Vienna: Skip-the-Line Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Tour
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Vienna, Austria
+27
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Save time with skip-the-line entry to Schönbrunn Palace and enjoy a guided tour of 22 imperial rooms and gardens with a licensed guide. This tour offers prebooked timed tickets for quick access and commentary in one language that covers the Habsburg history and legends of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Cover the highlights of the vast Schonbrunn Palace on a 22-room tour
- Avoid the long ticket lines that often appear with a skip-the-line ticket
- Find top photo points at the gardens, fountains, and Gloriette monument
- Catch all the Habsburg commentary clearly thanks to audio headsets
What's Included
- 2,5-hour Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Tour
- 5-Star Licensed Guide with expert commentary in only 1 selected language
- Skip-the-line tickets to Schönbrunn Palace (exclusive 22 rooms)
- Free access to Schönbrunn courtyards and gardens
- Commentary in 1 selected language (no multilingual distractions)
- Personal headset to enhance the audio quality for groups of 10+
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker | Schloss Schönbrunn | Café RestaurantSchloss Schönbrunn, Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47/Kavalierstrakt 52, 1130 Wien, Austria
Meet your guide on the left side of Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker, Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Wien(48.18572721289812, 16.31386222974554)-not Schlosscafé Schönbrunn by the main gate, reach the fountains in the courtyard & turn left, wait at the pillars on the left & cafe door on the right
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker | Schloss Schönbrunn | Café Restaurant
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Schonbrunn Palace
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Schonbrunner Gardens
1 hour 10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Arrive at least 10 minutes early. Latecomers won't be able to join or receive a refund.
- Skip-the-line tickets to Schönbrunn Palace guarantee entry at a reserved time. The 22-room tour is exclusive to official Schönbrunn partners; not available on the spot.
- Free access to Schönbrunn Gardens may be restricted in winter, as the gardens are not green or lit up (especially in the evenings). Book a morning tour for the best experience. In case of extreme weather conditions (such as snow), the outdoor tour may be altered for the safety of the guests. From 08.11 to 06.01, you will have a chance to visit a local Christmas Market instead.
- There is no Sisi exhibition at Schönbrunn, book our Hofburg tour.
- Commentary will be provided only in 1 language, as selected when booking.
- Maximum 25 participants.
- Headsets will be provided for groups of 10+ inside the palace.
- This walking tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues.
- No storage for coats, umbrellas, large bags, baby carriages etc.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 1,245 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
The tour was fun great pace great knowledge by the tour guide Mario. He’s very knowledged in the history of the palaces and was very helpful getting around the palace gardens.
Do it, get a tour guide, especially one with such knowledge as Volker. Volker lives and breathes Vienna and the knowledge he has is remarkable.
Our guide, Rene, was very knowledgeable and passionate about this tour. We enjoyed seeing this beautiful and historical location. It was well worth the price.
Our guide Alexander was wonderful, and did a fantastic job in directing a large group through a very busy Palace. He kept us all engaged with the history of the palace and the Habsburgs. Alex ensured we knew what else was available and worthwhile to visit in the vast grounds of the Palace.
Thank you for a lovely and enjoyable tour!
This was a great tour. First our guide was so great, sadly I cannot remember his name but he lived opposite the castle. He knew so much about the castle and its occupants. He was able to relay this in an entertaining and informative manner. We were lucky to have him. The castle is incredible, part of Europe that makes it so special for those of us from countries which were settled after the castle was built.
Our tour guide was excellent! He was extremely knowledgeable and did his best to work with the crowds. Unfortunately the venue itself allows way too many people in at one time. This is not a reflection on the tour operators, all of them have to deal with this.
Quick 22 room overview of the palace and gardens. Shuffled through quickly because of crowds. Could hear with headsets nicely but our guide’s socialist views he could have kept more to himself.
George was a delightful and engaging guide who knew many fascinating details and stories. An easy drive from Vienna in a comfortable vehicle. Sisi’s story is extraordinary and the palace beautiful. Worth the trip.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear wendy_d,
What a lovely way to experience Schönbrunn! We’re so pleased George’s stories and fascinating details added another layer to the beauty of the palace and the extraordinary story of Sisi. It’s wonderful to know the journey was comfortable and, most importantly, well worth the trip. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
The tour was good enough but the your guides delivery was not the greatest. It was hard to follow him as he always spoke of himself in the third person. He seemed knowledgeable and nice just not easy to follow.
