Just like in other major European capitals, Vienna offers sightseeing tourist buses that allow visitors to see the city quickly, comfortably, and flexibly. Two main bus companies operate distinct routes across Vienna: the Yellow Bus, operated by Vienna Sightseeing, and the Red Bus, operated by Big Bus Tours.
The Yellow Bus offers 4 different routes across the city (Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green), while the Red Bus operates 2 main city routes (Red and Blue). Both companies also offer guided evening night tours.
In this comprehensive guide, we cover how the hop-on hop-off system works, the various routes and stops, how to book tickets online, and insider tips for making the most of the bus during your stay in Vienna.
Vienna Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: How Does It Work?
The tourist buses in Vienna are double-decker buses operating on a Hop-On Hop-Off basis. This means you can board and disembark as many times as you like for the entire validity period of your ticket. You can board at a stop in the city center, ride to a famous attraction, get off to explore at your own pace, and hop back on the next bus to continue to your next destination.
Each time you board, simply show or scan your mobile ticket QR code with the driver or attendant.
Every official bus stop has clear signage indicating which company stops there, along with a schedule so you know when the next bus is due to arrive.
Note: Most sightseeing buses in Vienna are fully wheelchair accessible and equipped for travelers with reduced mobility.
What Are the Routes of the Vienna Sightseeing Buses?
Both companies offer varied and scenic routes across Vienna. Some routes overlap along the famous Ringstraße boulevard, but they are not identical. If your primary goal is exploring the historic city center, either company is an excellent choice as both cover the central highlights. If you also want to reach the greener, outer areas of the city (such as the Grinzing wine district), the Yellow Bus offers routes reaching further out. Below is a detailed breakdown of both operators.
1. The Red Bus – Big Bus Tours
Big Bus Tours is one of the world’s largest open-top sightseeing operators, running in over 25 major cities worldwide. Their fleet consists of double-decker buses with open-air top decks (covered on rainy days).
This is What a Ride With the Big Bus Company Looks Like
Big Bus operates two circular routes in Vienna:
- The Red Route: Covers the heart of the historic center, Ringstraße, and the Danube Canal area.
- The Blue Route: Extends to major landmarks outside the inner ring, including Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace.
Big Bus also offers an evening panoramic tour with an English-speaking live guide. Across both routes, the buses stop at over 20 key locations. Because several central stops are shared, you can easily transfer between lines to cover large parts of the city in a short time.
Big Bus Tickets & Prices
Tickets can be booked for 24 or 48 hours, granting unlimited rides during that period. The evening tour requires a dedicated ticket or combo option.
- 24-Hour Ticket (Discover): From €39 per adult. Includes access to both the Red and Blue routes
- 48-Hour Ticket (Essential): From €44.10 per adult. Includes the Red and Blue routes, a self-guided digital walking tour, and shopping shuttle access
- Evening Tour: From €35 per adult (approx. 90-minute tour)
- Children under 5 ride free. Discounted tickets are available for children aged 5–15
Book Big Bus Tours Vienna Tickets Online (Free Cancellation up to 24 Hours)
Big Bus Routes & Stops
The Red Route:
- Tour Duration: Approx. 2 hours (if you stay on without disembarking)
- Frequency: Every 20–30 minutes
- Audio Guide Languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, and more
- Operating Hours: First departure from Stop 1 around 09:30; last departure around 17:00.
- Main Stops along the Red Route:
- Opera / Walfischgasse – Vienna State Opera in the heart of the city
- House of Music (Haus der Musik) – Interactive sound museum
- MuseumsQuartier / Mariahilfer Straße – Museum quarter & famous shopping street
- Museums / Hofburg Palace – Imperial palace complex
- City Hall (Rathaus) – Neo-Gothic Vienna City Hall
- Votive Church (Votivkirche) – Neo-Gothic landmark church
- Schwedenplatz / DDSG River Cruises – Danube canal pier
- Prater – Famous amusement park and Giant Ferris Wheel
- Blue Danube / Pier 3 – River cruise docks
- Danube Tower (Donauturm) – Panoramic viewing tower
- Old Danube (Alte Donau) – Recreational lake area
- UNO City / DC Tower – United Nations headquarters
- Danube Island (Donauinsel)
- Hundertwasser House – Unique colorful architectural landmark
- City Park (Stadtpark) – Johann Strauss monument
The Blue Route (Schönbrunn Route):
- Tour Duration: Approx. 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Frequency: Every 20–30 minutes
- Operating Hours: First departure around 09:15; last departure around 17:15
- Main Stops along the Blue Route:
- Opera / Albertina – State Opera and Albertina art museum
- MuseumsQuartier / Mariahilfer Straße
- Museum of Science and Technology (Technisches Museum)
- Schönbrunn Palace & Zoo – Imperial summer residence and palace gardens
- Vienna Central Station (Hauptbahnhof)
- Upper Belvedere Palace – Famous for Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss”
- Lower Belvedere Palace
Big Bus Evening Tour:
- Departure Time: 18:00 (departs from the State Opera)
- Duration: Approx. 90 minutes
- Details: Non-stop panoramic evening tour accompanied by a licensed live English-speaking guide showcasing illuminated Vienna landmarks.
