Vienna, Austria: An Affordable European Gem?

Vienna, Austria's capital, is known for its high quality of life, stunning architecture, and musical legacy. But is it expensive?

Well, it depends. Compared to other major European capital cities, Vienna is fairly affordable. However, as one of the world's richest nations, it is more expensive than the likes of Germany, and prices can vary depending on your budget and spending habits.

Accommodation, for instance, can range from €30 per night for a hostel bed to over €200 for a high-end hotel room. Food prices can also be fairly expensive, with restaurant meals costing around €20 per person, excluding drinks. Entertainment prices vary too, with opera tickets ranging from €15-300 and cocktails costing around €12.

However, there are ways to visit Vienna on a budget. Street food, such as sausages and kebabs, is relatively cheap, and there are plenty of free attractions, including parks and walking tours. Public transport is also reasonably priced, with a single trip costing €2.40.

So, while Vienna may not be the cheapest city to visit, with careful planning, it is possible to enjoy this elegant, culture-rich city without breaking the bank.

Eating out in Vienna

If you're looking for something quick and easy, you can get a kebab, falafel or schwarma from a cart for around €4.50-€6. Pizza is also a budget-friendly option, at €5-€8 from local places.

For a sit-down meal, there are several mid-range options. Gasthaus Elsner is a family-run restaurant serving traditional dishes, including wiener schnitzel. Schnitzelwirt is another popular spot for traditional Austrian food, with big portions and reasonable prices. Expect to pay around €9-€16 for a traditional Austrian schnitzel, and €20 per person for a mid-range restaurant, excluding drinks and sides/appetizers.

If you're happy to splash out, there are plenty of high-end eateries to choose from. For modern and trendy restaurants, try Wiener Wirtschaft in the 4th district, where you can enjoy the house schnitzel and soup of the day for around €15-25.

For traditional Austrian food, Café Sacher or Café Demel are great options, though they come with a price tag. Café Sacher is famous for its sachertorte (chocolate sponge cake with dark chocolate ganache and apricot jam), which you can also get at the cheaper chain Aida Café Konditorei.

If you're a meat-eater, be sure to sample the local specialities, including tafelspitz (boiled beef) in broth and wiener schnitzel (breaded and fried veal). Vegetarians and vegans are also well-catered for, with the vegan movement booming in Vienna. For vegan ice cream, head to Veganista, which has shops all over the city.

For breakfast, you can grab a pastry for around €2-5 from a local bakery, or head to a café for a more substantial meal. Café Merkur offers a full breakfast spread for €3-€5.

When it comes to drinks, a glass of wine or a draft beer will set you back around €5, and a cup of coffee around €3.

Public transport costs

Vienna has an excellent public transport system, which is relatively inexpensive. The city is quite small and pedestrian-friendly, so you may not need to use public transport at all. However, if you do, there are various passes you can buy to keep costs down.

A single trip on the bus, metro, or tram costs €2.40. You can also buy passes for 24 hours (€8), 48 hours (€14.10), 72 hours (€17.10), or a week (€19.70). These passes offer unlimited travel on all modes of public transport within the city boundaries.

If you are planning to travel to or from the airport, you can add airport transfer tickets to your pass for €10. A one-way ticket from the airport to the city centre costs €14.90, and a return ticket costs €24.90. The journey takes just over 15 minutes.

Taxis are also available, with a fixed price of €42 for the journey to or from the airport.

Accommodation prices

The cost of accommodation in Vienna depends on your budget and preferences. The city offers options ranging from hostel beds to luxurious 5-star hotels. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for accommodation:

Hostels

Hostels are a great option for budget-conscious travellers, with beds available for around €30 per night. Northern and Central Europe are known for their modern and exciting hostels, so you won't compromise on quality. Hostels are usually centrally located, which means you won't have to pay extra for a convenient location. Some recommended hostels include Vienna Boutique Hostel (from €29.95 per night) and Hostel Ruthensteiner (€16.97 per night), which has a lovely garden and music space.

Mid-Range Hotels

If you're looking for more privacy and comfort, mid-range hotels in central Vienna offer rooms at an average price of €100 per night. While this may seem expensive, it is quite affordable compared to other European cities.

Higher-End Hotels

For those seeking a luxurious experience, higher-end hotels in Vienna charge an average of €200 per night, but prices can go upwards of hundreds of euros depending on the hotel.

