What’s the best way to visit Vienna on a low budget? By staying just across the Austro-Slovakian border in Bratislava, and taking a day trip to Vienna instead. Bratislava is a beautiful city in itself, and in my opinion doesn’t get the credit it deserves. It sits along the Danube River, has a gorgeous pedestrian-only old town, is overlooked by a stunning castle, and isn’t as crowded as other capital cities in Europe.
Bratislava is also very budget friendly, with a fully equipped rental apartment costing very little. What more could you ask for? Here are my recommendations for what to do in Bratislava as well as how to plan a day trip to Vienna.
Things to do in Bratislava
Hlavné námestie
One of the first stops your should make is to Hlavné námestie. It’s the main square in Bratislava’s Old Town and is one of the most popular tourist areas in the city. There are a number of shops and cafes dotted around this area, as well as the Old Town Hall, which is one of Bratislava’s main tourist attractions.
Michael’s Gate
Michael’s Gate is also in the old town and is one of the oldest buildings in Bratislava. The street leading up to it has a number of restaurants and shops to choose from. If you have time you can climb up to the top of the tower for one of the best views in Bratislava too.
Grab something to eat
During the summer months, a lot of the restaurants have outdoor seating options available, and they’re usually right in the middle of the street. Do your research beforehand, because the food in the touristy areas is usually quite average and overpriced. The further you go out of the old town the more authentic and cheaper the food will become.
Hop on a river cruise
Since Bratislava is located along the Danube River, there’s the option of taking a river cruise. We didn’t end up going on one, but it’s a popular thing to do in Bratislava. You can even travel to Vienna on one of them if you’re planning on doing a day trip there.
Grassalkovich Palace
Grassalkovich Palace is another great attraction to visit between the Old Town and Bratislava’s main train station, Bratislava Hlavna. It’s a beautiful building to look at, and is the home of the Slovakian president. It was built in 1760 but unfortunately it’s not open to the public.
Primate’s Palace
Primate’s Palace is a hidden gem. It’s only €3 to enter, it’s a great option if you’re visiting Bratislava on a budget. There are a number of gorgeous English tapestries to look at, as well as other pieces of art. It sits just behind the main square of the Old Town so is very easy to find.
Bratislava Castle
Bratislava Castle is one of the biggest draws for tourists in the city, and sits high on a hilltop overlooking the Old Town. There is a lot of history behind the site that it sits on, dating back hundreds of years. The castle that stands today was largely rebuilt following World War II.
Take in the views of Bratislava
And finally, some of the best views of Bratislava can be found on either side of the castle. This one is a particular favourite of mine as you can see the entire Old Town against the backdrop of Bratislava’s more modern buildings.
A day trip to Vienna
Looking around Bratislava takes about a day, or two days maximum if you want to explore at a leisurely pace. Which (if you stay a few days) leaves you with time to hop on a train and cross the border into Austria.
Vienna is notoriously known for being an expensive city, and when I researched staying there I found that to be true. Luckily, trains from Bratislava to Vienna are only €10 each way with a travel time of only 1 hour. Or, if you ask at the ticket office you can get a “special” return ticket for €14.
That’s the train sorted, but what’s the best way to get around Vienna? You can walk or you can opt for a tour bus such as Big Bus Vienna which will take you to all of the main attractions. Other than a cheap bike rental and bratwurst, the bus is the only thing we spent money on and somehow I spent as much as I had during two days in Bratislava. Yes, it is expensive in Vienna, but it was such a magical city that it was worth it. Here are some places to visit during a day trip to Vienna.
Belvedere Palace
Our first stop during our day trip to Vienna was Belvedere Palace. It’s located about a 10 minute walk from Vienna Hbf, so we thought this was a good place to start exploring the city from. It’s completely free to walk around the grounds, which was ideal since we were visiting Vienna on a budget.
The Hofburg
The next stop during a day trip to Vienna has to be The Hofburg, the former imperial palace of the Habsburgs. It was built in the 13th century, and since then has consistently been recorded as a seat of government. Today it serves as the residence and office of the President of Austria.
Rathaus
Vienna’s City Hall (Rathaus) is located a short walk from The Hofburg, and is the centre of local government in the city. In the summer it’s a lovely area to walk around and find some shade to sit in. If you’re planning a day trip to Vienna in the winter you’ll the area transformed into a winter wonderland.
Burgtheater
The Burgtheater sits opposite the city hall and was one of my favourite buildings. The architecture is simply stunning, and I’ve heard that the performances inside are incredible to watch. So if you’re spending more than 24 hours in Vienna, I’d recommend going to a show here.
Join a bus tour of the city
There are a lot of tour bus companies in Vienna to choose from. We picked Big Bus Vienna simply because it was the first one we came across. All of the prices are fairly similar and they mostly travel along the same routes. If you’re only planning a day trip to Vienna this is probably the quickest way to see the majority of the main attractions in the city.
Schönbrunn Palace
Three palaces in one day – bliss. Schönbrunn Palace is further out of the city centre than Vienna’s other main attractions but there’s a bus stop right outside of the gates. You can pay for an inside tour, or you can walk around the grounds and gardens for free which is what we did. Visiting the palace is one of the best things to do during a day trip to Vienna.
Rent a city bike
We decided that the best way to get around Vienna other than taking the bus was to rent a city bike. The best thing is that the first hour is completely free, so you can drop off the bike at one location, and pick up another one and you won’t be charged.
Horse and carriage ride
During your day trip to Vienna don’t forget to explore the historic streets or take a ride on one of the many horse and carriages. Day trips to Vienna don’t always have to be costly, there is a lot to do in the city that’s completely free!
My advice to any budget traveller who wants to see Vienna is to book accommodation in Bratislava, and take a day trip to Vienna. Bratislava is a great city to visit on a budget, and you can fit in some of the best things to do in Vienna into a day trip. The distance between Bratislava and Vienna is only 1 hour, and it’s a direct train too, so the travel time won’t take a huge chunk out of your day.
Click here to read about my experience and recommendations on where to stay. And if you’re thinking of doing a day trip to Bratislava, click here for some tips. I followed that trip up with a road trip to Toledo and Segovia in Spain, and toured around some unique locations in Andalusia too. Get in touch if you have any questions about either Vienna or Bratislava, and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I would personally recommend.
Pin this blog post for later!
