To explore the city and feel its atmosphere, you can go on free walking tours in Vienna.
These tours are conducted by local guides who will show you popular attractions and places not included in most tourist routes.
By going on such a tour, visitors can see the city from a local resident’s perspective, get interesting information about iconic tourist sites, take beautiful photos, and gain vivid impressions.
What are free walking tours?
Free tours are a new concept of conducting excursions that is gaining popularity. You don’t have to pay to go sightseeing with an experienced guide. Just come to the meeting point at the appointed time and join the group.
Certified guides work with tourists. They will tell guests about iconic places and share unusual facts, allowing them to broaden their horizons. Free walking tours in Vienna are not just a dry recitation of facts from Wikipedia. The guide is interested in ensuring that guests are satisfied, so they present information in a vivid form and only share what is curious to know.
When the sightseeing is over, guests thank the guide by providing tips. You determine the amount yourself, giving the sum you deem necessary. There is no fixed cost.
How much should you pay for a free tour?
Guests decide for themselves how much to leave the guide. There is no minimum payment set. Usually, the cost is determined based on:
- duration of the route;
- tour theme;
- personal impressions left by the guide’s work;
- number of participants.
On average, people give 10-20 euros for a walking tour in Vienna that doesn’t include breaks or visiting attractions from the inside.
Types of free tours in Vienna
Free tours in Vienna are gaining popularity. You can find all types of such tours, walking around the city during the day, at night, or visiting thematic objects.
Daytime tours of the city center
These are classic tours that allow you to see the main attractions located in the city center. The guide will take tourists to iconic places, tell about their creation history and events associated with them, and share local legends. The duration of a walking tour is 1-5 hours. It may include a break for rest and visiting cafes and restaurants.
Night tours
These tours take place after sunset. They allow you to see how the city transforms in the light of street lamps. Guides can show guests familiar attractions from a new angle and tell about the peculiarities of the city’s nightlife. This is a great way to better feel the atmosphere of Vienna, as well as spend time productively during a night layover with the opportunity to go into the city.
Thematic free tours
Such tours are focused on visiting places united by one theme. These can be:
- historical objects;
- places associated with music;
- gastronomic establishments;
- visiting palaces;
- getting acquainted with mysterious or iconic places;
- religious objects;
- visiting entertainment venues.
By studying the available offers, you can find a free tour on almost any topic that interests you.
Where to look for free tours in Vienna
The popularity of free tours in Vienna is growing. They are actively offered by guides, for whom the process of finding tourists is simplified, and visited by residents and guests of the city. Today, there is a whole complex of thematic websites that allow you to find an interesting tour.
Civitatis.com
This is a convenient portal for finding tours and other thematic entertainment in all cities of the world. It is distinguished by:
- a convenient filter system;
- the ability to search for all types of activities by destinations;
- a visual rating system that allows you to immediately understand whether people like the tour;
- a simple navigation system;
- quick selection of activities based on user requests.
Guruwalk.com
This is a system created specifically for posting free walking tours. The site publishes offers from guides from all over the world. Users can easily find tours in the city they are interested in or get acquainted with popular destinations. You can also specify in advance the number of participants and their category (children or adults). The system will quickly process the request and then display offers that meet the criteria specified by the user.
Freetour.com
The portal was created specifically for publishing announcements of guides conducting free walking tours around the world. Now the list of available cities includes 120 countries. Vienna is also among them. Users can easily select a suitable tour, immediately specifying the date when they want to visit it. The system will display offers that meet the stated criteria.
Buendiatours.com
The site collects both classic paid and free tours. By studying their list, you can find an offer that suits you best. The system allows you to search for available options worldwide. Users will also see tours that are in demand among other tourists. As a result, you can immediately discover interesting offers and become a participant in a vibrant walking tour of the city.
Neweuropetours.eu
The system is suitable for those who want to use the new format and find an original free tour. The site has a large number of offers based on the tipping system. You can easily book participation in a tour by registering on the site and choosing the option you like.
Popular routes of free tours
Vienna is a vibrant city with many attractions. The abundance of iconic places allows experienced guides to prepare interesting routes, introducing guests to history and significant events. You can go sightseeing in the city along one of the following popular routes:
1. Old Town Visit
During the tour, guests will visit the palace street, see the magnificent palace garden, which abounds with rare plants and statues, visit the majestic Heldenplatz square. Then guests will visit Graben Street, filled with fountains, cafes, and shops. The next point will be viewing St. Stephen’s Cathedral and visiting Mozart’s residence. The route ends near the Vienna State Opera, where the guide will acquaint guests with its history and even offer to hum a couple of famous motifs.