2. The Yellow Bus – Vienna Sightseeing Tours
Vienna Sightseeing Tours is a long-established local Austrian operator with the most extensive network in the city, stopping at nearly 50 locations across Vienna. Their yellow double-decker buses feature complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, audio guides in 19 languages, as well as dedicated kids’ audio channels in English and German.
This is What a Ride With Vienna Sightseeing Tours Looks Like
Vienna Sightseeing runs 4 circular routes:
- Red Line: Circles the historic Ringstraße boulevard and Imperial palaces.
- Blue Line: Explores the Danube, Prater, and Hundertwasserhaus.
- Yellow Line: Connects the city center with Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere, and Central Station.
- Green Line: Heads north to the picturesque wine village of Grinzing and panoramic Kahlenberg hill (operates during summer months).
Vienna Sightseeing Tickets & Prices
Tickets are available for 24, 48, or 72 hours with unlimited hop-on hop-off privileges across all operating lines:
- 24-Hour Ticket: From €39 per adult. Includes Red, Blue, and Yellow lines, audio guide in 19 languages, free Wi-Fi, and a self-guided app walking tour.
- 48-Hour Ticket: From €47 per adult. Includes all 4 lines (Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green), self-guided app tour, free Wi-Fi, and audio commentary.
- 72-Hour Ticket: From €55 per adult. Maximum flexibility across all lines for a relaxed three-day stay.
- Discounted rates are available for children aged 6–16; children under 6 ride free. Family ticket bundles are also available.
- Tip: The all-inclusive Vienna Pass sightseeing card already includes free unlimited rides on Vienna Sightseeing buses.
Book Vienna Sightseeing (Yellow Bus) Tickets Online (Free Cancellation)
Vienna Sightseeing Routes & Schedules
Red Line (Ringstraße Boulevard):
- Duration: Approx. 1 hour
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- Operating Hours: 09:24 – 17:34
- Key Highlights: Departs near the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) and circles the Ringstraße, stopping at City Hall, Hofburg Palace, Burgtheater, and Schwedenplatz.
Blue Line (Danube & Prater):
- Duration: Approx. 2 hours
- Frequency: Every 20 minutes
- Operating Hours: 09:20 – 17:00
- Key Highlights: Covers District 1, District 2 (Leopoldstadt), Hundertwasserhaus, Prater Amusement Park, and the Danube riverbank.
Yellow Line (Schönbrunn & Belvedere):
- Duration: Approx. 2 hours
- Frequency: Every 20 minutes
- Operating Hours: 09:20 – 17:15
- Key Highlights: Stops at Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace, Vienna Central Station, and the Museum of Military History.
Green Line (Grinzing & Kahlenberg Hills):
- Season: Summer months (typically April through October)
- Duration: Approx. 1 hour
- Operating Hours: 10:45 – 16:00
- Key Highlights: Scenic wine-growing village of Grinzing, traditional Heuriger wine taverns, and the panoramic lookout point at Kahlenberg overlooking the Vienna basin.
Vienna Sightseeing Evening Night Tour:
- Departure Time: 18:30 from the Vienna State Opera
- Duration: Approx. 60 minutes
- Operating Season: Early April to mid-October. A relaxing non-stop illuminated evening tour of Vienna’s monuments.
Summary: Which Company Should You Choose?
- Choose Big Bus Tours (Red Bus) if you prefer live English guiding on evening tours, slightly more compact central routing, and high-frequency transfers between Schönbrunn and the inner ring.
- Choose Vienna Sightseeing (Yellow Bus) if you want broader coverage (up to 4 lines including the Grinzing wine district), have or plan to purchase the Vienna Pass, or are traveling with children who will enjoy the dedicated kids’ audio channels.
Essential Links & Resources
- Big Bus Tours Vienna Official Website
- Vienna Sightseeing Tours Official Website
- Book Big Bus Tours Vienna Tickets
- Book Vienna Sightseeing Yellow Bus Tickets
- Big Bus App for Android | Big Bus App for iPhone
- Live Bus Tracker for Vienna Sightseeing
- Vienna Pass Guide & Discounts
