Of all the things we did during our month in Vienna, Prater amusement park tops the list as the most exhilarating.
Planning a visit to Prater Vienna with kids? We spent an afternoon trying thrill rides, fun houses, and the famous Wiener Riesenrad—and paid €131.50 for our family of four. I’ll discuss how Prater’s unusual pay-per-ride system works, what each attraction cost during our April 2026 visit, which rides we loved… and what we wish we’d known before arriving.
This post was updated July 2026. The individual prices listed throughout the post are what we paid during in April 2026.
Prater Vienna at a Glance
- Admission: Free; you pay separately for each ride or attraction
- Typical ride prices: Approximately €3.50–€15 per person
- What our family spent: €131.50, or roughly $210 CAD at the time
- Payment: Bring cash; some attractions accept cards, but many do not
- Best time to visit: Late afternoon so you can experience the park during the day and after dark
- Our favourite experience: Riding the Wiener Riesenrad just after sunset
- Good to know: Attractions are independently operated, so opening hours and payment options vary
How Prater Amusement Park Works
Prater’s an old-school amusement park, and I think that’s part of the charm.
One interesting twist is that admission to the park is completely free! You can wander around, look at the rides and soak up the atmosphere without spending anything. We actually walked through the park twice earlier in our trip without going on a single ride.
Of course, the free entry becomes slightly less exciting once several family members want to go on €10 rides.
Instead of buying a standard admission ticket or all-day wristband, you pay for each attraction individually. There isn’t one universal pass covering every ride, although some attractions offer combination tickets. You can find the most current details in the official Prater FAQ.
The grounds are accessible around the clock, but this does not mean the rides operate 24/7. Every attraction is independently operated and sets its own schedule.
During the main season, from March 15 to October 31, attractions are generally open daily. Even then, one ride might open at 11:00 am while another doesn’t get going until the afternoon. Hours can also vary depending on the day, season, and weather.
In other words: don’t arrive first thing in the morning with a child who has been promised a specific roller coaster. That feels like a recipe for disappointment.
How Much Does Prater Vienna Cost?
Visiting Prater was our “birthday” outing for Belle, and we spent €131.50 for our family of four.
Here’s the full breakdown:
- Prater Turm: Two tickets at €10 each = €20
- Wiener Looping: Three tickets at €10 each = €30
- Another roller coaster: One ticket = €7.50
- Super Top Dance Fun House: Two tickets at €4 each = €8
- Wiener Free Fall Tower: Three tickets at €6 each = €18
- The Clown VR haunted ride: Two tickets at €6 each = €12
- Wiener Riesenrad family ticket: €36
Total: €131.50
So, yes. It was a pricey outing.
But it was also a lot of fun, highly memorable and worth every penny—especially as a special birthday experience.
You could spend significantly less. There is no admission fee, so a family could wander around, choose one or two rides and still get a taste of Prater. On the other hand, if everyone wants to go on everything, prepare your wallet accordingly.
Clowns ARE CREEPY. Full stop.
Our Favourite Rides at Prater Vienna
Prater has more than 250 attractions, ranging from children’s rides and bumper cars to roller coasters, haunted houses, arcade games, and rides that appeared designed specifically to make me vomit.
You can browse the current options in the official Prater attractions directory.
We did not come close to trying everything. Here’s what our family chose.
Prater Turm Swing Ride
The Prater Turm is a 117-metre-high swing ride that once held the title of the tallest chain carousel in the world.
Once you reach the top, the swings travel at speeds of up to 60 km/h in a circle with a 36-metre flight radius.
John and Indy weren’t too interested in this ride, so Belle and I went for it.
It was scarier than I expected!!!
I’ve been on a swing ride like this before, but it wasn’t this high. Or this fast. And the chains didn’t seem nearly so thin.
At one point, Belle looked at me and said, “You know if this thing breaks, we’re both going to die.”
VERY TRUE.
Spoiler alert: we made it back down safely.
The views from the top were incredible, though I was relieved when the ride was over.
There were 12 sets of swings in total, but only one had an Austrian flag attached. John wisely suggested we sit in that one so he and Indy could track us from below. Whenever you spot the flag in one of the photos, that’s us hurtling through the sky while contemplating our mortality!
- Price during our visit: €10 per person
- Payment: Card accepted when we visited
We didn’t buy the official ride photo—I suspect this is obvious—but I love how we’re both spinning around with our arms thrown up in the air.
I also just realized you can spot Indy’s reflection in the screen!
Wiener Looping Roller Coaster
Wiener Looping is one of Prater’s newest—and most intense—roller coasters. It has a 92-degree drop, and three inversions.
