Vienna is classy and charming, but it is also very expensive. During our recent trip to Vienna we discovered some great ways to enjoy what the city had to offer without breaking the bank.

Sausages from the Bitzinger Wurstelstand

You cannot leave Vienna without trying one of its sausage stands, but this one is the most popular one and even the locals would vouch for it! Located in front of the Albertina Museum and opposite to the Staatsoper, this sausage stand serves the tastiest of sausages. Open daily till 4 am, this place is always teaming with people wanting to sample some of their meaty offerings. Whether you are a tourist or dressed for the Opera, everyone queues together to enjoy this fine example of Viennese street food. I tried the Kasekrainer – delicious cheese stuffed sausage in a roll. This place also serves wine & beer and not in plastic cups but proper glasses. The prices of sausages range from €3- €5. A delicious and filling lunch/dinner option when you are on a budget.

Morning Exercise at the Spanish Riding School

This famous equestrian show performed by Lipizzaner stallions is usually booked out months in advance and are quite expensive. However, if you wish to see the magnificent horses, book the ‘Morgenarbeit sessions’ which run daily from 10 am till noon. It is a great way to watch the horses train to opera music and admire the grandeur of the arena at the same time. Tickets cost a mere €15 per person and can be bought on the day from the ticket office. Be sure to arrive early, as hundreds of people throng this place to see the horses in action. It is mostly standing room only so do wear comfortable shoes when you attend.

Standing Tickets to Evening Performances in the Staatsoper

Like everything else, concerts in Vienna Staatsoper also get booked months in advance. However, hundreds of standing room tickets are sold 80 minutes before each show on the same day. Most evening shows start at 8 pm, so do get to the venue for 6:30 pm to start queuing up. Tickets are €3 – €4 per person and the views are pretty decent, even though you are standing for two hours. Remember to carry minimal belongings as they don’t allow you to keep anything with you and ask you to check everything into the cloakroom; this is to maximise standing space. Please don’t forget to carry a scarf to tie around the bars to mark your spot, especially when you want to have a look around or grab a drink at the bar. It sounds strange, but it works and people respect and protect your space.

Visit to the Sigmund Freud Museum

Of all the museums that we visited in Vienna, the entrance fee to this one was the cheapest (€7.50 per person). Even if you are not into Freud, a couple of hours inside the museum will captivate you and introduce you to his life and famous theories. The museum is actually his apartment before he was exiled and gives a fascinating glimpse of the daily life, mind and practice of the famous psychologist.

The Gardens of Schloss Schonbrunn and Schloss Belvedere

Vienna’s palaces are some of the prettiest in the world, but even more exquisite are its gardens. The best bit is that most of it is free to enter. You can easily spend a few hours casually exploring these well-manicured gardens, magnificent sculptures and Instagram-worthy water features and fountains without spending a penny. A great way to spend a morning working up an appetite for lunch or burning those calories post-cake!

Drink wine, not coffee!

This is probably music to one’s ears, but wine in Vienna is way cheaper than coffee. Agreed, I am not talking of the expensive grape stuff here. But a glass of house wine (125ml) will cost less than €3 in most coffeehouses/bars whilst a coffee will set you back by €5-€6. There has never been a better excuse to drink wine until now!