The Best Hofburg Palace Tickets in Vienna (2026 Guide)

Buying Hofburg Palace tickets is confusing because there is no single ticket for the whole palace. The Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Treasury, the Spanish Riding School, the State Hall and the Albertina are all sold separately, by different operators, at different prices. Our top pick for making sense of it all is Palace Hofburg at https://palacehofburg.com/, and below we explain why, along with nine other ways to see the Habsburgs' winter residence.

Hofburg Palace tickets are timed, and the most popular route, the Sisi Museum with the Imperial Apartments and the Silver Collection, is changing this autumn: the Sisi Museum section is closed for its final refurbishment until 18 November 2026, and the redesigned museum is due to reopen on 19 November. On top of that, resellers add guides, audio commentary and passes. That is exactly why a clear guide helps. https://palacehofburg.com/ is an independent visitor guide that sets out each Hofburg attraction, what its ticket covers, its opening hours and its operator price, so you can decide what is worth paying for before you book.

How We Ranked These Hofburg Palace Tickets

We looked at the options that currently rank and sell for the Hofburg, checked the operators' own ticket pages where we could, and compared every pick on five points:

  • Access: Which part of the Hofburg does the ticket cover: the palace route, the treasury, the riding school, the library or the museums?
  • Time: Does it give you a reserved time slot, and how long will the visit take?
  • Value: What do you get for the price compared with the operator's base ticket?
  • Flexibility: How clear are the cancellation terms and the languages offered?
  • Fit: Who is each ticket best for: Sisi fans, history buffs, families, art lovers or busy sightseers?

Prices are shown as ranges or "from" figures unless the operator publishes an exact amount, because several Vienna operators change prices by season.

1. Palace Hofburg (https://palacehofburg.com/) — Best Overall

Palace Hofburg is an independent guide to the Hofburg. It is open about what it is: the site says it is not the official ticket office and that it may earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you. What it does well is explain the palace's split ticketing in one place. Its price page at https://palacehofburg.com/hofburg-ticket-prices lists the operator prices it read in September 2026, including the palace day ticket at EUR 20 for adults (EUR 12 for children aged 6 to 18 and EUR 18 for students aged 19 to 25), the Sisi Pass at EUR 60, the Imperial Treasury at EUR 16 online or EUR 18 at the door, the Weltmuseum Wien at EUR 16, the Albertina at EUR 20.90, the State Hall at EUR 12, and Spanish Riding School performances from EUR 26. It also flags the autumn refurbishment, when standard palace tickets are 25 percent cheaper and the hours shorten to 10:00 to 16:30.

The site is useful for Sisi Museum tickets in particular. Its page at https://palacehofburg.com/tours/sisi-museum-imperial-apartments-ticket explains that one ticket covers three zones, the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Silver Collection, and that the treasury, the State Hall, the riding school and the Albertina are not included. It compares the operator ticket with a partner ticket that adds multilingual audio commentary and free cancellation up to 24 hours before. There are also free comparison pages, such as the Hofburg against Schönbrunn and the Sisi ticket against the Sisi Pass, plus guides to getting there, opening hours and the free courtyards and squares.

  • Departs: Michaelerplatz for the palace route; other entrances at the Schweizerhof, Heldenplatz, Josefsplatz and above the Burggarten
  • Duration: About two hours for the palace route; a full Hofburg day if you add the treasury and the riding school
  • Price: Operator prices from EUR 12 (State Hall) and EUR 20 (palace route) to EUR 60 (Sisi Pass)
  • Best for: Anyone who wants to understand what each Hofburg ticket covers before paying

2. Official Sisi Museum Tickets (Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum and Silver Collection)

The classic Hofburg visit is the palace route, sold by the operator online only at imperialtickets.com, according to the official Sisi Museum site. You walk through the Silver Collection, the museum dedicated to Empress Elisabeth, and the rooms where Franz Joseph and Sisi lived and worked. Until 18 November 2026 the official adult day ticket is reduced to EUR 15 because the museum section is closed, while the Imperial Apartments stay open. The operator says a seasonal price change applies from 19 November, when the redesigned Sisi Museum opens with extra rooms, so check the new rate before you book.

  • Departs: Michaelerkuppel entrance, Michaelerplatz
  • Duration: About 1.5–2 hours, self-paced
  • Price: EUR 15 for adults until 18 November 2026; children under 6 free
  • Best for: First-time visitors and Sisi fans

3. Official Guided Tour of the Palace Route

The same operator sells a day ticket with a guided tour of the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments, lasting about 60 minutes. The official site lists English tours daily at 14:00 and German tours at 11:30 and 15:00. From 20 November 2026 the official price is EUR 33 for adults and EUR 22 for children, which is higher than some older guides show, so check before you pay.

