3 Days in Vienna: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Day one stays in the old centre: St Stephen's Cathedral, the Hofburg palace and the State Opera. Day two visits the Habsburgs' summer palace at Schönbrunn and Klimt's The Kiss at the Belvedere. Day three is for the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the MuseumsQuartier, ending on the Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹18,500 to ₹24,000, excluding flights and hotel
Weather: Warm summers, cold winters with occasional snow, and pleasant spring and autumn days.
Pack:
Layers and a light jacket
Comfortable walking shoes
Smart clothes for the opera or a concert
European plug adapter (type F)
Local tips:
A 24-hour pass covers the U-Bahn, trams and buses; validate it before your first ride.
In coffeehouses, order a Melange and stay as long as you like; it is part of the culture.
Standing-room tickets at the State Opera are sold cheaply on the day.
Booking tips:
Book a timed Schönbrunn ticket online; tours sell out by midday in summer.
Check the State Opera's programme early for standing-room or seated tickets.
Getting there (from India):
flight: One-stop via the Gulf or a European hub from Delhi, Mumbai and other cities - About 10 to 14 hours including a connection
From Vienna Airport, the City Airport Train (CAT) reaches Wien Mitte in 16 minutes; the S-Bahn is cheaper and slower.
Fares change daily with demand, so compare dates before booking.
Day 1: St Stephen's, the Hofburg and the Opera
The Gothic St Stephen's Cathedral, the Habsburgs' Hofburg palace and Sisi Museum, and the Vienna State Opera.
St Stephen's Cathedral (morning): Start at St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna's Gothic heart, with its tall south tower and a roof of patterned coloured tiles. Climb the tower's 343 steps for the view, or take the lift up the north tower to see the great Pummerin bell. Free, to enter the back of the nave; towers and catacombs are extra Why visit: Vienna's great Gothic cathedral; The patterned tile roof and tower views Know before you go: Services take priority; visits pause during Mass
Hofburg (Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments) (late morning): Walk to the Hofburg, about 10 minutes, the Habsburgs' winter palace for six centuries. One ticket covers the Imperial Silver Collection, the Sisi Museum about Empress Elisabeth, and the apartments where she and Emperor Franz Joseph lived. €20 (about ₹2,100), adult, Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments and Silver Collection Why visit: The life of Empress Sisi; The Habsburg emperors' apartments Know before you go: The audio guide is included; Allow two hours
Vienna State Opera (afternoon): Walk to the Vienna State Opera, about 10 minutes, one of the world's great opera houses, opened in 1869. Join a guided tour of its grand staircase and auditorium, or see it in the evening from a seat or standing place. Guided tours and standing-room tickets are sold at the box office Why visit: One of the world's great opera houses; Cheap standing-room tickets on the day Know before you go: Tour times depend on rehearsals; Dress smartly for evening performances
Eat: Figlmüller - Famous for its huge Wiener schnitzel, bigger than the plate, near St Stephen's. Book ahead.
Evening: See a performance at the State Opera, or buy a cheap standing-room ticket on the day.
Budget for the day: ₹4,300 to ₹6,400 per person, excluding hotel
Day 2: Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere
The Habsburgs' summer palace and gardens at Schönbrunn, and Klimt's The Kiss at the Upper Belvedere.
Schönbrunn Palace (morning): Take the U4 to Schönbrunn, about 20 minutes, the Habsburgs' summer palace with more than 1,400 rooms. The Grand Tour covers 40 of its state rooms; afterwards, walk up through the formal gardens to the Gloriette for a view over the palace and city. €28 (about ₹3,000), adult, Grand Tour (40 rooms) Why visit: The Habsburgs' grand summer palace; Free gardens and the Gloriette viewpoint Know before you go: Book a timed tour online; The gardens are free to walk
Upper Belvedere (afternoon): Take the U-Bahn and tram to the Upper Belvedere, about 30 minutes, a baroque palace built for Prince Eugene of Savoy. Its gallery holds the world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt's paintings, including The Kiss. €23 (about ₹2,500), adult, Upper Belvedere Why visit: Klimt's The Kiss; A baroque palace above its gardens Know before you go: Free for under-19s; The gardens between the Upper and Lower Belvedere are free
Eat: Salm Bräu - A brewery restaurant next to the Belvedere, serving Austrian dishes with its own beer.