Airbnb

Airbnb is another popular option in Vienna, offering centrally located accommodations at affordable prices. You can find a room or private flat in the city centre for around €70-150 per night, depending on the property.

Rental Apartments

Rental apartments are ideal for larger groups or travellers seeking more space and a kitchen. However, they can be a bit pricey, with rates ranging from €95-150 per night. There may also be additional cleaning fees and service charges, especially for short stays.

Camping

For a unique and affordable experience, consider camping just outside the city at Aktiv Camping Neue Donau, with prices starting at €36 for two adults per night.

Estate Agents

Finding suitable accommodation in Vienna can be challenging, so many people use estate agents. However, keep in mind that agents typically charge additional fees equivalent to two or three months' rent, and tenants are usually expected to pay a security deposit of one to three months' rent upfront.

Utilities and Broadcasting Fee

When renting in Vienna, utilities are often charged to the tenant, and you'll also need to budget for the annual fixed broadcasting fee mandated for all Austrian households.

Suburbs vs. City Centre

Remember that accommodation costs vary depending on the area of the city. Living in the city centre tends to be more expensive than staying in the outlying suburbs.

Entertainment expenses

Vienna is known for its music, historical sights, museums, attractions, and romantic ambiance. The city's entertainment expenses can vary depending on your preferences and choices. Here is a breakdown of the costs to be expected:

Museums and Attractions:

Vienna boasts some of the world's most renowned museums and landmarks. The city is filled with palaces, museums, and parks, offering a range of options to explore. The Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches Museum are must-visits and fall on the pricier side. The Albertina art museum and staterooms are also a popular choice, with tickets priced at €19.90. The Giant Ferris Wheel ride will cost you around €14.

Music and Performing Arts:

The music scene in Vienna is diverse and includes ballet, classical concerts, jazz, techno, hip-hop, and rock. Ticket prices for entertainment vary depending on the venue and experience you choose. Attending a performance at the State Opera House can cost as little as the price of a cup of coffee if you stand, with the best seats ranging from €50 to over €200. Classical concerts start from around €30 for an evening concert, with premium seats for the New Year's concert reaching four figures.

Historical Sights and Architecture:

The historical old town of Vienna, Innere Stadt, attracts tourists with its St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) and museums. A standard adult ticket to St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) costs €21. The surrounding pedestrian streets, Kärntner Strasse and Graben, are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries, perfect for window shopping or an indulgent purchase.

Food and Drinks:

Food in Vienna is quite diverse, with large portion sizes and a growing number of vegetarian options. The average daily cost for food is around $61 (€58) per person, with prices ranging from $24 to $150, depending on the type of restaurant and your order. Breakfast typically costs between $6 and $18, while a fast-food meal or street food, like sausages or doner kebabs, will cost around $9.

Nightlife:

Vienna's nightlife offers something for everyone, from clubs to bars and pubs. The average person spends about $18 (€17) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages per day. A half-litre of beer in a bar costs around €4.90, but prices can vary depending on the location. A 500ml tin of beer from a supermarket will cost between €1.15 and €1.59 for popular Austrian brands.

Transportation:

Vienna has an excellent public transportation system, including buses, trains, trams, and underground lines. A single one-way metro ticket costs €2.40, while a monthly unlimited public transportation pass is €51. Taxis are also available, with a base fare of €3.80 and an additional charge of €1.80 per km.

In summary, Vienna offers a range of entertainment options to suit different budgets. By choosing wisely and taking advantage of discounts, it is possible to enjoy the city's cultural offerings without breaking the bank.

Alcohol prices

A half-litre of beer in a bar will cost around €4.90, although prices can vary depending on location. For example, one source notes that they paid €6.90 for a beer in a well-known central location. A 500ml tin of beer from a supermarket will cost between €1.15 and €1.59 for popular Austrian brands.

A glass of beer in a restaurant will cost around $3.90 or €3.50, according to two sources. A bottle of wine in a supermarket will cost around €5, and a glass of wine in a less touristy area will cost around €5.

A bottle of Gumpoldskirchen, one of the most famous Austrian wines, will cost around $11 or €11 per bottle when drinking out. A spritzer will cost around $5 or €5 per glass.

Cocktails in Vienna are more expensive, costing around €12 each.

Frequently asked questions