Schönbrunn Palace Opening Hours | Crowd-Free Times & Tips

Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace is open daily, including public holidays, with seasonal hours ranging from 8:30am to 5pm in winter and up to 6pm in summer.

Apr 1 TO Nov 3 Timings Days (Apr 1 TO Nov 3)	TIMINGS
Monday	08:30–17:30
Tuesday	08:30–17:30
Wednesday	08:30–17:30
Thursday	08:30–17:30
Friday	08:30–17:30
Saturday	08:30–17:30
Sunday (Today)	08:30–17:30

Nov 4 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Nov 4 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS
Monday	08:30–17:00
Tuesday	08:30–17:00
Wednesday	08:30–17:00
Thursday	08:30–17:00
Friday	08:30–17:00
Saturday	08:30–17:00
Sunday	08:30–17:00

Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31)	TIMINGS
Monday	08:30–17:00
Tuesday	08:30–17:00
Wednesday	08:30–17:00
Thursday	08:30–17:00
Friday	08:30–17:00
Saturday	08:30–17:00
Sunday	08:30–17:00

Last entry to all attractions is permitted up to 45 minutes before closing.
The Palace Park gates open at 6:30am year-round, with free entry during opening hours, which range from 5:30pm between November and February to 9pm from June to August.
The Children’s Museum at Schönbrunn Palace is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Special attractions like the Privy Garden, the Orangery Garden, and the Maze are open from 9:30am to 5:30pm between April and June, until 6:30pm from July to August, and from 9:30am to 5:30pm between September and October.

Schönbrunn Palace Park

Aug 1 TO Sep 30 Timings Days (Aug 1 TO Sep 30)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Tuesday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Wednesday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Thursday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Friday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Saturday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Sunday (Today)	06:30–20:00	19:15

Oct 1 TO Oct 31 Timings Days (Oct 1 TO Oct 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Tuesday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Wednesday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Thursday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Friday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Saturday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Sunday	06:30–19:00	18:15

Nov 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Nov 1 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Tuesday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Wednesday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Thursday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Friday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Saturday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Sunday	06:30–17:30	16:45

Jan 1 TO Feb 28 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Feb 28)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Tuesday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Wednesday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Thursday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Friday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Saturday	06:30–17:30	16:45
Sunday	06:30–17:30	16:45

Mar 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Mar 1 TO Mar 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Tuesday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Wednesday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Thursday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Friday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Saturday	06:30–19:00	18:15
Sunday	06:30–19:00	18:15

Apr 1 TO Apr 30 Timings Days (Apr 1 TO Apr 30)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Tuesday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Wednesday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Thursday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Friday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Saturday	06:30–20:00	19:15
Sunday	06:30–20:00	19:15

May 1 TO Jul 31 Timings Days (May 1 TO Jul 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	06:30–21:00	20:15
Tuesday	06:30–21:00	20:15
Wednesday	06:30–21:00	20:15
Thursday	06:30–21:00	20:15
Friday	06:30–21:00	20:15
Saturday	06:30–21:00	20:15
Sunday	06:30–21:00	20:15

Best time to visit the Schönbrunn Palace

Weekday vs Weekend

Weekdays: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to visit Schönbrunn Palace, as they’re typically quieter with fewer tourists and tour groups. Arrive early to explore the Palace Park and Maze, which open at 6:30am, and then head inside in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. Weekdays allow for a more peaceful experience and offer plenty of time to explore at your own pace.
Weekends: Weekends, especially Saturdays, attract larger crowds, with longer queues and busier gardens. To avoid peak times, arrive early or later in the afternoon (after 3pm) when crowds thin. Weekends are popular for family visits and group tours, so skip-the-line tickets are highly recommended to save time.

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Pleasant

Crowded

Very Crowded

Closed

Peak season vs low season

Peak season (June to August): Summer brings the highest tourist numbers, with families filling the palace grounds. Expect crowded attractions and higher hotel and restaurant prices.
Mid-season (April, May, September, and October): Enjoy mild temperatures, perfect for exploring the palace and gardens. These months also offer beautiful spring blooms and vibrant fall foliage.
Low season (November to March): Visit in winter for stunning snow-covered views of the palace and the chance to experience Vienna's festive Christmas markets with fewer crowds.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Off Season

Moderate Season

Peak Season

Detailed Schönbrunn Palace timings

Schönbrunn Palace and its many attractions have different seasonal schedules. Below you’ll find detailed opening hours for the palace, gardens, and museums.

Schönbrunn Palace Park

January to February: 6:30am to 5:30pm
March: 6:30am to 7pm
April: 6:30am to 8pm
May to July: 6:30am to 9pm
August to September: 6:30am to 8pm
October: 6:30am to 7pm
November to December: 6:30am to 5:30pm

Note:

The palace park opens daily at 6:30am and is free to enter during opening hours.
Some attractions within the palace park, such as the Privy Garden, Orangery Garden, and Maze, require a separate admission ticket.

