Schonbrunn Palace Entrances | Which Gate to Use?

TL;DR: Which entrance should you use at Schönbrunn Palace?

If you’ve booked a palace entry ticket or guided tour, use the Haupttor (main gate) on Schönbrunner Schlossstraße—it’s the main meeting point and where skip-the-line/timed tickets are checked.

For shorter queues, especially on weekends, try the quieter Hietzinger Tor, which leads straight into the gardens.
Guided tours always start at the main gate.
If you need wheelchair access, head for the Meidlinger Tor, which has a step-free path and easier access to the Vienna Zoo and Palm House.
If you’re arriving by U4 metro, the main gate is right across the street. For drivers, the Meidlinger side is usually more convenient for parking.
Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to clear security comfortably, especially at the main gate.

Choose the best entrance for you

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Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

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Schönbrunn Palace: Mozart & Strauss Concert

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Vienna Pass: Choose 1 to 6 Days

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Schönbrunn Palace: Mozart & Strauss Concert & After-Hours Tour

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Choose the best entrance for you

Ticket	Use this entrance	Skips the ticket line?	Notes
Skip-the-line guided tours	Haupttor (main gate)	Yes for ticket desk, no for security	Tours always meet here; follow your voucher’s meeting pin.
Concert experiences	Orangery entrance	Yes (tickets usually scanned directly)	Located opposite U4 Schönbrunn station; entry only valid for concerts.
Combo tickets	Meidlinger Tor (Zoo) or Haupttor (Palace)	Yes for ticket desk, no for security	Use the entrance closest to your first activity; the ticket must be scanned.

Schönbrunn Palace has four main entrances, each suited to different visitor needs. Whether you’re here for a palace tour, a concert, or just a stroll through the gardens, knowing the right gate saves you time and stress.

Haupttor (main entrance)

Location: Schönbrunner Schlossstraße (east side)
How to spot: Grand imperial gates topped with a gilded double-headed eagle, directly facing Schönbrunner Schlossstraße and the U4 Schönbrunn metro exit, and opening to the main courtyard (Find on maps)
Best for: Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, first-time visitors
Timings: 8:30am to 5:30pm daily (varies seasonally)
Crowds and waits: 30 to 45 minutes during peak season (June to August), 10 to 20 minutes during the shoulder season (March to May, September to October)
Accessibility: Steps at entry; ramps inside
Parking/Drop-off: Schönbrunn Palace Garage (Sechshauser Gürtel), about a 5-minute walk
Highlights nearby: State Rooms, Imperial Apartments, Great Gallery, Hall of Mirrors
Pro-tip: Arrive 15 to 20 minutes earlier than your scheduled slot for a hassle-free security check.
Booking a palace tour? Bypass the courtyard queues with skip-the-line guided entry.

Hietzinger Tor (Hietzinger gate)

Location: Hietzinger Hauptstraße (west side)
How to spot: Smaller, quieter iron gate along Hietzinger Hauptstraße, just steps from the U4 Hietzing station and tram stops, framed by tall trees (Find on maps)
Best for: Schönbrunn Palace Garden visits, relaxed entry, families
Timings: 6:30am to 9pm (gardens and grounds)
Crowds and waits: 15 to 20 minutes during peak season (June to August), minimal otherwise
Accessibility: Step-free path into the gardens
Parking/Drop-off: Street parking in Hietzing; U4 Hietzing metro nearby
Highlights nearby: Palm House, Desert House, Gloriette Hill, Neptune Fountain
Pro-tip: Enter here for a quieter stroll and reach the Gloriette faster without passing through the busiest courtyards.
Want the full Schönbrunn experience? Save time with Palace and Gardens access in one ticket.

Meidlinger Tor (Meidlinger gate)

Location: Meidlinger side (south)
How to spot: Wrought-iron gates on the south side of the park, beside the Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Zoo) entrance and across from the Palm House’s glass dome (Find on maps)
Best for: Wheelchair users and combo ticket-holders
Timings: 6:30am to 9pm (gardens and grounds)
Crowds and waits: 15 to 20 minutes during peak season (June to August), 5 to 10 minutes during the shoulder season (March to May, September to October)
Accessibility: Fully step-free, wheelchair-friendly
Parking/Drop-off: Schönbrunn Zoo Parking (Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg) and bus stops at Meidlinger Tor
Highlights nearby: Schönbrunn Zoo, Palm House, Desert House, Maze, Labyrinth
Pro-tip: Start here if you want to combine the zoo and palace gardens; the layout makes it easy to cover both without backtracking.
Exploring the Gardens? Save more with a Schönbrunn Palace and Zoo combo ticket!

