Quick answer: Vienna sells two very different products. The Vienna Pass (€98 for 1 day, €134 for 2, €157 for 3, €179 for 6; children about half) is an all-inclusive attractions pass — Schönbrunn, Hofburg, Belvedere, the Giant Ferris Wheel, Kunsthistorisches, Albertina, the zoo and 90+ more, plus the hop-on-hop-off bus — but no public transport. The Vienna City Card (roughly €17/€25/€29 for 24/48/72 hours) is a transport pass with 10–25% discounts. Because Vienna’s big tickets are dear — Schönbrunn Imperial Tour ~€26–30, Hofburg ~€19, Belvedere ~€18, Kunsthistorisches ~€21, Ferris Wheel ~€14 — the 2-day Pass breaks even at three major sights a day. It is worth it for a fast two- or three-day imperial circuit; it is not worth it for museum-lingerers, coffee-house wanderers or anyone doing two paid sights a day. Most visitors do best with a 48- or 72-hour transport ticket plus three or four tickets bought direct.
Vienna Passes at a Glance
| Pass | Price (2026) | Validity | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna Pass 1 day | €98 (child €49) | Calendar day | 90+ attractions incl. Schönbrunn (Grand Tour), Hofburg, Belvedere, KHM, Albertina, Ferris Wheel, Zoo, Danube Tower; hop-on-hop-off bus; fast-track at some | One frantic day (3–4 big sights) |
| 2 days | €134 (child €67) | 2 consecutive days | Same | Best-value blitz |
| 3 days | €157 (child €79) | 3 days | Same | 3 full days at pace |
| 6 days | €179 (child €90) | 6 days | Same | Long stays, slower pace |
| Vienna City Card 24/48/72h | ~€17 / €25 / €29 | Hours | Wiener Linien transport + 10–25% discounts at museums and shops | Transport with small savings |
| Wiener Linien 24/48/72h ticket | ~€8 / €14.10 / €17.10 | Hours | Transport only | Everyone without a City Card |
Prices are 2026 published rates (checked September 2026). The Vienna Pass does not include public transport; buy a Wiener Linien ticket or the City Card alongside it. Some attractions require reservations even with the pass.
Top-Rated Vienna Tours & Skip-the-Line Tickets
What the Main Attractions Cost — and Whether the Pass Covers Them
| Attraction | Adult ticket (2026, approx.) | In the pass? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schönbrunn Palace (Imperial / Grand Tour) | ~€26–30 / ~€33 | Yes | Timed; book early |
| Hofburg (Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments, Silver Collection) | ~€19 | Yes | — |
| Belvedere Upper (Klimt’s Kiss) | ~€18 | Yes | — |
| Kunsthistorisches Museum | ~€21 | Yes | Bruegel |
| Albertina | ~€19 | Yes | — |
| Giant Ferris Wheel (Prater) | ~€14.50 | Yes | — |
| Schönbrunn Zoo | ~€28 | Yes | — |
| Spanish Riding School morning exercise | ~€19 | Pass: some sessions; check | Performances extra |
| St Stephen’s Cathedral (tower/catacombs) | ~€6–8 each | Partly | Nave free |
| Vienna State Opera tour / standing tickets | ~€15 / from €18 | No | — |
| Hop-on-hop-off bus (1 day) | ~€30–35 | Vienna Pass: yes | — |
| Transport 72h | ~€17 | City Card: yes; Pass: no | — |
Individual prices are 2026 rates (checked September 2026). Under-19s are free at the Belvedere, KHM and Albertina and reduced at Schönbrunn and the Hofburg; families rarely benefit from a pass.
