Austrian Parliament, Votiv Church in Vienna

Vienna Travel Card Decision Tool – Vienna City Card Vs Vienna Pass

Vienna Travel Card. What is the Vienna city card? And is the Vienna Pass worth it? Which type of discount card will save you money in Wien?

Actually, the two main city passes for my hometown – the Vienna City Card and the Vienna Pass – are pretty different. To help you make the right choice I have compared the two city cards and each of their variations.

Vienna Travel Card Options: General Differences

Vienna travel card: Vienna CardTo begin with, the Vienna City Card is a discount card including public transport, covering 210 discounts for Vienna museums, attractions, shops, restaurants, coffeehouses and guided tours. As for transport, you can use the card for the underground, buses and trams within Vienna’s core zone (Kernzone). But is this Vienna city card worth it?

When it comes to added transport options, the Vienna City Card offers three additional top up versions:

a) Vienna City Card Tour: adds use of a Hop On Hop Off Bus. You will also get a discount on the train and buses from and to the airport.

b) Vienna City Card Transfer: adds airport transfer; either by City Airport Train (CAT), ÖBB Railjet (first class), express train S7 or Vienna Airportlines (coach).

c) Vienna City Card Transfer and Tour: combines a) and b)

Is It Worth Buying The Vienna Pass?

As a rule of thumb, the Vienna Pass is worth buying if you visit 2 – 4 attractions per day that the pass covers. In contrast to the Vienna Card, the Vienna Pass is an All-Inclusive city pass. Rather than offering discounts, it covers the full ticket prices for a range of attractions. In the table below you will find examples of breaking even with a Vienna Pass.

While the Vienna City Card provides free access to public transport, you need to pay extra for this option when getting the Vienna Pass. Conveniently, Vienna Pass owners get fast track entrance to some of their chosen attractions included in the Pass.

If you travel with small children, do bear in mind that kids under the age of 6 can use local public transport for free. Children under 15 years of age travel free on public transport during Vienna school holidays, Sundays and public holidays. (Last update: May 2020)

To easily compare the Vienna City Card with the Vienna Pass, I have chosen the two most similar card options of each: Vienna City Card vs Vienna Pass; and Vienna City Card Tour vs. Vienna Pass with Travel Card.

Vienna City CardVienna City Card TourVienna PassVienna Pass WithTravel Card
Trip
preference
Public transport like the locals while getting a few discounts on key attractions;Hop On Hop Off Bus AND use of public transport;

Liking guided city walk

Hop On Hop Off Bus instead of public transportPublic transport in addition to Hop On Hop Off Bus;
Travel StyleSmart ‘Local’

To choose my sightseeing and restaurants independent from big tourist discounts, while some extra savings are welcome;

To determine my own pace and feel good when spending time in another coffeehouse or do some shopping in between;

Laid Back Tourist

Travel by tourist bus to key attractions

Take public transport whenever convenient

Classic Sightseer

To see a maximum of key tourist attractions while saving a maximum amount of money;

To save extra time through fast track access to popular attractions;

Comprehensive Traveller

Play it by ear whether using public transport or Hop On Hop Off Bus;

24 HoursEUR 17EUR 43EUR 79 / EUR 39.50*EUR 87 / EUR 47.50**
48 HoursEUR 25EUR 51EUR 99 / EUR 49.50*EUR 123.20 / EUR 63.60**
72 HoursEUR 29EUR 55EUR 129 / EUR 64.50*EUR 142.20 / EUR 81.60**
Key benefitsFree use of public transport in Vienna, one of Europe’s best and densest city transport networks;

One child (6 to 14 years) per ticket travels free

One child per ticket under the age of 15 years travels free on the Hop On Hop Off BusAll key attractions fully included;

6-day-pass option available;

Tourist guide book included;

Children below 6 years do not need a VIENNA PASS if accompanied by an adult holding one;

Opt to get off the tourist track and discover additional hidden gems and neighbourhoods by public transport;
Discount
Range
EUR 1 to 4 per ticket on average; in addition to discounts in certain restaurants and coffeehousesSame as Vienna City CardFree tickets, e.g. for Schonbrunn, Hofburg, Spanish Riding School, Albertina and Belvedere Museums;Same as VIENNA PASS
Break Even per adult (24 Hours)3x use of public transport

discount for combi ticket Schonbrunn/ Sissi Museum/Furniture Collection

discount for Museum of Fine Arts

discount for Albertina Museum

discount for Museum of Applied Arts (MAK)

Discount for guided city walk

TOTAL: EUR 19.20

Hop On Hop Off Bus tour

Guided city walk (discounted price)

TOTAL: EUR 49.90

Hop on Hop Off Bus tour

Schonbrunn Palace

Museum of Fine Arts

Vienna Ringtram

TOTAL: EUR 81.50

Hop on Hop Off Bus tour

Schonbrunn Palace

Museum of Fine Arts

Vienna Ringtram

1x use of public transport

TOTAL: EUR 83.90

*) price for children between 6 and 18 years of age.

**) price for children from 6 years of age.

Buy Vienna City Card And Vienna Pass

On a practical note, you canorder the Vienna City Card onlineand collect it together with the 96-page coupon book at a customer service desk at Schwechat airport. This means you canstart saving right when you arrive. For example, use it first to get a discount on the CAT airport train to town. If you prefer a Hop on Hop off bus select the Digital City Card.

Likewise, buy the Vienna Pass online. As an add on, you can also opt for the additional travel card.

Vienna Unwrapped symbolMy tip:If you decide for the Vienna City Card, maximise it for transport, museums and attractions. Carefully select the discount opportunities on restaurants, wineries and shops. Many of them are institutions frequented mostly by mainstream tourists. Trust your own choices ofrestaurants in Viennaand select your food, drink and shops that you are comfortable with.

explore more free trip planning tools inVisit Vienna
back to Vienna Unwrapped homepage

Check Also

Vienna trip resources: best apps

Resources You Need To Plan Your Vienna Vacation

To fast track your planning for a Vienna vacation I have packed a ton of …