Day trip from Prague to Vienna
Having enjoyed the beauty of medieval Prague to your heart's content, you thought why not take a fascinating excursion to the capital of a neighboring state – Vienna? The road will take only a few hours, and the trip promises to be incomparably eventful and interesting! Especially for independent tourists, we have compiled a detailed itinerary for an excursion from Prague to Vienna.
How to get from Prague to Vienna
To get from Prague to Vienna, you can use the following modes of transport: regular bus transport, train, plane or rent a car. Tourists who hitchhike can find fellow travelers through the relevant Internet resources.
Bus
This is perhaps the most economical way to be in another amazing city in Europe. Companies such as Radina VIP, MeinFernbus, EuroLines, ArdaTur and Student Agency work on the route today. By the way, it is the tariffs of the last of the mentioned carriers that are the most democratic. Traveling by Student Agency bus will cost an average of 15 euros, while ticket prices for all other companies will be 17-26 euros per person.
Traveling by bus will take about 4-5 hours. All vehicles are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable trip – air conditioning, toilet, wifi and sockets. Moreover, a convenient schedule also speaks in favor of buses, thanks to which they depart from Prague at intervals of 30-40 minutes.
Airplane
We will not talk about this type of transport for a long time. After all, he has practically no advantages. This is clearly not the fastest and not the most budget option for a trip. If you do not take into account direct flights, which, although they will shorten the journey to 50-60 minutes, will still require serious financial investments (the price of a direct flight exceeds 43 thousand rubles!). Otherwise, the road will take more than 5-7 hours, and the ticket will cost 14-16 thousand rubles. Yes, and from Vienna airport to the city you have to get 15 minutes by high-speed train, paying 9 euros for a ticket.
A train
A good alternative to buses is the train. Tourists will take no more than 4-4.5 hours on the road, although the fare “bites” and ranges from 35 to 74 euros per person, depending on the type of carriage.
Of the advantages: the convenient location of the Prague railway station and a convenient schedule (8 trains that run from 6.52 to 23.58 daily). Tickets can be bought both before boarding and in advance via the Internet.
Automobile
Tourists who can afford to rent a car will be in Vienna in 3.5-4 hours. At the same time, rent, taking into account the cost of purchasing fuel, will cost at least 120-130 euros per day. And do not forget about a special subscription that will allow you to move along paid sections of the road. Its estimated price is 20 euros.
What to see in Vienna in one day
Once in Vienna, each tourist independently plans his own cultural program. For those who are in this city for the first time, we offer a brief overview of the most famous places that everyone should visit!
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when you find yourself in the Austrian capital are the brilliant composers who created world-famous classical works, breathtaking architecture, as well as one of the most delicious desserts – sacher cake. But not only this is famous for the beautiful Vienna! History and art connoisseurs will fall in love with its rich assortment of museum exhibits, galleries and exhibition halls. And fans of palace and park architecture will be able to see for themselves the genius of the masterpiece buildings preserved from pre-war times, the rooms of which were once inhabited by the first persons of the empire.
Ringstrasse street
Perhaps the most beautiful street in the Austrian capital stretches for 5.3 km and contains many amazing architectural and historical buildings. The main direction of architecture in which the local monuments are sustained is eclecticism. This style was actually created thanks to the unusually pompous palaces and buildings that wealthy Austrians began to hastily erect here after Emperor Franz Joseph, by his decree, launched the construction of the Ringstrasse. Its main feature is an attempt to imitate the famous styles of past eras.
It is here that tourists can see the famous State Opera, the university, which were made in the neo-Renaissance style. The buildings of the Parliament, the Town Hall and the Burgtheater correspond to the main features of the Flemish Gothic, and when creating the huge Museum of Art, the Stock Exchange and the Votivkikhre Cathedral, the architects used the techniques inherent in the Neo-Gothic style.
Gazebo
This palace was the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, who was not only a famous commander, but also a recognized connoisseur of art. Initially, the territory of the complex was located outside the city and consisted of two palaces, as well as a vast park. Today, the halls of the Upper and Lower Palaces house extensive collections of works of art from the Middle Ages to the present day. Therefore, a walk to the palace will appeal not only to connoisseurs of architecture and palace luxury, but also to art lovers.
The basis of the collection is a collection of paintings by G. Klimt. It is here that the world-famous works “The Kiss” and “Judith” are stored, which brought universal recognition to their author. There was a place here for the paintings of such geniuses as Waldmüller, Makart, Amerling, Böckl, Fendi and others.
After enjoying the inner content, do not deny yourself the pleasure of taking a short walk through the palace park, looking at the prince's residence from a hilltop. It is believed that the best time to visit the palace is summer or spring.
