When I first walked through the Michaelerplatz entrance to Vienna‘s Hofburg, what caught me off guard wasn’t the grand facade but how deceptively sprawling it all is. The Imperial Apartments are tucked within a vast palace complex that covers 240,000 square metres — more small city than residence. Inside, the contrast in Habsburgs is sharp: Franz Joseph’s austere military-style bedroom sits metres from Sisi’s elaborate exercise room, and that tells you everything you need to know about their troubled marriage.
Quick overview
A single ticket to the Imperial Apartments costs €20 for adults and €12 for children (ages 6-18), and includes access to the Sisi Museum. Children under 6 enter free. The Imperial Apartments are open daily from 9:00am to 5:30pm, including weekends and public holidays, with last admission at 4:30pm. Audio guides are included in thirteen languages. The entrance is under the Michaelerkuppel dome at Michaelerplatz.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €20 adults / €12 children | Daily 9:00am – 5:30pm | Michaelerplatz, 1010 Vienna | Under 6 | 4:30pm |
How much does the Imperial Apartments cost?
The standard ticket includes both the Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum for €20 (adults) or €12 (children ages 6-18). Students aged 19-25 pay €18 with valid ID.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €20 | Ages 19+ |
| Child | €12 | Ages 6-18 |
| Student | €18 | Ages 19-25 with student ID |
| Child under 6 | Free | Under 6 years |
| Disability discount | Available | With valid ID at ticket desk |
For those planning to visit multiple sites, the Sisi Pass combines the Imperial Apartments, Schönbrunn Palace, and the Vienna Furniture Museum. This pass offers 25% savings over individual tickets.
What’s not included: There’s no luggage storage, which is annoying if you’re visiting before checking into your hotel. The Imperial Silver Collection, once part of the ticket, has been closed since April 2023.
Five great things to do while you’re in Vienna
- Take a guided bike tour through the Old City and along the Danube.
- Enjoy a classical music concert at St Peter’s Church.
- Taste gruner veltliners and much more on a wine tour through the Weinviertel region.
- See the World Heritage-listed sights of the Wachau Valley on a super-scenic day trip.
- Explore Vienna’s food scene in café’s and markets with an expert guide.
Is the Imperial Apartments free to enter?
No. Entry to the Imperial Apartments requires a paid ticket. Children under 6 receive free admission. Companions of visitors with disabilities may enter free with appropriate documentation. There are no free admission days or reduced-price evening hours.
What time do the Imperial Apartments open?
The Imperial Apartments are open daily from 9:00am to 5:30pm, including public holidays. These hours apply year-round.
Last admission is at 4:30pm. Visitors can remain in the Sisi Museum until 5:00pm and in the Imperial Apartments until 5:30pm after entry.
The ticket office closes at 4:30pm, so don’t leave it too late. If you arrive after 4:00pm, you’ll feel rushed — budget at least 90 minutes for a proper visit.
These Imperial Apartments ticket prices and opening hours were checked and verified in January 2026.
Why book the Vienna Pass for sightseeing?
- Free entry to top attractions: Visit dozens of Vienna’s must-see museums, palaces, churches and cultural sites without paying separate admission fees.
- Hop-on hop-off bus included: Use the sightseeing bus service to explore the city at your own pace with panoramic views and easy access to key stops.
- Flexible pass durations: Choose from 1-, 2-, 3- or 6-day options to suit your travel plans and how much you want to see.
- Mobile ticket convenience: Use your pass on your phone with digital entry to attractions — no printing or queuing required.
- Extra savings and discounts: Enjoy special offers at partner tours, restaurants and experiences throughout Vienna.
Do I need to book Imperial Apartments tickets in advance?
Yes, absolutely. Tickets have fixed admission times, and if you arrive late, your ticket becomes invalid. During busy periods, time slots sell out entirely. Book online through the official site to guarantee your preferred time.
On-the-day tickets can be purchased at the ticket desk if available, but you risk long queues or sold-out slots during peak season (April to October).
Critical: Some visitors report fake ticket websites. Only buy from imperialtickets.com or the on-site ticket office.
A brief history
The Hofburg served as the Habsburg residence for over 600 years and was the centre of the Holy Roman Empire. Construction began in 1275, though what remains dates from 1533 onwards. Each Habsburg generation added their own wings, creating a sprawling complex of 2,600 rooms across 18 separate wings.
The nineteen rooms open to visitors comprise the official and residential suites occupied by Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). These apartments were the winter residence — the Habsburgs decamped to Schönbrunn Palace each summer. Franz Joseph maintained his apartments here until his death in 1916, just two years before the monarchy collapsed.
