
Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights
Traveler rating
3.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights worth booking?
Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights is a 3-hour experience in Vienna, Austria, from $50 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 3/5 (3)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $50 per person
Step into a fairytale: board your panoramic night tour as Vienna’s historic streets and Ringstraße landmarks glow under twinkling lights. After the 60 to 70-minute open‑top bus ride, arrive at the festive Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace. Then explore the Palace Gardens transformed by Imperial Lights: a breathtaking, atmospheric stroll through illuminated paths inspired by Vienna’s imperial past Hop on your Evening Tour at Stop #1 on the Blue Route (Albertinaplatz 2 in front of the Tourist Information Centre) The tour departs at 4.30pm and the duration of the full tour is 3 hour . Please activate your ticket with a staff member before boarding. - Admire Vienna’s landmarks glowing with festive lights by night. - Enjoy a panoramic 60/70-minute ride on an open-top double-decker bus. - Stroll through the magical Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace. - Experience the dazzling Imperial Lights in the Palace Gardens.
What you get
About this experience
Step into a fairytale: board your panoramic night tour as Vienna’s historic streets and Ringstraße landmarks glow under twinkling lights. After the 60 to 70-minute open‑top bus ride, arrive at the festive Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace. Then explore the Palace Gardens transformed by Imperial Lights: a breathtaking, atmospheric stroll through illuminated paths inspired by Vienna’s imperial past Hop on your Evening Tour at Stop #1 on the Blue Route (Albertinaplatz 2 in front of the Tourist Information Centre) The tour departs at 4.30pm and the duration of the full tour is 3 hour . Please activate your ticket with a staff member before boarding. - Admire Vienna’s landmarks glowing with festive lights by night. - Enjoy a panoramic 60/70-minute ride on an open-top double-decker bus. - Stroll through the magical Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace. - Experience the dazzling Imperial Lights in the Palace Gardens.
What's included
Included
- Entrance to Imperial Lights at Schönbrunn Palace Gardens
- Guided visit to Schönbrunn Christmas Market
- English-speaking guide
- 60 to 70-minute Panoramic Evening Tour
- Audio guide (available in 9 languages)
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Wiener Staatsoper
The Vienna State Opera is an opera house and opera company based in Vienna, Austria. The 1,709-seat Renaissance Revival venue was the first major building on the Vienna Ring Road. It was built from 1861 to 1869 following plans by August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll, and designs by Josef Hlávka
Pass by without stopping
The Hofburg
Habsburg palace complex with ornate, baroque interiors, imperial apartments & a silver museum.
Pass by without stopping
Rathaus
Massive municipal building built using some 30 million bricks & now hosting balls, markets & events.
Pass by without stopping
Karlskirche
18th-century Habsburg domed cathedral with a 32.5-meter platform for views of the ornate frescoes.
Pass by without stopping
Volksgarten
Strauss & Lanner once played in this manicured public park with temples, fountains & rose gardens.
Pass by without stopping
Stadtpark
English-style, 19th-century public park with a river, ornate bridges & gilded Johann Strauss statue.
Pass by without stopping
Schonbrunn Palace
Visit to Imperial Lights at Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, where baroque elegance meets dazzling contemporary light art.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Vienna
Hop on our Evening Tour at Stop #1 Opera / Albertina on the Blue Route (On the right of the Albertina Museum) The tour departs at 4:30pm and the duration is 3 hours. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure to redeem your ticket with a staff member before boarding.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Hop on our Evening Tour at Stop #1 Opera / Albertina on the Blue Route (On the right of the Albertina Museum) The tour departs at 4:30pm and the duration is 3 hours. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure to redeem your ticket with a staff member before boarding.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Big Bus - Austria
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- At the end of your time at Schönbrunn Palace, the bus will be waiting at the original drop off location (Schönbrunn bus parking lot) to take you back to the city centre (stop #1 Albertina). The bus will depart at 7:30pm. Please make your way back in time to ensure you do not miss the departure time.
- The total experience lasts approximately 3 hours.
- The Imperial Lights experience is self-guided, allowing you to explore the illuminated gardens at your own pace.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Not as expected
Thought the bus tour would have taken in more of the festive lights and maybe a trip via the Danube and Prater district. Long walk from the bus drop off to the actual entrance to the Schobrunn Light trail which was not advertised.
Response from the operator: Dear Margaret, thank you very much for your honest review. We’re sorry to hear the tour did not fully meet your expectations. Please note that drop-off points at Schönbrunn are regulated, and we must use the designated bus stop, which can result in a longer walk. Your feedback is appreciated and helps us improve our communication. Kind regards, Big Bus Tours Vienna
via Tripadvisor
Pleasurable, kind and Patient
They were so kind and patient. We got routed on another bus that was incorrect. After they found out we were on another bus they held the Christmas bus for us. The tour was so nice, historical and informational. We will be back next year to do the tour again.
Response from the operator: Dear Domenic, thank you for your kind review. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed the experience, and we truly appreciate you choosing Big Bus Tours Vienna. We look forward to welcoming you back again next year. Kind regards, Big Bus Tours Vienna
via Tripadvisor
Poor organisation
Time compressed if a weekend for traffic and the tour guide went MIA early on . Think of a plan B for getting back by train/tram
Response from the operator: Hello John_N. We regret to hear that you did not find our bus tour enjoyable. We would like to further investigate this situation to ensure we can assist you in the best possible way. Please reach out to us directly through chat or email at your earliest convenience. We look forward to your reply soon, Razvan from Big Bus Tours.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Vienna.
How much does Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights cost?
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Prices start at $50 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Vienna usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Vienna is not rushed.
Is Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Vienna, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Vienna can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Vienna and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Vienna within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Vienna?
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On Outty we rank every Vienna experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Vienna Food Tour: Coffeehouses, Markets, Lunch & Street Food, Authentic Vienna Food Tour inc. lunch, street food, 3 drinks, Best of Vienna : Historic Center Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Vienna?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Vienna?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights?
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Included: Entrance to Imperial Lights at Schönbrunn Palace Gardens; Guided visit to Schönbrunn Christmas Market; English-speaking guide; 60 to 70-minute Panoramic Evening Tour; and Audio guide (available in 9 languages). Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights?
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Hop on our Evening Tour at Stop #1 Opera / Albertina on the Blue Route (On the right of the Albertina Museum) The tour departs at 4:30pm and the duration is 3 hours. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible; and Wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Vienna. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Big Bus Vienna Guided Christmas Tour and Schönbrunn Palace Lights?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 3.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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