Schönbrunn Palace Guided Tours

Skip the lines at Schönbrunn & explore its palace, interiors, gardens & history with an expert guide.

• Everything you get: Skip-the-line entry to Schönbrunn Palace, 2-hour guided tour of the palace interiors, English, German, Spanish, Italian, or French-speaking expert guide (as per option selected), walking tour of the Schönbrunn Gardens and Courtyards, and headsets for groups of 10+.
• Why choose this: Bypass the long entry queues at Schönbrunn and spend more time inside, as an expert guide brings to life the stories, secrets, and history of its opulent staterooms and manicured Baroque gardens.
• Upgrades: Choose a longer 3.5-hour city tour to pair your Schönbrunn visit with Vienna’s top landmarks, or opt for a small-group English tour for a more personalised experience.

Inclusions #

• Skip-the-line entry to Schönbrunn Palace

• 2-hour guided tour of the Palace interiors, Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, and Courtyards (based on option selected)

• 3.5-hour guided city tour of Vienna’s top landmarks (based on option selected)

• English, German, Spanish, Italian, or French-speaking expert guide (as per option selected)

• Access to 22 imperial staterooms inside the palace

• Walking tour of the Schönbrunn Gardens and Courtyards (includes free-access areas; weather-dependent)

• Small-group experience with a maximum of 25 guests (available on select English-guided tours only)

• Headsets for groups of 10+ to ensure clear audio during the palace tour

Exclusions #

• Transfers and hotel pick-up and drop-off

• Food and drinks

• Souvenir photos

• Tips (optional)

What to bring

• Wear comfortable walking shoes; the grounds are vast, and even the State Rooms alone can take a few hours to explore fully.
• Pack weather-appropriate clothing: lightweight, breathable layers in summer; warm layers, waterproof outerwear, hats, gloves, and scarves in winter.
• Carry a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against sun exposure when exploring the gardens in summer.

What’s not allowed

• Drones, selfie sticks, tripods, flash photography, and lighting equipment are prohibited at Schönbrunn. You may only use your mobile phone for non-commercial photos.
• There is no storage available for luggage, umbrellas, large bags, or extra clothing, so please travel light and leave unnecessary items behind.
• Pets are not permitted on the tour, so be sure to make arrangements for them ahead of time if needed.
• Bicycles and personal vehicles are strictly prohibited inside the palace park.

Accessibility

• This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, as parts of Schönbrunn Palace can only be reached via staircases and there is no step-free access to several of the historic State Rooms.

Additional information

• Book your tickets online at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance, especially during the busiest times of the year, such as June to August, the Christmas market season, and Easter.
• Depending on the tickets you choose, you’ll meet your guide at either the Group Center, the Ehrenhof Fountain (look for the green umbrella), or the Arrival Center at HOHO Bus Stop 30. Check your booking confirmation for the exact location.
• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, as latecomers will not be allowed to join the tour.
• The tour is conducted in only one language, which is selected at the time of booking, so please choose your preferred language carefully.
• Each tour is limited to a maximum of 25 participants to ensure a more personal and engaging experience.
• You’ll receive a personal audio device with headphones to follow your guide’s commentary, but you are welcome to bring your own headphones if they have a standard 3.5 mm audio jack.
• The Gardens, Main Courtyard, fountains, Great Parterre, Roman Ruin, and general pathways are freely accessible to the public during park hours.
• In the event of extreme weather conditions such as snow, the garden portion of the tour may be skipped for safety reasons. From November 8 to January 6, a visit to a local Christmas Market will be offered instead.
• The Privy Garden, Orangery Garden, Maze, Labyrinth, and Gloriette viewing terrace require separate tickets and close 30 to 45 minutes before daily closing (3:30pm to 6pm, depending on the season).
• The Group Center, located near the main gate, is a helpful guest hub offering free lockers (secured with a 4-digit code), a baby changing room, and barrier-free toilets, plus an ATM on site for added convenience.

What to bring

Schönbrunn Palace

• Wear comfortable walking shoes; the grounds are vast, and even the State Rooms alone can take a few hours to explore fully.
• Pack weather-appropriate clothing: lightweight, breathable layers in summer; warm layers, waterproof outerwear, hats, gloves, and scarves in winter.
• Carry a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against sun exposure when exploring the gardens in summer.

