We’ve visited Vienna more times than I can count. So much so, it feels like our home away from home. It’s got diversity, kind people, great public transit and plenty of fun, family-friendly attractions.
Traveling to Vienna
If you’re coming into Austria from a bordering country, traveling within the European Union is almost unbelievably stress-free. We often drive from Hungary into Austria, and it’s an easy process. There is often just a couple of border patrolmen and, with the exception of the random checks they occasionally enact, they’ll likely let you pass on by without a glance your way. We ran into traffic just once, and it was because they were doing random searches due to a Hungarian holiday.
Keep in mind that if you are driving in Austria, you’ll need a vignette which is essentially a road tax. You can buy one online, at certain gas stations or at most rest stops near the Austrian border. Certain other European countries, like Hungary and Slovakia, also require them. Car rentals often have vignettes covered for the vehicle, but ask to confirm.
If you’re flying into Vienna, their customs is the easiest process I’ve ever experienced, and the airport is modern and well designed.
The last, and likely most unique option for traveling into Austria, is by train. I did it with my son when he was just 3 years old. I however am not ready to do it with my almost-two-year-old; I think she’d be too restless. We bought our train tickets going from Hungary into Vienna via the Máv app. The train seats are comfortable and some even include tables. Restrooms and wifi are also available on board. So sit back, relax and enjoy the rural scenery passing by.
Traveling in Vienna
Once you get into the city, I recommend taking advantage of Vienna’s local train system as it is user friendly and straight forward. Driving? Not so much. The streets are busy, confusing, and car parking is limited. Stick to the trains.
Here’s how to do it:
- Use the WienMobil app to buy your train tickets. It works for all of Vienna’s train systems. You can buy your ticket for a specific location, but I recommend buying your ticket for a certain amount of time. This means you can use Vienna’s public transit as many times as you’d like, to anywhere, within the time frame you choose. You can purchase a ticket for 24 hours, 72 hours, a week, month or even a year. Vienna has enacted an honor base system for their public transit, so there’s no check-in required. However, enforcement will occasionally check the trains to make sure all passengers have said ticket, so be sure to have your proof of purchase on hand. You can easily pull up your ticket from your phone via the WienMobil app.
- Use Google Maps to look up your public transit options. I always turn off the bus option simply because I don’t feel like traveling by bus most days; I’d rather just stick to the trains or walk the few minutes to a train station or tram stop.
- Walk to whichever train stop Google Maps suggests and make sure you’re on the right side of the train tracks. This is usually a pretty simple thing to check as the stations have the train’s final destination posted, and it should be the same as what your Google Maps says. Some stops even tells you the minutes until the next train arrives. If you miss your train, don’t stress—there’s usually another one coming shortly thereafter.
- Once on board, check Google Maps to see the train’s upcoming stops as well as which stop you get off.
- If you have a transfer, you may need to walk a few minutes to your next train. Thankfully, the walks are usually short and well marked.
Where to Stay
We prefer to stay near Schönbrunn as it tends to be where we spend the most time in Vienna, and it’s a nice area. I recommend either the Double Tree by Hilton Vienna Schönbrunn or, for something a little cheaper, Quality Hotel Vienna. They’re both conveniently close to a park as well.
Outside of the Schönbrunn area, I recommend Hotel The Weekend. It’s fairly priced compared to other hotels in Vienna and just a quick train ride to Haus de Meeres and IKONO. It’s also got some great shopping and dining options within close walking distance. Plus, the nearby train station hosts food trucks and a kids park.
What To Do (with Kids)
Haus de Meeres
I’m not over exaggerating when I say this is the most unique aquarium I have ever been to. Haus de Meeres is not your typical aquarium. Originally an obscene, military monstrosity built during World War II, the cement tower would be costly to tear down, so naturally, they transformed it into an interactive and innovative aquarium. Walk through maze-like hallways to pet fish and get up close and personal with massive pythons, sea turtles and sharks. Stroll beneath free-flying birds and curious, roaming monkeys. There’s so much more, but I won’t ruin all the fun surprises this aquarium has to offer. Just know it’s worth the visit.
As you might guess, this aquarium can get crowded. Thankfully, you can buy your tickets online. I recommend buying tickets for when they open; it gets more and more crowded as the day goes on.
There’s also a kids park located just behind the aquarium and a rock climbing wall built on the aquarium’s outdoor walls.
IKONO
IKONO is not your average museum. This digital, modern art museum is immersive, interactive and mind blowing. It boasts surprising fun around every corner. Our whole family had a blast walking through vibrant and creative mazes; playing free carnival and old-school video games; jumping into ball pits; and so, so much more. Even the entrance is an experience with its funky, colorful chairs and impressively tall, purple chicken legs. Yes, you read that right: chicken legs.
It’s conveniently located within a trendy shopping area of Vienna, and Haus De Meeres is also within eyesight of IKONO.
Grand Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn is the epitome of extravagance and classic European royalty. Everything about it exudes glamor as you walk through the gates and take in the massive, well-kept courtyard and Baroque-style palace that demands your attention with its over-the-top size and grandeur.
We have admittedly never done a tour of the palace, but you certainly can! We usually just walk past the palace to enjoy the statues and manicured foliage scattered throughout the garden. There’s even a kids playground and maze open during the spring and summer months. The palace also hosts a yearly Christmas and Easter market.
Schönbrunn Zoo
As the name suggests, Schönbrunn Zoo is located within the palace grounds. It’s the world’s oldest zoo—quite a feat considering how modern its exhibits are. We were especially impressed with the hippo and polar bear exhibits.
Palm House Garden & Botanic Garden
Also located within Schönbrunn (see why we stay near here?) adjacent to the zoo, the botanic garden is humble in size, but still worth a visit. I enjoy the sense of peace that washes over me as I walk through the tended gardens and take in the flowers and greenery. My son and husband prefer to pretend they’re walking through the jungle on the hunt for a jaguar (but watch out for the hunters!). If you look closely enough, you might just find little surprises hidden throughout the indoor garden like butterflies and statues. I also appreciate the tranquil fish pond.
There’s also a neighboring Desert House and outdoor Japanese garden that compliment the botanic garden visit well. The Desert House hosts reptiles and other animals alongside its succulents and cacti.
Museum of Natural History Vienna
The building of Vienna’s natural history museum is a sight to behold in and of itself with its dome ceilings covered in intricate paintings and bold staircases. Walk through the venerable rooms to learn about prehistoric animals, our ancient homo sapien ancestors, and modern-day animals. The museum also houses an impressive number of minerals and petrography. Our son especially loved the dinosaur section, and we were all in awe of the life-size dinosaurs that move and sound as they did in prehistoric times.
Living the Holloway 