Orangery entrance

Location: Opposite U4 Schönbrunn station (east side)
How to spot: The long, ochre-colored Orangery building opposite the U4 Schönbrunn metro station, usually marked with banners for evening concerts (Find on maps)
Best for: Mozart and Strauss evening concerts, after-hours tours, and special events
Timings: 8:30am to 9pm (Orangery), 6:30am to 9pm (Gardens), and concerts are typically scheduled around evening (refer to your ticket voucher for more details)
Crowds and waits: Typically 5 to 10 minutes during the peak season (between June and August); direct entry for pre-booked ticket holders
Accessibility: Smooth, wheelchair-friendly walkways leading to the concert hall
Parking/Drop-off: Schönbrunn Palace Garage (Sechshauser Gürtel) or public transport at Schönbrunn U4
Highlights nearby: Orangery Hall, Crown Prince Garden, Privy Garden, Maze
Pro-tip: Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to stroll the nearby Privy and Crown Prince Gardens before heading inside for your concert.
Attending a Mozart and Strauss concert at the Palace? Add a Schönbrunn Palace after-hours tour for a crowd-free tour of the interiors.

Accessible entrances at Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace offers several entrances, but not all are equally accessible for visitors with reduced mobility.

Meidlinger Tor (south side) is the most wheelchair-friendly entrance, with a step-free route leading directly into the grounds and toward the Zoo and Palm House. This gate avoids the cobblestone-heavy forecourt at the Haupttor, making it easier for wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers.
Haupttor (main gate) has some steps at the entry, but once inside the forecourt, ramps are available to reach the palace interior. Most guided tours begin here, so if you’re using a wheelchair or need extra assistance, set aside an extra 10 to 15 minutes to move through the courtyard and ramps before your tour begins.
The Hietzinger gate and Orangery entrance both provide step-free access into the gardens and concert venue, respectively. The Orangery has level entryways and concert seating with reserved wheelchair spots.

Across the site, ramps, tactile paving, and clear signage are in place, though the historic layout means some uneven surfaces remain. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at the palace’s Information Center (ID required, subject to availability).

If you have a registered disability of 50% or more, you receive free admission to Schönbrunn Palace. One companion may also enter free of charge. Simply show valid proof of disability at the ticket counter when you arrive—no need to book separately online.

Plan your visit to Schönbrunn Palace >

How to navigate between entrances?

Crowds at the Haupttor: Start via Hietzinger Tor for a calmer garden approach, then walk to the Main Gate for your palace slot; the gardens open from 6:30am, so you can arrive early and drift in before tours begin.
Zoo + Palace day: Begin at Meidlinger Tor (closest to the Zoo and Palm House), and after your zoo visit, walk through the gardens to the Haupttor for the palace interiors. If you are arriving by public transport, the Zoo is best reached via Hietzinger Tor near U4 Hietzing, while Meidlinger Tor is more convenient for south-side parking.
Day visit + evening concert: Tour via Haupttor, then walk about 300m along Schönbrunner Schlossstraße to the Orangery entrance opposite U4 Schönbrunn for the Mozart & Strauss concert.

Routes and tips

To walk inside the park from the Haupttor to Hietzinger Tor, go straight through the Great Parterre, pass the Neptune Fountain, and continue west on flat, signposted paths; the gardens are free to enter and open daily from 6:30am.
To reach Meidlinger Tor on foot, follow the palace’s south side toward the Palm House and the Desert House; the gate sits by the zoo edge, and the paths are mostly level.
For the Orangery from the Haupttor, exit the forecourt onto Schönbrunner Schlossstraße, turn left, and walk 3 to 5 minutes to the doors opposite U4 Schönbrunn.
Prefer less walking? Use the Schönbrunn panorama train, which serves nine stops including Hietzinger Tor, the Palm House and Zoo, and the Gloriette; it is wheelchair and pram accessible and runs daily from mid-March to October.
For the fastest switch outside the walls, ride the U4 metro line one stop between Hietzing and Schönbrunn; from Schönbrunn station, it is a 5 to 7-minute walk to the main gate.

