Vienna Trip Cost Calculator

Your Vienna Budget at a Glance

Vienna delivers imperial grandeur without imperial prices. The coffee house culture encourages lingering, world-class museums are often free, and public transport is excellent. Budget travelers can manage on $90-140 per day, mid-range travelers should expect $170-300 per day, and luxury seekers will spend $450+ per day.

Where Your Money Goes

Accommodation is the main expense, especially during Christmas markets. Sightseeing adds up with palace entries (€18-24 each), but free alternatives abound. The good news: food is reasonable at traditional Beisln, and transport is cheap with day passes.

Budget Traveler Tips

Maximize your euros by:

• Visiting on the first Sunday of the month (free federal museums)
• Eating at Würstelstands and traditional Beisln
• Getting standing room at the Opera (€15)
• Using 24/72-hour transport passes
• Walking the Ringstrasse and visiting free churches

Worth the Splurge

Even budget travelers should consider:

• Coffee and cake at a legendary coffee house (Café Central or Sacher)
• One palace visit (Schönbrunn or Belvedere for Klimt’s “The Kiss”)
• A classical concert at Musikverein or a church

Best Time to Visit for Value

November (before Christmas markets) and January-February (after New Year) offer the best deals. Spring and fall have pleasant weather and moderate prices.

Avoid these expensive periods:

• Christmas Markets (late November to late December) - magical but crowded and pricey
• Opera Ball season (January-February balls push hotel prices up)
• Easter Week
• Summer holidays (June-August)

Practical Money Tips

Tipping Culture

Round up at casual restaurants, leave 5-10% at nicer places. Tip is given directly to the server - state the total you want to pay including tip. Don’t leave cash on the table.

Paying for Things

Austria is increasingly card-friendly, but some smaller cafés and Beisln prefer cash. Contactless widely accepted. ATMs (Bankomat) are common.

Tap Water

Vienna’s tap water is Alpine spring water - among the best in the world. Absolutely drink it. Ask for “Leitungswasser” at restaurants.

Getting There & Around

From Vienna Airport

Vienna Schwechat Airport is 18km southeast of the city:

• City Airport Train (CAT): €12 single, €21 return, 16 min to Wien Mitte
• S-Bahn S7: €4.40 single, 25 min to city center (included in transport passes)
• Bus: Various routes €8-10
• Taxi: €36 fixed rate to center

Getting Around

Vienna is excellently connected:

• U-Bahn: 5 lines, runs 5am-midnight (24hr Fri-Sat)
• Trams: Scenic way to see the city, especially Ring line
• Walking: City center is very walkable
• Citybike: First hour free with registration. Great for Ringstrasse