Wien Tickets

Which Schonbrunn Palace entrance to use? | Hietzinger, Haupttor, & Orangery

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

How many entrances are there at Schönbrunn?

There are four main entrances to Schönbrunn Palace and its grounds: the Haupttor (main gate) on the east side facing Schönbrunner Schlossstraße, Hietzinger Tor on the west side near Hietzing, Meidlinger Tor to the south by the zoo and Palm House, and the Orangery entrance opposite the U4 Schönbrunn station.

The main gate handles most palace ticket holders and tours, while the others give direct access to gardens or venues. Crowds can build at the Haupttor, but we’ll help you pick the right entrance for your visit.

Map of Schonbrunn Palace grounds showing entrances, highlights, and transit routes.

Choose the best entrance for you

TicketUse this entranceSkips 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.
Hate wasting time in lines? Here’s the fastest way into Schönbrunn Palace

During peak season, queues at the Haupttor can stretch well over 45 minutes, even with timed entry. With a skip-the-line guided tour, you bypass the crowded ticket desk and head straight into the palace through the fast-track lane. Your guide meets you at the gate, so you save time and get insider stories along the way.

Schönbrunn Palace facade with vibrant gardens, Vienna.

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 >

Security, bags, and re-entry

Security personnel using a handheld scanner on a traveler at an airport checkpoint.
  • All visitors pass through airport-style security checks at the palace. During peak season, especially June to August summer holidays, lines at the Haupttor can grow long, so plan to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes earlier than your ticketed time.
  • Large luggage, trolleys, or oversized backpacks are not permitted inside the palace; bring only small bags that fit through scanners. 
  • Lockers for medium-sized bags and coats are available near the entrance free of charge (a deposit may be required for keys). 
  • Sharp objects, tripods, and bulky umbrellas are prohibited. 
  • Photography without flash is allowed in most areas, but staff may restrict it during guided tours. 
  • Once you exit the palace interior, re-entry is not permitted, so plan your visit accordingly.
Schönbrunn Palace map

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.

​How to get to Schönbrunn Palace >

Brief history of Schönbrunn entrances

Schonbrunn Palace exterior with baroque architecture in Vienna, Austria.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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.

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