Evening: Stroll the Belvedere gardens at dusk, then head to a Heuriger wine tavern on the city's edge.
Budget for the day: ₹8,100 to ₹9,600 per person, excluding hotel
Day 3: Kunsthistorisches Museum, MuseumsQuartier and the Prater
The Kunsthistorisches Museum's old masters, coffee in a classic café, the MuseumsQuartier, and the Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater at sunset.
Kunsthistorisches Museum (morning): Start at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Habsburgs' art collection in a domed palace on the Ring. It has the world's largest collection of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, plus Vermeer, Raphael and Rubens, and a grand café under the dome. €22 (about ₹2,300), adult, booked online Why visit: The world's largest Bruegel collection; One of the grandest museum cafés Know before you go: Free for under-19s; Closed on some Mondays outside summer
MuseumsQuartier (afternoon): Walk across the road to the MuseumsQuartier, former imperial stables turned into a cultural complex with modern art museums, cafés and courtyards where Viennese sit on colourful loungers. Free, to walk the courtyards; museums are extra Why visit: Contemporary culture in old imperial stables; Relaxed courtyards and cafés Know before you go: The Leopold Museum here has many works by Egon Schiele
Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad) (sunset): Take the U-Bahn to Praterstern, about 15 minutes, for the Giant Ferris Wheel, built in 1897 and famous from the film The Third Man. Its red wooden cabins turn slowly above the Prater park and funfair, with views over the city. €14.5 (about ₹1,500), adult Why visit: A 19th-century wheel with views over Vienna; The Prater funfair around it Know before you go: A ride takes about 15 minutes; The funfair rides are paid separately
Eat: Café Central - Vienna's most famous coffeehouse, in a grand vaulted hall, for coffee, cake and lunch. Expect a short queue.
Evening: Eat at a beer garden in the Prater after the ride.
Budget for the day: ₹6,000 to ₹8,000 per person, excluding hotel
Want a Different Pace?
Wachau valley day trip: Melk Abbey and a Danube boat through the Wachau vineyards: A baroque abbey and river scenery about an hour away. (Trade-off: A full day, best from April to October. - Costs more)
A concert evening: A classical concert at the Musikverein or a palace concert: Hear Mozart and Strauss in the city of music. (Trade-off: Tickets vary widely in price. - Costs more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Vienna?
A 3-day Vienna itinerary like this one works well for First-time visitors, Art and music lovers, Coffeehouse fans. It's not the best fit if You want nightlife and beaches or You dislike museums and palaces.
How much does a 3-day Vienna trip cost per person?
Budget about ₹18,500 to ₹24,000 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day Vienna itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.
What's the best time to visit Vienna?
The best time to visit Vienna is April to June and September to October.
How do I get to Vienna from India?
Common options are flight (About 10 to 14 hours including a connection). From Vienna Airport, the City Airport Train (CAT) reaches Wien Mitte in 16 minutes; the S-Bahn is cheaper and slower.
What are the must-see places in Vienna in 3 days?
Day 1: St Stephen's Cathedral, Hofburg (Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments) and Vienna State Opera. Day 2: Schönbrunn Palace and Upper Belvedere. Day 3: Kunsthistorisches Museum, MuseumsQuartier and Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad).
Which Vienna attractions are free?
On this itinerary, St Stephen's Cathedral and MuseumsQuartier are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).
How much are entry tickets in Vienna in rupees?
Hofburg (Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments): €20 (about ₹2,100); Schönbrunn Palace: €28 (about ₹3,000); Upper Belvedere: €23 (about ₹2,500); Kunsthistorisches Museum: €22 (about ₹2,300); Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad): €14.5 (about ₹1,500). Prices are adult tickets, converted to rupees and rounded; check the official site before booking.
How much does Schönbrunn Palace cost?
The Grand Tour of 40 rooms costs €28 (about ₹3,000) and the shorter Imperial Tour €20 (about ₹2,100). The palace gardens and the Gloriette viewpoint are free.
How do you get around Vienna?
The U-Bahn, trams and buses cover the city; a 24-hour pass is good value if you take several rides. The old centre is best on foot.
Where to Eat in Vienna
Schweizerhaus - ★4.3 - Prater 116, 1020 Wien, Austria