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An icon of Vienna, the Giant Ferris Wheel (also known as the Wiener Riesenrad) offers visitors great views of the city. Built in 1897, and the tallest ferris wheel in the world from 1920 to 1985, the Giant Ferris Wheel is a unique piece of history as well as a fun attraction! Lines can get long, especially in summer, so it’s recommended that you book skip-the-line tickets in advance for the best experience.

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Vienna: Skip-the-cashier-desk-line Giant Ferris Wheel Ride

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Vienna Pass

Save money and combine the Giant Ferris Wheel with dozens of great attractions when you buy the Vienna Pass.

Vienna PASS: 1, 2, 3, or 6 Days of Sightseeing

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Vienna: Flexipass for 2, 3, 4 or 5 Top Sights

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4 tips for visiting the Wiener Riesenrad

Photo: Carolyn Carrier McClimon, Schweizerhaus - Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

1

If you’re looking for a lunch spot a little closer to the ground then there’s a range of restaurants in the surrounding park, or if you love the outdoors (or you’re traveling on a budget) then why not bring a picnic! The Prater is twice as large as Central Park and has plenty of stunning green spaces where you can take a break from the sightseeing in the city.

Photo: Soroush Karimi, Chain Carousel - Unsplash

2

Do you feel like the Giant Ferris Wheel isn’t quite giant enough for you? In the nearby Wurstelprater amusement park you can go for a spin on the Prater Tower ride, a chain carousel which is a spine-chilling 117meters (383 feet) high. It’s got great views, but it’s not for the faint of heart!

3

Are you looking for something exclusive and romantic? The Giant Ferris Wheel has dining cabins which can be rented for private dinners by candlelight. The package includes a 90-minute three-course meal with wine and a glass of champagne as an aperitif, plus the option to pick your own music.

4

Wondering how to see several places in Vienna in just a few short days? Why not order a Vienna Pass! The pass gives you free entry to over 60 of Vienna’s top attractions (including the Giant Ferris Wheel), usually with fast-track entry, plus you can use the Vienna Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off buses to get around without having to stress about public transport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I visit the Giant Ferris Wheel?

The Giant Ferris Wheel isn’t just the symbol of the Prater park, it’s basically the emblem of the city itself. Built in 1897 to celebrate Emperor Franz Josef I’s Golden Jubilee, the Ferris wheel was nearly demolished in 1916 but because there weren’t enough funds to carry out the demolition it survived! It very nearly survived World War II intact but was severely damaged by fire in 1944, being rebuilt shortly after with only half as many cabins as it started with. It’s been featured in a huge number of Austrian and German films and TV shows, and it’s also caught the attention of Hollywood, appearing in Orson Welles’ The Third Man and in a James Bond film (The Living Daylights, starring Timothy Dalton). If its historical significance doesn’t do it for you, then visit for the excellent views of Vienna you can see from the top. Read more.

What can you see from the top?

From the top of the Giant Ferris Wheel you get a pretty extensive view of Vienna, including the Donauturm, the Stefansdom, the huge expanse of the rest of the Prater park. On clear days you can see all the way across the city to the Kahlenberg mountain and the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald). Read more.

How long does a rotation take?

It depends. The Ferris wheel stops when people need to get on or off, and depending on how busy the attraction is, one rotation can take anywhere between 12 minutes and half an hour. Read more.

Is there anything interesting to do nearby?

So many things, especially if you decide to buy a Vienna Pass! Opposite the entrance to the Giant Ferris Wheel you’ll find Madame Tussauds Vienna, and in the other direction you’ll find the Prater Museum, both of which are included in the pass (you also get a free ride around the park on the Liliputbahn). Other attractions in the park include the Chocolate Museum, a Planetarium, the Rollercoaster Restaurant, and several children’s playgrounds throughout the area. Read more.

General information

Opening Hours:

⚠ Due to Covid-19, the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel remains closed on Mondays & Tuesdays. The attraction is open from 10:30 am. Closing times are 8 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday & Public holidays and 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Tickets:

Tickets cost €12 for adults and €5 for children aged 3-14 years. Children under the age of 3 can enter free of charge.

Address:

Giant Ferris Wheel
Riesenradplatz 1
1020 Vienna
Austria

How to get there:

The Giant Ferris Wheel is a short walk from the nearby Praterstern Station, which is served by U-Bahn (lines U1 and U2), S-Bahn (S1, S2, S3, S7, and S15), trams (0 and 5), and bus (80A).

Cloakroom:

There are no cloakrooms at the Giant Ferris Wheel. Guests with large items of luggage can use the lockers at the nearby Praterstern station.

Accessibility:

All exhibition rooms and restaurant facilities at ground level are wheelchair accessible, and the wagons of the Ferris wheel (including dining wagons) are suitable for extra wide wheelchairs. Guide dogs are permitted.

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