You can visit the palace daily from 10 am to 6 pm. The price of entry to the Upper Palace is about 10 – 12.5 euros for students and adults. Children are admitted free of charge. You can visit the Lower Palace even cheaper – for only 8.5-11 euros.
The residence is located at Prinz Eugen-Str. 27, 1030 Vienna. The easiest way to get there is by metro (to Südtiroler Platz-Hauptbahnho station), bus 69A or trams No. 18 or 71.
Cathedral of St. Stephen
The Catholic Cathedral of St. Stephen, which is made in the Gothic style and is located on the central square of the city, is considered a real national symbol. It may well claim the title of “religious treasury”, because under its vaults the most valuable relics are stored – crucifixes, church utensils and works of art. Catacombs are hidden under the building, where the remains of the Austrian rulers found their last refuge.
The cathedral is located at Stephansplatz 3. It is open seven days a week from 6 am to 10 pm. Free admission. But if you want to use the services of a guide, then a half-hour walk accompanied by him will cost 5 euros per tourist. The same price for the entrance to the catacombs with a guide. To get to the observation deck of the South Tower, you will have to pay 4 euros (for children – 1.5-2 euros). The complex ticket costs only 16 euros and allows you to see every part of the cathedral.
Cathedral of Charles Borromean
The most striking representative of the Austrian Baroque is the Cathedral of St. Charles Borromeo, which was created by the architect Fischer von Erlach in 1737. The style of the building reflects two different trends in content – Italian and French classicism. As conceived by the author, the baroque architecture of the heyday of the Roman Empire was to be the crown of his creation. According to legend, the ruler Karl made a promise to thank his patron saint if he helped the city get rid of the plague.
The complex includes several independent buildings – triumphal Roman columns, towers, a central portico, a temple facade. A rather original architectural technique is also striking, when the main building of the cathedral is hidden behind the facade extension.
The temple is located at Kreuzherrengasse 1 1040 Wien, Zsterreich and is open daily.
Hofburg Palace
The Winter Palace of the Habsburgs and the main abode of the entire imperial court of Austria currently plays the role of the residence of the Austrian president. The huge area of the building contains over 2600 rooms and halls for various purposes. The apartments in which the emperors and members of their families lived and worked have survived unchanged to our time. By their decoration, one can form an idea of how the rulers of Austria lived in the 19th century. Several rooms have been set aside for the Sisi Museum, which became available to the general public in 2005. The opening was timed to the 150th anniversary of the wedding of Emperor Franz Joseph with Princess Elisabeth, who at that time was considered the first beauty in all of Europe.
In the Silver Chamber, you can personally see a considerable collection of cutlery and luxury and household items made of silver.
This famous landmark is located at Hofburg – Michaelerkuppel. The easiest way to get there is by metro on the orange line, getting off at the Herrengasse stop. Alternative routes are offered by trams 1, 2, D and J, which take you to Burgring station, or buses 2A and 3A, which will take tourists to Hofburg station.
The palace is open daily from 9:00 to 17:30, and in July and August – until 18:00. Tickets must be purchased at the box office, which closes an hour before the end of the palace. Ticket price – 5.9-14.4 euros per person. Discounts are available for children, students and the disabled.
Art and History Museum
Opened in 1891, the Vienna Museum of Art immediately became a tourist favorite. Created in the Renaissance style, it contains an impressive collection of works of art by authors such as Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Rubens, Bosch and dozens of other recognized artists and sculptors.
The museum is located at Burgring 5, and to get to it, you need to use trams D, J, 1, 2, 46, 49, getting off at the Dr.-Karl-Renner Ring stop. You can also get there by metro on the orange line and by bus 2A, getting off at the Volkstheater and Burgring stations, respectively.
Open every day except Monday from 10 am to 6 pm, and on Thursday until 9 pm. The ticket price for adults is 11-12 euros, and for children under 19 years old, admission is free.
Natural History Museum
The halls of this exhibition complex contain an impressive collection of natural exhibits. The total area of the museum is 8700 sq.m., and is divided into 39 thematic halls. Just imagine: the collected collection includes over 2 million exhibits, many of which are of fabulous scientific and historical value.
Today, visitors will be able to learn many interesting facts from the life of various representatives of the animal and plant world, get acquainted with an extensive collection of minerals, and will be able to walk around the royal library.
The exposition is located at Burgring, 7 and is open from Wednesday to Monday from 9 to 18.30. The ticket price is only 10 euros. After a busy walk, we recommend stopping by a local restaurant to taste excellent local cuisine and, of course, the famous Viennese coffee with a piece of Sacher cake.