Vienna Ferris Wheel: Complete Visitor Guide & Honest Review

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The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and the oldest Ferris wheel still operating in the world. But with a relatively high ticket price and a ride that only lasts around 15 minutes, is it actually worth visiting?

I’ve visited the Vienna Ferris Wheel twice and had very different experiences, from queuing on a rainy autumn weekend to having an entire cabin to myself when arriving right at opening time.

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know before visiting, including ticket options, the best time to go, photography tips, and whether I think it’s worth the money.

Table of Contents

Is the Vienna Ferris Wheel Worth Visiting?

Yes, I think the Vienna Ferris Wheel is worth visiting, especially on your first trip to Vienna.

What makes it special isn’t just the view. It’s also one of Vienna’s most historic landmarks and the oldest Ferris wheel still operating in the world.

While it looks huge on the Vienna skyline, it’s actually quite small compared to the giant observation wheels found in many modern cities today.

The ride only lasts around 15 minutes, and I do think the ticket price is a little high. But between the history, the unique views, and its iconic status, I still think it’s worth doing at least once.

Entrance building of the Wiener Riesenrad with the sign "WIENER RIESENRAD" above the glass doors. The historic Ferris wheel towers overhead with several red passenger cabins visible against a clear blue sky.

History of the Vienna Ferris Wheel

The Vienna Ferris Wheel (Wiener Riesenrad) was built in 1897 to celebrate the 50th Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Almost 130 years later, it remains one of Vienna’s most famous landmarks.

The Ferris wheel survived World War II, although it was heavily damaged by fire in 1944. After the war, it was rebuilt and reopened to visitors.

Today, the Vienna Ferris Wheel is the oldest Ferris wheel still operating in the world. Its distinctive red cabins and historic steel structure have become an iconic part of Vienna’s skyline and have even appeared in several films, including The Third Man.

What to Expect During Your Visit

Buying Tickets and Queuing

Hand holding a Wiener Riesenrad admission ticket beside a turnstile and ticket scanner. The ticket reads "Wiener Riesenrad Ticket."

You don’t need to buy your ticket in advance. You can simply buy it at the ticket office when you arrive.

If you do buy your ticket online, you can skip the queue at the ticket office and go straight to the turnstile. However, you’ll still need to queue after scanning your ticket before boarding the Ferris wheel.

When I visited on a slightly rainy autumn weekend, I waited around 20 minutes. On another visit, I arrived right when it opened at 9am and didn’t have to queue at all. If you want to avoid crowds, I highly recommend visiting first thing in the morning.

🎡 Buy your Vienna Ferris Wheel ticket here

The Exhibition Area

Exhibition hall inside the Wiener Riesenrad with red numbered display cabins arranged along a wooden walkway. A dark blue ceiling dotted with small lights creates a starry effect overhead.

Detailed miniature diorama showing small buildings, figures, a canal, and a large tree inside a display case. Historic illustrations and portraits are visible in the background.

Before boarding the Ferris wheel, you’ll walk through an exhibition about Vienna’s history.

Replica cabins contain miniature scenes from different periods of Vienna’s past, making the wait much more interesting than I expected.

Inside the Cabins

Smiling woman wearing sunglasses inside a wooden Wiener Riesenrad cabin. Large windows reveal views of Vienna and the surrounding amusement park below.

The iconic red cabins are surprisingly spacious. Each one has a large wooden bench in the middle and enough room to walk around while enjoying the views.

During busy periods, you may have to share a cabin with other visitors. When I arrived right at opening time, I had an entire cabin to myself.

View from a Wiener Riesenrad cabin looking across Vienna on a sunny day. A red Ferris wheel cabin numbered 30 and part of the wheel's steel structure frame the city skyline.

The Ride

A full rotation takes around 15 minutes. The wheel moves slowly and occasionally stops to let passengers on and off.

Even though the ride isn’t particularly long, I was surprised by how quickly the time passed. Between the views and taking photos, the 15 minutes flew by.

