Visiting The Hofburg in Vienna: A Full FAQ Guide
/Our December trip to Vienna was a great success. One of the must-see stops on our tour of the city was the Hofburg Palace. The former winter residence of the Habsburgs, now the official residence of the Austrian President, houses 3 museums, the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments and the Imperial Silver Collection.
We’ll be answering in detail all of the most frequently Googled questions in this full FAQ guide.
Getting To The Hofburg
The Hofburg Palace can be found in the heart of Vienna, within the city centre Ringstrasse (ring road). The official address is 1010 Wien, Austria.
You’ll find the entrance to the palace museums underneath Michaelerkuppel, the circular domed area between Innerer Burghof and Michaelerplatz.
Just follow the In Der Burg road north-east through the archway and you’ll see the entrance across from the entrance to the Spanish Riding School (before you go through the next archway into Michaelerplatz).
As with most of our time in Vienna, we relied a lot on the free-to-use Citymapper app for directions.
If you’re planning to take advantage of the extensive Viennese public transportation system (buses, trams, trains) consider getting a Vienna City Card (read our review here to work out if it’s worth getting one for your trip).
Alternatively, if you’re wanting to try a more modern means of transportation, try scooting. It’s become a popular, fun, green mode of transport. Perfectly suited to a flat city like Vienna.
Use my Lime referral link to get one free unlock (usually €1).
Nearest Tram Stops on The Ringstrasse (Grand Boulevard)
There are two tram stops on the Ringstrasse around the same distance from the Hofburg.
Burgring Tram Stop: 500m or 6 minute walk south-west
Ring/Volkstheater Tram Stop: 650m or 8 minute walk west
Nearest U-Bahn/Metro Station
The closest U-Bahn/Metro stations to the Hofburg are the following:
U3 Line Stop: Herrengasse - 250m or 3 minute walk north
U2 Line Stop: Museums-Quarter - 850m or 10 minute walk south-west
Uber to and From The Hofburg
Uber has an extensive network and selection of cars in Vienna. You can use Uber Green (electric/hybrids) which I’ve found to be the same price as UberX rides but with the added environmental/green bonus on top. Uber Comfort, Uber Black and Uber Van are all available in and around Vienna too.
If you’ve never used UBER before, use our code: andrewy2730ue or sign up here to get a discount on your first journey.
Hofburg Palace Map
This map below shows the Ticket Office (1), Shop/Cafe (2), Sisi Museum (Pink), Silver Collection (Blue), Imperial Apartments (Red) and the exit on to Ballhausplatz.
Opening Times
The Hofburg, which includes the Silver Collection, Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments are open daily (7 days a week) including public holidays, but the opening hours vary throughout the year. There are no restricted dates.
September to June Opening Times
Ticket Office: 9:00am to 4:30pm
Silver Collection: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Sisi Museum: 9:00am to 5:15pm
Imperial Apartments: 9:00am to 5:30pm
July To August Opening Times
Ticket Office: 9:00am to 5pm
Silver Collection: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Sisi Museum: 9:00am to 5:45pm
Imperial Apartments: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Ticket Prices
The Hofburg, like most major tourist sites in Vienna, is not free to visit. All tickets come with a free audio guide but you can opt for a guided tour with an extra charge. Also, check out the Sisi ticket below, if you’re planning a visit to Schönbrunn Palace and/or the Imperial Furniture Collection as well.
You can buy your tickets at the Hofburg entrance desk or you can buy tickets online, in advance through the Hofburg website.
Adults: €15 with audio guide (€18 for guided tour)
Vienna City Card Holders: €14 with audio guide (€17 for guided tour)
Children (6-18): €9 with audio guide (€10.50 for guided tour)
Students (19-25 with Student ID): €14 with audio guide (€17 for guided tour)
Disabled Persons (with valid ID): €14 with audio guide (€17 for guided tour). Free for those accompanying blind/vision-impaired visitors or a wheelchair user (with valid ID).