Schönbrunn Zoo

• Bring a €1 coin to use the free lockers in the Hietzing entrance info center basement; sizes are 55×45×34 cm (large) and 44×41×35 cm (small), with the coin refunded after use.
• Carry a refillable bottle; the zoo has nine free drinking fountains with Viennese mountain spring water (not available in winter), and all toilet washbasins provide drinking water.
• Bring cash to rent a hand cart for kids or bags; they cost €4 to hire with a €10 refundable deposit and are picked up next to the beer garden behind the Hippo House (weekend-only from November to March, daily otherwise).
• If you plan to drive to the Vienna Zoo, get Vienna’s weekday short-stay parking permit in advance or plan a Park-&-Ride on the U4, as most of the city has a two-hour parking limit and the on-site public car park is small.

What’s not allowed

Schönbrunn Palace

• Drones, selfie sticks, tripods, flash photography, and lighting equipment are prohibited at Schönbrunn. You may only use your mobile phone for non-commercial photos.
• There is no storage available for luggage, umbrellas, large bags, or extra clothing, so please travel light and leave unnecessary items behind.
• Pets are not permitted on the tour, so be sure to make arrangements for them ahead of time if needed.
• Bicycles and personal vehicles are strictly prohibited inside the palace park.

Schönbrunn Zoo

• Do not feed the animals, climb over barriers, reach into enclosures, bang on the glass, shout, or play music or instruments anywhere in the zoo.
• Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, inline skates, or similar devices are not permitted in the zoo; only tiny kids’ walk bikes with rims under 30 cm are allowed at your own risk.
• Dogs are not permitted anywhere in the palace grounds or zoo, except assistance dogs with proper ID, immunization records, and a harness.
• Flash photography, selfie sticks, tripods, drones, and other commercial filming equipment are not allowed anywhere on the Schönbrunn premises (which includes the zoo).

Accessibility

Schönbrunn Palace

• This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, as parts of Schönbrunn Palace can only be reached via staircases and there is no step-free access to several of the historic State Rooms.

Schönbrunn Zoo

• Most paths and enclosures are barrier-free, and wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge at any of the three zoo entrances with an ID deposit.
• Accessible restrooms are located in the Orangery, Elephant House, Rainforest House, and Tirolerhof Farmhouse.
• As a more accessible alternative within the zoo grounds, the Panorama Train offers smooth, hop-on-hop-off access with wheelchair access in the rear wagon via a hydraulic lift.
• If you have limited mobility, it’s best to avoid the Tirolerhof entrance, as the path from that gate is very steep and not suitable for wheelchair users.

Additional information

Schönbrunn Palace

• Depending on the tickets you choose, you’ll meet your guide at either the Group Center, the Ehrenhof Fountain (look for the green umbrella), or the Arrival Center at HOHO Bus Stop 30. Check your booking confirmation for the exact location.
• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, as latecomers will not be allowed to join the tour.
• The tour is conducted in only one language, which is selected at the time of booking, so please choose your preferred language carefully.
• Each tour is limited to a maximum of 25 participants to ensure a more personal and engaging experience.
• In the event of extreme weather conditions such as snow, the garden portion of the tour may be skipped for safety reasons. From November 8 to January 6, a visit to a local Christmas Market will be offered instead.

Schönbrunn Zoo

• The palace and zoo share the same grounds, with the main zoo entrance about an 8-minute walk via Hietzinger Allee or roughly 10 minutes via Hietzinger Allee and Rustenallee.
• You’ll want to set aside a full day, spending 3 to 4 hours exploring the palace and gardens and another 2 to 4 hours at the zoo, depending on how much you’d like to see.
• These combo tickets are flexible and valid until the end of the calendar year, so you can visit both on the same day or return on different days if you prefer.
• The zoo is open every single day of the year from 9am, with closing times varying seasonally between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.
• Plan to visit the Bird House first, as it closes an hour before the zoo; most other animal houses shut 30 minutes early, except the Aquarium-Terrarium and Tyrolean farm, which stay open until closing.
• Visiting right at opening gives you the best chance to see animals active and avoid crowds, and it’s also cooler, making for a more comfortable visit.
• Check the day’s public feeding presentations when you arrive and allow for flexibility, because sessions run throughout the day and may be cancelled at short notice.
• Pack or grab a Schönbrunn Zoo map at the entrance so you can plan your route around feeding times—don’t miss the entertaining sea lion feeding show.
• Ask staff to stamp your ticket before exiting to visit Gasthaus Tirolergarten or Landtmann’s Parkcafé, as they are outside the zoo and unstamped tickets are invalid for re-entry.

