Big Bus Vienna Festive Evening Tour with Schönbrunn Palace Lights

Vienna , Austria

Big Bus Vienna Festive Evening Tour with Schönbrunn Palace Lights

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About this experience

Step into a fairytale: board our panoramic night tour as Vienna’s historic streets and Ringstraße landmarks glow under twinkling lights.

After the 1.5‑hour open‑top bus ride, arrive at the festive Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace. Then explore the Palace Gardens transformed by Imperial Lights: a breathtaking, atmospheric stroll through illuminated paths inspired by Vienna’s imperial past

Hop on our Evening Tour at Stop #1 on the Blue Route (Albertinaplatz 2 in front of the Tourist Information Centre) The tour departs at 4.30pm and the duration of the full tour is 3 hour . Please activate your ticket with a staff member before boarding.

- Admire Vienna’s landmarks glowing with festive lights by night.
- Enjoy a panoramic 1.5-hour ride on an open-top double-decker bus.
- Stroll through the magical Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace.
- Experience the dazzling Imperial Lights in the Palace Gardens.

Available options

Festive Bus tour & Schönbrunn

Duration: 3 hours: 1.5 hours panoramic night tour on an open-top double-decker bus<br/>Entrance ticket to: Imperial Lights at Schönbrunn Palace Gardens

What's included

90 Minute Panoramic Evening Tour

Entry to Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market

Entrance to Imperial Lights at Schönbrunn Palace Gardens

English-speaking guide

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1 Pass by

The Vienna State Opera is an opera house and opera company based in Vienna, Austria. The 1,709-seat Renaissance Revival venue was the first major building on the Vienna Ring Road. It was built from 1861 to 1869 following plans by August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll, and designs by Josef Hlávka

Stop 2 Pass by

Habsburg palace complex with ornate, baroque interiors, imperial apartments & a silver museum.

Stop 3 Pass by

Massive municipal building built using some 30 million bricks & now hosting balls, markets & events.

Stop 4 Pass by

18th-century Habsburg domed cathedral with a 32.5-meter platform for views of the ornate frescoes.

Strauss & Lanner once played in this manicured public park with temples, fountains & rose gardens.

English-style, 19th-century public park with a river, ornate bridges & gilded Johann Strauss statue.

Stop 7

Visit to Imperial Lights at Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, where baroque elegance meets dazzling contemporary light art.

What's not included

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Available languages

Guide guide

Important information

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Meeting point

Hop on our Evening Tour at Stop #1 on the Blue Route (Albertinaplatz 2 in front of the Tourist Information Centre) The tour departs at 4:30pm and the duration is 3 hours. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure to redeem your ticket with a staff member before boarding.

Important notes

Use the printed map or download the “Big Bus Tours” app to get directions to Stop #1 (Albertina).

Show your printed or digital ticket to a member of staff at Big Bus stop #1. They'll issue you a printed receipt that you'll be able to use to board the night tour and enter the light garden.
Please arrive 15 minutes early for a prompt departure.

Our Night Tour runs from Stop #1 at 4:30pm. Your experience will include free headphones with an entertaining and experienced Live English-speaking guide.

At the end of your time at Schönbrunn Palace, the bus will be waiting at the original drop off location (Schönbrunn bus parking lot) to take you back to the city centre. The bus will depart at 7:30pm. Please make your way back in time to ensure you do not miss the departure time.

About Vienna

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is renowned for its rich imperial history, vibrant arts scene, and stunning architecture. Known as the 'City of Music', it has been home to legendary composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The city's elegant cafes, grand palaces, and world-class museums make it a cultural treasure trove.

Top Attractions

Schönbrunn Palace

A former imperial summer residence, Schönbrunn Palace is a stunning example of Baroque architecture. The palace and its gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Historical/Architecture 2-3 hours €18 for Imperial Tour, €24 for Grand Tour

St. Stephen's Cathedral

A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, St. Stephen's Cathedral is a symbol of Vienna. The cathedral's multi-colored tile roof is iconic.

Religious/Architecture 1-2 hours Free entry, €6 for tower climb, €7 for treasury

Belvedere Palace

A historic building complex with two Baroque palaces, the Belvedere houses the largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, including 'The Kiss'.

Historical/Art/Museum 2-3 hours €16 for Upper Belvedere, €14 for Lower Belvedere

Vienna State Opera

One of the world's leading opera houses, the Vienna State Opera offers performances of opera, ballet, and concerts.

Cultural/Entertainment 2-4 hours (performance length) €10-200 depending on performance and seat

Hofburg Palace

The former imperial palace, Hofburg Palace is now home to several museums, the Austrian National Library, and the Spanish Riding School.

Historical/Museum 2-3 hours €14 for Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments, €20 for Silver Collection

Must-Try Local Dishes

Wiener Schnitzel

A thin, breaded, and fried veal cutlet, traditionally served with lemon and potato salad or dumplings.

Dinner Contains gluten and dairy

Tafelspitz

Boiled beef, usually served with root vegetables, apple sauce, and horseradish.

Dinner Gluten-free, dairy-free

Sachertorte

A famous chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam, covered in dark chocolate glaze.

Dessert Contains gluten and dairy

Apfelstrudel

A thin pastry filled with spiced apples, raisins, and sugar, often served with vanilla sauce or ice cream.

Dessert Contains gluten

Popular Activities

Hiking in the Vienna Woods Cycling along the Danube Kayaking on the Danube Coffee house hopping Spa day at a luxury hotel Strolling through Schönbrunn Palace Gardens Visiting museums and galleries Attending opera or concert performances

Best Time to Visit

May to September

This is the best time to visit Vienna for pleasant weather and outdoor activities. The city hosts numerous festivals and cultural events during these months.

15°C to 30°C 59°F to 86°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: German
Widely spoken: English, Austro-Bavarian dialect
English: Widely spoken in tourist areas, moderately spoken elsewhere

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time Zone

GMT+1 (CET), GMT+2 (CEST during daylight saving time)

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Vienna is a safe city with low crime rates. However, as with any major city, petty crime and pickpocketing can occur in tourist areas.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing apps
• Be cautious of strangers offering help or services

Getting there

By air

Vienna International Airport • 18 km from city center

By train

Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Main Station), Vienna Westbahnhof

By bus

Vienna International Bus Terminal, Erdberg Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

Vienna's metro system is efficient and user-friendly, with four lines (U1, U2, U3, U4).

Taxis

Available • Apps: Bolt, FreeNow

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Innere Stadt Leopoldstadt Wieden Hietzing

Day trips

Bratislava

80 km (50 miles) • Full day

The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is a charming city with a rich history, beautiful architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Salzburg

300 km (186 miles) • Full day or overnight

The birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is a beautiful city with a rich musical heritage, stunning architecture, and scenic surroundings.

Hallstatt

200 km (124 miles) • Full day or overnight

A picturesque lakeside village in the Austrian Alps, Hallstatt is known for its stunning natural beauty and historic salt mines.

Festivals

Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) • May to June Vienna Opera Ball (Wiener Opernball) • Late February or early March Vienna Christmas Markets (Wiener Christkindlmarkt) • Late November to December 26

Pro tips

Visit major attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds
Purchase a Vienna Pass for unlimited transport and attractions, saving time and money
Explore the city's coffee house culture and try traditional pastries like Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel
Take a day trip to nearby cities like Bratislava or Salzburg for a change of pace
Use public transport or walk to explore the city, as driving can be challenging and expensive