Quick answer: Vienna runs about EUR 110 per day mid-range - noticeably less if you eat local and walk. Cheapest window: April-June and September-October for mild sightseeing weather - or late November-December for the Christmas markets.
What things actually cost
| melange (Viennese coffee) | 4.50 EUR |
| Wiener Schnitzel with potato salad | 18 EUR |
| U-Bahn single ticket | 2.40 EUR |
| sausage stand kaesekrainer | 5 EUR |
| Schoenbrunn Imperial Tour | 24 EUR |
| glass of gruener veltliner at a heuriger | 4 EUR |
Eat well for little
- Wiener Schnitzel at Figlmueller or a neighborhood gasthaus18-20 EUR, traditionally veal, cheaper with pork
- Sachertorte with a melange coffee at a classic cafeabout 12 EUR for both
- Kaesekrainer sausage from a wuerstelstandthe late-night classic, about 5 EUR
- Naschmarkt stallsmixed mezze plates and market snacks, 8-12 EUR for lunch
- Apfelstrudel with vanilla sauceabout 6 EUR at a traditional cafe
Money mistakes to avoid
- Not planning around Sunday closuresmost shops and many restaurants close, so save museums and cafes for Sunday
- Buying concert tickets from costumed Mozart sellers on the street - book reputable venues like the Musikverein directly online
- Only staying inside the Ringstrassethe 4th and 7th districts have better food at lower prices ten minutes away
- Forgetting to validate your metro ticket in the blue stamping machines before boarding - fines are around 100 EUR
Transport without the tourist tax
From the airport, the S7 train reaches the center in about 25 minutes for around 4.40 EUR (the faster CAT costs 14.90 EUR). The U-Bahn and trams cover everything; a single ride is 2.40 EUR and a 24-hour pass about 8 EUR.
Planning the full trip? Start with the 3-day Vienna itinerary.