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Place · Innere Stadt (Stephansplatz and Hofburg)

Hofburg and Sisi MuseumHofburg Wien

The imperial palace complex: allow 90 minutes for the apartments and the Sisi Museum; go at opening or after 15:00.

go at hour · 09:00–10:00 or after 15:00admission: unknownNot field-verified
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Key facts

Time on site
90–120 min
p95 150 min
Price
about €18–20 (≈ US$25)
adult, 2026 estimate
Hours
09:00–?
typical, check
Best time
09:00–10:00 or after 15:00
quietest window
28″ bags
Painful
Innere Stadt (Stephansplatz and Hofburg): painful
Getting there
Michaelerplatz (tram, walk from Herrengasse U3)
exit Enter through Michaelertor
  • Timed ticket
  • Go at opening
  • Sisi Museum
  • Go 09:00–10:00 or after 15:00
  • Works with kids
  • Mostly indoors

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Public transport tickets must be validated before you board
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Usually Opens 09:00
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Directions
From where I am

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Plan

Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes

Go now?

hours and prices: check on the day
Open
Usually Opens 09:00

Last entry: Typically 09:00–17:30 (check); last admission earlier.

Crowds

Quietest around 09:00 or 17:00 · go 09:00–10:00 or after 15:00

Quietest Mon, Tue · busiest Wed–Sun · desk estimate

Tickets
  • Adult: about €18–20 (≈ US$25) (2026 estimate, check)
  • Child: about €10–12 (≈ US$12–14) (check)
Time to spend
90–120 min · up to 150 min if you linger
Directions Add to a day →

Know before you go

  • A combined ticket covers the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Silver Collection (about €18–20 (≈ US$25), 2026 estimate, check).
  • Book online for a timed slot if you go between 10:00 and 14:00.
  • Bags go through a security check; large backpacks must be left in a locker.
  • Allow 90 minutes; the audio guide is included in the ticket price.
  • Photography is limited in the apartments; check signs.
  • Some sections close for balls in January and February.

Best time of day

Go 09:00–10:00 or after 15:00. Plan 90–120 min inside.

quietlightbusyheavypacked· desk estimate for an ordinary weekday; add one level on weekends and holidays

Weather here, next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Time on site

minutes

Minimum

60min

Worthwhile

90min

Typical

120min

p95

150min

Hours change by season and weekday; not printed until verified.

Tickets & entry

2026 estimate · check the posted board
Where to buy
  • Buy at the entrance on the day.
  • Buy from the official site or the ticket desk; resellers add a fee for the same ticket.
  • Sisi Ticket (apartments, Sisi Museum and Silver Collection): Online or at the desk
  • Child (6–18): Same
  • Vienna Pass or City Card discount: At the desk
  • Reseller skip-the-line: Tour marketplaces

Official site ↗

Queues
  • Book online for a timed slot if you go between 10:00 and 14:00.
  • Reseller skip-the-line: A timed slot is available on the official site.
Free days

Free entry days in Vienna (pick Vienna in the tool; check)

Dress code
  • Shoes: On.

What to wear: dress-code checker

Bags & lockers
  • Large bags in lockers; small bags checked.
  • Lockers or cloakroom Cloakroom for coats and large bags; bring coins or a card.
Photos
  • Not allowed in the apartments and the Sisi Museum in some rooms; check signs.
  • No tripods; drones banned in the centre.
What's closed
  • WeeklyOpen every day of the year (check for holidays).
  • Closing hourcheckMoves with the season; last admission is earlier than closing.
  • State eventscheckSections close for events and balls in January and February.

“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.

TicketPriceWhere to buySkip-the-line reality
Sisi Ticket (apartments, Sisi Museum and Silver Collection)about €18–20 (≈ US$25) (2026 estimate, check)Online or at the deskOnline timed ticket skips the line.
Child (6–18)about €10–12 (≈ US$12–14) (check)SameSame line.
Under 6free (check)——
Vienna Pass or City Card discountvaries (check)At the deskNo priority.
Reseller skip-the-linetour priceTour marketplacesA timed slot is available on the official site.

Inside, in order

95 min without detours

  1. Silver Collection

    25 min

    Court tableware and table settings.

    extra ticket

  2. Sisi Museum

    35 min

    The life and myth of Empress Elisabeth.

    extra ticket

  3. Imperial Apartments

    30 min

    Franz Joseph’s working rooms and the empress’s apartments.

    extra ticket

  4. Michaelerplatz and the Kuppelhalle

    5 min

    The entrance dome and the square.

Plan this visit

saved in this browser only
Time inside
Crowd on arrival
light
Worst while inside
heavy
Leave by
11:00
Closing buffer
360′

Workable but crowded. The quietest start that fits is 15:00 (busy at worst).

  • You are still on the approach after 10:30, when the slope below Hofburg and Sisi Museum fills; walk down before then if you can.
  • Closing buffer is measured against a planning close of 17:00. Last admission is earlier than the posted closing hour (check).
  • Crowd levels are a desk estimate by hour, not live data.