This was an overall engaging and interesting tour! The scenery was gorgeous and cannot be missed when visiting Vienna. Our tour guide, Matthias, provided insightful history and commentary that truly elevated visiting the palace and gardens. I learned a lot and had a few laughs. I also lost my way when initially meeting with the group, and Matthias and the tour coordinators were kind enough to wait for me and help me find the meet up spot.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear MARY_T,
A little history, a few laughs, and beautiful Schönbrunn sounds like a day well spent! We’re especially glad Matthias and our team could help when finding the meeting point became tricky. Making guests feel looked after is just as important to us as delivering a memorable tour. Thank you for sharing your experience and for exploring Vienna with us!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
Great way to see city highlights. Different tours through city and we took two—all on one day price.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Victor_H,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re glad you had an enjoyable day exploring Vienna and were able to discover so many of the city’s highlights. Vienna certainly has plenty to see, and we hope your visit left you with wonderful memories.
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
The guide not only rushed us through the tour skipping a room or two in the palace because it was ‘too crowded’, he did not even wait for slow walkers in the garden. He just paced up and didn’t even bother looking for his group. Our group shrunk considerably when the garden tour ended. Would not recommend this guide.
Absolutely beautiful great experience loved our guide and would definitely recommend this for anybody that is in town
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Audrey_S,
A beautiful place, a great guide, and an experience worth recommending. That’s exactly how we hope a visit to Schönbrunn feels! We’re so happy you had such a wonderful time and that the tour became a highlight of your stay in Vienna. Thank you for encouraging other travelers to experience it too!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
As an American I did not realize that the meeting point was not just an address but the name of the cafe meeting point as I cannot speak German. I went to the wrong cafe and could not make the tour in time. I always use Viator and have booked over 10 tours on my Europe trip this time alone and this has never happened to me. I lost my all my money. It would have been nice for them to offer a partial refund since I wasn’t just a no show I went to the wrong cafe. I would not book this company again
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Missy,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are truly sorry to hear that you had trouble finding the meeting location and missed your tour in Vienna. We completely understand how stressful navigating a new city and language can be while traveling.
To ensure smooth arrivals, exact meeting point names, physical addresses, and location details are provided on every booking confirmation voucher. Because our group tours must depart on schedule out of fairness to all attending guests, missed departures unfortunately cannot be refunded after the activity has started.
We appreciate your feedback regarding how location details are presented, and we genuinely regret that this situation impacted your time in Vienna.
Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, as well as punctual. Even spent a few minutes with us after his scheduled tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Melissa_H,
Sometimes it’s the extra few minutes that make an experience feel especially personal. We’re so pleased your guide combined knowledge, friendliness, and punctuality with a willingness to give you a little extra time after the tour. That kind of attentive service is exactly what we value. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
We walked 7km and people should realise this. I think the meeting point for the tour could be better described. Excellent tour and our guide Elmar was brilliant.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear David_S,
Thank you for your wonderful 5-star review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that Elmar made the experience especially memorable. We also appreciate your helpful comments about the walking distance and meeting point, which we’ll keep in mind as we continue improving the guest experience.
We hope you left with many great memories from the tour!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
Alex was a wonderful guide. He spent so much time with us giving amazing stories and details. We would highly recommend this tour. It was so much better than trying to navigate around by ourselves.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Doug_A,
What a pleasure to read this! Exploring with a knowledgeable guide can bring a destination to life in ways that are easy to miss on your own, and we’re so glad Alex did exactly that for you. His stories and attention to detail are a big part of what makes the experience special. Thank you for recommending the tour!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
Our tour guide made this experience outstanding. Skipping the line was definitely worth the extra expense.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Carole_C,
“Best tour guide” is wonderful to hear! A great guide can truly transform a visit, and we’re so pleased yours made the experience outstanding. We’re also glad the skip-the-line access proved worthwhile and helped you make the most of your time. Thank you for choosing Rosotravel and for sharing your experience!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
René was amazing, 10/10, highly recommend to take the time to go to Schonbrun Palace especially in this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear kristelle_c,
A 10/10 for René certainly made our day! We’re so happy he helped make your visit to Schönbrunn Palace such a memorable one. It’s a remarkable place, and having the right guide can make its history and stories even more fascinating. Thank you for the fantastic recommendation!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
This is so much better than the self guided tour. Our guide Alex was so passionate about the history of the Schonbruun Palace that there is no way you would get all the info he shared from a self guided tour. He was friendly and answered all questions and took extra time with us. 5 stars would recommend!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Joe_G,
This is exactly what we hope a personal tour brings to a visit: not just seeing Schönbrunn Palace, but discovering the stories behind it. We’re thrilled that Alex’s passion, knowledge, and willingness to answer your questions made such a difference. Thank you for the 5 stars and for recommending the guided experience!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
