Vienna Budget Guide
How to experience the best of Vienna on €50-80 per day — €1 opera tickets, free palace gardens, Würstelstand sausages, and money-saving secrets
Vienna is more affordable than its imperial reputation suggests, and budget travel here is genuinely rewarding. With hostel dorms from €20-35/night, legendary Würstelstand sausages from €3-5, opera standing tickets for just €1, and dozens of free attractions, you can explore Vienna on €50-80 per day without missing any of the highlights.
The secret? Vienna's best experiences are completely free. Walking the magnificent Ringstraße past the Opera House, Hofburg, Parliament, and Rathaus costs nothing. The vast Schönbrunn Palace gardens — including the climb to the Gloriette for panoramic views — are free. The Prater park and Danube Island provide endless green space. Dozens of stunning churches are free to enter. And the Viennese tradition of lingering in a coffeehouse with a single Melange is one of life's greatest pleasures — all for €4-6.
Budget Tiers
Budget
€50-80/day
Hostel dorms, Würstelstand meals, free walking tours, €1 opera standing tickets, Vienna Card transport, palace garden strolls. The backpacker experience at its finest.
Mid-Range
€120-200/day
Budget hotel with private room, Beisl restaurant meals, museum entries, coffeehouse visits, occasional concert tickets, Heurigen evening.
Luxury
€300+/day
Central boutique hotel, fine dining, opera seated tickets, Vienna Pass for all attractions, Fiaker ride, private tours.
Daily Budget Breakdown (Backpacker)
Free Activities in Vienna
Ringstraße Walk
The Ringstraße (Ring Road) encircles Vienna's historic centre and passes the city's grandest buildings — the State Opera, Hofburg Palace, Parliament, City Hall (Rathaus), Burgtheater, University, and the Votivkirche. The 5.3 km loop takes about 90 minutes at a leisurely pace. Free audio guides are available online. The architecture is breathtaking and the experience costs absolutely nothing. Best on a sunny morning or in the evening when buildings are illuminated.
Schönbrunn Palace Gardens
The vast gardens of Schönbrunn Palace are free to enter and take hours to explore. Walk through the Great Parterre to the Neptune Fountain, climb the hill to the Gloriette for panoramic views of the city, and wander through the tree-lined avenues. The gardens open at 6:30 AM — early morning visits are magical and peaceful. The palace interior requires a ticket (€22-29), but the gardens alone are worth the visit. Combine with the zoo or maze if budget allows.
€1 Opera Standing Tickets
The Vienna State Opera sells Stehplätze (standing room tickets) for just €1, available 80 minutes before each performance at the side entrance on Operngasse. Queue 60-90 minutes before for popular performances. The standing areas have rails to lean on and the acoustics are superb. This is one of the world's greatest cultural bargains — world-class opera in a gilded 19th-century house for the price of a coffee. The season runs September to June.
Prater Park & Danube Island
The Prater is a vast green park (the amusement park is just a small part of it) with cycling and walking paths stretching for kilometres through woods and meadows. Entry is free. Danube Island (Donauinsel) is a 21 km long island in the Danube with free swimming, cycling, barbecue areas, and beach bars in summer. Both are popular with locals for outdoor recreation. Rent a bike or simply walk and enjoy the green space. Free and accessible year-round.
Free Museum Sundays
On the first Sunday of each month, several state museums offer free entry. This includes the Belvedere, the Naturhistorisches Museum, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and others. Check specific museum websites for current free Sunday programmes. Additionally, visitors under 19 get free entry to most major museums any day of the week. Time your visit to coincide with a free Sunday to save €15-20 per museum.
Free Walking Tours
Several operators run free walking tours departing from Albertinaplatz daily. Tours last 2-2.5 hours and cover the highlights — Hofburg, Ringstraße, Stephansdom, and more. Guides are knowledgeable and entertaining. Tip-based (suggest €10-15). Alternative themed tours (Jewish Vienna, Hidden Vienna, Third Man tour) cost €15-25 but are excellent value. Walking tours are the best budget introduction to the city and a great way to meet fellow travelers.
Food Prices
Vienna Street Food & Budget Prices
- Würstelstand sausage with bread€3-5
- Kebab or falafel wrap€4-6
- Beisl Schnitzel or Gulasch€8-15
- Coffeehouse Melange€4-6
- Sachertorte or cake slice€5-8
- Supermarket sandwich€2-4
- Beer (0.5L) at a Beisl€4-6
- Bottle of water (supermarket)€0.50-1
Money-Saving Food Tips
- Drink tap water. Vienna's tap water comes directly from Alpine springs and is excellent. Carry a refillable bottle and use the free drinking fountains throughout the city. Save €3-5 per day on bottled water.
