Vienna Sightseeing Tours

Vienna Sightseeing Tours is the city's established operator of hop-on hop-off buses and guided coach tours, and it describes itself as the market leader for sightseeing in and around Vienna, with more than 50 years of experience. Its service centre is on the Opernring, directly opposite the State Opera, and there is a second ticket shop in the Opernpassage beneath Karlsplatz station. Both are open daily from 09:00 to 18:00.

The hop-on hop-off network is the main product. Tickets are valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours and cover up to four routes, depending on the season. The Red Line loops around the city centre in about an hour, taking in the Ringstrasse and its monuments, and the other lines extend to sights further from the centre. Commentary is available in 19 languages through an audio guide, and an interactive sightseeing game called HopPlay is included with every ticket. Live bus tracking on the website shows where the next bus is, which saves waiting at stops.

Beyond the buses, the company runs guided day trips out of the city, including a Wachau Valley excursion, a long day combining Melk Abbey and Hallstatt, and a Bratislava trip by bus and boat. In Vienna itself there is a guided Schönbrunn Palace tour combined with a city tour, a short Vienna Night Tour to see the illuminated buildings, the Panoramabahn train in the Schönbrunn grounds, and a shuttle to the Parndorf outlet centre.

The hop-on hop-off buses suit first-time visitors, families with children, older travellers and anyone with limited time or mobility who wants an overview before exploring in more detail. They are less useful if you are comfortable with Vienna's excellent public transport, which reaches all the same sights. The company offers free cancellation and customer support every day of the year.

The service centre is at Opernring 3-5, reached by the U1, U2 and U4 to Karlsplatz or by trams 1, 2, D and 62 to Oper. Buy tickets online in advance or at the service centre, and start your loop at the Opera to see the Ring in order. Allow extra time if you plan to hop off at several sights, as a full day passes quickly.