The Imperial Carriage Museum, in the grounds of Vienna‘s Schönbrunn Palace, houses the Habsburg court’s collection of ceremonial coaches, sleighs, and uniforms.
This guide was updated in July 2026. Since 1 April 2026, admission has been available only during reserved time slots, replacing the previous walk-up entry that many older guides still describe. You can book in advance through Viator to secure your entry time.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Kaiserliche Wagenburg, Schloss Schönbrunn, 1130 Vienna, Austria |
| Hours | 15 March–30 November: daily 9am–5pm; 1 December–14 March: daily 10am–4pm |
| Adult ticket | €12 online, €14 on site |
| Reduced ticket | €9 online, €12 on site |
| Child/young person (0–19) | Free |
| Nearest transit | Hietzing station (U4 underground line) |
| Typical visit duration | About an hour |
Why book Imperial Carriage Museum tickets?
- 🏛️ One of the world’s great carriage collections: more than 5,000 objects from the Habsburg court.
- 🎟️ Time-slot booking is now required: reserved entry became mandatory on 1 April 2026.
- 🌿 The Black Hearse: used at the funerals of three Habsburg monarchs, including Empress Elisabeth in 1898.
- 📜 Empress Elisabeth’s own saddle: the only one of hers to survive, part of the Sisi Trail exhibit.
- 💰 Free for everyone under 19, making it an easy addition to a family day at Schönbrunn.
Opening hours for the Imperial Carriage Museum
From 15 March to 30 November, the museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm. From 1 December to 14 March, hours shorten to 10am–4pm daily. Since 1 April 2026, every visitor needs a reserved time slot, so booking ahead through the official shop or an authorised reseller is now effectively required rather than optional.
Ticket prices for the Imperial Carriage Museum
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | €12 online, €14 on site |
| Reduced (students 25 and under, seniors, Ö1 Club members, special needs, conscripts, unemployed) | €9 online, €12 on site |
| Vienna City Card | €13 |
| Child/young person (0–19) | Free |
| Empress Elisabeth ticket (single admission to the Carriage Museum and Treasury) | €25 |
| 7 Museums Pass (365 days) | €53 |
An audioguide costs €2, available in German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Russian. Time-slot tickets entitle you to a single entry on your chosen date and time, though there’s no limit on how long you can stay once inside. Book through Viator if you’d rather have your slot confirmed ahead of time.
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.
How to get to the Imperial Carriage Museum
By metro: take line U4 to Hietzing station, a short walk from the museum.
From Westbahnhof: take U6 to Längenfeldgasse, then change to U4 towards Hietzing.
From Hauptbahnhof: take tram 18 to Margaretengürtel, then change to U4 towards Hietzing.
By tram or bus: trams 10 and 58, or bus lines serving Schloss Schönbrunn, all stop nearby.
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.
Parking
The museum is within the Schönbrunn Palace grounds, where public parking is available nearby, though it isn’t run by the museum itself.
How long to spend at the Imperial Carriage Museum
Most visitors spend about an hour in the museum. Since your time slot ticket has no time limit once you’re inside, you can linger longer if the collection interests you.
Accessibility at the Imperial Carriage Museum
The ground floor galleries are fully accessible, reached through a main entrance with a low 3cm step and wide double-swinging doors. The first floor is only reachable by stairs, with two flights of 10 to 12 steps and handrails on both sides, so it isn’t accessible for wheelchair users. Accessible, eurokey-locked bathrooms are located outside the main collection.
What to see at the Imperial Carriage Museum
The Coronation Landau of 1825, black and gold, is among the most celebrated ceremonial carriages in the collection.
The Golden Carousel Carriage of Maria Theresa, from around 1740, reflects the Baroque splendour of 18th-century court ceremony.
The Black Hearse, built in 1876/77, was used at the funerals of Emperor Franz Joseph in 1916, Empress Elisabeth in 1898, and Empress Zita in 1989.
The Sisi Trail brings together personal items belonging to Empress Elisabeth, including her only surviving saddle and a travelling carriage.
The children’s carriages, including one made for Napoleon’s son, the King of Rome, and another for Crown Prince Rudolf, offer a lighter, more personal side of imperial life.
The Rich Saddle Chamber and the Monturdepot, the world’s largest collection of civilian uniforms, round out the museum’s holdings beyond the carriages themselves.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book your time slot before you travel | Walk-up entry is no longer available since the reservation system began on 1 April 2026. |
| Buy online to save | Every ticket category costs less booked online than at the door. |
| Use lockers for bulky bags | There’s no cloakroom for large luggage, though lockers are available for backpacks. |
| Skip the flash and tripod | Photography for personal use is fine, but flash and tripods aren’t permitted. |
| Combine with the Treasury | The Empress Elisabeth ticket covers both the Carriage Museum and the Imperial Treasury for €25. |
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to book a time slot? | Yes, since 1 April 2026, admission is only available during reserved time slots. Booking in advance secures your entry time. |
| How much does a ticket cost? | €12 online for adults (€14 on site), with a reduced rate of €9 online for eligible visitors. |
| Is it wheelchair accessible? | The ground floor galleries are fully accessible, but the first floor is reachable only by stairs. |
| Do I need a ticket to Schönbrunn Palace as well? | No, the Carriage Museum can be visited separately, without a palace ticket. |
| What’s the museum’s most famous exhibit? | The Black Hearse, used at the funerals of Emperor Franz Joseph, Empress Elisabeth, and Empress Zita. |
Things to do nearby
Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburgs’ summer residence, sits in the same grounds as the museum.
The Gloriette, a hilltop garden pavilion overlooking the palace, offers sweeping views across Vienna.
Tiergarten Schönbrunn, the world’s oldest zoo still operating on its original site, is a short walk from the Carriage Museum.
The Palm House, a grand 19th-century glasshouse, sits within the same palace gardens.
The Schönbrunn Maze and Labyrinth, a family favourite, rounds out a day exploring the palace grounds.
What to visit tomorrow
Schloss Hof, a Baroque imperial hunting estate with Baroque staterooms, gardens, and rare farm animals, is about 45 minutes to an hour’s drive from Vienna, and offers another side of Habsburg country life.
For dedicated carriage enthusiasts, the Gruber Carriage Museum, Austria’s largest private collection of its kind, lies further out in Großraming, Upper Austria, around two and a half hours’ drive from Vienna.
More Vienna travel
Other Vienna travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect at the Mozarthaus Vienna.
- How to visit the Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum in Vienna’s Hofburg.
- How to ride the Wiener Riesenrad – the oldest Ferris Wheel in the world.
- Plan your visit to Vienna’s Haus des Meeres aquarium.
- What you need to know before visiting the Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna.
