When we travel, we try to make our trips as affordable as possible.
However, sometimes we want to visit many museums or take city tours, and all of this can increase the cost of our vacation. That’s why we want to introduce the Vienna Card.
Vienna offers a wealth of attractions to explore, and the city provides a card that bundles discounts and free transport to make your visit as economical as possible while allowing you to enjoy countless museums and public transportation tickets.
What is the Vienna Card?
This card allows you to explore Austria’s capital as affordably as possible.
Depending on the option you choose (explained below), you’ll have access for 24, 48, or 72 hours to the main Vienna metro lines, trains, trams, and even night buses.
Moreover, the card also provides numerous discounts so you can visit museums, restaurants, bars, and other points of interest during your stay in Vienna over multiple days.
Once you’ve purchased the card (details in the next section), you can use it within 65 days of purchase. It’s valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours from the time of first validation, and you can travel with one child under 15 for free.
How can I buy the card?
The card can be purchased easily either online, through the App (available for both Android and iPhone), or even in person.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons for each method:
- Purchasing via the App
With a QR code from www.wienkarte.at, you can download the App to your mobile phone.
Once the App is installed, you can select the card option that best suits your needs and receive a €2 discount if you purchase the card this way.
- Purchasing in Person
The card can also be purchased at various hotels across the city, at the tourist information center at Albertinaplatz (open daily from 9 am to 7 pm), or at the Central Vienna Station’s tourist information center (also open daily from 9 am to 7 pm).
Additionally, it’s available at the airport’s tourist information desk (open daily from 7 am to 10 pm) and at various public transportation information points.
- Buying the Vienna Card Online
An online purchase offers both convenience and flexibility, allowing you to have everything set up even before arriving in the city.
You can purchase your card at this link. Just select the card option you prefer, make the payment, and it’s as simple as that—no waiting in line required.
This is undoubtedly the fastest and most cost-effective option. Highly recommended!
If you have any questions or issues during or before the purchase process, you can reach out to them by calling +43 1 370 7000 – 99 or emailing [email protected].
They are very helpful and will address any inquiries in a friendly manner, always aiming to provide the best solution.
Options, Prices, and Benefits
There are two types of cards: the Wiener Linien and the Big Bus Vienna.
Vienna Pass
This is the most comprehensive card, offering free entry to 60 landmarks, attractions, and points of interest across the city.
You can also use the sightseeing bus to get around Vienna or explore cultural routes of your choice. If you’re staying several days in Vienna, this card is highly worthwhile.
The cost is €79, and you can book it here.
Vienna Flexi Pass
The Flexi Pass is a more affordable option, allowing you to enter up to 5 landmarks of your choice from a list of options. You also skip the line at these locations.
You can also use the sightseeing bus unlimitedly to move around the city.
Advance booking is recommended; you can do so here.
Vienna Card (Wiener Linien)
Vienna City Card (Wiener Linien). This option grants free access to the city’s public transportation, allowing unlimited travel on the metro, train, and bus systems.
Additionally, you’ll enjoy over 210 discounts at various shops and restaurants.
The card allows one child under 15 to travel for free with you, and it includes a discount booklet for use during your stay in the city.
The Vienna City Card (Wiener Linien) is available in different durations, with prices varying based on the selected option.
Below are the available options for the Vienna City Card (Wiener Linien):
- Vienna City Card (Wiener Linien) 72 hours: Priced at €24.90, valid for 72 hours from the first validation.
- Vienna City Card (Wiener Linien) 48 hours: Priced at €21.90, valid for 48 hours from the first validation.
- Vienna City Card (Wiener Linien) 24 hours: Priced at €13.90, valid for 24 hours from the first validation.
Vienna City Card (Big Bus Vienna)
This is a newly introduced option, designed especially for tourists interested in sightseeing.
With this version of the card, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
- Over 210 discounts at various venues
- A 24-hour ticket for the “Big Bus Vienna” sightseeing bus
- A guided tour across Vienna
- Free travel for a child under 16
- A coupon book
It’s important to note that this version does not include tickets for Vienna’s main public transport lines.
The Big Bus Vienna card is also available in different durations to suit your preferences:
- Vienna City Card (Big Bus Vienna) 72 hours: Priced at €35, valid for 72 hours from the first validation.
- Vienna City Card (Big Bus Vienna) 48 hours: Priced at €31, valid for 48 hours from the first validation.
- Vienna City Card (Big Bus Vienna) 24 hours: Priced at €28, valid for 24 hours from the first validation.
These are the main types of cards available, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and the length of your stay in the city.
It’s worth mentioning that both card options offer discounts at major city museums. For instance, you can receive reduced admission to the Austrian National Library, Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, and the Art History Museum, among others.
Similarly, as noted, you can enjoy discounts at bars and restaurants by presenting your Vienna Card.
Is buying the Vienna Card recommended?
When considering this type of card, a common question is whether it’s worth the investment.
With the Vienna Card’s flexible options, you can choose one that suits your schedule. You’re able to select a validity period that matches your travel needs, meaning you don’t have to pay for extra time you won’t use.
This flexibility is advantageous because public transport fares in Vienna are relatively high.
Checking Vienna’s public transport website reveals that a 24-hour ticket costs €7.60, a 48-hour ticket costs €13.30, and a 72-hour ticket costs €16.50.
Therefore, comparing public transport prices with the Vienna City Card Wiener Linien, you’ll find that the 72-hour card is €8.40 more, the 48-hour is €8.60 more, and the 24-hour is €6.30 more.
While the Vienna City Card Wiener Linien is slightly more expensive than public transport tickets, it’s essential to remember that it includes numerous benefits, as mentioned, that could save you money on dining, museum entry, bars, and more.
In short, it’s a worthwhile option, and nearly every visitor to Vienna ends up purchasing one.
Vienna Card Summary
To sum up, the Vienna City Card Wiener Linien can be an excellent choice when traveling to Vienna.
Furthermore, if you’d like to explore the city or take a tour on the sightseeing bus, the Vienna City Card Big Bus Vienna is available.
People who have visited Vienna and purchased either of these options highlight that it makes their trip more affordable and helps save time by avoiding lines at transportation stations.
This time-saving benefit really stands out, giving you more time to explore interesting sights in the city. Skipping lines and simplifying travel make a noticeable difference, especially on shorter visits where every moment counts.
For these reasons, purchasing this card is a valuable choice if you’re considering a trip to the Austrian capital.
It provides discounts, free transport (depending on the option), and even allows a child under 15 to travel for free.
Additionally, buying the card via the mobile app, available for both Android and iPhone, can save you up to two euros off the total cost.
The Wiener Linien option costs a bit more than regular transport tickets, but it includes a wealth of advantages that standard tickets don’t offer.
The Big Bus version of the Vienna Card is highly recommended for anyone wanting a guided city experience or to explore via the sightseeing bus. In summary, both card options are practical choices when traveling.