Privy Garden, Orangery, Maze, Labyrinth, and Gloriette

April 1 to June 30, 2025: 9:30am to 5:30pm
July 1 to August 31, 2025: 9:30am to 6:30pm
September 1 to October 25, 2025: 9:30am to 5:30pm
October 26 to November 2, 2025: 9:30am to 4pm

Note:

Children 14 and under can only enter the Maze & Labyrinth when accompanied by an adult.
Last entry is allowed 30 to 45 minutes before closing time.

Schönbrunn Palace fountains

Neptune Fountain, Roman Ruin, and Obelisk Fountain: 10am to 4pm
Park fountains, Orangery Garden, and Parade Court: 8:30am to 5pm

Note:

The fountains only run in the warmer months and are closed from mid-October until mid-April.

How long should I spend at the Schönbrunn Palace?

Plan to spend at least half a day (4 to 5 hours) at Schönbrunn if you want to explore both the palace interiors and the vast gardens. The estate is enormous, with more than 1,400 rooms in the palace (around 40 of which are open to the public) and 430 acres of landscaped gardens, so a quick visit often feels rushed. Here’s a suggested breakdown:

Palace tour (1 to 1.5 hours): Walk through the State Rooms and private apartments once home to Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). Inside, you’ll find grand ballrooms, audience chambers, and richly decorated salons that hosted royal receptions and even Mozart’s famous childhood performance.
Gardens and park (1.5 to 2 hours): Stroll through the Baroque palace gardens, admire the Neptune Fountain, and make your way up to the Gloriette for panoramic views of Vienna. If time allows, wander into the beautifully designed Privy Garden or Orangery Garden (separate ticketed areas).
Special attractions (1 to 1.5 hours): Depending on your interests, you can visit the Maze and Labyrinth (great for families), the Palm House (a historic greenhouse with exotic plants), or the Desert House. The Imperial Carriage Museum and Children’s Museum also offer fascinating insights into imperial life.
Breaks, photos, and extras (30 to 45 minutes): The grounds are filled with photo opportunities, from flower-lined avenues to the Gloriette hilltop. Stop for a snack at one of the cafés in the gardens or browse the palace gift shop for imperial-themed souvenirs.

Quick tip for visitors: If you only have 2–3 hours, focus on the palace interiors and a quick walk in the gardens. But to truly appreciate Schönbrunn’s scale and history, allow for a half-day visit.

Visitor tips

Schönbrunn Palace facade with vibrant gardens, Vienna.

Arrive at the Hietzinger Gate instead of the crowded main entrance (Haupttor) if you want a quieter start and easier access to the gardens.
On hot days, the shaded avenues near the zoo and Palm House are cooler walking routes compared to the wide, open central axis.
Bring a coin or small change if you’d like to use the public toilets around the park, as most require a small fee.
If you want to see the Neptune Fountain without crowds, approach it from the side garden paths instead of the central avenue.
Take the Schönbrunn Palace train for part of the loop late in the day — it’s less busy, and you’ll cover more ground when you’re tired from walking.
The Orangery Garden often hosts seasonal flower displays; ask at the ticket counter, as it’s rarely advertised online.
If you plan to climb up to the Gloriette for views, go in the morning when the sun is behind you — photos of the palace and gardens turn out much better.

Book Schönbrunn Palace tickets and tours

Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

2 hr. - 3 hr. 30 min.

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Combo (Save 8%): Schönbrunn Zoo + Schönbrunn Palace Panorama Train Ride Tickets

Audio guide

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Combo (Save 8%): Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour + Schönbrunn Zoo Skip-the-Line Tickets

Guided tour

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Combo: Vienna Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Schönbrunn Palace & Belvedere Palace Tickets

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

Flexible duration

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Schönbrunn Palace: Mozart & Strauss Concert

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

2 hr.

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

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

4 hr. 30 min.

Audio guide

Meals included

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Frequently asked questions about Schönbrunn Palace's opening hours

Is Schönbrunn Palace open on public holidays?

Yes, the palace and park remain open every day of the year, including public holidays, though ticketed attractions may adjust their last entry times.

What time is the last admission to the palace?

The last entry is usually 45 minutes before closing, so plan to arrive well in advance if you want to tour the interiors.

Do the gardens have the same hours as the palace?

No, the Schönbrunn Palace Park gates open earlier (from 6:30am) and stay accessible independently of the palace’s seasonal closing times.

Are attractions like the Maze or Palm House open year-round?

Not always; some outdoor or seasonal attractions such as the Maze, Orangery Garden, and Desert House close in the winter months (from December to February).

What time does the zoo at Schönbrunn close?

The Schönbrunn Palace Zoo has its own schedule, generally open from 9am until around 4:30 to 6:30pm, depending on the season.

Can you visit the Gloriette after the palace closes?

Yes, the Gloriette hill is part of the palace park and open daily from 6:30am until dusk. The Gloriette Café and rooftop terrace follow seasonal hours, generally closing at 6pm in summer, 5:30pm in spring and autumn, and 5pm in winter.

Is early morning or late afternoon better for visiting?

The gardens open as early as 6:30am, making early mornings ideal for a peaceful stroll before most visitors arrive. Late afternoons, especially after 3:30 to 4pm, are quieter inside the palace once large tour groups have left, giving you more space to enjoy the State Rooms.