Platform 9

For a more adventurous experience, you can book the Platform 9 Ticket. Instead of standing inside a cabin, you’ll stand on a transparent platform high above Vienna!

I haven’t tried it myself. I’m a little scared of heights and that looks far too terrifying for me!

🎡 Looking for a thrill? Buy your Platform 9 ticket here

Views from the Ferris Wheel

Historic and Modern Vienna

From the top of the Vienna Ferris Wheel, you can see both historic landmarks and the modern skyline.

One of my favourite views is the contrast between the Franz von Assisi Church and the modern buildings of UNO City in the background. It perfectly shows how Vienna blends old and new.

View across Vienna from the Wiener Riesenrad showing rows of historic buildings, tree lined streets, and modern skyscrapers on the horizon. Low grey clouds hang over the city. — View on a rainy day in November

Panoramic view over Vienna from the Wiener Riesenrad with historic rooftops, green spaces, and modern high rise buildings in the distance. Reflections from the cabin windows are visible in the glass. — View on a rainy day in November

A Unique View of the Ferris Wheel

My favourite view wasn’t actually the city. It was the Ferris wheel itself.

Seeing the historic steel structure from above gives you a completely different perspective and makes you appreciate just how impressive this iconic landmark is.

Photography Tips

The windows were very clean during both of my visits, and there are also small windows you can open to avoid reflections in your photos.

If you’re visiting alone, there’s a small table in the corner of the cabin where I was able to set up my pocket phone stand and take photos of myself since I was the only one in the cabin.

Looking through the steel framework of the Wiener Riesenrad at several red passenger cabins moving around the wheel. Sunlight casts geometric shadows across the metal structure.

Is the Vienna Ferris Wheel Worth the Price?

At €14.50 per adult (as of 2026), the Vienna Ferris Wheel isn’t cheap, especially when you consider that a full rotation only takes around 15 minutes.

Even so, I still think it’s worth doing once. You’re not just paying for the views, but also for the history and the chance to experience one of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks.

🎡 Buy your Vienna Ferris Wheel ticket here

Red Ferris wheel cabin numbered 24 suspended within the steel framework of the Wiener Riesenrad. The cabin sits high above Vienna with city buildings and autumn colored trees visible in the distance under a cloudy sky.

Included for Free with These Cards

The Vienna Ferris Wheel is included with both the Vienna Pass and the Niederösterreich-CARD.

I visited using my Niederösterreich-CARD, so I didn’t have to pay anything extra for admission. Since the card includes so many attractions, visiting the Ferris Wheel was an easy decision.

If you’re planning to visit several attractions in Vienna, the Vienna Pass can also offer good value. Check out my guide on whether the Vienna Pass is worth it to see if it’s the right choice for your trip.

A lively scene at Vienna's Prater amusement park, featuring the iconic Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel with its red gondolas against a clear blue sky. In the foreground, a historic green and yellow information booth with 'Prater' signage stands, as visitors walk by or stop to take photos. The warm sunlight casts long shadows, adding to the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. — The popular Prater Amusement Park

Visiting the Prater

The Vienna Ferris Wheel is located inside the Prater, Vienna’s famous amusement park.

The Ferris Wheel operates (almost) year round, many of the other rides do not. When I visited in autumn, much of the amusement park had already closed for the season, making it feel like a ghost town.

Personally, I think the Prater is best suited to families with children. I loved it when I was a kid, but these days I’m much more interested in the Ferris Wheel itself than the amusement park rides.

If you’re visiting with children, it’s worth setting aside some extra time to explore the Prater. If you’re mainly interested in Vienna’s history and landmarks, you can easily visit the Ferris Wheel without spending much time in the rest of the amusement park.

Don’t Miss the Prater Park

After your ride on the Vienna Ferris Wheel, don’t rush off straight away.

While most visitors know the Prater for its amusement park rides, it’s also home to one of Vienna’s largest green spaces. The Prater Park is a fantastic place for a walk or a picnic, especially on a sunny day.

If you’d like to explore more of Vienna’s green spaces, check out my guide to the best parks in Vienna.