- Würstelstand for lunch. At just €3-5, a Käsekrainer or Bratwurst with bread and mustard is the ultimate budget meal — filling, delicious, and genuinely Viennese. Found on street corners everywhere.
- Self-cater from supermarkets. Billa and Spar supermarkets are everywhere and have excellent prepared food sections. A sandwich, salad, and drink for €4-6. Hostels with kitchens save even more.
- Lunch menus at Beisl restaurants. Many Beisl (traditional Viennese pubs/restaurants) offer weekday lunch specials (€7-10 for a two-course meal) that are significantly cheaper than dinner prices for the same food.
- Naschmarkt on Saturdays. The market stalls offer free samples generously. A grazing lunch at the market costs €5-10 with diverse international options.
Transport Prices
Getting Around Cheap
- Vienna Card 24hr: €17 — unlimited public transport + discounts at 210+ attractions
- Vienna Card 48hr: €25 — best value for 2-day visits
- Vienna Card 72hr: €29 — ideal for 3+ day stays
- Single ride: €2.40 — valid for one journey including transfers
- Walking: The Innere Stadt is compact and walkable — save transport costs by staying central
Activity Prices
- Opera standing ticket: €1 — the world's greatest cultural bargain
- Schönbrunn Palace: €22-29 for interior (gardens free)
- Kunsthistorisches Museum: €21 (free under 19)
- Belvedere: €16 (free under 19)
- Vienna Pass (1 day): €79 — covers 70+ attractions with skip-the-line
- Riesenrad (Ferris Wheel): €14.50
Budget Accommodation
Hostels
€20-35/night
Wombats City Hostel (Naschmarkt location) and MEININGER Hotels offer clean dorms with lockers, free Wi-Fi, and common areas. Private rooms from €60-90. Most hostels include kitchens for self-catering. Central locations with good metro access. The social atmosphere makes meeting fellow travelers easy. Book 1-2 weeks ahead for best rates.
Budget Hotels & Pensions
€60-120/night
Vienna has excellent budget hotels and traditional Pensions (guesthouses) in the 2nd, 6th, 7th, and 15th districts. Private rooms with en-suite bathroom, breakfast included at many properties, and good metro connections. Booking.com and HotelsCombined have the best selection. The Mariahilf (6th) and Neubau (7th) districts combine affordability with excellent neighbourhood character. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for best rates.
10 Money-Saving Tips
Queue for €1 opera standing tickets. The Vienna State Opera sells Stehplätze 80 minutes before curtain. World-class opera for the price of a chewing gum. Arrive early for popular performances.
Eat at Würstelstände. Vienna's iconic sausage stands serve Käsekrainer, Bratwurst, and Frankfurter for €3-5. A filling, authentic Viennese meal at street-food prices.
Visit free museum Sundays. The first Sunday of each month, several state museums offer free entry. Under 19s enter free at most museums any day. Time your visit to save €15-20 per museum.
Drink Vienna's tap water. It comes from Alpine springs, tastes excellent, and is completely free. Refill at any of the city's drinking fountains. Save €3-5 per day versus bottled water.
Buy the Vienna Card. At €17/24hr, €25/48hr, or €29/72hr, it covers unlimited public transport plus discounts at 210+ attractions. Pays for itself within a few rides and one museum discount.
Take free walking tours. Daily tours depart from Albertinaplatz covering the major sights over 2-2.5 hours. Tip-based (suggest €10-15). The best value introduction to Vienna's history and architecture.
Enjoy Beisl lunch menus. Many traditional Viennese restaurants offer weekday lunch specials (Mittagsmenü) for €7-10 — a two-course meal at half the dinner price. Ask for the Tagesmenü (daily menu).
Stroll Schönbrunn gardens for free. The palace gardens are magnificent and completely free. The walk to the Gloriette offers panoramic views. Skip the palace interior if budget is tight — the gardens are the real highlight.
Visit in shoulder season. March-April and October-November have lower hotel prices (20-30% less than peak summer), pleasant weather, and fewer crowds. The Christmas market season (late November-December) is magical but prices rise.
Day trip to Bratislava. The Slovak capital is just 1 hour by train (€10-15 each way) and significantly cheaper for food, drinks, and entertainment. A fascinating day trip that also saves money compared to a full day in Vienna.
Vienna Budget Travel FAQs
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