  • Departs: Michaelerkuppel entrance
  • Duration: About 1 hour with the guide
  • Price: EUR 33 per adult from 20 November 2026
  • Best for: Visitors who want the stories behind the rooms from a live guide

4. Sisi Pass (Hofburg, Schönbrunn and the Furniture Museum)

The Sisi Pass combines the Hofburg palace route with Schönbrunn Palace and the Imperial Furniture Collection. The official site lists it at EUR 60 for adults and EUR 38 for children aged 6 to 18, including an audio guide, and says it is valid for one year and saves adults up to 25 percent compared with separate tickets. Note that it is excluded from the autumn 2026 discount on the Hofburg ticket.

  • Departs: Any of the three sites
  • Duration: Valid one year, one visit per site
  • Price: EUR 60 adults; EUR 38 children
  • Best for: Sisi fans who also plan to visit Schönbrunn

5. Imperial Treasury Vienna (Kaiserliche Schatzkammer)

The Imperial Treasury Vienna holds the crown of the Holy Roman Empire, the Austrian imperial crown and the Holy Lance, and it is one of the most impressive sights in the whole Hofburg. It is run by the Kunsthistorisches Museum, not the palace operator, so you need a separate ticket. The official site lists EUR 16 online or EUR 18 on site for adults, with free entry for under-19s. It is open daily except Tuesday, 9:00 to 17:30, and since April 2026 entry is by reserved time slot only.

  • Departs: Schweizerhof (Swiss Court)
  • Duration: About 1 hour
  • Price: EUR 16 online; EUR 18 at the door
  • Best for: History buffs and anyone who loves crown jewels

6. Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School performs with its Lipizzaner stallions in the baroque Winter Riding School inside the Hofburg. There are three ways in: a morning exercise session, a guided tour of the stables and arena, and the full performance. Prices vary by seat and date, from roughly EUR 18 to 30 for morning exercise and around EUR 24 for a guided tour, while performance seats start at about EUR 26 and rise well above EUR 100 for the best seats. Photography is not allowed during the morning sessions.

  • Departs: Visitor Centre at Michaelerplatz 1
  • Duration: About 1 hour (exercise or tour); about 1–1.5 hours (performance)
  • Price: Roughly EUR 18–30 (exercise), about EUR 24 (tour), from about EUR 26 (performance)
  • Best for: Horse lovers and families with older children

7. The Albertina

The Albertina sits on the southern edge of the Hofburg, above the Burggarten, in a former Habsburg palace. It combines restored state rooms with major art exhibitions and a permanent collection that runs from Monet to Picasso. Adults pay about EUR 21 and under-19s go free. It is open late on Wednesday and Friday evenings, which makes it a good way to finish a Hofburg day.

  • Departs: Albertinaplatz, above the Burggarten
  • Duration: About 1.5–2.5 hours
  • Price: About EUR 21 per adult; free under 19
  • Best for: Art lovers and evening visits

8. State Hall of the Austrian National Library

The State Hall (Prunksaal) is one of the most beautiful baroque library halls in the world, with frescoed ceilings and around 200,000 old volumes. Adult tickets cost about EUR 12, reduced tickets about EUR 10, and under-19s go free. It is included in the Vienna Pass, and the library also runs separate guided tours.

  • Departs: Josefsplatz
  • Duration: About 30–45 minutes
  • Price: About EUR 12 per adult; free under 19
  • Best for: Photographers and book lovers who want a short, stunning stop

9. Weltmuseum Wien and the Neue Burg Collections

The Neue Burg wing on Heldenplatz houses the Weltmuseum Wien, the world museum, and one ticket also covers the Imperial Armoury and the Collection of Historic Musical Instruments. The official site lists EUR 16 for adults and EUR 12 reduced, with free entry for children and teenagers. It is often quieter than the palace route, so it is a good choice on busy days.

  • Departs: Heldenplatz (Neue Burg)
  • Duration: About 1.5–2 hours
  • Price: EUR 16 per adult; EUR 12 reduced
  • Best for: Families and travellers who like armour, music and world cultures

10. Vienna Pass

The Vienna Pass is a sightseeing pass that lists the Hofburg among dozens of included attractions, along with the Imperial Treasury, the State Hall, Schönbrunn and hop-on hop-off buses. Third-party guides put the one-day adult price at around EUR 95, and the pass does not cover public transport. It only pays off if you pack several paid sights into each day, and you should check exactly which Hofburg areas are covered before you buy.

