Guide to visiting Danube Tower’s observation deck

Vienna evokes images of regal imperial heritage, grand opera houses, stunning architecture, and refined artistry.

This city, shaped by many generations and civilizations over centuries, is home to one of its most iconic structures: the Danube Tower, or Donauturm.

Rising to an impressive 252 meters (827 feet), this 1960s marvel offers an observation terrace at 150 meters (492 feet) that provides a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city.

The Danube Tower gives you a perspective of Vienna that surpasses even the wildest imaginations of its original architects.

Discover everything you need to know before booking your tickets to Danube Tower.

Top Tickets
# Danube Tower entry tickets
# Tickets for Danube Tower + Vienna Zoo

It is better to buy your tickets online in advance to avoid last minute disappointment.

Things to know before booking tickets

Danube Tower entry tickets are available online and onsite.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.

When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.

Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking early also helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

To book tickets, visit the booking page and specify your planned travel date, time slot, and the number of tickets.

Once you complete the booking process, the tickets will be mailed to you.

You do not need to carry printouts.

Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the entrance and walk in. Carry a valid ID.

Danube Tower tickets

Danube Tower
Image: Donauturm.at

Enjoy fast-track entry and admire the breathtaking views from the Danube Tower, Vienna’s tallest landmark. Depending on the weather, you can enjoy panoramic vistas from the outdoor terrace or the glassed-in indoor section.

Feast on delicious traditional cuisine at the cafe, 160 meters (524 feet) above sea level, and at the restaurant, one floor above.

The ticket is valid for one day, and you can select your preferred slot while booking.

Ticket Prices

Adult (20 to 64 years): €18
Child (6 to 14 years): €11
Youth (15 to 19 years): €14
Senior (64+ years): €14
Infant (up to 5 years): €5

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Combo tickets

Vienna boasts a plethora of iconic attractions, many of which are close to the Danube Tower, which is easily accessible within a 30-minute drive.

Combo tickets can help you visit them all by booking once and at a much-discounted rate!

Danube Tower + Tiergarten Schönbrunn tickets

Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles)

Time Taken: 30 minutes by car

Enhance your trip to the Danube Tower with a combined ticket that includes entry to the Tiergarten Schonbrunn, or the Vienna Zoo, as well as the majestic Tower.

In addition to its distinction as the oldest zoo globally, Schoenbrunn Zoo stands out as one of the most advanced. Since its establishment in 1752, it has been an integral part of the Schoenbrunn UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Encompassing 17 hectares, visitors can behold a rich diversity of 700 distinct species hailing from various corners of the globe, including some that face critical endangerment.

The Tower provides views of Vienna’s sprawling urbanscape, while the Vienna Zoo preserves nature and wildlife.

Combining these two attractions in one day gives you a one-of-its-kind experience that lets you bask in the ingenuity of city life and the beauty of sprawling wildernesses on the same day.

Ticket Cost: €37

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Danube Tower restaurants

Danube Tower restaurants
Image: Donauturm.at

The Tower has two eateries: The Turm Cafe and the Turm Restaurant.

The Turm Cafe is 160 meters (524 feet) above sea level, one floor above the observation deck.

It provides a more relaxed dining atmosphere and is a nice spot for pastries, coffee, and light snacks.

The Turm Restaurant is located one floor above the Turm Cafe at a height of 170 meters (557 feet).

The restaurant slowly rotates, allowing you to take in 360-degree views and shifting perspectives of the sprawling Vienna skyline while you enjoy your meal.

Typically, the restaurant serves gourmet and upmarket food, including Austrian and other international fare.

The Turm Restaurant is open for lunch from 11.30 am to 4 pm on Wednesdays to Sundays and public holidays; for dinner, the restaurant operates from 6 pm to 10.15 pm.

The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Opening hours

Danube Tower is open to visitors from 10 am until 10.30 pm throughout the week.

The last ascent is at 10.30 pm, and the last descent is at 10.45 pm.

The opening hours might change at short notice, depending on the weather.

How long does the tour take

The Danube Tower tour will take you around 90 minutes from start to finish.

However, if you plan to dine in at one of the eateries, please budget an extra hour.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Danube Tower is an hour before sunset.

You’ll witness the historic city of Vienna basking in sunlight, observe the gradual arrival of twilight, and then behold the majestic city as it illuminates gracefully through the night.

However, the sunset draws in many visitors, making it particularly busy.

For a more serene experience, consider planning your visit at 10 am, just as the Tower opens, to savor the tranquility and avoid the crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Here are a few frequently asked questions visitors usually ask before visiting the Danube Tower:

Is the Danube Tower disability friendly?

Yes, the Tower has wheelchair access and allows service animals.
 
Strollers are not allowed, and the staff will show you a place at the entrance where you can deposit them.

Is access to the Turm Cafe and Turm Restaurant included with the Danube Tower Entry Ticket?

No, the entry ticket does not guarantee access to the cafe and restaurants. These require a separate reservation.

Are there price discounts for any groups at the Danube Tower?

Yes, children, youth card holders, and senior citizens with appropriate IDs get discounted entry tickets. At the same time, people with disabilities can get access at nominal fees or even free of cost with their disabilities pass.

Is there a time limitation on my visit to the Danube Tower?

No, once inside, you can explore at your leisure until closing time.

Can I take my tripod/monopod inside the Danube Tower?

While photography is encouraged in the tower, commercial photography using equipment such as tripods is prohibited unless appropriate permission is obtained.

Are outside eatables allowed at the Danube Tower?

No, outside eatables are not allowed.

What to expect at Danube Tower

A breathtaking aerial gateway into the essence of the city, this 252-meter-tall (826 feet) tower, built in 1964, was meticulously crafted by the visionary architect Hannes Lintl.

As you near the colossal tower, enter the serene expanse of the beautiful Donaupark (Danube Park) area on the Danube’s northern banks.

Be whisked away to the giddy height of 150 meters (492 feet) in just 35 seconds after you step into the state-of-the-art elevators.

Watch the landscape materialize before you as the elevator ascends.

Once you step onto the observation deck, prepare for breathtaking panoramic vistas, treating your senses to a soul-nourishing 360-degree vision of Vienna.

On clear days, you can behold the city’s historic gems stretching for miles, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace, and the lush expanse of the Vienna Woods.

Admire the majestic flow of the Danube River and the rolling hills of Lower Austria.

The terrace has a fully accessible outdoor platform and a two-story glass-paned indoor section, which allows you to bathe in the city views irrespective of the weather.

Indulge in a delightful culinary journey at the Tower’s revolving cafe and restaurant, spread across multiple floors for an unforgettable dining experience.

Both eateries complete a revolution around their axis every 26 minutes, giving you a surreal dining experience with ever-changing views of the city.

The observation terrace is equipped with high-tech virtual panorama screens, where you can zoom in on the city’s views

The observation terrace is equipped with high-tech virtual panorama screens, where you can zoom in on the city’s views and learn about the history of particular attractions.

Witnessing the Tower at sunset is an exceptionally enchanting experience as the city metamorphoses under the twinkle of lights, etching a memory that will linger in your heart forever.

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Researched & Written by
Jamshed V Rajan has a rich background in writing and developing internet products and communities. In 2018, he ventured into the travel industry by founding FireStorm Internet. His first venture was TheBetterVacation.com. Since then, Jamshed has dedicated himself to learning about tourist attractions and experiences worldwide. His commitment to providing accurate and detailed information makes him an invaluable resource for travelers.