The contrast between the couple’s quarters reveals their incompatibility. Franz Joseph’s rooms are austere, almost military in their simplicity. Sisi’s apartments reflect her obsession with beauty and fitness, including a private gymnasium where she exercised for hours daily. She travelled constantly to escape court life, ultimately meeting her end in 1898 when an Italian anarchist stabbed her in Geneva.
What you’ll see inside
The route takes you through nineteen state rooms and private chambers. You’ll enter via the Emperor’s Staircase, which leads to the official audience chambers where Franz Joseph met petitioners and ministers. The Conference Room still has its original furnishings.
Franz Joseph’s study and bedroom are surprisingly spartan. He slept on an iron military cot well into old age — hardly the luxury you’d expect from an emperor. His daily routine was rigid: rising at 4:00am, working at his desk for hours, receiving audiences in the afternoon.
Sisi’s apartments tell a different story. Her dressing room is filled with beauty paraphernalia — she spent three hours daily on her floor-length hair. The exercise room contains original equipment, including wall bars and rings. The dining room, where formal state dinners occurred, features a magnificently set table with Habsburg porcelain and silver.
Several rooms were used by Czar Alexander I during the Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815, when European powers redrew the map after Napoleon’s defeat. The somewhat dry audio guide provides detailed commentary throughout.
What’s included with your ticket?
- Admission to nineteen rooms of the Imperial Apartments
- Full access to the six-room Sisi Museum
- Audio guide in thirteen languages (or printed descriptions)
- Access to exhibitions of Sisi’s personal belongings, including replica gowns and death mask
- Information about Habsburg daily life and court protocols
Not included: The Imperial Silver Collection (closed), Spanish Riding School performances, Imperial Treasury, or any other Hofburg museums.
Things to do near the Imperial Apartments
Spanish Riding School (76m, 1-minute walk) — Watch performances of the legendary Lipizzaner stallions in the Baroque Winter Riding Hall. Morning training sessions and gala performances available. Separate tickets required.
Imperial Treasury (150m, 2-minute walk) — Houses the Austrian Imperial Crown, the regalia of the Holy Roman Empire, and priceless religious relics including the Holy Lance.
Austrian National Library (178m, 2-minute walk) — The State Hall is considered one of the world’s most beautiful libraries, with Baroque frescoes and 200,000 historic volumes. Worth the separate admission.
Albertina Museum (340m, 4-minute walk) — Contains masterpieces of classical Modernism and one of the world’s most important graphic art collections. Works by Dürer, Monet, and Klimt.
St Stephen’s Cathedral (750m, 9-minute walk) — Vienna’s Gothic masterpiece and spiritual heart.
Mozarthaus Vienna and the House of Music are within easy walking distance. Elsewhere in Vienna, cultural options include the Belvedere Palace, Hundertwasserhaus, and the Museum of Art Fakes. Less intense are the tempting food huts of the Naschmarkt and the enormous Prater park in Leopoldstadt.
Practical tips
- Location: Michaelerplatz, 1010 Vienna (entrance under the Michaelerkuppel dome)
- Getting there: U3 (orange line) to Herrengasse station (200m walk). Trams 1, 2, D, and 71 to Burgring. Buses 1A and 2A to Hofburg.
- Time needed: 90 minutes minimum. History enthusiasts should budget two hours.
- Photography: Tripods, selfie sticks, and flash are prohibited. General photography policies vary — check on arrival.
- Dress code: None specified. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible via lifts and ramps. Wheelchair-accessible toilets available.
- Crowds: Mornings (9:00am-11:00am) are quietest. Afternoon slots fill rapidly during peak season.
- No storage: No luggage storage facilities. Large bags and suitcases prohibited inside.
FAQs
Can I buy tickets on the day? Yes, at the ticket desk under the Michaelerkuppel, but availability isn’t guaranteed during busy periods. Online booking through imperialtickets.com is strongly recommended.
Is the audio guide included? Yes, free audio guides are included in thirteen languages, or printed descriptions depending on availability.
Can I visit just the Imperial Apartments without the Sisi Museum? No. A single ticket covers both attractions — you cannot purchase separate admission.
How long does it take to visit? Most visitors spend 60-90 minutes. Allow two hours if you’re particularly interested in Habsburg history or want to read all the exhibition information.
Are there lockers or luggage storage? No. The Hofburg has no luggage storage facilities, which catches many visitors out. You’ll need to store bags at your accommodation first.
Is photography allowed? General photography is typically permitted in most areas, but flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are banned. Some areas may have additional restrictions.
More Austria travel
Other Austria travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Vienna to Ljubljana: Direct train vs indirect train vs bus.
- Vienna to Salzburg train times and ticket prices.
- Linz travel guide for first time visitors.
- A practical guide to visiting Melk Abbey.
- Guide to Innsbruck’s Hofkirche and Hofburg.
