Vienna is one of Europe’s great cities and definitely the grandest city in the German-speaking world, but all of that gorgeous architecture and culture doesn’t come cheap. The cultural and historical opportunities here are rivaled by few others, and things are quite tidy and organized too, so be prepared to spend some money to really enjoy it all.

Most of the most famous attractions in the city are cheaper than they are in, say, Paris or Rome, but those who want to hit all the main highlights will still find it fairly expensive. Fortunately the public transportation is efficient and reasonably priced, and there are plenty of interesting things to see and do that don’t cost anything. If you want to see all of the city’s top sights in 2 or 3 days, see our Vienna Pass review as it might be your best bet.

Hotels in Vienna are rather expensive at the mid and upper ranges of things, but some bargains do exist in the lower reaches. You’re likely to be staying outside of the main ring road area, so you’ll sacrifice some time going back and forth, though it does keep your budget more intact. Vienna hostels can be good bargains, however, as can private rooms at those hostels.

For food and drink this is a typically expensive European capital, with sit-down meals costing quite a bit, and cheaper offerings often being hard to find. The exception is the sausage stands and noodle stands, which are all over town, where a filling meal can be fast and fairly cheap.