Inclusions #

Schönbrunn Palace

• Skip-the-line entry to Schönbrunn Palace with access to 22 imperial staterooms

• 2.5-hour guided tour of the Palace interiors

• Expert English or German-speaking guide (as per option selected)

• Walking tour of the Palace Gardens and Courtyards

• Headsets for groups of 10+ for clear audio

Schönbrunn Zoo

• Skip-the-line entry to Schönbrunn Zoo

• Access to all public exhibits and animal enclosures

Exclusions #

• Transfers and hotel pick-up and drop-off

• Food and drinks

• Souvenir photos

• Tips (optional)

Please click here for detailed route maps and boarding points. You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket. Red Route

• First bus: 9:30am from stop #1 (Opera)
• Last bus: 4pm from stop #1 (Opera)
• Frequency: Every 20 to 30 mins
• Popular stops: House of Music, Lower Belvedere, Museums Quartier & Votive Church

Blue Route

• First bus: 9:45am from Opera/Albertina
• Last bus: 4:15pm from Opera/Albertina
• Frequency: Every 30 mins
• Popular stops: Aqua Terre Zoo, Schönbrunn Palace & Zoo, Upper Belvedere & The Hundertwasser House

Inclusions #

Hop-on-hop-off bus tour (Big Bus Vienna):

• 48-hour unlimited access to hop-on hop-off buses

• Access to both Red and Blue Routes, covering Vienna’s most iconic landmarks

• Pre-recorded audio commentary in 8 languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian & Arabic

• Free Wi-Fi and complimentary headphones on board

• Access to the Big Bus mobile app with route map and live bus tracking

Schönbrunn Palace (near Stop #6, Blue Route):

• Skip-the-line entry

• Access to 22 imperial staterooms

• Walking tour of the Palace Gardens and Courtyards

Belvedere Palace (near Stop #8, Blue Route):

• Entry to the Upper Belvedere Palace

• Access to the main permanent collection, featuring Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, and works by Egon Schiele, Claude Monet, and others

Exclusions #

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off

• Food and drinks

• Souvenir photos

• Tips (optional)

What to bring

Hop-on-hop-off bus tour

• Bring a printed or digital ticket along with a valid photo ID, as some ticket types require scanning a QR code at the validator when boarding.
• Carry a power bank or spare battery, as live bus tracking and app-based route maps can drain your phone during the tour.
• Pack an umbrella or raincoat, since many buses have open-top seating and sudden weather changes can make the ride uncomfortable.

Schönbrunn Palace

• Wear comfortable walking shoes; the grounds are vast, and even the State Rooms alone can take a few hours to explore fully.
• Pack weather-appropriate clothing: lightweight, breathable layers in summer; warm layers, waterproof outerwear, hats, gloves, and scarves in winter.
• Carry a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against sun exposure when exploring the gardens in summer.

Belvedere Palace

• Wear comfortable, closed footwear to manage the expansive grounds, steep terraces, and long walks through the gardens and between buildings.
• Bring a smartphone with audio-guide functionality or the Smartify app to scan artworks and access detailed information that enhances your visit.
• Carry cash or a card for café purchases at spots like the Menagerie Café in the Upper Belvedere.

What’s not allowed

Hop-on-hop-off bus tour

• Pets are not allowed, except for dogs that are leashed, muzzled, and under knee height, with a maximum of one dog permitted per bus.
• Luggage, bicycles, or similarly large items are not permitted onboard and must be stored separately, as space is limited.
• Avoid using personal speakers or making loud phone calls to ensure everyone can enjoy the audio commentary.

