Vienna is a city full of charm, history and sights that are unrivaled anywhere in the world. But what is the best way to explore the city's highlights? One of the most convenient and efficient options is certainly a bus tour, which will take you past many famous places. But is it really worth it? We describe our view as locals and give you a little teaser of what to expect on a bus tour of Vienna. Don't forget to check out a Vienna Welcome Card in advance, as it not only gives you discounts for the tours, but also for the city's sights. So hop on and off you go!

1. comfortable and stress-free

A bus tour offers the opportunity to experience Vienna in a completely relaxed way: You don't have to search for the highlights of the city and plan a route to see them all. Constantly looking at the navigation on your cell phone or even walking around with a paper city map in your hand? That can be quite cumbersome. On a bus tour, you can concentrate on the essentials, namely the impressive view of Vienna.  Especially for first-time visitors, a sightseeing tour is the ideal way to get an undisturbed overview of the city. 

2. many sights in a short time

During a bus tour you will pass all the important highlights: the City Hall, the Hofburg, the Parliament, Schönbrunn Palace, the Prater and many more, depending on the provider. You can get a great overview in just a few hours - perfect if you only have a short time or are looking for a quick orientation at the start of your city trip in Vienna. 

3. hop-on hop-off: flexibility included

Many bus tour providers rely on the popular hop-on hop-off system. This allows you to get off at the stops that particularly interest you and then simply hop on the next bus to continue your journey. This allows you to combine a guided tour with the flexibility to discover Vienna at your own pace. It works best with Big Bus Vienna: the Vienna Welcome Card and the Big Bus ticket are perfectly coordinated and you can hop on and off at any of the stops at any time within 72 hours. So you won't miss any of the sights and can still devote as much time to each highlight as you like.

4. exciting background information

Most tours offer audio guides in several languages that provide you with interesting facts and stories about Vienna and all the sights. This way, you can learn a lot of interesting facts along the way without having to constantly pull out your cell phone and do research. On the Big Bus Vienna, you simply get a pair of headphones when you get on and learn all about the Karlskirche, Belvedere, Schönbrunn and more - including Viennese banter and plenty of fun facts. Even we, as locals, were quite surprised by some of the background information and can only recommend listening in. 

5. ideal in bad weather

We've probably all been there: you've been looking forward to discovering a new city for weeks, only to be greeted by really bad weather on arrival. But whether it's rain, a snowstorm, a heatwave or wind, you'll be dry and at a pleasant temperature on the bus. Especially on uncomfortable days, a sightseeing tour is a recommended way to see a lot of Vienna on a city trip without risking wet feet. 

6. the best providers for bus tours in Vienna

There are several providers offering bus tours in Vienna. Particularly popular are the aforementioned Big Bus Tours and Vienna Sightseeing, both of which offer a comprehensive hop-on hop-off network with many stops. We recommend taking the double-decker, red Big Bus: you can choose between two routes and an evening tour, there is also a guided tour and a few other included benefits. And for researching in between - or the odd selfie on Instagram - there's stable WiFi on board. 

7. benefits with the Vienna Welcome Card

Combining a bus tour with the Vienna Welcome Card is particularly practical. Not only can you explore the city, but you can also save a lot of money. With the right add-on, you can easily combine the Vienna Welcome Card with the Big Bus Ticket. Particularly practical: the Vienna Welcome Card also gives you many benefits for other means of transportation, such as the subway, cabs and e-scooters. So you can get around the city quickly even after the bus tour. 

Our conclusion: bus tour through Vienna

A bus tour is particularly worthwhile for newcomers to Vienna, for those who have little time or for those who are looking for a particularly stress-free and comfortable way to discover the city. This type of tour is also ideal for families with children or older people. We also really like the opportunity to hear exciting facts and learn more about Vienna along the way. It is best to take the bus tour at the beginning of your visit to Vienna to get an overview of the city. 

Of course, there are many other ways to discover Vienna: Here we provide you with an overview of recommended tours and sightseeing tours. And you can get a culinary insight into the city in these traditional inns and restaurants.