Best Ways to Reach Schönbrunn Palace: Subway, Tram & More
Your complete guide to reaching the Palace without stress or confusion!
A well-planned visit starts with a smart arrival.
We’ve seen too many travelers exit Schönbrunn station and wander confused through nearby gardens or residential streets.
If you’re unsure how to get to Schönbrunn Palace without losing your way, this article gives step-by-step help, from metro exits to tram routes to walking paths.
Table of Contents
Where is Schönbrunn Palace located?
Schönbrunn Palace is located at Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Vienna, in the Hietzing district, southwest of Vienna’s city center.
This Baroque masterpiece lies within Vienna’s UNESCO World Heritage core zone, surrounded by sprawling gardens, the Gloriette, and Vienna Zoo.
👉 Read more about the palace’s art & architecture, which makes it one of the most visited landmarks in Vienna.
Please note: The palace has multiple entrances, vast gardens, and is surrounded by a large urban area, so arriving at the wrong gate can waste 20+ minutes just walking.
To help you visualize:
- Nearest landmark: Vienna Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn)
- From the city center: About 6 to 7 km (4 miles).
Despite its grand scale, the palace is incredibly well-connected to Vienna’s public transport system, making it surprisingly easy to get there, once you know your options.
👉 Use our detailed map of Schönbrunn Palace to navigate entrances, gardens, and attractions with ease.
Entrance to Schönbrunn Palace
Choosing the right entrance at Schönbrunn Palace can save you time and energy.
Here’s a quick guide:
- Main Entrance: The primary entrance for most visitors, located near the grand façade. It’s ideal for exploring the palace and art collections, but expect queues during peak times. A skip-the-line ticket is recommended.
- Meidlinger Tor Entrance: A quieter entrance near Café Pavillon, perfect for those heading to the gardens or Palm House.
- Hietzinger Tor Entrance: Best for visiting the zoo or upper gardens like the Gloriette. It’s further from the main gates but offers quicker access to these areas.
Quick Tip: Check your ticket and tour details to select the most convenient entrance and avoid unnecessary walking.
The best way to reach Schönbrunn Palace: Metro
Most visitors take the U4 underground (green line) because it’s fast, frequent, and drops you just a short walk from the palace entrance. It’s the easiest and most recommended method.
Recommended route from central Vienna:
- Board the U4 subway at stations like Karlsplatz, Stadtpark, Schwedenplatz, or Schottenring
- Travel in the direction of Hütteldorf.
- Get off at “Schönbrunn” station.
How to reach the entrance from Schönbrunn station:
Exit the train and follow the signs toward the west exit.
Use the stairs or lifts to reach the overpass bridge.
Cross over the tracks and follow the paved path past a parking lot until you hit the main road.
You’ll see two entrances:
- Left → Meidlinger Tor entrance (quieter, near Café Pavillon)
- Right → Main gate with the white stone columns and golden eagles
💡 Pro tip: If you want a more scenic walk or are headed to the Palm House or Zoo, consider getting off at the next station: Hietzing. That entrance is also ideal if you’re planning to head straight to the gardens and outdoor areas or the Palm House.
Walking from Central Vienna
Prefer a walk? Start from the Ringstraße and follow signs toward Hietzing. It’s about 4 km and takes 45–60 minutes depending on your pace. The route passes through beautiful parks and historic neighborhoods, making the walk part of the experience. Use offline Google Maps or GPS to navigate the palace grounds once you arrive. They’re vast and easy to get lost in.
👉 Along the way, you’ll also find charming attractions nearby, perfect for pairing with your Schönbrunn visit.
Arriving by tram or bus: choose your stop wisely
If you prefer surface transport or are staying near a tram line, Schönbrunn is also accessible via tram and bus routes.
However, these options can be slightly slower due to road traffic.
Closest stop to the main gate:
- Trams 10 and 60
- Bus 10A – All stops at “Schloß Schönbrunn”, directly opposite the main palace entrance.
👉 If you’re traveling with kids, this route is also convenient for visiting the Schönbrunn Zoo inside the gardens.
For the zoo or Palm House:
- Take buses 56A, 56B, 58A, or 58B – Drops you behind the gardens near the Gloriette and upper zoo entrance.
- Get off at “Montecuccoliplatz”
- Walk southeast on Elisabethallee → enter the car park → find the park entrance toward the zoo.
From Meidling Station:
- Bus 8A → drops you at “Klimtgasse”, a short walk from the Hietzing Gate.
From Vienna’s major train stations: practical routes
If you’re arriving by long-distance or regional trains, these are the best routes to reach Schönbrunn:
| Station | Route to Schönbrunn | Approx. Travel Time |
| Westbahnhof | Tram 60 → get off at “Schloss Schönbrunn” | 15 minutes |
| Meidling | U6 (northbound) → Change at Längenfeldgasse to U4 → Get off at “Schönbrunn” | 30 minutes |
| Hauptbahnhof | U1 (red line) → Change at Karlsplatz to U4 → Get off at “Schönbrunn” | 25 minutes |
Smart move: U4 transfers are seamless. Platforms are well-marked and equipped with elevators for luggage or strollers. Before planning, check Schönbrunn’s opening hours and best time to visit so you don’t miss your slot.
