The park is free, the Gloriette terrace is not
The Schönbrunn park covers about 1.2 km from east to west and roughly 1 km from north to south. It has been open to the public since about 1779 and, with the palace, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. You can walk in without a ticket, and private photos are free.
On the hill at the far end stands the Gloriette, built in 1775 to a design by Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg. The building is free to look at. The roof terrace with the view over the palace and the city needs a ticket.
Park opening hours by month
The park opens at 6:30 am all year. Only the closing time changes.
| Month | Park closes |
|---|---|
| January and February | 5:30 pm |
| March | 7 pm |
| April | 8 pm |
| May to August | 9 pm |
| September | 8 pm |
| October | 7 pm |
| November and December | 5:30 pm |
Some pages on the operator's site quote a flat closing time. The monthly table above is the one to trust. Dogs, cycling and walking on the lawns are not allowed.
Our picks: gardens and palace
A guided palace and gardens tour, entry with the panoramic train, and a garden walk.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Guided palace and gardens tour
A two-hour guided tour with skip-the-line entry to the palace and a walk through the gardens. Meeting point at the fountain in the main courtyard.
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Palace entry and panoramic train
Combines palace entry with a ride on the little panoramic train through the park. Check the details before you book.
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Guided garden walk, palace optional
The from-price is for a one-hour guided walk through the courtyards and gardens. Palace entry is only part of the longer two-and-a-half-hour option.
Check availability →Schönbrunn tickets and tours
Palace tickets, garden passes and guided tours with live prices and availability. The Classic Pass includes the Gloriette terrace and three gardens.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
What to see in the free park
You can cover these on one walk from the palace towards the hill.
Great Parterre and Neptune Fountain
Behind the palace, the Great Parterre leads straight towards the hill. At its foot stands the Neptune Fountain. The basin was dug from 1776 and finished around 1780. The figure group of Tyrolean Sterzing marble is by Wilhelm Beyer, probably to a design by Hohenberg.
Roman Ruin
The Roman Ruin dates from 1778 and was also designed by Hohenberg. It was first called the "Ruin of Carthage". The model was an engraving by Piranesi from around 1756. It is an artificial ruin, built as a garden feature.
Plan your wander with the opening hours in mind. We do not give a walking time to the Gloriette because the operator does not publish one.
The paid garden attractions
Prices for adults in 2026. They are valid until the end of the season on 2 November 2026.
| Ticket | Includes | Adults |
|---|---|---|
| Gloriette terrace | The viewing platform on the roof only | €5.50 |
| Exclusive Gardens at Schönbrunn | Maze, Crown Prince Garden, Orangery Garden and Gloriette terrace | €16 |
| Classic Pass | Palace Ticket plus the four garden attractions above | €49 |
| Classic Pass Plus | Classic Pass plus zoo, Desert House and Palm House | €81 |
Exclusive Gardens costs €11 for children and €14 with the Vienna City Card. Compare it with the single terrace ticket: €10.50 more buys the maze and two more gardens. If you only want the view, the terrace ticket is enough. Details on the maze are in our Palm House and Maze guide.
Opening hours of the paid gardens in 2026
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| 29 March to 30 June | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm |
| 1 July to 31 August | 9:30 am to 6:30 pm |
| 1 September to 25 October | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm |
| 26 October to 2 November | 9:30 am to 4 pm |
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing, and 45 minutes for the maze. Hours from 3 November 2026 have not been published. Do not count on the terrace being open in winter until the operator announces it.
The Gloriette and Café Gloriette
The view is the reason to climb the hill.
The glazed centre of the Gloriette houses Café Gloriette. The roof terrace has served as a viewing platform since the early 19th century. It is reached only by a staircase, so it is not step-free. From the top you see the palace, the park and the city beyond.
Café hours in winter have not been verified, so check on the day if you plan a coffee stop between November and March.
Schönbrunn garden in autumn and winter
The park is open year-round, but not everything runs.
Fountains are off
The Neptune Fountain, the Roman Ruin fountain and the other fountains do not run from mid-October to mid-April. The park stays open.
Paid gardens end on 2 November
The tickets in this guide are valid until 2 November 2026. Winter operation is not confirmed.
Earlier closing
The park closes at 7 pm in October and at 5:30 pm in November and December.
Christmas season
From 6 November the courtyard hosts the Christmas market, and "Imperial Lights" lights part of the park from €24.
More to plan around the gardens
Reach the park, then continue to the glasshouses or the zoo.
How to get to Schönbrunn
U4 Schönbrunn or Hietzing, tram 10 and 60 and the new Engelstor gate.
Palm House and Maze
Two paid extras and whether they are worth the ticket.
Schönbrunn Zoo
The oldest zoo in the world, with two giant pandas.
Opening hours
Palace, park and gardens by season.
Schönbrunn Gardens: frequently asked questions
Is the Schönbrunn park free?
Yes. It is free during opening hours, from 6:30 am until between 5:30 pm and 9 pm depending on the month. Only the Gloriette terrace, Maze, Crown Prince Garden and Orangery Garden charge admission.
How much does the Gloriette cost?
The viewing terrace costs €5.50 for adults in 2026. It is included in the €16 Exclusive Gardens ticket and in the Classic Pass. The building itself can be seen for free.
Can I go up to the Gloriette in winter?
The park and the hill are open all year. The terrace tickets are published only until 2 November 2026, and winter hours are not confirmed. Check before you go.
Are the fountains running in October?
Not after mid-October. The Neptune Fountain and the Roman Ruin fountain are switched off from mid-October to mid-April.
Is the Gloriette wheelchair accessible?
No, the terrace is reached by stairs only.
Can I bring a dog or a bike?
No. Dogs and cycling are not allowed in the park, and you may not walk on the lawns.