Vienna Zoo Opening Hours | Feeding Times & Visitor Tips

Timings

Schönbrunn Zoo

The Schonbrunn Zoo Vienna is open from 9am throughout the year. The closing hours vary between 4:30pm and 6:30pm, depending on longer daylight hours, the season, festivals, and public holidays.

Jan - Mar

Apr - Jun

Jul - Sep

Oct - Dec

Jan 1 TO Jan 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Jan 31)	TIMINGS
Monday	09:00–16:30
Tuesday	09:00–16:30
Wednesday	09:00–16:30
Thursday	09:00–16:30
Friday	09:00–16:30
Saturday	09:00–16:30
Sunday	09:00–16:30

Feb 1 TO Feb 28 Timings Days (Feb 1 TO Feb 28)	TIMINGS
Monday	09:00–17:00
Tuesday	09:00–17:00
Wednesday	09:00–17:00
Thursday	09:00–17:00
Friday	09:00–17:00
Saturday	09:00–17:00
Sunday	09:00–17:00

Mar 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Mar 1 TO Mar 31)	TIMINGS
Monday	09:00–17:30
Tuesday	09:00–17:30
Wednesday	09:00–17:30
Thursday	09:00–17:30
Friday	09:00–17:30
Saturday	09:00–17:30
Sunday	09:00–17:30

The last admission to the Schonbrunn Zoo is 30 minutes before closing hours.
The Bird House closes an hour before the closing time, while the Aquarium-Terrarium closes at the end. All other animal enclosures are closed 30 minutes before the closing hours.
Note that the Schonbrunn Palace Grounds also close around 6:30pm.

Best time to visit the Schönbrunn Zoo

Weekday vs Weekend

Weekdays: The weekdays are relatively less crowded than weekends. You can arrive any time. Some popular exhibits may be crowded, however, the visitors thin out in no time. Most large groups and school students arrive early in the day. To beat the morning rush, arrive slightly before noon.
Weekends: Typically, weekends attract a much larger crowd to the zoo than weekdays. Arrive around the afternoon to enjoy a more relaxed visit. During the summer months, you can stay until almost evening and explore the premises comfortably.

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Pleasant

Crowded

Very Crowded

Peak season vs low season

Peak season (June to August): The summer holidays attract the highest number of tourists, especially families and children. The longer days allow you to explore the premises until almost evening.
Mid-season (April to May, September, and October): Spring break and early autumn holidays attract a steady number of tourists. The weather is pleasant and comfortable for outdoor exploration.
Low season (November to March): These months are typically quiet after the autumn rush, with the occasional school excursions. The Christmas season does attract quite a few locals and tourists.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Off Season

Moderate Season

Peak Season

Vienna Zoo feeding times

Animal feeding shows offer a closer look into the habitat and dietary requirements of animals. These interactive demonstrations with detailed insights about the animals help you foster a deeper connection with the natural world. Please note that feeding timings are subject to change, depending on the season and the animals. Here’s a list of the animals and their general feeding hours to help you plan your visit to the Schonbrunn Zoo.

African elephants: 10am (Only training)

South American sea lion: 10:30am & 3:30pm (Daily, except Tuesday)

Humboldt penguin: 11am (Daily, except Tuesday)

Northern rock-hopper penguin: 11:30am (Daily, except Tuesday)

Arctic wolves: 11:30am (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, & Sunday)

Northern bald ibis: 1pm (Daily)

Barbary sheep & Barbary macaques: 1:30pm (Daily)

Indian rhino: 2pm (Daily, April to October)

Anteaters & capybaras: 2:30pm (Daily, April to October)

Siberian tigers: 3pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, & Sunday)

Western black-and-white Colobus: 3pm (Wednesday & Saturday)

Queensland koalas: 4pm (Daily)

How long to spend at the Schonbrunn Vienna Zoo?

Depending on whether you are traveling with children and the number of enclosures you want to visit, you need at least 2 to 3 hours at the Schonbrunn Zoo.

If you are short on time, with only 1 or 2 hours to spare, zip in and out of the exhibits quickly. You can catch the 10am elephant feeding show, head to the nearby Big Cat House and Panda World, and call it a day.

If you want to explore a majority of the zones and grab a bite at any of the iconic dining outlets like Gasthaus Kaiser Pavillion, you need at least 3 to 4 hours. June to August are the busiest months of the year. If you are planning to visit around that time, expect longer wait lines.

For nature lovers and animal conservation enthusiasts, keep aside a full day, or at least 6 to 7 hours to go through all the enclosures. Take your time to admire the naturalistic environments and ride the panoramic scenic train, which passes through the Elephant Park and Kaiser Pavillion every 45 minutes. If you have children in your company, the train ride is a must.

Frequently asked questions about Vienna Zoo opening hours

What are the opening hours of the Schonbrunn Zoo?

The Vienna Zoo opening hours are between 9am and 4:30pm every day throughout the year. During the summer months, between April to September, the zoo is open until 6:30pm, due to longer daylight hours.

When does the zoo close?

The Vienna Zoo is open from 9am to 4:30pm throughout the year. Between April to September, the zoo closes around 6:30pm.

Is the zoo open at night?

The Schonbrunn Zoo is open until around 4:30pm between November and February. The zoo is open until 6:30pm throughout the summer months, between April to September, as the daylight hours are longer.

How do seasons affect the Vienna Zoo's working hours?

With longer daylight hours between April and September, the Vienna Zoo is open from 9am to 6:30pm. During the winter months, between November and February, the zoo closes between 4:30pm and 5:30pm.

How can I avoid crowds at the zoo?

With over 2 million visitors a year, the Schonbrunn Vienna Zoo is crowded on most weekends. Consider reaching the zoo early in the day, right around 9am, when it opens, to get a head start on your tour. Weekdays are less crowded than the weekends. Invest in Schonbrunn Zoo skip-the-line tickets and save time by avoiding long lines at the entrance.

When do animal feeding shows start?

The zoo has over 1780 animals across 700 species. The animals in Vienna Zoo are fed at different hours throughout the day. African Bush elephants are fed around 10am, while the Arctic animals, like polar bears, penguins, and wolves are fed around 11am to 11:30pm. The big felines and koalas are fed in the later hours of the day, around 3pm. These timings may change depending on the animals or the season.

Do I need separate tickets to see the feeding shows?

All Schonbrunn Zoo tickets allow you entry into the animal feeding shows. Check the Vienna Zoo feeding times and align your visit accordingly, so as not to miss the shows. Expect crowds at the enclosures during these hours. You may find a quieter ambiance at the 3pm to 4pm feedings.