Schönbrunn Palace

• Drones, selfie sticks, tripods, flash photography, and lighting equipment are prohibited at Schönbrunn. You may only use your mobile phone for non-commercial photos.
• There is no storage available for luggage, umbrellas, large bags, or extra clothing, so please travel light and leave unnecessary items behind.
• Pets are not permitted on the tour, so be sure to make arrangements for them ahead of time if needed.
• Bicycles and personal vehicles are strictly prohibited inside the palace park.

Belvedere Palace

• Photography is allowed only for private, non-commercial use and must be without flash, tripods, or selfie-sticks; certain rooms or exhibits also explicitly prohibit photography.
• Large bags, travel backpacks, suitcases, and umbrellas are not permitted inside exhibition spaces and must be checked in the cloakroom.
• Food and beverages are not allowed in any exhibition rooms, but you can purchase refreshments at the Schlosscafé, Parkcafé, and Lucy Bar.

Accessibility

Hop-on-hop-off bus tour

• Most Vienna hop-on hop-off buses are wheelchair accessible, but availability is limited and often requires prior coordination with the provider.
• Mobile app tracking and live route maps can help wheelchair users locate accessible boarding stops and plan the most comfortable route.

Schönbrunn Palace

• This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, as parts of Schönbrunn Palace can only be reached via staircases and there is no step-free access to several of the historic State Rooms.

Belvedere Palace

• The Belvedere Palace is wheelchair accessible, featuring ramps and elevators throughout Upper and Lower Belvedere.
• Wheelchairs may be borrowed free of charge at cloakrooms or ticket offices.
• Accessible toilets are available in all primary buildings; seating is provided in galleries, and folding stools are also available at cloakrooms.
• Service dogs are welcome, provided they are registered on a Disability Card.
• Although the gardens are accessible via step-free paths, we recommend bringing a companion for assistance, as the sloped terrace between the Upper and Lower Belvedere is not fully barrier-free.

Additional information

Hop-on-hop-off bus tour

• Vienna hop-on-hop-off buses run across multiple routes (Red, Blue, Yellow), covering up to 50 stops, including major sights such as Schönbrunn Palace, the Belvedere, Prater, and the Ringstrasse.
• Buses generally operate from around 9:30am until 5pm, with departures every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the route and time of year.
• Seating is first-come, first-served**,** so during peak seasons such as summer and the Christmas market period, it’s best to arrive early, especially if you want an upper-deck seat with the best views.
• Use live bus tracking and downloadable route maps before or during your journey to plan your timing and connections more efficiently.

Schönbrunn Palace

• Depending on the tickets you choose, you’ll meet your guide at either the Group Center, the Ehrenhof Fountain (look for the green umbrella), or the Arrival Center at HOHO Bus Stop 30. Check your booking confirmation for the exact location.
• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, as latecomers will not be allowed to join the tour.
• The tour is conducted in only one language, which is selected at the time of booking, so please choose your preferred language carefully.
• Each tour is limited to a maximum of 25 participants to ensure a more personal and engaging experience.
• In the event of extreme weather conditions such as snow, the garden portion of the tour may be skipped for safety reasons. From November 8 to January 6, a visit to a local Christmas Market will be offered instead.

Belvedere Palace

• Visiting early in the day or post‑3pm can help you avoid crowds, as the period between 11am and 2pm tends to be busiest.
• Enjoy a pause at cafés like Menagerie Café and the Lucy Bar, where you can relax with refreshments and take in the views before continuing your tour.

Inclusions #

• Entry to Schönbrunn Palace

• 2-hour Mozart and Strauss concert, featuring overtures, arias, and duets

• Free choice of seating in the selected category

• Exclusive after-hours tour of Schönbrunn’s Imperial Rooms with a multilingual audio guide (available in 16 languages)

Seating options:

• Category A: Open seats within the first 2 to 3 rows with a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice at the concert bar

• Category B: Open seats within the middle section

• Category C: Open seats within the rear section

• VIP ticket holders:

  • Skip-the-line entry to both the entrance of the concert hall and the concert bar

  • Premium front-row seats

  • A welcome drink before the concert

  • A glass of sparkling wine

  • An exclusive VIP program booklet

  • Free cloakroom access