The Break-Even Maths
| Itinerary | Individual tickets | Pass | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 days: Schönbrunn + Hofburg + Belvedere + KHM + Ferris Wheel + bus | €30 + €19 + €18 + €21 + €14.50 + €32 = €134.50 | 2-day Pass €134 | Even — pass wins on fast-track only |
| 2 days: Schönbrunn + Belvedere + Hofburg | €67 | €134 | Pass loses €67 |
| 3 days at pace: above six + Albertina + Zoo + Spanish Riding School | €134.50 + €19 + €28 + €19 = €200.50 | 3-day €157 | Pass saves ~€43 |
| Family of 4 (2 under-19) | Children free/reduced almost everywhere | 2 adult passes + 2 child | Buy tickets |
| Transport-only for 3 days | €17.10 | City Card 72h €29 (with discounts) | City Card pays only with 2+ discounted tickets |
The Vienna Pass is a sprint product: three big sights a day and it is even, four and it wins. The City Card is marginal — its discounts rarely cover the €12 premium over a plain 72-hour transport ticket unless you buy several tickets.
| Tour | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna: Skip the Line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens Guided Tour | $73 | ★ 4.6 (1,758 reviews) |
| Vienna: Skip-the-Line Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Tour | $64 | ★ 4.7 (1,298 reviews) |
| Vienna: Time Travel Through 2,000 Years of History with 5D & VR | $29 | ★ 4.5 (1,168 reviews) |
| Skip-the-Line Schonbrunn Palace Guided Tour and Vienna Historical City Tour | $87 | ★ 3.7 (954 reviews) |
| Skip-the-Line Sisi Museum, Hofburg and Gardens Tour Vienna | $61 | ★ 4.5 (521 reviews) |
| Skip the Line: Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna Entrance Ticket | $26 | ★ 4.3 (505 reviews) |
Who Should Buy It
Fast-paced first-time visitors doing the imperial circuit — Schönbrunn, Hofburg, Belvedere, KHM, Albertina, Prater — over two or three days and using the hop-on bus. Repeat visitors ticking off a dozen smaller museums. Anyone who values fast-track entry at the Albertina and KHM in peak season.
Who Should Skip It
Slow travellers and café-goers doing one museum a day. Families (children free or reduced). Visitors staying a week at a relaxed pace — even the 6-day pass needs two paid sights a day. Anyone who would rather spend the money on the Opera and a Heuriger evening.
How to Get the Most Out of It
Plan the pass days geographically: Hofburg, Albertina, KHM and the Ferris Wheel one day; Schönbrunn (book the slot), the zoo and Belvedere another. Buy a Wiener Linien 48- or 72-hour ticket separately. Use the hop-on bus for Schönbrunn and the Danube Tower, the U-Bahn for the rest. Reserve Schönbrunn through the pass app early.
Guided Alternatives
Guided Schönbrunn and Hofburg tours (above) with skip-the-line entry often matter more than a pass, and a small-group classical concert or Heuriger evening is money better spent. See private vs small-group tours in Vienna. For passes and tickets in general, see best sites for attraction tickets and timed-entry tickets explained. Everything else Vienna: our Vienna tours hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Vienna Pass worth it?
Only for fast sightseeing — three or more major attractions a day plus the hop-on bus. At two paid sights a day it loses; families and slow travellers should buy tickets.
How much is the Vienna Pass in 2026?
€98 for 1 day, €134 for 2, €157 for 3 and €179 for 6 days; children pay roughly half.
Does the Vienna Pass include public transport?
No. Buy a Wiener Linien ticket (about €17 for 72 hours) or the Vienna City Card separately.
Vienna Pass or Vienna City Card?
They are different products: the Pass is attractions and a bus; the City Card is transport plus discounts. Most visitors need transport plus a few direct tickets.
Does the Vienna Pass include Schönbrunn?
Yes — the Grand Tour of the palace, plus the zoo and gardens attractions; reserve a time slot.
Is the Vienna City Card worth it?
Only if you will buy two or more discounted tickets; otherwise a plain 72-hour transport ticket is €12 cheaper.
Kratos Review is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on 28 September 2026 and can change.
Related: Vienna Weekend Itinerary: 48 Hours in Vienna (2026)
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