If you want a “big Vienna day” that works for families, couples, and solo travelers, Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna Zoo) is the easiest win. Tiergarten Schönbrunn sits inside the Schönbrunn Palace grounds, combines historic scenery with modern enclosures, and stays open 365 days a year. 🐼🦁🏛️
This practical guide covers Tiergarten Schönbrunn tickets, Tiergarten Schönbrunn opening hours, the best way to arrive (U-Bahn), and a smart plan so you don’t burn out halfway through. ✅
Why Tiergarten Schönbrunn is worth it ✅
It’s the “world’s oldest zoo” in a UNESCO setting
The zoo itself promotes Schönbrunn as the world’s oldest zoo, located in the grounds of the imperial summer residence and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s a true “global animals” zoo day
The zoo highlights that you can see animals from every continent (they explicitly mention giant pandas, Siberian tigers, orangutans, and elephants).
It’s open year-round (winter still works)
Because animal houses and indoor areas are part of the experience, Tiergarten Schönbrunn is not a “summer-only” attraction—just plan around the seasonal closing times.
Tiergarten Schönbrunn opening hours ⏱️
Tiergarten Schönbrunn is open daily from 9:00 (including public holidays). Closing time changes by season, and the ticket office closes 30 minutes before closing (that’s also the latest entry time).
Seasonal closing times (official)
| Month/period | Zoo hours |
|---|---|
| January | 9:00–16:30 |
| February | 9:00–17:00 |
| March | 9:00–17:30 |
| April–September | 9:00–18:30 |
| October (until daylight saving time ends) | 9:00–17:30 |
| October–December | 9:00–16:30 |
“Don’t get locked out” detail (many people miss this) ⚠️
- Aquarium–Terrarium House + Tyrolean farm house: close at the end of visiting hours
- Bird House: closes 1 hour before the end of visiting hours
- All other animal houses: close 30 minutes before the end of visiting hours
Tiergarten Schönbrunn tickets and prices 💳
Day tickets (official)
| Ticket | Standard | Groups (more than 10 persons) |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | €29 | €27 |
| Children & adolescents (6–18) | €17 | €14.50 |
| People with disabilities (50%) | €17 | €14.50 |
| Children under 6 | Free | Free |
Family block ticket (good if you’ll visit more than once, or want flexibility)
A Family block ticket includes 5 one-day tickets (usable individually), valid for 1 year from the date of issue:
- 2 adult tickets + 3 child/youth tickets: €96
Annual tickets (power user choice)
Annual tickets are valid for 1 year and now include admission to the Desert House:
- Adults: €69
- Children/adolescents (6–18): €39
How to get there 🚇 🚋 🚌 📍
Main entrance (Hietzing) 📍
The zoo is inside the Schönbrunn Palace grounds. To reach the main entrance, the zoo tells visitors to use the park entrance gate “Hietzinger Tor.”
Public transport (official)
- 🚇 U4 (underground): station Hietzing
- 🚋 Tram: 10, 49, 52, 60
- 🚌 Bus: 51A, 56A, 56B, 58A, 58B
Vienna public transport ticket (2026) 💳
Wiener Linien states that from 1 January 2026 a single ticket costs €3.20 (discounted child single €1.60).
The best way to plan a Tiergarten Schönbrunn visit ✅
90 minutes (fast + satisfying)
If time is tight, do a “headliner loop”:
- 🐼 Your top must-see animals first (when your energy is high)
- 🏠 One indoor house (Aquarium–Terrarium is a strong pick)
- ☕ Quick break and exit before it turns into a rushed marathon
3–5 hours (the ideal first-timer visit)
- Arrive shortly after opening (9:00) ⏱️
- Use feeding times as anchors (see schedule below) 🗓️
- Midday: indoor houses (good for weather + pacing)
- Final hour: revisit your favorites + souvenir/photo stop
Winter strategy ❄️
Because some animal houses close earlier than the zoo itself, do indoor houses first, then outdoor areas.
Feedings at Tiergarten Schönbrunn 🕙🐾
Feeding sessions are a great way to “structure” your day—just remember they may be cancelled at short notice.
Here are examples from the zoo’s published feeding list:
| Time | Feeding / session |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | African elephant (training/no feeding session, daily) |
| 10:30 | South American sea lion (daily, except Tuesday) |
| 11:00 | Humboldt penguin (daily, except Tuesday) |
| 14:00 | Indian rhino (daily) |
| 15:00 | Siberian tiger (Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun) |
| 16:00 | Queensland koala (daily) |
Rules and “good to know” ⚠️✅
- Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Dogs are not allowed in any part of the Schönbrunn palace grounds, including the zoo. Assistance dogs (with specific documentation/harness) are permitted.
Tips and common mistakes ✅ ⚠️
Do this ✅
- ✅ Arrive early—closing varies by season, and houses shut before the zoo closes.
- ✅ Use feeding times to avoid “wandering fatigue.”
- ✅ Treat the last-entry rule seriously (ticket office closes 30 minutes before closing).
Avoid this ⚠️
- ⚠️ Don’t save the Bird House for the end—it closes one hour before zoo closing time.
- ⚠️ Don’t bring a dog (even if it’s “small”)—the rule covers the whole palace grounds.
- ⚠️ Don’t assume every feeding happens every day—some are “except Tuesday” or day-specific.
FAQ ❓
What are Tiergarten Schönbrunn opening hours?
Open daily from 9:00; closing varies by season from 16:30 to 18:30.
When is the last entry time?
The ticket office closes 30 minutes before closing time, and that’s the latest entry time.
How much are Tiergarten Schönbrunn tickets?
Adult €29; children 6–18 €17; under 6 free (official day tickets).
What’s the best metro stop for Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna Zoo)?
The zoo lists U4 to Hietzing for public transport access to the main entrance.
Are dogs allowed at the zoo?
No—dogs are not allowed anywhere on the palace grounds, including the zoo; assistance dogs are permitted with documentation.
Conclusion
Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna Zoo) is a low-stress, high-reward Vienna day—especially if you plan around seasonal closing times, the last-entry rule, and feeding sessions. Start early, do indoor houses before they close, and use U4 to Hietzing for the simplest arrival. 🐾✅
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