School Groups (6-18 with 10 pupils and above): €7 with audio guide (€8.50 for guided tour)
Is The Sisi Ticket Worth It?
The Sisi Ticket is a combined ticket which grants you access to the Hofburg, Schönbrunn palace and the Imperial Furniture Collection. If you plan on visiting all 3, you’ll save money by purchasing the Sisi ticket.
In the Hofburg, you’ll get to see the Silver Collection, Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments with an audio guide. You’ll get to go on the Grand Tour of Schönbrunn Palace. This is the longer tour which encompasses 40 rooms and takes approximately 50-60 minutes.
The shorter (and cheaper) imperial tour takes you through 22 rooms and takes around 30-40 minutes (essentially it doesn’t include one wing of Schönbrunn). Plus, you’ll get access to the Imperial Furniture Collection, which also includes a tour and audio guide.
Sisi Ticket Costs:
Adults: €34
Children (6-18): €21
Students (19-25 with Student ID): €31
Disabled Persons (with valid ID): €31. Free for those accompanying blind/vision-impaired visitors or a wheelchair user (with valid ID).
Family Ticket (2 adults & 3 children): €71
School Groups (6-18 with 10 pupils and above): €16.50
Important: Sisi ticket prices are due to increase as of April 1st 2020. All ticket prices will increase by €2 with the exception of school group tickets, which stay the same, and the family ticket which increases by €4.
What About Taking Bags Inside The Hofburg?
You won’t be allowed to take in bulky objects or luggage (suitcases, large bags, scooters etc.) and there is no cloakroom or left-luggage service at the Hofburg. Largely due to the fact that the entrance location (under Michaelerkuppel) is different from the exit location (Ballhausplatz).
However, small backpacks and handbags are allowed. Just make sure you’re not carrying any bulky items with you when you go to visit.
Can I Film Or Take Photos In The Hofburg?
In the Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments, the answer is a firm no. You’re not allowed to film or take photos in these sections of the Hofburg. You’d need to get an official permit if you want to do either.
There is no ban on filming or photography inside the Imperial Silver Collection museum (which is the first stop on your tour of the Hofburg).
Food And Drink
Food and drink aren’t allowed inside the display rooms, with one exception, closable water bottles (sports bottles). You are allowed to carry those with you inside the Hofburg.
You can grab food and drink at Café Hofburg, located just outside the entrance in Innerer Burghof (on the right hand side in the image below). This is a traditional Viennese coffeehouse which serves, hot and cold drinks, plus a selection of cakes and pastries.
Is WiFi Available Inside The Hofburg?
No, there is no WiFi or WLAN available.
Are Pets Allowed Inside The Hofburg?
Pets, in general, are not allowed inside the Hofburg, with the exception of accredited assistance dogs.
What To See In The Hofburg
Thanks to the linear layout of the Hofburg, taking you through each of the 3 museums one at a time, it’s likely you won’t miss anything on your tour. That being said, here’s what you can expect to see.
The history of the Hofburg. All 600 years of it. The Hofburg was home to the Hapsburgs (13th to 15th century), Holy Roman Emperors (15th to early 19th century) and Austrian Emperors (early 19th century until the end of the monarchy in 1918).
The Milan Table Centrepiece in the Imperial Silver Collection. At 30 metres long, this piece was commissioned to mark the coronation of Austrian Emperor Ferdinand I in 1838.
The Sisi Museum. This section of the Hofburg tour takes an extensive look at the life of the longest serving Empress of Austria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Empress Elisabeth, nicknamed “Sisi”. From her life as a member of the court, to her assassination by an Italian anarchist in 1898.
Thank you to the Hofburg team for inviting us to visit. As always, all opinions are my own. Are you thinking of visiting the Hofburg in Vienna? Are there any questions I didn’t answer above? Let us know in the comments section down below.
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