Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel
#9of 9 places to visit in ViennaVienna, Vienna, Austria
Also known as Wiener Riesenrad · Wurstelprater · Prater Park · Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel
Quick answer
Opening hours: 09:00–22:45. Entry is free. Allow 2 hrs. Best time: Late afternoon to dusk for the wheel.
Updated · Compiled by Traveliac, AI-assisted · 4 min read
- Opening hours
- 09:00–22:45
- The Giant Ferris Wheel runs all year round; the official site showed 09:00-22:45 on 18 September 2026. The park is open at all hours, while Wurstelprater attractions keep their own hours.
- Entry fee
- Free
- Time needed
- 2 hrs
- Best time of day
- Late afternoon to dusk for the wheel
- Best months
- Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct
- Address
- Riesenradplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria
About Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel
The Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater is one of the oldest in the world, built in 1897 and standing about 65 metres tall, and entry to the surrounding Prater park and Wurstelprater is free, as of 2026. The wheel is a steel structure, and a ride takes roughly 12 to 15 minutes with gondolas holding up to 15 people. The Prater's Wurstelprater fairground packs carousels, ghost trains, rollercoasters, halls of mirrors and the small Liliputbahn railway into a compact area, with fried lángos bread with garlic and Schweinsstelze pork knuckle on sale in the beer gardens. The Hauptallee, a long chestnut-lined avenue, runs through the wooded part of the park and is used by joggers, cyclists and walkers.
Best time of day: Late afternoon to dusk for the wheel. When the city lights come on; weekday mornings for the Hauptallee and quieter Wurstelprater.
Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel timings
Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel opens at 09:00 and closes at 22:45. The weekend is no different: Saturday and Sunday follow the same times.
- Opening hours
- 09:00–22:45
Mon–Sun 09:00–22:45 - The Giant Ferris Wheel runs all year round; the official site showed 09:00-22:45 on 18 September 2026. The park is open at all hours, while Wurstelprater attractions keep their own hours.
- Closed on
- Open every day
Good to know: Wheel hours change by season and date; the official site lists a later start of 11:30 on 22 September 2026. Many Wurstelprater rides and cafés operate seasonally, with fewer open in winter - verify at the official site.
Opening hours compiled from wienerriesenrad.com and public records, last updated . They change without notice — confirm before you travel. How we write these guides
Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel ticket price
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard ticket | Free |
| Concession (student / senior) | Free |
| Children | Free |
Entry to the Prater park and the Wurstelprater amusement area is free, as of 2026; visitors pay only per ride or purchase. The Giant Ferris Wheel is ticketed separately: the official site sells standard tickets, one-year FlexTickets and combination packages, and the current adult and child prices load dynamically and could not be confirmed. Recent seasons have been in the range of roughly EUR 14-16 for adults with a reduced rate for children aged 3-14 - as of 2026, verify current prices at the official site. Entry is free with the Vienna Pass or the Lower Austria Card, according to the wheel's own website.
Prices compiled from wienerriesenrad.com and public records, last updated . They change without notice — confirm before you travel. How we write these guides
Best time to visit Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel
- Quiet
- Moderate
- Busy
- Very busy
09:00 - 11:00
Morning CalmBest time to go
The wheel and Wurstelprater are quiet; many rides open later, and the Hauptallee has mostly joggers and cyclists.
Quiet11:00 - 15:00
Family Peak
Families and tour groups arrive; the ticket line and rides fill up on weekends and school holidays.
Busy15:00 - 19:00
Afternoon Build-Up
Wurstelprater, beer gardens and the wheel reach peak crowds on summer weekends and public holidays.
Very busy19:00 - 22:45
Evening Lights
The wheel is lit against the sky and draws a steady crowd; wait times are usually shorter than at midday.
Moderate
History of Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel
The Prater was a Habsburg hunting ground until Emperor Joseph II opened it to the public in 1766, after which coffee houses, taverns and entertainers set up in the Wurstelprater area. The Giant Ferris Wheel was built in 1897 to mark Emperor Franz Joseph I's Golden Jubilee and was engineered by the British naval officer Walter Basset, with 30 gondolas at first.
The Giant Ferris Wheel was severely damaged in the Second World War and rebuilt with 15 gondolas rather than 30, which is why it carries fewer cabins today. From 1920, when Paris's Grande Roue was demolished, until 1985 it was the tallest Ferris wheel still standing anywhere in the world. Carol Reed's 1949 film The Third Man, set in occupied Vienna, made the wheel famous, with a scene in a gondola that remains the best-known image of the Prater.
Rules & etiquette at Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel
The Prater's Giant Ferris Wheel does not allow food and drink in the gondolas, and smoking is prohibited inside the cabins. Dogs are welcome on the wheel if leashed and muzzled, according to the official FAQ. Gondolas are enclosed and each takes up to 15 people, so a shared cabin may include strangers unless you book a private ride.
Each Wurstelprater ride and game is paid for separately, and payment methods vary by stall, so carry some cash and check the price before you sit down. Rides carry posted age and height limits. Keep valuables zipped away on rides with sudden movements.
Tips for visiting Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel
- 1
The Prater is worth doing in two halves: ride the wheel for the view of the Innere Stadt and St. Stephen's Cathedral, then walk into the Wurstelprater for street food. Booking online is not required, according to the official FAQ, but a FlexTicket valid for one year or a combination ticket may suit visitors returning later. The wheel operates all year, and a clear evening ride gives the best lit view.
- 2
The Prater's restaurants beside the wheel are geared to tourists, so walk further into the Wurstelprater or the park to compare food and beer prices. Pickpockets work Praterstern station and the crowded fairground on summer weekends, so keep a bag closed and in front. For a quieter visit, walk or cycle along the Hauptallee, which is free and far calmer than the fairground.
How to reach Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel
We haven't pinned Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel's exact position yet; the map shows the other places in our Vienna guide. Use the address below or the directions link.
Riesenradplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, AustriaDirections in Google Maps
From Stephansplatz
3 km · 6-8 min
Single ticket approx. EUR 2.40-3.00 (as of 2026, verify current Vienna tariff)
From Wien Mitte
3 km · 5-8 min
Single ticket approx. EUR 2.40-3.00 (as of 2026, verify current Vienna tariff)
From Vienna International Airport (VIE)
17 km · 30-40 min
Roughly EUR 4-5 for the airport S-Bahn fare (as of 2026, verify at wienerlinien.at)
Nearest airport
From Vienna International Airport (VIE)
about 17 km south-east; S7 S-Bahn via Wien Mitte to Praterstern (about 30-40 min in total).
Nearest station
From Praterstern (U1, U2 and S-Bahn), about 5-10 minutes on foot from the Giant Ferris Wheel; bus 80A also serves the area.
Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel FAQs
Is the Prater free to enter?
Yes, entry to the Prater park and the Wurstelprater amusement area is free, as of 2026. You pay per ride and for the Giant Ferris Wheel.
How tall is the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel?
The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel is about 65 metres tall (64.75 metres by some sources) and was built in 1897. A ride takes about 12 to 15 minutes.
Do I need to book Giant Ferris Wheel tickets in advance?
No, advance booking is not required, according to the official FAQ, and tickets can be bought online or at the ticket office. Online standard tickets are valid on the selected date during operating hours.
What film made the Vienna Ferris Wheel famous?
The 1949 film The Third Man, directed by Carol Reed and set in post-war Vienna, made the Giant Ferris Wheel internationally famous. Its gondola scene remains the best-known image of the Prater.
Compiled with AI assistance from official sources and public records, and published only after the checks in How we write these guides. Nobody from Traveliac has visited this place. Last updated . How we rank and check places
