Vienna in 3 Days
Three days is exactly enough for Vienna: Schonbrunn, the famous Klimt Kiss at the Belvedere, an evening at the Staatsoper, coffee in a century-old Kaffeehaus, and a stroll along the Ringstrasse. This day-by-day plan gets the most out of your city trip.
✈️ Plan this trip to Vienna →Vienna in 3 days is the perfect combination: the city is compact and well-connected by metro, there are world-class museums that could fill multiple days, but this plan covers the highlights at a comfortable pace. See our full Vienna guide for more neighbourhoods, tips and sights.
Your 3-day plan, day by day
- Day 1: Innere Stadt and the Ringstrasse Arrive and head straight to St. Stephen's Cathedral (free outside, tower €6.50). Stroll along the Hofburg and the grand Ringstrasse boulevard. Lunch at the Naschmarkt (open Tue-Sat, stalls with wok, cheese and deli). Afternoon: the Kunsthistorisches Museum (€24). Evening: head to the Staatsoper for a standing ticket (Stehparterre €4, available one hour before curtain). After the opera: a Sachertorte and a Kleinen Braunen in a historic Kaffeehaus.
- Day 2: Schonbrunn and the Belvedere Morning: Schloss Schonbrunn with the Grand Tour (€23, including 40 imperial apartments). Then descend into the free palace gardens for a picnic with a view. Afternoon: the Oberes Belvedere for the Klimt rooms including The Kiss (€23, online €19.50). Combine with a rest on the Orangerie terrace. Evening: dinner in the Spittelberg district (Burggasse) for a bohemian, locals-only atmosphere with barely a tourist in sight.
- Day 3: Prater, Kahlenberg and departure Morning: the Riesenrad in the Prater (€14.50, running since 1897). Then take the metro to the Hundertwasserhaus (free exterior). Or choose bus 38A to Kahlenberg: Vienna's best free viewpoint, a favourite of locals. Lunch on the way and head early to the airport.
Flights and transport from the Netherlands
Ryanair and Eurowings fly direct from Eindhoven (EIN) to Vienna Schwechat (VIE), flight time approximately 1 hour 35, return average €70 to 130. From Schiphol also KLM and Austrian Airlines. Transfer from the airport: the CAT train to Wien Mitte in 16 minutes for €14.90 single. Cheaper option: the S7 regional train in approximately 23 minutes for the standard transit fare of €2.40. In the city, travel with Wiener Linien: single €2.40 (valid 1 hour, transfers included), 24h pass €5.80, 72h pass €15.30.
How much does a 3-day city trip to Vienna cost?
Budget estimate per person: return flight approximately €70, mid-range hotel €70 to 120 per night (3 nights = €210 to €360). Admission Schonbrunn Grand Tour (€23) plus Belvedere online (€19.50) = €42.50 total. Meals: bistro €14 to 20 per meal, Naschmarkt stalls €5 to 10. Staatsoper standing ticket €4. Total all-in: from €330 per person when booking early.
Insider tip: Kahlenberg and the Kleines Café
Kahlenberg (bus 38A, standard transit ticket valid) is the favourite viewpoint of Viennese locals and appears in almost no tourist guide. Free entry, panoramic view over the entire city and the Danube. Combine it with a stop at the Kleines Café on Franziskanerplatz: not a tourist Kaffeehaus but an unassuming neighbourhood café from 1970, exactly the atmosphere the big guides promise but rarely deliver.
Similar destinations
Also check out these Central European cities:
Plan smarter with these guides
Practical tips to travel cheaper and easier:
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for Vienna?
Yes, 3 days is ideal for Vienna: you visit Schonbrunn, the Belvedere with the Klimt collection including the famous Kiss, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Naschmarkt, and still have time for an evening at the Staatsoper or in a traditional Kaffeehaus.
How much does a 3-day city trip to Vienna cost?
From €330 per person including flight and three nights: return flights via Ryanair or Eurowings from €70, mid-range hotel €70 to 120 per night. Admission to Schonbrunn and the Belvedere is approximately €45 combined.
How do I get from the Netherlands to Vienna?
Ryanair and Eurowings fly direct from Eindhoven to Vienna (VIE), flight time approximately 1 hour 35. From Amsterdam also KLM and Austrian Airlines. The CAT train takes you from the airport to the city centre in 16 minutes.
What is the best time for a city trip to Vienna?
April to June and September to October: pleasant weather and outdoor cafes. December is magical with Christmas markets on Rathausplatz. February is the cheapest month for flights.
🗺️ Where do you want to stay in Vienna?
Hotels, holiday apartments and hostels in Vienna on the map. Click a pin for live prices and direct booking.
Interactive map by our partner Stay22. Only loads when you click. If you book via a partner, we earn a small commission; you pay nothing extra.