Daily costs per person in euros. Vienna is mid-range for Western Europe — incredible value for museums, wine, and culture.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: Euro (€) (1 USD ≈ €0.92)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €18–30 | €70–140 | €200+ | Hostels → 3-star hotels → boutique/palace hotels |
| Food | €12–20 | €30–50 | €70+ | Würstelstand & Beisl → cafes & restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | €5–8 | €10–17 | €30+ | Walking & single tickets → day pass → taxis |
| Activities | €0–15 | €20–40 | €60+ | Free museums → paid attractions → opera & concerts |
| Drinks | €5–10 | €15–25 | €40+ | Heuriger wine → craft beer bars → cocktail bars |
| Daily Total | €40–83 | €145–272 | €400+ | $44–90 → $158–296 → $435+ |
Money-saving tips
Free experiences
Belvedere gardens, Schönbrunn gardens, Donaukanal street art, MuseumsQuartier courtyard, Danube Island beaches, Prater park, and most churches are all free.
First Sunday free
Many federal museums are free on the first Sunday of the month — Kunsthistorisches Museum, Natural History Museum, Belvedere, and more. Plan around it.
Würstelstand culture
Vienna's standing sausage stands serve käsekrainer (cheese-filled sausage, €4–5), Bosna, and beer for under €8. Bitzinger and Zum Scharfen René are the best.
Wien-Karte savings
The Vienna City Card (€17 for 24h, €25 for 48h) gives unlimited public transport plus museum discounts. Worth it if you're using transit heavily.
Beisl dining
Traditional Beisln (Viennese pubs) serve massive schnitzels for €10–15 at lunch — half the price of tourist restaurants. Stomach, Rebhuhn, and Silberwirt are reliable.
Supermarket wine
Austrian wine from Billa or Spar is €3–6 for bottles that would cost €8–12 in a restaurant. Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt are the local varietals to try.
