The short answer: U4 to Schönbrunn
Take the green U4 line to the station Schönbrunn. From there it is roughly a five to ten minute walk to the main gate. Travel guides put the ride from the Karlsplatz or Stephansdom area at about 10 to 20 minutes. The operator publishes no official figure.
Tram 10, tram 60 and bus 10A also serve the palace. All three stop at Schloss Schönbrunn. If you are heading for the zoo, the Palm House or the Desert House instead, get off one stop later at Hietzing.
Schönbrunn or Hietzing: which stop?
Both are on the U4, one station apart. The right one depends on where you want to go first.
| Option | Stop | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| U4 | Schönbrunn | Palace main gate, Great Parterre, Gloriette, Orangery concerts |
| U4 | Hietzing | Zoo main entrance via the Hietzing gate, Palm House and Desert House on the way |
| Tram 10 or 60 | Schloss Schönbrunn | Direct ride without a change, for example from Westbahnhof |
| Bus 10A | Schloss Schönbrunn | Alternative to the tram on the same stretch |
| On foot via Engelstor | near the Kennedy Bridge | Park, zoo and Imperial Carriage Museum, pedestrians only |
The zoo has a second entrance at the Tirolergarten car park on Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg. The path there is steep and not suitable for wheelchairs.
Schönbrunn tickets and tours
Skip the planning: palace tickets with a fixed time slot, guided tours and evening concerts, with live prices and availability.
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The new Engelstor entrance
Since 25 August 2026 there is an additional pedestrian gate next to the Kennedy Bridge.
The Engelstor opened on 25 August 2026, close to the stations of the U4, the tram and the bus. It leads straight into the park and towards the zoo and the Imperial Carriage Museum (Kaiserliche Wagenburg). It is for pedestrians only. If your main plan is the carriage museum, this gate shortens the walk compared with the main gate.
For the palace itself, the main gate is still the way in. Check the opening hours before you plan a route through the park.
Getting to Schönbrunn from other parts of Vienna
Approximate journey times from the official directions. Real times depend on connections.
From Westbahnhof
Tram 60 takes about 15 minutes and stops at the palace.
From Meidling
About 30 minutes with public transport.
From Hauptbahnhof
About 45 minutes. Take the U1 to Karlsplatz, then change to the U4.
From the airport
About 60 minutes. Take the S7 to Wien Mitte, then the U4. The City Airport Train (CAT) is closed from 7 September 2026 to 31 October 2027, with replacement buses.
From the city centre
Change to the U4 at Karlsplatz. It is the simplest route and avoids road traffic.
Public transport tickets in 2026
Prices of Wiener Linien since 1 January 2026, adults. Digital tickets via the WienMobil app are cheaper.
| Ticket | Paper | Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Single ride | €3.20 | €3.00 |
| Single ride, reduced or child | €1.60 | €1.50 |
| 24 hours | €10.20 | €9.70 |
| 7 days | €28.90 | €25.20 |
| 31 days | €75.00 | €65.20 |
No 48 or 72-hour tickets. Wiener Linien stopped selling them on 1 January 2026, including the versions bundled in city cards. Some websites still list them. For a short stay, a 24-hour ticket or a few single rides is the practical choice. A single ride is valid in one direction, you can change lines, but you cannot break the journey.
The Sisi Pass is not a transport ticket. Check what your city card includes before you buy a separate ticket.
Parking, hop-on hop-off and access
Most visitors do not need a car. If you have one, here is what is confirmed.
Parking
The car and coach car park at Schönbrunn is open around the clock, with 230 car spaces and 48 coach spaces. The tariff is not published officially, so check the price on site. The zoo recommends the park-and-ride at Hütteldorf (U4) as an alternative.
Hop-on hop-off buses
Routes and prices of hop-on hop-off buses depend on the provider, so we do not quote prices. A hop-on hop-off add-on is offered with the Vienna City Card. Compare the route and the stop closest to Schönbrunn before you book.
Step-free access
The palace has a lift. There are three disabled parking spaces at the main gate, and wheelchairs are free to borrow against ID. The Gloriette terrace is only reachable by stairs.
Rules in the park
Dogs and cycling are not allowed in the park. Walking on the lawns is forbidden.
Plan the rest of your visit
Once you know how to arrive, pick the ticket and the timing.
Schönbrunn tickets explained
State Apartments, Palace Ticket, Classic Pass or Sisi Pass and what each one covers.
Opening hours
Palace, park and garden attractions by season.
Gardens and Gloriette
The free park, the Gloriette terrace and the paid gardens.
Schönbrunn Zoo
Entrances, prices and the giant pandas.
Getting to Schönbrunn: frequently asked questions
Which U-Bahn line goes to Schönbrunn?
The U4. Get off at Schönbrunn for the palace and the main park. Get off at Hietzing, one stop further, for the zoo, the Palm House and the Desert House.
How long does it take from the city centre?
Travel guides give about 10 to 20 minutes on the U4 from Karlsplatz or the Stephansdom area, with one change. There is no official minute figure, so add a buffer.
Can I still buy a 48 or 72-hour ticket?
No. Wiener Linien dropped these tickets on 1 January 2026. The remaining time-based options are the 24-hour ticket at €10.20 (€9.70 digital) and the 7-day ticket at €28.90 (€25.20 digital).
How do I get from the airport to Schönbrunn?
Plan about 60 minutes. Take the S7 to Wien Mitte and change to the U4. The City Airport Train is closed from 7 September 2026 to 31 October 2027, so buses replace it.
Is there parking at Schönbrunn?
Yes, a car and coach car park with 230 car spaces is open 24 hours. The official tariff is not published, so we do not quote a price. Public transport is usually easier.
What is the Engelstor?
A pedestrian entrance to the park near the Kennedy Bridge that opened on 25 August 2026. It lies close to the U4, tram and bus stops and leads towards the zoo and the Imperial Carriage Museum.