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Which Hop-on Hop-off operator is the ideal choice for your Vienna trip?

Which Hop-on Hop-off operator is the ideal choice for your Vienna trip?

Looking to explore Vienna at a flexible pace? Hop-on Hop-off tours might just be the perfect, most hassle-free way to explore the city’s iconic sights! With providers like Big Bus and Vienna Sightseeing, you can easily visit popular attractions like the Schönbrunn Palace, Mozarthaus, Haus der Musik, and Belvedere Palace.

Each operator offers a different experience with various amenities and add-ons to enrich your sightseeing experience. So, choosing the right Hop-on Hop-off pass can be a bit tricky. Curious about which one is the best fit for you? Let’s find out!

Is a Vienna Hop-on Hop-off tour right for you?

Vienna HopOn HopOff Bus
  • You can explore flexibly: Get a 24/48/72-hour pass, and explore attractions at your own pace without the stress of a rigid schedule. When you’re ready to head to the next attraction on your bucket list, walk to your closest Hop-on Hop-off stop and catch a ride.
  • See the top sights: These tours take you to the best spots in Vienna, including the Imperial Treasury, the Belvedere Palace, Prater Public Park & much more. All you need to do is hop on board, sit back, and ride to the attractions you’ve planned to explore for the day.
  • Hassle-free navigation: Forget about navigating public transport in a new city and climb on board a Hop-on Hop-off tour. By taking you to major attractions, these tours make it easier for you to get around the city and pave the way for a seamless sightseeing experience.
  • Insightful commentary & more: There are plenty of perks to a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour that elevate your overall experience. Add-ons like free onboard Wi-Fi, complimentary headphones, detailed maps, and multilingual audio guides offering key insights on the sights you will visit make these bus tours all the more exciting.

Comparison of Vienna Hop-on Hop-off tour operators: An overview

Features
Big Bus
Vienna Sightseeing
Type of vehicle
Bus
Bus
No. of routes
2 routes
3 routes
No. of stops
23 stops
50 stops
Validity
24 & 48-hours
24, 48 & 72-hours
Circuit time
Red & Blue routes - 1hr 50 mins
Yellow route - 70 mins | Red route - 60 mins | Blue route - 2hr
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi, complimentary headphones, mobile app with a detailed map, and live bus tracking
Free Wi-Fi
Audio guides
Yes, in 8 languages
Yes, in 16 languages & a kids channel in German & English
Inclusions
Guided walking tour (if selected), audio-guided digital walking tours, 90-minute evening bus tour
Self-guided music walking tour
App assistance
Yes
No
Price
Adult - €41 | Child - €25 | Family Pass - €119
Adult - €35 | Child - €20 | Family Pass - €89

Vienna Hop-on Hop-off tours compared: A detailed look at your experience

While Hop-on Hop-off tours are the easiest way to explore a new city, it can be overwhelming to choose between multiple operators in a big city like Vienna. From the table above, it becomes evident that this choice comes down to the smallest details, be it the size of your travel group, itinerary requirements, and budget constraints. Below, we have detailed the finer aspects of each tour operator so you can save on research time and get to purchasing. Take a look and make a choice!

  • More routes & stops: While both Big Bus and Vienna Sightseeing stop at major attractions such as the Imperial Treasury, Sigmund Freud Museum, and Kunsthistorisches Museum, Big Bus offers two routes, while Vienna Sightseeing offers three. If you’re planning a longer trip, the latter option might be the best for you.
  • Budget considerations: If you’re a solo traveler or a student exploring Vienna, you know that even a single euro can make a big difference in your budget. While both operators offer similarly priced passes, Vienna Sightseeing has more of a cost-saving benefit to offer to the budget traveler.
  • Accessibility: Both the Big Bus and Vienna Sightseeing tour buses are wheelchair-friendly and allow your guide dogs on board.
  • Unique experiences: In addition to their Hop-on Hop-off service, Big Bus offers a live guided walking tour and an audio-guided digital walking tour, which can elevate your sightseeing experience. Vienna Sightseeing also offers a self-guided music walking tour, in case you’re interested in exploring Vienna’s musical past.
  • Family-friendly tours: Vienna Sightseeing might be a better option for you if you’re traveling with your children. Not only do they offer a kid-friendly bilingual commentary on board, but their Family Pass is a more economical option than the Big Bus Family Pass.
  • Pets: Small pets no taller than knee height are allowed on the Big Bus Vienna tours as long as they are leashed and muzzled. Vienna Sightseeing, on the other hand, does not allow any animals, except guide dogs, on board.
  • Night tours: Looking to explore Vienna’s streets at night? Then the Big Bus Vienna Evening Tour is the perfect choice for you. This 90-minute open-top guided tour takes you through the city’s major highlights, like the Prater Park, Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace & more.
  • App-assistance: While your ticket contains all the information you need to navigate your bus route, Big Bus has the most user-friendly app, with a mobile app and live tracking features that can come in handy on the day of your trip.
  • Audio guides: If you’re looking for audio guides that cover a wider variety of languages, then the Vienna Sightseeing Pass, with its 16-language audio guides, is the ideal choice.
  • Combos: Want to add value to your Hop-on Hop-off experience by supplementing it with tickets to attractions around the city? Then you might want to consider booking some combo tickets like the Vienna Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Giant Ferris Wheel Tickets or the Vienna Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Schönbrunn Palace & Belvedere Palace Tickets.

More tours

  • Big Bus: Vienna Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
  • Vienna Sightseeing: Vienna Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
  • Big Bus: Vienna Evening Bus Tour with Live Guide
  • Combo: Vienna Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Schönbrunn Palace & Belvedere Palace Tickets
  • Combo: Vienna Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Giant Ferris Wheel Tickets
























Frequently asked questions

Are the Vienna Hop-on Hop-off bus tours worth it?

Yes, they are! These tours offer a convenient and accessible way to explore popular landmarks across Vienna without straining your pocket.

What should I consider when choosing a Hop-on Hop-off tour operator in Vienna?

To select an operator that best suits your needs, consider your schedule, budget, the size of your travel group, audio guide availability, additional tour add-ons & more.

How are the Hop-on Hop-off tours different from other city tours, and which should I choose?

Hop-on Hop-off tours let you get on and off the bus as many times as you want within the validity period of your pass. City tours, on the other hand, have pre-designated hours and do not let you get off the bus according to your preferences. So, opt for a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour if you prefer flexible exploration and a customisable itinerary.

Are the Vienna Hop-on Hop-off buses wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both operators have wheelchair-accessible buses. However, we recommend getting in touch with them before the start of your trip so they can assist you in the safest way possible.

Can I bring my pets on these buses?

You can bring small pets on board if you have a Big Bus pass, provided they are appropriately restrained. Vienna Sightseeing does not allow pets on board.

Is Wi-Fi available on the buses?

Yes, Wi-Fi is available on the Hop-on Hop-off buses of both operators.