How to do it well

  1. 1Book a timed ticket online, or arrive at 09:00 and buy at the desk.
  2. 2Enter through the Michaelertor and pass through the security check; bags go in lockers.
  3. 3Follow the route: the Silver Collection, the Sisi Museum, then the imperial apartments; use the audio guide.
  4. 4Leave by the Kaisertor side and walk 8 minutes to the Albertina or 12 minutes to the cathedral.

On the ground

Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work

Getting in

Stop
Michaelerplatz (tram, walk from Herrengasse U3)
Exit
Enter through Michaelertor
Ticket
on site · official site
Stairs
Step-free route available; ask at the desk.
Shoes
Shoes on.

Crowds and switching

Crowd clock
Tour buses 10:00–14:00.
Sensory load
3/5
Exposure
low

Bailouts

  1. crowd

    Burggarten benches

  2. rain

    Inside the museums

  3. heat

    Albertina café terrace

Nearest rescue anchor: A — Michaelerplatz and Hofburg gate (seated rest)

Step-free check

wheelchair: good
  • Step-free entrance: yes · yesA few steps on the standard route; lifts available.
  • Lifts: yes · yes
  • Accessible toilet: yes · yes
  • Wheelchair: yes · yesAsk staff for the lift route to the apartments.
  • Stroller: yes · yesCheck the cloakroom policy for large strollers.
  • Places to sit: yes · yesBenches in some rooms.

A step-free route with lifts reaches the apartments; ask at the desk.

Step-free route

  1. 1Enter through the Michaelertor and ask staff for the lift to the apartments.
  2. 2Use the accessible toilet near the ticket hall.
  3. 3Check that the lift and route are open on the day.

Combine with

nearest first
  1. 2 minSpanish Riding School — Morning training and shows; book ahead (check).
  2. 3 minHeldenplatz — The big square with the Neue Burg and the National Library.
  3. 4 minBurggarten — A garden with benches for a rest.
  4. 5 minCafé Central · eat — A grand coffeehouse next door.
  5. 6 minDemel · eat — Pastries on Kohlmarkt.
  6. 8 minAlbertina — Museum and state rooms.
  7. 12 minStephansdom — The cathedral.

Walk the Innere Stadt (Stephansplatz and Hofburg) area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes

Best photo time today

Sun times for today load in your browser.

SpotWhenRule on the spot
Michaelertor entrance domeEarly morningDo not block the entrance.
Heldenplatz from the Burggarten sideMorningDo not step on flower beds.

Red lines

  • Bags are checked; large backpacks go in lockers.
  • No flash photography in the apartments.
More on the groundFacilities · Seasons · Who it suits · Skip it if · Rules on site · With kids

Rules on site

enforced at the gate or by guards
food
Not inside.

With kids

kids: okstroller: ok
with kids
The audio guide has a family option (check); the Silver Collection is long for small children.
child price
about €10–12 (≈ US$12–14) for 6–18 (check)

Facilities on site

WhatStatusWhere / note
ToiletsyesInside; paid public toilets (about €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2)) nearby.
Lockers or cloakroomyesCloakroom for coats and large bags; bring coins or a card.
Café or foodyesA café inside the complex and many cafés on Kohlmarkt.
Drinking wateryesVienna tap water is safe; refill in the toilets or at a public fountain.
SeatingyesBenches and café seats.
Wi-FicheckCheck on arrival.
Card or contactless paymentyesCards and phones accepted at the ticket desk; a few cafés and stalls prefer cash.

Seasons, festivals and night openings

WhenWhat happensEffect on your visitDates
Dec, Jan and FebWinterCold and dark early; museums and cafés are the plan, and Christmas markets crowd the centre in Dec.
Jul and AugSummer heat and holiday crowdsHot spells above 30 °C; do outdoor stops before 11:00.check
Easter weekendEasterFamily crowds; shops and many restaurants close Sunday and Monday.check
26 OctNational DayPublic holiday; free or special entry at some sites, and crowds on Heldenplatz.check
Mid-Nov to 24 DecChristmas marketsThe centre is crowded in the evening; hotels and trains sell out.

“Check” rows move every year; confirm dates on the official calendar before you plan around them.

Who it suits

TravelerFitWhy
History loversgoodThe Habsburg story in the rooms where it happened.
Families with older kidsokFamily audio guide; the Silver Collection is long.
Wheelchair usersgoodLifts and step-free route.
Visitors who dislike crowdscautionBusy 10:30–14:00; go at opening.

Skip it if

  • You have seen the Schönbrunn state rooms and want just one imperial palace.
  • You only have an hour.

Deep dive

Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated
Do I need the Sisi ticket?

It is the standard ticket for the apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Silver Collection.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

How long does the Hofburg take?

About 90 minutes for the apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Silver Collection.

Should I book ahead?

Yes for 10:00–14:00 and in summer; book a timed ticket on the official site.

Is the Hofburg the same as Schönbrunn?

No: the Hofburg is the winter palace in the city centre; Schönbrunn is the summer palace in the south-west.

Can I take photos?

Not in some rooms; check the signs and never use flash.

Is it step-free?

Yes with lifts; ask at the desk.

What else is nearby?

The Spanish Riding School, the Albertina and the Burggarten.

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Sources