The Wiener Riesenrad is a historic landmark and the oldest operating Ferris wheel in the world. It stands at 65 metres tall at the entrance of the Prater amusement park in the Leopoldstadt district of Vienna, Austria. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
To skip the explanation and just book your tickets, head here.
This guide was updated in April 2026, confirming that the new open-air, glass-bottomed “Platform 9” experience remains available for thrill-seekers wanting an adrenaline-heavy alternative to the classic wooden cabins.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
| Opening hours | 10:00 am to 9:45 pm, daily (seasonal variations apply). |
| Ticket prices | Adults: €14.50, Children (3–14): €6.50, Under 3: Free |
| Address | Riesenradplatz 1, 1020 Wien, Austria |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Praterstern Station (U-Bahn/S-Bahn) or Ausstellungsstraße car park |
| Typical time needed to visit | 45 minutes to 1 hour |
Wiener Riesenrad opening hours
The Wiener Riesenrad opening hours typically run from 10:00 am to 9:45 pm daily, representing the time of the final ride.
Operating 365 days a year, the wheel adjusts its schedule depending on the season. During the peak summer months (May through September), hours are often extended until 11:45 pm. Conversely, during off-peak winter weeks, closing times may shift earlier, though it famously remains open late for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
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.
Wiener Riesenrad ticket prices
The Wiener Riesenrad ticket prices for a standard ride are €14.50 for adults and €6.50 for children aged 3 to 14. Children under the age of three ride entirely for free. A discounted family ticket covering two adults and two children is available for €36.00.
For visitors wanting the extreme open-air experience, “Platform 9” tickets are priced at €89.00 per person.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026. The Ferris wheel is often bundled in combo tickets with other nearby attractions, including Madame Tussauds Vienna, the Danube Tower (Donauturm), and Schönbrunn Zoo, providing significant savings for multi-site itineraries.
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.
How to get to the Wiener Riesenrad
You can reach the Wiener Riesenrad easily using Vienna’s extensive public transport network. The Praterstern transit hub is located just a three-minute walk from the wheel. You can reach Praterstern via the U1 and U2 underground lines (U-Bahn), multiple S-Bahn commuter trains, or tram lines O and 5.
Parking at the Wiener Riesenrad
There is no free parking at the Wiener Riesenrad. Visitors driving to the Prater must use the nearby paid commercial parking facilities. The Prater parking garage on Ausstellungsstraße and the Messeparkplatz A offer the closest proximity, with clear pedestrian walkways leading directly to Riesenradplatz.
How long to spend at the Wiener Riesenrad
Visitors typically spend between 45 minutes and one hour at the Wiener Riesenrad. The actual rotation of the Ferris wheel takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes due to its gentle speed, leaving the rest of the time to view the introductory Panorama Museum and navigate the boarding queues.
Accessibility at the Wiener Riesenrad
Accessibility at the Wiener Riesenrad is excellent, as the historic attraction has been updated to accommodate all guests. The main entrance features wide automatic sliding doors and no steps. A long metal ramp with handrails provides barrier-free access directly into the classic wooden carriages. Furthermore, the wheel has designated, extra-wide wagons specifically designed for larger motorised wheelchairs. Accessible restrooms are available on-site, and dedicated disabled parking bays are located at the Ausstellungsstraße garage.
Inside the Wiener Riesenrad
Visitors to the Wiener Riesenrad experience an iconic piece of 19th-century engineering, originally built in 1897 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I.
The Panorama Museum greets visitors immediately upon entry. Housed in eight historic Ferris wheel cabins rescued from the original structure, the museum features intricate dioramas depicting 2,000 years of Viennese history and the evolution of the Prater park.
The Standard Ride takes place inside traditional, red wooden cabins. Because the wheel moves at a slow and steady 2.7 km/h, passengers have plenty of time to take photos of the panoramic views over the Vienna skyline, including the Danube River, the Vienna Woods, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. There is a large wooden bench in the centre of each cabin for those who prefer to sit.
Platform 9 (Plattform 9) is a unique addition for adrenaline junkies. It is a steel platform with a transparent glass floor and absolutely no side walls or roof. Visitors are secured via safety harnesses, allowing them to experience the height and the views with zero obstruction.
The attraction is also heavily tied to cinema history, most famously serving as the backdrop for the tense confrontation between Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten in the 1949 film noir classic, The Third Man.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
| Timing | Riding just before sunset provides the best lighting, allowing you to see the city by day, watch the sunset, and see the Vienna skyline illuminate. |
| Crowds | Purchasing a “skip-the-cashier-desk” ticket online in advance allows you to bypass the physical ticket line, which gets extremely long in summer. |
| Layout | The flow is strictly one-way: you will automatically pass through the Panorama Museum before you are routed to the boarding ramp. |
| Entry process | Have your digital ticket ready on your phone with the brightness turned up to scan at the automated turnstiles. |
| On-site logistics | Dogs are welcome inside the standard cabins, but they are strictly required by Austrian law to be on a leash and wearing a muzzle. |
Frequently asked questions about Wiener Riesenrad
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Wiener Riesenrad suitable for children? | Yes, the gentle, enclosed ride is highly family-friendly and serves as a calm break from the faster rollercoasters in the Prater. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Wiener Riesenrad? | While not mandatory for standard tickets, advance online booking is highly recommended to skip the queues. Private dining wagons require days of advance notice. |
| Is the Wiener Riesenrad open on Sundays? | Yes, the wheel operates its normal schedule every Sunday of the year. |
| Are bags allowed at the Wiener Riesenrad? | Standard day bags and backpacks are permitted inside the wooden cabins during the ride. |
Things to do near Wiener Riesenrad
- Prater Amusement Park (Wurstelprater)
- Madame Tussauds Vienna
- The Republic of Kugelmugel (micronation landmark)
- Schweizerhaus (famous beer garden)
- Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) Campus (modern architecture)
More Vienna travel
Other Vienna travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Ticket price guide for St Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna.
- What to see at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna.
- A practical guide to the House of Music in Vienna.
- What to expect at the Mozarthaus Vienna.
- How to visit the Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum in Vienna’s Hofburg.
