Saving Tips
Vienna is upscale — with these tips, it becomes affordable:
- Tap water: Vienna's tap water comes from the Alps (high spring water pipeline, 150 km!) and is of top drinking water quality. Don't buy bottled water — bring a bottle and refill. You can also order tap water in restaurants.
- Standing room at the opera: 4–15€ for the Vienna State Opera, Volksoper, or the Burgtheater. Queue up 80 minutes before the performance starts. World-class culture at student prices.
- First Sunday: Many museums offer free or discounted entry on the first Sunday of the month.
- Vienna City Card: From 17€ for 24h — discounted entry to 210 attractions + public transport. Worth it with 2+ museum visits per day.
- Beisln instead of restaurants: Vienna's Beisln (traditional taverns) offer lunch menus for 9–14€ — authentic Viennese cuisine without the tourist markup.
- Sausage stands: Käsekrainer with mustard and bread for 4–5€ — Vienna's most honest and cheapest food. Even at 2 AM.
- Naschmarkt on Saturday: The flea market at the western end of the Naschmarkt is free and an experience. Haggling is allowed.
- Free concerts: In summer: Film Festival at Rathausplatz (open-air film screenings of operas and concerts — free!), Donauinselfest (end of June, free).