Brief history of Schönbrunn entrances

A ceremonial front door is born. In the late 1600s to 1700s, the Baroque plan set up an east-facing approach and a wide forecourt, which later became today’s Haupttor (main gate).
Maria Theresa redraws the estate. In the mid-18th century, the palace and gardens were extended toward the villages of Hietzing and Meidling. Practical side gates linked the estate to those districts and gave gardeners, staff, and visitors easier entry, which is why both the entrances still feel like neighborhood gateways.
An Orangery becomes an entrance. Around 1754 to 1755, the long Orangery was built along the eastern edge to shelter citrus trees and host court festivities. Over time, it became the center for performances and events.
The zoo anchors the south-west. In 1752, the imperial menagerie opened near the south-west corner of the park. Hietzinger Tor and Meidlinger Tor naturally became starting points for the zoo, the Palm House, and nearby Schönbrunn Gardens.
From imperial grounds to a public park. By the 19th and early 20th centuries, the grounds became a popular place for public strolling, and the entrance pattern settled into the four-gate layout visitors follow today.

Schönbrunn Palace history

Frequently asked questions about Schönbrunn Palace entrances

Can I enter at one gate and exit at another?

Yes, you can enter through one gate and leave through another when you are visiting the gardens, which are free to access and connect all gates. For palace interiors, entry is controlled, and re-entry is not allowed once you exit, so plan to complete the State Rooms and any exhibitions before leaving the building.

Which entrance is closest to the metro?

Haupttor (main gate) and the Orangery entrance are across from U4 Schönbrunn, a short, 5 to 7-minute walk away. Hietzinger Tor is beside U4 Hietzing and the tram stops, with a short, signposted walk into the gardens.

Where should I meet my guide for a tour?

Most Schönbrunn Palace guided tours start at the Haupttor inside the main courtyard. Refer to your ticket voucher for more details, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, and look for operator signage or your guide.

Which gate is best for wheelchairs or minimal slopes?

Meidlinger Tor provides the smoothest, step-free approach and quick access to level garden paths, the Zoo, and the Palm House. Hietzinger Tor offers step-free access to the gardens. Inside the palace, ramps are available, and the Schönbrunn Palace panorama train helps you bypass steeper paths.

Are strollers allowed?

Strollers are welcome in the gardens. Inside the palace, you’ll need to park or fold them at the entrance, so bring a baby carrier for the State Rooms.

Is there covered queuing if it rains or gets hot?

Most lines at the Haupttor are outdoors with limited shade. For concerts, the Orangery checks tickets in an indoor foyer. Bring a compact umbrella or sun protection and arrive a few minutes early during peak times.

If the Haupttor queue looks long, can I switch gates?

Yes, you can enter the gardens via Hietzinger Tor or Meidlinger Tor and explore the Palace Gardens first, then head to the Haupttor for interior entry. Please note that your ticket will be scanned at the main entrance, so keep a few extra minutes on hand.

What is the fastest way between the main gate and the Orangery?

The fastest route from the main gate to the Orangery is along Schönbrunner Schlossstraße on a level sidewalk. It’s a short 3 to 5-minute walk, with wayfinding signs leading directly to the Orangery entrance opposite the U4 Schönbrunn station.

Where is the closest parking for each side?

For Meidlinger Tor and the Zoo, use the south car park on Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg. For the Main Gate and the Orangery, use garages off Schönbrunner Schlossstraße or signed street parking nearby. Hietzing has limited street parking, so public transport is usually faster.

Which gate opens earliest for sunrise photos?

The gardens usually open around 6:30am. Hietzinger Tor and Meidlinger Tor offer the calmest early entry; top sunrise viewpoints include the Neptune Fountain, the Great Parterre, and the Gloriette terrace.

Do guided tours skip security at the entrance?

Yes, Schönbrunn Palace guided tours allow you to bypass the long ticket desk queues, but a security check is mandatory for all visitors. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early and follow your guide’s meeting instructions.

Are there lockers near the gates?

Cloakrooms and lockers sit near the main visitor areas by the main gate for coats and medium-sized bags. Large luggage is not allowed inside the palace, so bring only essentials.

Which entrance should concertgoers use?

Use the Orangery entrance for Schönbrunn Palace Mozart and Strauss concerts. Tickets are scanned on arrival, doors usually open 30 to 45 minutes before the performance, and ushers will direct you to your seats.

Is there a shuttle inside the grounds for longer walks?

Yes. The Schönbrunn Palace panorama train links Hietzinger Tor, the Palm House and Zoo, the Gloriette, and other stops. It is accessible for wheelchairs and prams, runs daily from mid-March to October, and requires a separate ticket.