The best time to visit Vienna, Austria is Apr / May / Sep / Oct / Dec — mild shoulder seasons; magical Christmas markets in Dec. Expect 10–24°C (cold Dec), with moderate crowds. Round-trip flights from major EU hubs run €70–210 and hotels average about €140 a night.
| Best time to go | Apr / May / Sep / Oct / Dec |
|---|---|
| Weather | 10–24°C (cold Dec) |
| Crowds | Moderate |
| Flights (round-trip, EU hubs) | €70–210 economy · €400–800 business |
| Hotel (median) | €140 / night |
| Good for | city, culture |
Why go in September
Mild shoulder seasons; magical Christmas markets in Dec
About Vienna
Vienna runs on a quieter grandeur than most European capitals — imperial palaces and gilded opera houses sit a short tram ride from vineyard hills still worked by the same families for generations. The Ringstrasse loops past museums built like temples, while the Danube Canal and Prater's old wooden Ferris wheel keep things unpretentious just beyond the old town.
When to go
September is the city's best-kept secret: the summer heat breaks into crisp, sunny days around 18–23°C, the opera and concert season reopens after its August pause, and the Heurigen wine taverns in Grinzing pour the first of the new vintage. Come December, the mood flips entirely — the Christkindlmarkt in front of the Rathaus turns the whole square into mulled-wine and gingerbread territory, best paired with a Vienna Christmas markets evening tour.
Vienna weather month by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C | -1°C | 38 mm |
| February | 7°C | 0°C | 35 mm |
| March | 11°C | 2°C | 26 mm |
| April Peak | 16°C | 6°C | 51 mm |
| May Peak | 19°C | 11°C | 83 mm |
| June | 25°C | 15°C | 68 mm |
| July | 27°C | 17°C | 69 mm |
| August | 26°C | 17°C | 69 mm |
| September Peak | 22°C | 13°C | 75 mm |
| October Peak | 16°C | 8°C | 56 mm |
| November | 10°C | 4°C | 47 mm |
| December Peak | 5°C | 0°C | 47 mm |
Highlighted months are Vienna's best time to visit. Figures are 2014–2023 averages (Open-Meteo ERA5); actual conditions vary year to year.
What it costs indicative, varies by date
Things to do book tickets & tours
Walk the Ringstrasse from the State Opera to the Hofburg, then tour the state rooms and gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburgs' summer residence. Ride the historic Riesenrad in the Prater at golden hour, and set aside an evening for a proper Heuriger dinner in the vineyards above the city. History buffs should book a Vienna old town walking tour to untangle the Habsburg centuries behind the coffeehouse facades.
Before you go
FAQ quick answers
When is the best time to visit Vienna?
The best time to visit Vienna is Apr / May / Sep / Oct / Dec — mild shoulder seasons; magical Christmas markets in Dec. In those months you can expect 10–24°C (cold Dec).
Is Vienna worth visiting in September?
Yes — September is one of the best months to visit Vienna: mild shoulder seasons; magical Christmas markets in Dec. Expect moderate crowds, so book ahead.
What is the weather like in Vienna?
In its best months (Apr / May / Sep / Oct / Dec), Vienna typically sees 10–24°C (cold Dec). Average daytime highs run about 5–22°C, with overnight lows around 0–13°C.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Vienna?
Flights to Vienna are usually cheapest just outside the peak months — the shoulder weeks around Apr / May / Sep / Oct / Dec — when demand eases. Economy round-trips from major EU hubs range €70–210; prices vary by date, so compare across a few weeks.
How much does a trip to Vienna cost?
As a guide, round-trip economy flights from major EU hubs run €70–210 (business €400–800), with hotels averaging about €140 per night. These are indicative seasonal ranges, not live quotes.
What are the best things to do in Vienna?
Highlights in Vienna include Schönbrunn, Belvedere, Coffee houses, Christmas markets.