Coming from Vienna International Airport
Even though Schönbrunn isn’t near the airport, reaching it via public transport is straightforward.
Here are your best options:
- Via City Airport Train (CAT):
Take the City Airport Train to Wien Mitte (Landstraße), then transfer to the U4 (green line) on the Vienna Metro and ride it to Schönbrunn station.
Total travel time: approximately 40–50 minutes. - Via S7 S-Bahn (Budget-Friendly Option):
Hop on the S7 suburban train to Wien Mitte, switch to the U4 line, and get off at Schönbrunn.
Total travel time: around 60 minutes. - Via Vienna Airport Bus:
Take the Vienna Airport Lines bus to Westbahnhof, then board Tram 60 and get off at Schloss Schönbrunn.
Total travel time: roughly 60 minutes.
💡 In all three cases, expect a short walk of about 5 to 10 minutes from the final stop to the Schönbrunn Palace entrance.
Reaching Schönbrunn Palace by Car: Routes, Signs & What to Expect
While Vienna’s public transport is efficient, some travelers prefer the flexibility of driving.
Luckily, Schönbrunn Palace is easy to reach via well-maintained highways and clearly marked road signs.
- If you’re driving from Vienna International Airport, take the A4 motorway toward Vienna, merge onto the A23 (direction Graz), and exit at Altmannsdorf. From there, just follow the signs pointing to “Schloss Schönbrunn.” See the route on the map.
- Coming from Salzburg or Linz via the A1 motorway, follow directions toward the city center. This route will lead you directly to Schönbrunner Schloßstraße, the main road that runs along the front of the palace.
- If you’re arriving from Graz or southern Austria via the A2, exit at Altmannsdorf and follow the signs to Schönbrunn Palace. It’s clearly marked throughout the route.
For GPS or navigation apps, use the address: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Wien, Austria.
Biking to Schönbrunn Palace
Cycling to Schönbrunn is a scenic and practical option. You’ll find dedicated bike lanes leading from central Vienna and a Citybike docking station near the main entrance. The ride provides a relaxed way to explore the city before arriving at the palace. Be sure to park your bike at designated spots just outside the grounds as cycling inside isn’t allowed.
👉 If you plan to stay longer, nearby restaurants offer authentic Austrian meals after your palace visit.
Parking at Schönbrunn Palace: Where to Park & When to Arrive
| Parking Area | Location | Distance to Palace | Notes |
| Main Car Park | Schönbrunner Schloßstraße (in front) | 1 min walk | Paid parking, fills up quickly |
| Zoo Parking | Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 1 | 5–7 min walk | Behind the palace grounds |
| Schlosspark Parking | Near the palace gardens | 5 min walk | A good alternative if the main lot is full |
| Hietzinger Kai Parking | Hietzinger Kai | 8 min walk | Moderate walk, usually with space |
| Kundengarage | Tivoligasse | 15–20 min walk | Budget option, furthest from the palace |
Find more parking options with directions.
✅ Additional Info
- Total spaces available: 230 car slots + 48 coach spaces
- Electric vehicle stations: 10 charging spots
- Eco-friendly: On-site photovoltaic panels
- Best time to arrive: Before 10 am on weekends or holidays to find convenient parking
👉 Want to maximize your day? Look for combo tickets that bundle palace entry with gardens, the Gloriette, or the zoo.
Insider tips to avoid common mistakes at Schönbrunn Palace
Metro confusion is common.
Don’t just hop off at the first stop with “Schönbrunn” in the name. For the palace and main tour, get off at Schönbrunn Station. If you’re heading to the zoo, gardens, or Palm House, use Hietzing Station; it’s faster and less crowded.
Not all gates are equal.
Tourists often walk long detours by entering the wrong gate. Use the Main Gate for the Grand Tour, Hietzinger Tor for the zoo, and Meidlinger Tor if you’re coming from Schönbrunn Station via the U4 walkway.
Poor signal? No problem.
The palace grounds are huge, and mobile data is patchy in some areas. Download the offline Google Maps of Vienna and pin your entrances and attractions before you arrive. It’ll save you serious backtracking.
It’s a walkathon inside.
The Schönbrunn estate is deceptively large. Even a simple palace-to-Gloriette stroll can take 30+ minutes. Wear supportive shoes and budget extra time for walking to avoid missing timed-entry slots.
Parking fills up fast.
Driving in? Avoid the 11 am crunch by arriving before 10 am. Pre-book parking if possible, or better yet, use Vienna’s fast and affordable public transport to skip the hassle entirely.
👉 Check out our practical tips guide for more expert advice to make the most of your Schönbrunn day.
