Among city travelers, one of the most popular ways to explore a foreign city is through sightseeing on the Hop On Hop Off principle. This allows you to disembark at any stop during the tour and rejoin later at the same or a different stop.
In Vienna, two competing providers vie for the favor of tourists: Vienna Sightseeing with their yellow buses and Big Bus Vienna with their wine-red buses. These two companies offer similar tours.
To enjoy your Hop On Hop Off bus tour in Vienna with peace of mind and without stress, we recommend purchasing tickets online in advance of your planned visit.
In this article, you will find comprehensive information about the Hop On Hop Off bus tours in Vienna. We compare tickets, prices, route maps, stops, departure times, attractions, and more.
Let's embark on this adventure!
Ticket Options for Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna
When it comes to purchasing tickets for Hop On Hop Off bus tours in Vienna, there are numerous internet portals available. With such a wide array of options, it can be challenging to determine the right choice for you.
That's where we step in! We have done the legwork to compare all the available tickets, making the decision-making process easier for you. Below, we have compiled a list of the best and most affordable ticket options for your convenience. Simply click on your preferred choice to purchase your tickets.
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tickets for Vienna Sightseeing:
Hop On Hop Off Combo Tickets for Vienna Sightseeing:
- Combo: Vienna Sightseeing: 24/48/72-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Vienna + Danube Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Vienna: Roundtrip Airport Transfer & Hop-on Hop-off Bus
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tickets for Big Bus Vienna:
Hop On Hop Off Combo Tickets for Big Bus Vienna:
Our Recommendation: Vienna Tourist Cards
Vienna offers several appealing city passes for travelers that can help you save money and time. We highly recommend purchasing one of these cards.
1. Vienna City Card
The Vienna City Card is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, providing discounts at 200 attractions, museums, restaurants, theaters, and stores. Additionally, it offers unlimited and free use of public transportation.
2. Vienna Pass
The Vienna Pass is available for 1, 2, 3, or 6 days and grants you free admission to over 60 attractions in Vienna. It often allows you to skip the queues.
3. Vienna Flexi Pass
The Vienna Flexi Pass allows you to choose your favorite 2 to 5 attractions from a selection of over 40 options. You can visit them for free and, if available, enjoy fast-track admission.
4. Go City Explorer Pass
The Go City Explorer Pass enables you to choose your favorite 2 to 7 attractions from over 40 options in Vienna. You can visit them for free and, if available, enjoy fast-track admission.
- To learn more about the popular tourist cards, including prices and included activities, check out our article "Best City Pass for Vienna: Compare Prices & Included Activities".
Comparison Table for Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna
See below a handy comparison table providing a quick overview of the key features of the two hop on hop off tour providers: Vienna Sightseeing and Big Tours Vienna.
Detailed Overview of the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna
1. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour with Vienna Sightseeing
Vienna Sightseeing's iconic yellow double-decker buses covers three routes and offering 41 convenient stops. On board, you'll find an audio guide available in 16 languages, including a special audio guide for children in German and English.
Disposable headphones are provided, and you can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi during your journey. Additionally, you have the option to download an app for a self-guided tour of the city.
Let's explore the details of the three routes:
Red Route:
The Red Route buses will take you to the most important sights in the city center along the Ringstrasse. Discover the State Opera, the Hofburg Palace, the Austrian Parliament, the Burgtheater and much more. Get off at any station to admire the attractions up close, and get on the next bus at any station.
- Stops: State Opera House - Kunsthistorisches Museum/Heldenplatz - Mariahilfer Strasse/Shopping Street - Burgtheater/City Hall - University - Liebenberg Monument/University - Liechtensteinstrasse/Sigmund Freud Museum - Votivkirche - Vienna Airport Lines - DDSG City Cruises - MAK/Museum of Applied Arts - Stadtpark - Strauß Monument - State Opera House.
- Duration: A complete tour without getting off takes about 60 minutes.
- Departure times: Buses depart daily from 9:20 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including holidays.
- Frequency: Buses depart every 10 to 20 minutes.
Yellow Route:
This route takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace.
- Stops: State Opera - Westbahnhof/Station - Schönbrunn Palace - Central Station - Museum of Contemporary Art - Belvedere Palace - Lower Belvedere - State Opera.
- Duration: A complete tour without getting off takes about 75 minutes.
- Departure times: Buses depart daily from 9:05 am to 5:00 pm, including holidays.
- Frequency: Buses depart every 15 to 30 minutes.
Blue Route:
This route takes you, among other things, to the Prater with the world-famous Ferris wheel, to various museums and to the city park.
