In a nutshell
- There are 2 hop-on/hop-off providers in Vienna — we’ll tell you which one is actually worth it.
- Short on time? Our top pick for the Vienna hop-on hop-off bus is Vienna Sightseeing Tours.
- We rode the bus ourselves and are sharing our honest experience with you — including which line is actually worth taking.
What You Should Know About Hop-on/Hop-off Providers in Vienna
In Vienna there are two different providers for hop-on/hop-off city tours: Vienna Sightseeing Tours and Big Bus Vienna.
Both providers operate nearly the same route. No matter which one you choose, you really can’t go wrong.
A great starting point for the Vienna hop-on hop-off bus is the Vienna State Opera. Several lines from both providers stop there — but you can board at any stop along the route and kick off your sightseeing tour from there.
On all buses, you’ll get free headphones for the audio guide, and there’s Wi-Fi on board too.
In good weather, the hop-on/hop-off buses in Vienna run with an open top deck, which gives you a seriously great view of the city.
Important: The sightseeing buses don’t pass through the old town. So you won’t be able to reach all of Vienna’s attractions on a hop-on/hop-off tour.
Highlights You Can Reach with Hop-on/Hop-off Buses in Vienna
- Vienna State Opera
- MuseumsQuartier
- Hofburg
- Votivkirche
- Prater with Ferris Wheel
- Donauinsel
- Stadtpark
- Hundertwasser Museum
- Schönbrunn Palace
- Main Train Station
- Belvedere Palace
Our Recommendation: Which Hop-on/Hop-off Provider Is the Best?
Just want the quick answer on which Vienna hop-on hop-off bus we recommend? Here it is.
Our top pick is Vienna Sightseeing Tours.
During our weekend in Vienna, we rode the Vienna Sightseeing bus ourselves and can honestly say it’s worth it.
Pros:
- cheapest ticket
- 72-hour ticket available
- buses run frequently
- for families: audio guide for kids
Cons:
- the combo ticket on offer doesn’t really win us over
Book Vienna Sightseeing Tours hop-on/hop-off tickets
Hop-on/Hop-off Providers in Vienna: An Overview
In Vienna there are two different providers for hop-on/hop-off city tours. Our table breaks down the key differences between both at a glance.
| Vienna Sightseeing Tours | Big Bus Vienna | |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 24h, 48h & 72h | 24h & 48h |
| Prices for 24h | 39 € | 42 € |
| Children free | up to 6 years | up to 5 years |
| City pass discount | included in Vienna Pass & Flexi Pass | optionally bookable with Vienna City Card |
| Combo options | Sisi Museum & Hofburg | Giant Ferris Wheel & River Cruise |
| Routes | 3 routes (red, blue, yellow) | 2 routes (red, blue) |
| Route map | View map | View map |
| Stops | red: 10 blue: 22 yellow: 9 | red: 16 blue: 9 |
| Frequency | red: 10–20 minutes blue: 15–20 minutes yellow: 15–30 minutes | red: 20–30 minutes blue: 30 minutes |
| Operating hours | 9:15 AM–6:15 PM | 9:30 AM–6:00 PM |
| Audio guide / Live | Audio DE & EN | Audio DE & EN |
| Ticket link | Get tickets | Get tickets |
Combo Tickets: Combine Hop-on/Hop-off Vienna with Attractions
With both hop-on/hop-off providers in Vienna, you can add an activity in Vienna to your combo ticket — like a Danube boat tour or the Ferris Wheel.
Our Recommendation for Combo Tickets
These combo tickets are worth it if you’re already planning to visit one or two attractions in Vienna anyway.
Hop-on/Hop-off Vienna Sightseeing incl. & Ferris Wheel (skip the line)
Hop-on/Hop-off Big Bus incl. River Cruise & Ferris Wheel (skip the line)
Hop-on/Hop-off Tours in Vienna: Our Experience
We rode the Vienna Sightseeing hop-on/hop-off bus through the city — here’s what we found.
The blue line at Vienna Sightseeing is more worthwhile than the red one. Both lines travel a similar loop around the historic center, passing plenty of highlights.
