Any trip to Vienna is incomplete without a visit to the world’s oldest zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn! Sea lions, giant pandas, meerkats, and other species are waiting for animal lovers in the imperial city of Vienna. Enjoy this handy guide to learn how to get to Tiergarten Schönbrunn and enjoy an unforgettable experience.
Located near the Schönbrunn Palace, Tiergarten Schönbrunn has been named Europe’s #1 zoo for several years in a row from a total of 126 scientifically-managed zoos, as chosen by zoo expert Anthony Sherida. The Vienna Zoo is home to over 8,500 animals and is one of the world’s leading conservationist facilities thanks to its captive breeding program.
Vienna is a gorgeous city that’s considered to be the bridge between Western and Eastern Europe, with plenty of old and new world things to do. As you plan your visit to all of Vienna’s top landmarks, you’ll need to know how to get to Tiergarten Schönbrunn ahead of time to have a memorable, seamless visit.
History of Tiergarten Schönbrunn
Tiergarten Schönbrunn is an extension of the parks and gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, sitting on over 400 acres. The grand palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg rulers and is one of Vienna’s top must-see attractions.
When Empress Maria Theresa, the daughter of Emperor Charles VI, began summering at Schönbrunn, she made the palace the center of court and political life. Her changes included building a menagerie around a central pavilion to hold rare animals. Opened in 1752, the menagerie was originally reserved for the imperial family and guests only. However, in 1778, the zoo was opened on Sundays for “decently dressed persons.”
Over 260 years later, Tiergarten Schönbrunn is now the home of over 700 different species. It also hosts many endangered species like orangutans, and other popular animals like giraffes, sea lions, and Siberian tigers.
The Vienna Zoo also homes giant pandas since the People’s Republic of China entrusted Tiergarten Schönbrunn with a pair. It is the only zoo in Europe that has successfully helped this endangered species breed naturally.
One of the other exciting features of the zoo is its many animal houses. There’s a rainforest house for tropical flora and rainforest creatures, an aquarium terrarium, and the ever-popular monkey house. Each house allows visitors to learn more about these animals and see them up close and personal. Plus, visitors can even observe many animals at feeding time. The sea lion enclosure is the most popular for feeding time.
More than 2 million annual visitors grab Vienna Zoo tickets and rediscover their love for animals. Make sure you know how to get to Tiergarten Schönbrunn ahead of time so you can enjoy a stress-free visit.
Traveler Tip: Combine your visits to Vienna Zoo and Schönbrunn Palace
Since Vienna Zoo is located on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace, visitors can plan a combined visit to both the opulent palace and the world-renowned Vienna Zoo. Schönbrunn Palace was the famous summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty, one of the most powerful dynasties in history. Grab tickets to both attractions through the handy, Vienna City PASS.
📍 How to get to Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna Zoo):
Tiergarten Schönbrunn is located in the extended parks and gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace. It’s in Hietzing, Vienna, which is only about a half an hour subway ride from the Hofburg Palace.
🚆 How to get to Tiergarten Schönbrunn by subway
You can either travel to the zoo via the tram or the underground. The closest subway station is Hietzing, which services the U4 underground line or trams 10, 52, and 60. After leaving the station, it is only a 10-minute walk to the zoo’s entrance.
🚎 How to get to Tiergarten Schönbrunn by bus
If you prefer to take the bus, you can take lines 56A, 56B, 58A, 58B, N54, and N60 to the Hietzing stop. You can also disembark at the Dommayergasse stop, which is also only a 10-minute walk from the zoo.
🚗 How to get to Tiergarten Schönbrunn by car
It is possible to drive to the zoo and park nearby, but parking lots are not easily accessible. You can park at the public car park at Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg. However, a limited number of parking spaces are available, and it is about an 18-minute walk from the zoo.
If you are traveling from a further distance, you can drive your car to a park and ride at nearby underground stations.
✈️ How to get to Tiergarten Schönbrunn from the Vienna International Airport
If you’re traveling straight from the Vienna International Airport, it takes about one hour to get to Tiergarten Schönbrunn. You’ll take the S7 express train from the airport, which runs every 30 minutes. Then, take the S7 train to the Vienne-Midi stop and walk four minutes to the Landstraße underground stop. Grab the U4 underground line and ride it to Station Hietzing.
Vienna Zoo Tickets
Tickets for Tiergarten Schönbrunn: Skip-The-Line
These skip-the-line Vienna Zoo tickets allow you quick access to one of the best zoos in Europe. Select a specific date for your tickets, so you don’t have to wait in any long queues for Tiergarten Schönbrunn. Visitors will enjoy the many modern additions made to the zoo to ensure the most comfortable visit possible while visiting the 8,500 animals.
Vienna PASS: Admission to 70+ Attractions
This Vienna PASS is your ticket to all of Vienna’s top attractions. Gain admission to over 70 attractions, including skip-the-line access to 22 landmarks and the Tiergarten Schönbrunn. The PASS also includes unlimited hop-on hop-off bus travel, making it easy to get around while saving money. Plus, you’ll even get a free guidebook to help you make the most of your time in Vienna. These Vienna Zoo tickets are the perfect way to see Vienna and experience the trip of a lifetime.
Decided to visit Vienna Zoo? Check out our post on 24 Hours in Vienna: How to Explore The Austrian Capital in a Day.