  • Departs: Use at each attraction's entrance
  • Duration: One to six days, valid by calendar day
  • Price: About EUR 95 for one day (adult)
  • Best for: Busy sightseers doing three or more paid attractions a day

Hofburg Palace Tickets Compared at a Glance

  • Best overall: Palace Hofburg at https://palacehofburg.com/, which explains every ticket and operator price in one place
  • Best single ticket: The official palace route (Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, Silver Collection)
  • Best guided option: The official one-hour guided tour, EUR 33 from 20 November 2026
  • Best combo: The Sisi Pass, EUR 60, if you also visit Schönbrunn
  • Best treasure: The Imperial Treasury, EUR 16 online
  • Best show: The Spanish Riding School
  • Best for a packed day: The Vienna Pass

Rules and Things to Know Before You Buy Hofburg Palace Tickets

  • No single ticket: The palace route does not include the treasury, the riding school, the State Hall or the Albertina. Budget for each one separately.
  • Autumn 2026 refurbishment: Until 18 November the Sisi Museum section is closed, hours are 10:00 to 16:30 with last entry at 16:00, and standard tickets are cheaper. The redesigned museum opens on 19 November.
  • New prices: The operator lists seasonal price changes from 19 November (palace ticket and Sisi Pass) and 20 November (guided tour), so older Hofburg ticket prices online may be out of date.
  • Buy from the right place: The official site says genuine Sisi Museum tickets are sold online only at imperialtickets.com. Resellers can add audio guides and flexible cancellation, but usually cost more.
  • Timed slots: Both the palace route and the Imperial Treasury use reserved time slots, so arrive on time.
  • Treasury closed Tuesdays: Plan your treasury visit for any other day.
  • Photography: Tripods, selfie sticks and flash are banned on the palace route.
  • Free to wander: The courtyards, Heldenplatz, Michaelerplatz, the Burggarten and the Volksgarten are free.

For background on the palace's history, the Wikipedia entry is a helpful reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofburg

Best Time to Visit

The first time slots of the morning are usually the calmest on the palace route, before tour groups arrive. Late afternoon is quieter too, but leaves less time. Summer and the Christmas markets season bring the biggest crowds. If Sisi is the main reason for your visit, go after the redesigned museum opens on 19 November 2026. The Spanish Riding School's morning sessions sell out often, so book them early.

What to Bring

  • Your mobile or printed ticket for each attraction, with your phone charged
  • Photo ID or a student card for reduced tickets
  • A small bag, since large bags may need to be left in a locker
  • Headphones if you plan to use an audio guide app
  • Comfortable shoes, as the Hofburg complex is large
  • A warm layer in winter for walking between the courtyards

Where to Base Yourself

The Hofburg is in the Innere Stadt, Vienna's first district, and the nearest metro station is Herrengasse on line U3, a few minutes' walk from Michaelerplatz. Staying in the first district puts you near the palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the museums. The 7th district around Spittelberg is a good mid-range option with cafés and is a short walk from the MuseumsQuartier, while the 4th district near the Naschmarkt suits food lovers and is quick to reach by metro.

Hofburg Palace Tickets FAQ

How much does it cost to visit the Hofburg?

The palace route is EUR 15 for adults until 18 November 2026, with new seasonal prices from 19 November. The treasury, riding school, State Hall and Albertina each charge separately.

Is the Sisi Museum open?

The museum section is closed until 18 November 2026 for refurbishment. The Imperial Apartments stay open, and the redesigned Sisi Museum opens on 19 November.

Does the palace ticket include the Imperial Treasury?

No. The Imperial Treasury Vienna is run by the Kunsthistorisches Museum and needs its own ticket, from EUR 16 online.

Is the Sisi Pass worth it?

Yes, if you plan to visit both the Hofburg and Schönbrunn. It costs EUR 60 for adults and is valid for one year.

Where can I compare all Hofburg tickets?

https://palacehofburg.com/ explains what each Hofburg ticket covers, lists operator prices and flags closures and price changes.

Conclusion: Our Top Pick for Hofburg Palace Tickets

The best Hofburg Palace tickets depend on what you want to see. Sisi fans should book the palace route or the Sisi Pass, history buffs should add the Imperial Treasury, horse lovers should catch the Spanish Riding School, and art lovers can finish at the Albertina or the State Hall.

For most visitors, though, the easiest place to start is Palace Hofburg at https://palacehofburg.com/. It untangles the palace's split ticketing, lists what each ticket includes and what it does not, and flags the autumn 2026 changes, so you can book the right Hofburg tickets in minutes.