2. City Overview Route
This is a simple way to quickly get acquainted with Vienna. The route includes an external view of all popular attractions – the Vienna Opera House, Hofburg, Heldenplatz, St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
3. City Center Route
It is designed to cover all the main iconic objects, allowing guests to see all important places in limited time or during their first visit to the city. During the route, tourists will see the Vienna Opera House, Hofburg, Heldenplatz, Albertina, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Volksgarten, Mozart Monument, Burggarten. All objects are located nearby, which simplifies the viewing.
Best free walking tours in Vienna
Guests and residents of Vienna have already appreciated the advantages of free tours and evaluated the most interesting routes. Popular ones include:
Free Walking Tour of Vienna
This is an overview route designed for 2 hours. It allows you to learn the history of the city, see iconic objects, monuments. This option is perfect for travelers who have little time and want to see the main attractions, as well as get a general idea of Vienna. Guides conduct tours in Italian and Spanish.
Vienna Overview Tour
The route from experienced guides has already become a bestseller. In 2 hours, guests will get acquainted with the capital of Austria, be able to feel its atmosphere, delve into the history of triumphs and tragedies. Guides offer more than a classic sightseeing tour. They will present iconic objects from an unusual side. The tour is conducted in English.
Night Vienna
When the sun sets, the city transforms. Illumination lights up, which changes the appearance of familiar objects, making them mysterious and unusual. The authors of the tour offer to walk through the night city, see classic attractions from a new angle. The route starts at Helmut Zilk Square and ends near St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The tour is conducted in English and Spanish.
Free tour schedule
Usually, groups depart once every 2 hours. The exact start time of the tour depends on its type, chosen language, and other features. You can clarify the information by selecting the offer you like.
| English-speaking guide | Spanish-speaking guide |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | 9:15 |
| 11:00 | 11:15 |
| 13:00 | 13:15 |
| 15:00 | 15:15 |
| 17:00 | 17:15 |
| 19:00 | 19:15 |
| 21:00 | 21:15 |
The table shows the start times for free tours in English and Spanish, helping you easily plan your visit and choose the most convenient time slot for your Vienna exploration.
Alternatives to free tours
If free tours don’t suit you, you can go on a classic paid overview tour. You can find a suitable offer on the GetYourGuide and Tiqets platforms. The sites collect offers for conducting individual and group tours. The price is immediately known here. To book the tour you like, you will need to make a payment. Guests have access to:
- Overview tours. During these, you can see the city, view iconic objects, hear the history of their development.
- Thematic tours. They are focused on viewing attractions or leisure facilities of a certain type. For example, guests of the city can see palaces or go on a tour of Vienna’s bars.
- Night tours. They allow you to see the city after sunset and view attractions in the light of illumination.
Tips
If you plan to visit free tours for the first time, consider the following tips:
- Find a suitable tour on one of the recommended sites in advance and book a time. Keep in mind that the number of places is limited. For this reason, it is necessary to book tour tours 3-5 days before the desired date.
- Consider the theme of the tour and your goals. For example, night tours can be difficult for small children who will experience a desire to rest.
- Determine the size of tips taking into account the theme of the tour and your personal impression. You can inquire in advance on thematic forums about what amount is customary to leave.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The guide is happy when guests actively participate in the tour. The main thing is that it doesn’t interfere with others.
Visit free tours in Vienna and get to know the capital of Austria better by seeing it through the eyes of local residents.
Tourist reviews
Yana, 39 years old: “We visited free tours in Vienna with my husband for the first time. We really liked this format of paying for excursions. No need to worry if your payment went through. Everyone pays at the end. The tour itself was very interesting. We regretted staying in Vienna for only 2 days. Now we will definitely come for longer next time.”
Michael, 42 years old: “A very unusual tour format. Now I will only use this.”
Hector, 29 years old: “We came on the tour with my girlfriend. We didn’t regret using free tour tours. It’s a very convenient format. I recommend it to everyone.”
Rita, 57 years old: “It’s nice that even in such a stable sphere, innovations appear. I enjoyed going on a free tour, saw beautiful attractions and learned about their history. Thank you very much!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fixed amount for payment?
No, the tourist decides for themselves how much money to leave. However, it's better to find out the approximate size of tips for tours.
I can't come. What should I do?
Cancel the booking in advance or notify the guide that you won't be able to participate. This way, they won't be waiting for you.
Can I come to the tour with children?
Not all tours are suitable for little ones. Consider this when booking.
Is it possible to conduct individual tour tours?
Yes, it is possible. You can find suitable offers on the website.
How long does the tour last?
It all depends on its type. On average, free walking tours take 1-5 hours.