Vienna: Schönbrunn & Belvedere Pass with Big Bus & Danube Cruise

Three Palaces & a River: Vienna's Best in Seven Days

You get entry to Vienna's two most famous palaces, two full days of unlimited bus hopping across the city's main sights, and your choice of adding a Danube cruise or the Riesenrad wheel. Activation at any Big Bus stop takes minutes, and you have a full week to use everything—no need to cram it into one day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Vienna with hop-on hop-off bus

• Use Big Bus Red Route ticket
• Hop on at Opera / Walfischgasse
• Visit House of Music
• Stop at Museums Quartier / Mariahilfer Strasse
• See Museums / Hofburg
• Visit City Hall / Rathaus
• Stop at Votive Church / Votivkirche
• Hop off at Schwedenplatz for DDSG River Cruise
• Take DDSG River Cruise on Danube
• Visit Prater and ride Riesenrad Giant Ferris Wheel
• Stop at UNO City / DC Tower
• Visit Danube Island / Donauinsel
• Stop at Blue Danube Pier 3 and Pier 8
• Visit City Park / Stadtpark

Day 2 — Visit Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces

• Use Big Bus Blue Route ticket
• Hop on at Opera / Albertina
• Stop at Mariahilfer Strasse / Ibis Hotel
• Visit Technical Museum
• Stop at Schönbrunn Palace & Zoo
• Visit Schönbrunn Palace
• Stop at Main Train Station / Hauptbahnhof
• Visit Upper Belvedere Palace
• Visit Lower Belvedere Palace

The Experience

You want to see Vienna's most famous places without spending every day planning logistics. The moment you activate your pass at any Big Bus stop, you get access to Schönbrunn Palace—the Habsburgs' summer residence with 40 rooms open to explore—plus Belvedere Palace, a Baroque landmark with two connected buildings and its own collection. The 2-day hop-on, hop-off Big Bus ticket covers two routes: the Red Route loops through the Opera House, City Hall, the Votive Church, and the Prater; the Blue Route heads west to Schönbrunn and then south to both Belvedere palaces. You have seven days from activation to visit everything, so there's no rush.

The real difference shows up if you add the Danube River cruise. The 4-attraction pass includes a DDSG cruise that runs along the river, showing you Vienna from the water—the Danube Island, the bridges, the way the city sits on both banks. It's a different angle on the place, and it breaks up the walking. The 5-attraction pass goes further: it adds fast-track entry to the Riesenrad Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater, which means you skip the queue and ride up for panoramic views across the whole city. The wheel itself is the oldest of its kind still standing, and on a clear day you see all the way to the hills beyond Vienna.

The Big Bus app handles ticket storage and live tracking, so you're not carrying paper or guessing when the next bus arrives. Activation happens at any stop—you show your QR code to a staff member, and after that you can hop on and off as many times as you want during your two days. Schönbrunn and Belvedere both have their own entrances and hours, so you plan those visits separately, but the pass covers entry to both. Wheelchair access is available on buses and at all included attractions, and prams fold up on board if you're traveling with small children.

What’s included

• 2-day unlimited hop-on, hop-off Big Bus ticket covering Red Route and Blue Route with 13 stops across Vienna.
• entrance to Schönbrunn Palace Grand Tour with access to 40 rooms.
• entry to Belvedere Palace with exhibition access.
• DDSG Danube River cruise (4 and 5-attraction passes only).
• fast-track entry to Riesenrad Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater (5-attraction pass only).
• Big Bus app for ticket storage, live tracking, and activation.
• seven days from first use to visit all included attractions.
• wheelchair-accessible buses and attractions.
• ability to redeem your ticket at any designated Big Bus stop.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Big Bus - Austria

Is this one for you?Best for travelers who want Vienna's main palaces and landmarks without arranging separate tickets and transport—the pass bundles entry, buses, and the river cruise so you move between sights on your own schedule within seven days.

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Top questions

How long does the Big Bus ticket last?

The hop-on, hop-off ticket is valid for 48 hours of continuous use from the time you first board. You can use it across both the Red Route and the Blue Route.

Can I visit Schönbrunn and Belvedere on different days?

Yes. Your pass is valid for seven days from activation, so you can spread your palace visits across the week. The Big Bus ticket covers 48 hours, but the palace entries don't expire until day seven.

What's included in the 5-attraction pass that the others don't have?

The 5-attraction pass adds fast-track entry to the Riesenrad Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater, so you skip the queue and go straight up for panoramic views of Vienna.

Do I need to book the Danube cruise in advance?

The cruise is included in the 4 and 5-attraction passes. You redeem your ticket at the DDSG pier stops on the Red Route (Schwedenplatz or Blue Danube piers). Exact times and boarding details are provided with your pass activation.

Is the Big Bus accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes. The buses are wheelchair accessible, and all included attractions—Schönbrunn, Belvedere, and the Riesenrad—have wheelchair access as well.

Can children ride for free?

Infants sit on an adult's lap at no extra charge. Pricing for older children depends on your pass option; check your booking confirmation for age-based rates.

How do I activate my pass?

You'll receive a mobile voucher with a QR code. Show it to a Big Bus staff member at any of the designated stops on either route. They'll activate it, and you can then start using your attractions and bus ticket.

Are service animals allowed on the Big Bus?

Yes, service animals are allowed on board.