My last day of Eastern Europe trip, I planned to visit Vienna, the capital of Austria. Indeed, I selected Vienna as it is easier to find the affordable flight back to Bangkok. To move from Prague to Vienna, the most comfortable way is using the train in early morning and arrived around 10.30AM. It meant I would have full day to explore the City of Music before catching the flight back to my home country on the next day. So, once everything is planned, I book RegioJet train ticket in advance. The Departure time from Prague Main Station (Praha hlavní nádraží) was 6AM and Arrival time at Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) was 10.20AM.
I woke up since 5AM to take a shower, get dressed, checkout from the hotel and walk to train station which is just 250 meters away. The train was departed and arrived right on-time.
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Once I arrived at Vienna Central Station, I went to the locker service room to deposit my baggage. The cost for medium size baggage was 2 EUR per 24 hours. Then, I was comfortable to hop around Vienna. I suddenly to go subway station (Wiener Linien) which is directly connected to railways station (Südtiroler Platz Station). As I would stay in Vienna for one day, I had bought 24 hours pass at 8 EUR/person. The first place what I would start in Vienna was Schönbrunn Palace. I took Metro Line – U1 from Südtiroler Platz Station for 2 stops to Karlsplatz and connect with Line – U4 for 6 stops to Schönbrunn station. Then, I walked about 400 meters to Schönbrunn Palace.
You can get Vienna Metro Map from this link
https://viennamap360.com/carte/image/en/vienna-metro-map.png
Schönbrunn Palace was the summer home of the Habsburg royal family and played a key role in Austria’s imperial history. Built mainly in the 1700s, the palace shows beautiful Baroque design with a long yellow façade, grand gates, and wide gardens stretching behind it. Outside, visitors can enjoy fountains, statues, and the Gloriette on the hill, which offers great views of the palace grounds. Inside, the palace is filled with elegant rooms, including royal apartments, grand halls, and the famous Mirror Room, once used for court events and music. Many rooms still keep their original furniture and decorations. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Austria’s most important historic attractions. Schönbrunn Palace is open daily, 8.30AM – 5PM. The admission ticket cost was 38 EUR/person.
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I spent about 2 hours at Schönbrunn Palace (include the waiting time in the queue almost 30 minutes 😂). Next, I continued my Vienna highlight trip to Hofburg Palace by using Metro line – U4 to Karlsplatz station and walked for 900 meters to get there.
Hofburg Palace was the main home of the Habsburg royal family for more than 600 years. It started as a small castle in the 13th century and slowly grew into a huge palace complex. Today, it shows many styles of architecture, from medieval to Baroque and classic designs, all mixed together. Inside, visitors can find museums, royal apartments, and the Spanish Riding School, where famous white horses perform. The palace is also used by the Austrian president today. Around Hofburg, there are wide squares, gardens, cafés, and busy streets, making this area a lively place to walk, relax, and enjoy Vienna’s city life. Hofburg Palace is open daily, 8AM – 6PM with free admission to garden, square and surrounding area.
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From Hofburg Palace, I could walk to the next destination which is one of the most iconic place of Vienna, St. Stephen’s Cathedral. It is just 600 meters away.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral has stood in the heart of Vienna since the 12th century and has watched the city grow for hundreds of years. It is built mainly in Gothic style, with a very tall tower and a colorful tiled roof that you can spot from far away. Outside, the stone details and sharp arches make it look dramatic and strong. Inside, the church feels grand and peaceful, with high ceilings, beautiful altars, and quiet side chapels. Visitors can also see old tombs and climb the tower for city views. It is not just a church, but a true symbol of Vienna. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is open daily with free admission, 6AM – 10PM.
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From St. Stephen’s Cathedral, I walked through Kärntner street which is the most famous central shopping street in Vienna. I did not hesitate to grab some souvenir and gift from the shops here. Then, just only 700 meters away from St. Stephen’s Cathedral, I met my next stop, Vienna State Opera which is easy to spot as it has outstanding look in that area.
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Vienna State Opera opened in 1869 and became a major center for opera and classical music in the city. It was badly damaged during World War II but later rebuilt, showing how important it is to Vienna’s culture. The building is designed in elegant Neo-Renaissance style, with arched windows, statues, and a long arcade facing the street. During the day it looks grand, but at night it becomes even more beautiful when the lights turn on and the details stand out. It is one of the best photo spots in Vienna, and that is why I came back again after dark just to see it in a different mood.
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About 600 meters away from Vienna State Opera, it has another interesting architecture of Vienna, St. Charles’s Church. I could walk there with just 10 minutes.
St. Charles’s Church, or Karlskirche, was built in the early 1700s after a terrible plague, when the emperor promised to build a great church if the city was saved. The design is very unique, mixing Baroque style with ancient Roman ideas. The large green dome stands in the center, while two tall columns in front are covered with carved stories and symbols. These columns are inspired by Roman victory pillars and make the church look very powerful and grand. Outside, the wide square and the reflecting pool create a perfect view, making this church one of the most eye-catching spots in Vienna for photos and quiet moments.
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After visiting St. Charles’s Church, it was about 3PM. I had about 90 minutes before sunset. I did not waste my time to complete by Vienna day trip to visit another one of UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vienna, Belvedere Palace which I could walk there for about 1.30 km away.
Belvedere Palace was built in the early 1700s as the summer home of Prince Eugene of Savoy, a famous military leader of the Habsburg Empire. The palace is split into two main parts, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, connected by beautiful Baroque gardens with fountains and statues. Outside, the white buildings and long terraces give perfect city views, especially from the upper level. Inside, the palace is now an art museum with grand halls and world-famous paintings, including works by Gustav Klimt. The mix of royal design, gardens, and art makes Belvedere one of Vienna’s most impressive places. Belvedere Palace is open daily, 9AM – 6PM. The admission fee was 29 EUR/person for Lower and Upper Belvedere.
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Actually, it has more than 18,600 pieces of art. For sure, I could not catch-up every piece. I came out from Belvedere Palace at 4.45PM. It was the sunset time and sky was getting dark. I walked back to Vienna Central Station to retrieve my deposited luggage and walk to the hotel just nearby the train station to check-in and have a rest. At 6.30PM, I went out again to admire Vienna in the night. First thing after sunset was going to Vienna State Opera to capture the night scene of this classic building. Then, I walked from there about 800 meters to Naschmarkt, the Vienna’s largest open-air market to see the local lives and products.
Naschmarkt is Vienna’s most famous open market, and it has been part of the city’s daily life since the 1500s. Long ago, farmers brought food here by river, and today the market is full of fresh fruits, snacks, spices, and street food from many countries. You can smell grilled meat, baked bread, and sweet desserts as you walk along the stalls. There are also small cafés and bars where people sit, eat, and watch the crowd. It’s a great place to try local food, find souvenirs, and feel the lively side of Vienna. Naschmarkt is open Monday – Saturday, 6AM – 7.30PM (Saturday close earlier, 5PM).
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At 8PM, before I caught the metro back to the hotel, I have grabbed some snack and easy breakfast for the next day as I would checkout from the hotel in the morning and catch the flight back to Thailand. Finally, my Eastern Europe had been completed here with impression. Despite I visited more than 20 countries before this trip, but I still thrilled and prided every time I can write new chapter to my life. Anyway, my journey is still underway. I am still always looking for the new destinations. See you agin next trip. 😃😊😄😀
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Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth
Shipy-Ship 