Our guide Rene was outstanding and made the tour most interesting with his anecdotes. He made history come alive. A wonderful experience.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Ashwini_N,
History is at its best when it feels like a story rather than a lesson, and we’re so pleased René brought it to life for you. His anecdotes and storytelling are a wonderful way to discover the people and events behind the sights. Thank you for sharing such lovely feedback about your experience!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
Our guide Elmar was exceptional. Great interest and enthusiasm, always willing to answer questions. This is the top tourist attraction in Vienna so be prepared for crowds, but they were manageable and Elmar expertly led us through them even with a relatively large group of around 25 people. The palace and gardens are interesting and impressive, and Elmar provided just enough historical perspective.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Robert_P,
Navigating a busy Schönbrunn while keeping the experience engaging is no small task, so we’re especially pleased to hear how expertly Elmar guided your group. His enthusiasm, thoughtful historical context, and openness to questions are exactly what can turn an impressive palace into a memorable experience. Thank you for recognizing his efforts and sharing such wonderful feedback!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
Lots of facts and stories brought the story of this palace to life. The microphone system made sure we could hear every word. Very well run and the guide was very pleasant and friendly.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Dave_F,
Centuries of palace history can be a lot to take in, so we love hearing that the stories made it all clear, colorful, and memorable. We’re also pleased that the audio system, smooth organization, and your guide’s friendly approach allowed you to simply enjoy the experience and take it all in. Thank you for sharing such encouraging feedback!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
This was a great tour of the palace and the gardens with Elmar. He was very knowledgeable and clearly enjoyed taking part in sharing the history and culture of the Hapsburgs to the tour attendees. If I had to provide one criticism, it would be that the tour (company? Elmar himself?) were extra accomodating to potentially late individuals, to the point where we were standing around waiting for people well beyond the tour start time. If you put a firm start time and detailed instructions on where to meet (which they did), this shouldn't be a necessary delay felt by the punctual members of the group. That being said, this is a minor point and I overall thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would recommend it.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear John_S,
Thank you for such a thoughtful review and recommendation. We’re delighted that Elmar’s enthusiasm and knowledge brought the history and culture of the Habsburgs to life throughout your visit. We also appreciate your candid feedback about the delayed start. We understand that our punctual guests value having their time respected, and your comments are a helpful reminder of the importance of keeping the experience running smoothly for everyone.
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
Maria was exceptional - great grasp of Vienna’s beautiful history and gave wonderful local suggestions re places to visit & where to eat/ drink - highly recommend booking w her - nice touches w chocolate & quick sip national soda
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Paul_M,
It sounds like Maria gave you a wonderful taste of Vienna, in more ways than one! We’re delighted that her knowledge of the city, local recommendations, and thoughtful little touches made the experience feel especially personal. Thank you for recognizing her efforts and for such an enthusiastic recommendation!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
Great and lively tour. Our guide brought everything alive and had fun while taking us around. It was much better than walking around ourselves
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Matthew_B,
That’s the difference a great guide can make! Schönbrunn is impressive on its own, but the stories, personalities, and history behind it can make the palace truly come alive. We’re so glad your guide brought plenty of knowledge and fun to the experience. Thank you for choosing to explore it with us!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
Great tour of the palace and gardens, which are impressive. Martina was able to transport us in time with her stories. It added a lot of sparkle to the visit.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear AnaLaura_D,
A beautiful palace becomes even more memorable when its stories transport you back in time! We’re delighted that Martina brought Schönbrunn’s history to life and added that extra sparkle to your visit. Thank you for sharing such lovely feedback and for recognizing the magic a great storyteller can bring to the experience!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
To detailed for me, every painting did not need to be dissected, very slow moving and hot. We left and did not view the Gardens.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Gunther_S,
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re sorry to hear that the pace and level of detail were not the right fit for you, especially on such a warm day. Our guides aim to provide meaningful context while allowing guests to appreciate Schönbrunn’s rich history, but we understand that preferences can vary. We appreciate your feedback and will keep it in mind as we continue refining the experience.
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
Detailed and informative tour with a very knowledgeable guide. Elmar was excellent and friendly and gave us loads of historical insight.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Karen_D,
There’s so much more to Schönbrunn when you know the history behind what you’re seeing! We’re delighted that Elmar’s friendly approach and wealth of historical insight made your visit both informative and memorable. Thank you for the wonderful feedback and for exploring the palace with us!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
A great tour of an amazing royal residence, inside we were given listening devices so you could wander and look and still hear all the commentary. The guide was very knowledgeable and open to questions.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Stephen_W,
Exploring a magnificent royal residence while still catching every story along the way makes for a special experience! We’re delighted that the audio system allowed you to enjoy Schönbrunn comfortably and that your guide’s knowledge and openness to questions added even more to the visit. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
Regards,
Rosotravel Team
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