- Stops: MAK/Museum of Applied Arts - City Park - Strauss Monument - State Opera - Kunsthistorisches Museum/Heldenplatz - Mariahilfer Strasse/Shopping Street - Burgtheater/City Hall - University - Liebenberg Monument/University - Liechtensteinstrasse/Sigmund Freud Museum -Votivkirche - Vienna Airport Lines - DDSG City Cruises - Kunst Haus/Museum Hundertwasser - Riesenrad/Giant Ferris Wheel - DDSG (Pier6 Imperial Bridge) - Danube Tower - Old Danube - Uno City - Danube Island - Praterstern/Bahnhof - Taborstraße/Museum of Crime - DDSG City Cruises - MAK
- Duration: A full tour without getting off takes about 120 minutes.
- Departure times: Buses depart daily from 9:10 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., including holidays.
- Frequency: The buses depart every 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour with Big Bus Vienna
Vienna Sightseeing's wine-red double-decker buses offer an exceptional sightseeing experience with two routes and 27 convenient stops. On board, you will find an audio guide available in 13 languages, disposable headphones, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Additionally, you have the option to download an app for a self-guided walking tour of the city. Also, the Essential ticket includes a live guided city tour and the Explore ticket includes a boat ride on the Danube or a ride on the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel.
Let's delve into the details of the two routes:
Red Route:
- Stops: Walfischgasse - Haus der Musik - Lower Belvedere - Mariahilferstraße - Hofburg - City Hall - Votivkirche - Schwedenplatz - Prater - Handelskai 265 - Danube Tower - Old Danube - DC Tower - Danube Island - City Park
- Duration: A complete tour without getting off takes about 110 minutes.
- Departure times: Buses depart daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, including holidays.
- Frequency: The buses operate every 20 to 30 minutes.
Blue Route:
- Stops: Albertina - Mariahilferstrasse - Hofburg - Haus des Meeres /Aqua Terra Zoo - Ibis Hotel - Schönbrunn Palace & Zoo - Central Station - Upper Belvedere - Lower Belvedere - Hundertwasser House - City Park
- Duration: A complete tour without getting off takes about 110 minutes.
- Departure times: Buses depart daily from 9:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., including holidays.
- Frequency: The buses leave every 20 to 30 minutes.
How to Get to the two Hop On Hop Off Tour Providers?
While you can start your Hop On Hop Off at any stop, both providers have a central starting stop where you can also bring up any concerns you may have. See here several public transport options:
Vienna Sightseeing: Stop "State Opera House"
- By subway: Lines U1, U4, station Karlsplatz and 2 minutes on foot
- By bus: Line 2A, station Oper/Karlsplatz and 1 minute on foot
Line 4A, station Karlsplatz and 4 minutes on foot - By tram: Lines 1, 2, 62, 71, D, station Oper/Karlsplatz and 1 minute on foot
Big Bus Vienna: Stop "Opera/Albertina, Albertinaplatz 2"
- By subway: Lines U1, U4, station Karlsplatz and 5 minutes on foot
- By bus: Line 2A, station Oper/Karlsplatz and 4 minutes walk
Line 4A, station Karlsplatz and 7 minutes on foot - By tram: lines 1, 2, 62, 71, D, station Oper/Karlsplatz and 4 minutes on foot
Travelers' Tip: Protect Yourself Against Pickpockets!
When traveling, it's crucial to stay vigilant and guard against pickpockets, especially in crowded trains, trams, and buses. Avoid leaving your camera hanging loosely from your shoulder, as the cord can be swiftly cut without your knowledge. Instead, keep your backpack or bag securely positioned in front of your body. Additionally, be cautious about lingering near doorways, as thieves often target purses and handbags right before the doors close. Stay alert and keep your belongings safe!
FAQ - Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna
If you're visiting Vienna for the first time and looking for a convenient and efficient way to explore the city's top attractions, Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna are highly recommended. Among travelers, sightseeing based on the Hop On Hop Off principle has become increasingly popular. The significant advantage of Hop On Hop Off tours over regular sightseeing tours is clear. While regular tours often only allow you to pass by the sights while accompanied by live or audio commentary, Hop On Hop Off tours give you the freedom to hop on and off at any stop along the route.
When buying a ticket for a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour in Vienna, you can choose between 24, 48 or 72 hours. And 24 hours really means 24 hours. That means, for example, if you activate your ticket at 2pm, it will be valid until 2pm the next day.
The tickets of the two providers for Hop On Hop Off Bus tours in Vienna include, along with the routes themselves, a multilingual on-board audio guide with commentary on the sights along the routes, plus a disposable headset and free on-board Wi-Fi. Depending on the provider and the ticket purchased, a city tour, a boat ride or a ride on the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel are also included.
Address & Map
Vienna Sightseeing Tours
- Address: Vienna Sightseeing, Opernring 3-5/Top 17-24, 1010 Vienna
Big Bus Vienna
- Address: Big Bus Vienna, Walfischgasse 5/4, A, 1010 Vienna