Schönbrunn Palace
Tickets 2026

Vienna · Visitor Guide

The Habsburgs' golden summer palace and its sweeping Baroque gardens, where a six-year-old Mozart once performed for the empress. Everything you need before you go, including which tour to choose.

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1,441
Rooms in the palace
Habsburg
Summer residence
~3h
Recommended visit
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Schönbrunn Tickets & Tours

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Why Book Ahead

Choose the Right Tour, Skip the Queue

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Timed entry, real queues
Schönbrunn is Austria's most-visited sight. Without a timed ticket the line at the gate can be long, especially mid-morning.
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Imperial vs Grand Tour
The Imperial Tour covers 22 rooms; the Grand Tour adds 18 more, including Maria Theresa's apartments. Pick before you go — it changes the ticket.
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The gardens are vast
The grounds, the Gloriette and the maze are an attraction in themselves. Leave time, and plan your palace slot around them.
Schönbrunn Tickets — Visitor Guide

What to Know Before You Visit

Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna seen across its flower gardens
Schönbrunn Palace from the gardens. Photo: Unsplash

The Habsburgs' Answer to Versailles

Schönbrunn was rebuilt in the 18th century as the Habsburgs' summer residence, a Baroque statement to rival Versailles. Empress Maria Theresa made it the heart of court life; a six-year-old Mozart played for her in the Hall of Mirrors, and centuries later Emperor Franz Joseph was born and died within its walls. Its 1,441 rooms and formal gardens earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

What the Tours Cover

The Imperial Tour takes in 22 state rooms, including Franz Joseph's apartments. The Grand Tour adds 18 more — Maria Theresa's lavish rooms and the ceremonial halls. Beyond the palace, the gardens climb to the Gloriette colonnade with its view back over Vienna, past the Neptune Fountain, the maze and the world's oldest zoo.

Practical Advice for the Visit

Book a timed palace ticket and decide between the Imperial and Grand Tour in advance — the gardens themselves are free to wander. The first morning slots are calmest. The palace is an easy U-Bahn ride from the centre. Allow around three hours for the state rooms and the gardens together, more if you climb to the Gloriette.

The Gloriette on the hill above the Schönbrunn gardens, with its pond
The Gloriette, at the top of the gardens. Photo: Unsplash
Schönbrunn — Plan Your Visit

Which Ticket, How Long, How to Get There

Imperial Tour or Grand Tour?

The Imperial Tour covers 22 state rooms, including the private apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), and takes around 30 to 40 minutes. The Grand Tour covers 40 rooms: everything in the Imperial Tour plus the rooms of Maria Theresa, the Millions Room and the grand ceremonial halls, in roughly an hour. If you only visit one Habsburg palace in Vienna, take the Grand Tour — the extra rooms are the most lavish in the building.

How long to allow

The palace tour itself is short, but Schönbrunn is a half-day destination. The formal gardens are free to walk and stretch uphill to the Gloriette, whose terrace gives the classic view back over the palace and Vienna. Add the Privy Garden, the Maze or the zoo — founded in 1752 and the oldest still operating in the world — and you can easily fill a full day.

Getting there

Take the U4 metro line to the Schönbrunn station, a short walk from the main gate; the Hietzing station on the same line is closer to the zoo and the western side of the park. The trip from the city centre takes around 15 minutes. Your timed ticket shows the exact time you enter the palace rooms, so arrive a few minutes early.

Expert Advice

Visiting Schönbrunn Palace — What to Know

Best Time to Visit

The first morning slot is the quietest before the coach groups arrive.
Spring and early autumn are ideal for the gardens.
Avoid mid-morning, the busiest arrival window.
Allow extra time for the Gloriette and the grounds.

What to Bring & Know

Pick your tour first — Imperial (22 rooms) or Grand (40 rooms).
The gardens are free; only the palace interior is ticketed.
Arrive within your slot — timed entry is enforced.
It is on the U4 line — an easy ride from central Vienna.
FAQ

Schönbrunn Tickets — Questions Answered

On the palace’s own website, schoenbrunn.at, which sells the Imperial Tour and Grand Tour with a timed entry. Resellers mostly sell guided tours and combined packages, such as a palace visit with the gardens, the zoo or a concert. Compare what is included before you choose.
Yes. As Austria's most-visited attraction, Schönbrunn uses timed entry and the queue at the gate can be long. Booking ahead skips the line and guarantees your slot — and your choice of tour.
The Imperial Tour covers 22 state rooms, including Emperor Franz Joseph's apartments. The Grand Tour adds 18 more, including Empress Maria Theresa's lavish rooms and the ceremonial halls. The Grand Tour is the fuller experience if you have the time.
Yes. The formal gardens, the Neptune Fountain and the walk up to the Gloriette are free to enter. Only the palace interior, the maze and the zoo require tickets.
The first morning slot is the calmest, before the coach groups arrive. Spring and early autumn are the best seasons for enjoying the gardens as well as the palace.
It is a short ride from central Vienna on the U4 underground line to Schönbrunn station, followed by a few minutes' walk to the gates. It is one of the easiest major sights in the city to reach.
Around three hours for a palace tour and the main gardens. Add more if you climb to the Gloriette, walk the maze or visit the zoo, all of which are within the grounds.
Go Further

Plan your full
Vienna visit

Pair Schönbrunn with the Hofburg, the Belvedere and a coffee house or two on our complete Vienna guide — or let the AI build your day-by-day itinerary.

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