Austria Family Travel Guide 2025
Everything families need to know for a successful trip to Austria with kids.
Austria captivates visitors with its imperial cities, Alpine landscapes, and rich musical heritage. From Vienna's grand palaces to Salzburg's baroque architecture and the stunning Tyrolean Alps, this Central European gem offers world-class culture, outdoor adventures, and legendary coffeehouse traditions.
Top Family Activities
The best experiences for families in Austria.
Schönbrunn Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn)
The world's oldest zoo, founded in 1752 within Schönbrunn Palace grounds, is home to giant pandas Yangyang and Fu Long, snow leopards, Asiatic elephants, and 700+ species. The historic baroque pavilions and new rain forest house provide shelter in bad weather. Children's play areas throughout the grounds.
Haus der Musik Vienna
Vienna's most family-friendly museum in a 19th-century palace, where children can conduct the Vienna Philharmonic with a motion-sensor baton, compose their own music, and explore the science of sound through hands-on exhibits. The Stairway of Sounds installation is a highlight for all ages.
Hellbrunn Palace Trick Fountains
Salzburg's most delightfully surprising attraction — a 17th-century palace garden filled with 200 water jets, trick stone chairs, mechanical figures, and elaborate water features designed by Prince-Archbishop Marcus Sitticus to soak unsuspecting guests. Children (and adults) get drenched and love every moment.
Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves
The world's largest ice cave system near Werfen in Salzburg province, with 42 km of tunnels and spectacular ice formations lit by magnesium torches on guided tours. The cable car to the cave entrance and 45-minute torch-lit cave tour make this an unforgettable adventure for families with older children.
Prater Funfair and Riesenrad
Vienna's historic amusement park in the Prater grounds features the iconic 1897 Riesenrad Ferris Wheel, carousel rides, ghost trains, and dozens of traditional funfair attractions. The surrounding Prater green park has excellent playgrounds, meadows for running, and the famous straight Hauptallee chestnut boulevard for cycling.
Alpine Coaster (Sommerrodelbahn) Innsbruck
Summer toboggan runs (Sommerrodelbahn) on Alpine slopes throughout Tyrol and Salzburg province allow riders to control their own speed down winding metal tracks through mountain scenery. The Olympic Bobsled Run at Igls near Innsbruck and the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena coasters are among the most thrilling.
Nordkettenbahn Cable Car (Innsbruck)
The Nordkette cable car rises from Innsbruck city center to 2,256m in just 20 minutes, offering children the extraordinary experience of going from a city to the Alpine summit in one journey. The mountain top has panoramic views, easy family hiking on the plateau, and often snow even in summer. Descent can be made on foot (intermediate hikers) or by cable car.
Hallstatt Salt Mine Tour
The world's oldest salt mine offers a spectacular underground adventure including a 64-meter underground slide, prehistoric miner's wood boat ride on an underground lake, and salt-encrusted tunnels 7,000 years in the making. The funicular from the village and guided mine tour create a full half-day family excursion.
Activities by Age Group
Find activities suited to your children's ages.
👶 Toddlers (0-3)
- Parks with shaded play areas
- Short, stroller-friendly walks
- Swimming pools at family hotels
- Animal encounters
🧒 Young Kids (4-7)
- Interactive museums
- Easy outdoor adventures
- Cultural shows and performances
- Market explorations
🧑 Older Kids (8-12)
- Historical site tours
- Adventure activities
- Cooking classes for kids
- Nature excursions
👦 Teens (13+)
- Adventure sports
- Photography walks
- Cultural immersion experiences
- Food tours
Complete Family Travel Guide
Family itineraries, packing checklists, and activity planning tips.
Family-Friendly Accommodations
Where to stay with kids.
Meininger Hotel Wien Downtown Sissi
Purpose-built family-friendly hotel with game room, large communal kitchen, and private family rooms with bunk beds in Vienna's Leopoldstadt district near Prater. Excellent U-Bahn connections to all attractions. Bar and 24-hour reception.
A&O Wien Hauptbahnhof
Budget hotel and hostel at Vienna Hauptbahnhof with excellent transport connections and dedicated family rooms. Kids' play area in lobby, bar for adults, and helpful staff accustomed to families. Steps from direct trains to Salzburg.
Kinderhotel Europa
Dedicated family resort in Zell am Ziller, Tyrol, designed exclusively for families with children. Professional childcare (Kinderbetreuung) from 6 months, indoor adventure pool, kids' disco, and supervised children's meals. Parents' evening programs allow adults time together while children are entertained.
Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol
Luxury Alpine resort near Innsbruck with exceptional children's facilities including dedicated kids' club, indoor swimming pools with splash zones, and direct access to beginner ski slopes in winter. Babysitting service, family rooms with connecting doors, and children's menus at all restaurants.
What to Look For
- Family rooms or connecting rooms
- Swimming pool (supervised)
- Restaurant with kids' menu
- Babysitting/kids' club services
- Safe, enclosed outdoor spaces
- Proximity to attractions
Kid-Friendly Dining
Where to eat with children.
Austrian restaurants warmly welcome children — 'Kinder willkommen' is the norm, and most provide Kinderteller (children's menu) from €5-9 with smaller portions of Schnitzel, pasta, and dessert.
Children under 6 travel free on all public transport in Austria; children 6-14 pay half price. This makes day trips very affordable for families.
Many Viennese Würstelstände (sausage stands) are child-friendly — Käsekrainer (cheese sausages) are popular with children and served from street stands with no formal ordering process.
The Schweizerhaus beer garden in Vienna's Prater (Prater 116) is ideal for families — large outdoor space, children can run freely, basic Austrian fare including excellent Stelze (roast pork knuckle), and no formality.
Supermarkets (Billa, Spar) stock excellent prepared meals, sandwiches, and fresh fruit for affordable family picnics in Schönbrunn gardens, Stadtpark, or Prater meadows.
Family Travel Tips
Make traveling with kids easier.
The Vienna Family Card (Familycard Wien) offers 50% discounts on children's tickets at 200+ Vienna attractions — available at tourist information offices.
Pack layers even in summer — Vienna parks require sun protection, while cable cars to alpine heights mean packing a warm jacket even in July.
Most major museums in Austria are free for children under 19 — including the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Natural History Museum, and Belvedere for EU residents.
For ski trips with young children, Austria's 'Kinderland' beginner ski areas at most resorts provide gentle learner slopes with conveyor belt lifts rather than chairlifts, making learning much easier for ages 3-8.
Health & Safety
- Check recommended vaccinations for children
- Pack enough prescription medications
- Bring sun protection and stay hydrated
- Research nearest hospitals/clinics
- Get travel insurance covering the whole family
Plan Your Family Adventure
Get our complete family travel guide with kid-friendly itineraries, packing lists, and activity recommendations.
Download Family Guide