half a day in Vienna is a great way to spend a long Vienna layover. Spending 12 hours in the Vienna airport would be a much more drab experience.
Related: What is the European Union?
If for whatever reason you find that you need to spend more time in Vienna than expected, fear not- Vienna has plenty to offer for a 2-day itinerary or more.
Wondering if your phone will work?
Nowadays, most travelers have smart phones with either a physical or electronic sim card. Your local carrier (ie: AT&T, Verizon, etc.) may offer you an international plan or daily rates of $5-10 for using data overseas. This can add up very quickly and become shockingly expensive depending on the length of your trip. You may even be visiting a place that your domestic carrier does not cover.
To resolve this, it is usually cheaper to change your sim card. If you have an unlocked phone, you can typically switch out your sim card for better rates.
For years I switched out physical sims from my iPhone. I usually had to find a local carrier (ie Movistar, Vodaphone, Orange, etc.) in whatever place I was traveling and spend sometimes an hour in the shop setting up my new plan.
Finally, eSims have changed the game. I now can purchase an eSim from the comfort of home and have it set up for immediate use upon arrival to a new country for a fraction of what AT&T would charge me. There are several companies out there that offer eSims for travel, but the one with the greatest variety of plans, multi-country coverage, and wide regional options is Airalo.
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