But the blue route also takes you to the Prater and the Donauinsel. So if the Prater is on your list, hop straight onto the blue line and skip the red one entirely.
For Schönbrunn Palace (the yellow line with Vienna Sightseeing), you should set aside a second day. There’s so much to see around the palace — you’ll easily need several hours.
You can technically cover all routes in a single day with a 24-hour ticket, but it’ll be a real rush.
If you’re doing the Vienna bus tour with kids, we’d strongly suggest getting off at the Prater and building in a longer stop. There are loads of great things for children of all ages — the Wurstelprater amusement park, the Ferris Wheel, playgrounds, and the park railway.
Our Verdict on Hop-on/Hop-off Vienna
Vienna Sightseeing Tours is our top pick for the hop-on hop-off bus in Vienna.
The ticket is a bit cheaper than Big Bus Vienna, the buses run more frequently, and they operate a little longer too.
With three different lines, Vienna Sightseeing Tours gives you the flexibility to plan your sightseeing itinerary however you like.
Get your Vienna Sightseeing Tours hop-on/hop-off ticket
Frequently Asked Questions About Hop-on/Hop-off Providers in Vienna
Is hop-on/hop-off worth it in Vienna?
Absolutely! If you want to see as much of Vienna as possible in a short time, the hop-on hop-off bus is a great choice.
It’s especially useful for getting your bearings in the city on your first day.
Just keep in mind: the buses don’t go into the old town. To visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, you’ll need to take public transit or walk a bit.
Should I buy my hop-on/hop-off ticket in advance?
You can buy your ticket on the spot if you prefer — that’s totally fine.
That said, the online ticket is usually cheaper than buying directly at the bus. So it’s worth checking prices online before you go.
Is the hop-on/hop-off tour in Vienna wheelchair accessible?
According to both providers, a large portion of the buses are wheelchair accessible. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee of accessibility on every departure.
Since we have no personal experience with this, we can only pass along what the providers say.
Is hop-on/hop-off Vienna suitable for children?
Definitely! Doing the Vienna bus tour with kids is totally worth it — you cover a lot of the city without everyone having to walk for miles.
It works best for children ages 3 and up. Younger kids can’t see much from their seats and tend to get bored pretty quickly.
With both providers, children under 5–6 years old ride for free. Older children get discounted or family tickets.
Bringing strollers or a travel stroller is no problem on the buses.
Vienna Sightseeing Tours even offers a special audio guide for kids — a nice touch.
Are there alternatives to the hop-on/hop-off bus in Vienna?
A great alternative is a guided city tour.
We’ve put together a detailed article covering the best city tours in Vienna — well worth a look.
How much luggage can I bring on the hop-on/hop-off bus?
On the lower deck, there’s plenty of space for luggage or large suitcases. The upper deck isn’t suitable for bigger bags.
That said, buses can get crowded during peak season. We’d recommend leaving your luggage at your accommodation in Vienna rather than hauling it on board.
You’ll have a much more relaxed experience — especially if you’re planning to hop on and off frequently.
Are dogs allowed on the hop-on/hop-off Vienna buses?
With both hop-on/hop-off providers in Vienna, only one dog per bus is allowed. Dogs must also wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash.
With Vienna Sightseeing Tours, there’s an additional charge of €5 for dogs.
With Big Bus Vienna, your dog must not exceed knee height.
Are the hop-on/hop-off buses included in Vienna's city passes?
In Vienna, there are several city passes — and all of them offer discounts on hop-on/hop-off tickets, with some passes including the city tours outright.
- With the Vienna Pass, hop-on/hop-off is included for the full duration of the pass.
- With the Vienna Flexi Pass, you can select hop-on/hop-off as one of your included attractions.
- With the Vienna City Card, you can add hop-on/hop-off at a discounted rate and pick your provider — Vienna Sightseeing Tours or Big Bus Vienna.
Our Vienna pass comparison covers everything you need to know — how each pass works and which one is actually worth the money.