I was very happy to save money, stay safely on the ground and just watch.
There was a long wait, but John and both kids loved it. There’s a VERY steep drop early in the ride, and one child—who shall remain nameless on the blog—apparently screamed the entire time.
Everyone was looking at said child when they pulled back into the unloading zone.
Hilarious.
- Price during our visit: €10 per person
- Payment: Cash only when we visited
One More Roller Coaster
I can’t remember the name of this roller coaster, but only Belle went on it.
She enjoyed the ride. I enjoyed standing on firm ground and not paying for three additional tickets.
Everyone won.
- Price during our visit: €7.50
- Payment: Card accepted when we visited
Super Top Dance Fun House
Prater has multiple obstacle courses and fun houses, but Super Top Dance looked like the best option.
Both kids went through and enjoyed it. There were jump scares, moving sidewalks, tricky stairs, and a long twirling slide at the exit.
I watched from outside and felt very content with this decision.
- Price during our visit: €4 per person
- Payment: We paid cash
Wiener Free Fall Tower
The kids really wanted to try the free fall tower.
They also really didn’t want to do it without an adult.
Thankfully, John stepped up. I VERY happily stayed on solid ground and took pictures. No regrets.
The photo taken immediately after they finished free-falling is one of my favourites from the day.
- Price during our visit: €6 per person
- Payment: We paid cash
The Clown VR Haunted Ride
Both kids wanted to try a haunted house. There were lots of options, but the one with the best reviews was a VR attraction called The Clown.
John and I were content to sit this one out, but the kids ended up loving it.
When the ride finished—but while they were still wearing their VR headsets—an attendant snuck up behind them and tickled their heads with something.
They had no idea this was about to happen and SHRIEKED.
It was one of my favourite moments of the whole day.
- Price during our visit: €6 per person
- Payment: I can’t remember whether they accepted cards, so bring cash to be safe
Other Attractions at Prater Vienna
There is a second, smaller Ferris wheel called the Blumenrad. We didn’t ride it, but it is very photogenic!
Prater also has water rides, bumper cars, children’s rides, arcade games, Madame Tussauds, go-karts, spinning rides and enough roller coasters to keep thrill-seekers occupied for a long time.
Something for everyone!
Food, Bathrooms and Taking a Break
We left the park around suppertime and bought food from a grocery store rather than paying amusement-park prices.
We ended up eating in a nearby green space with a play structure, and Indy had a blast. The bathrooms we found there were also free, which was a bonus—the ones inside Prater charged a fee (but you could pay with card).
Because admission to Prater is free, it’s easy to leave for a meal or break and come back later. We went back after supper to ride the Wiener Riesenrad and see the park illuminated at night.
This ended up being perfect.
Riding the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris Wheel
Prater’s most famous attraction is the Wiener Riesenrad, the world’s oldest Ferris wheel still in operation.
It was built in 1897 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph I’s reign. In 1944, a fire destroyed almost the entire Ferris wheel, leaving only its steel structure intact. Reconstruction began the following year, and it reopened in 1947 with 15 cabins instead of the original 30.
You can read more about its rather remarkable survival in the official history of the Wiener Riesenrad.
(The wheel is also famous for appearing in the movie The Third Man.)
Instead of open seats, passengers ride inside large enclosed wooden cabins—or “wagons,” which is technically the correct term. When we visited, there were about 12 people loaded into each one.
You can also reserve private wagons for meals and special events. For anyone who thinks a normal enclosed cabin sounds far too relaxing, Platform 9 provides an open steel platform with a glass floor.
No, thank you.
Before boarding, you walk through the Panorama Museum, which has old cabins containing miniature displays about Vienna and Prater’s history. We didn’t have to wait long, but I thought it was an interesting holding area.
Going up!
At the top…
Going down…
Definitely two thumbs up for this ride and for a wonderful afternoon at Prater!
Contented kids = happy parents! This was a really special day for the whole family.
I never, ever get tired of seeing lights at night. And amusement park lights are extra cool!
Pictures, of course, don’t do it justice.
The ride itself lasts about 15 minutes.
We timed it PERFECTLY and boarded just after sunset. We had dusky skies at the beginning of the ride and a fully illuminated city by the end.
Highly, highly recommend.
The views over Vienna were beautiful, and seeing all the Prater lights flickering below made the experience even more magical.
- Price during our visit: €36 for a family ticket
- Payment: Card accepted
Current ticket prices, hours and combination offers are available on the official Wiener Riesenrad visitor page.
Tips for Visiting Prater Vienna With Kids
Bring Cash
Some of the larger attractions accepted cards, but many rides were cash-only. Don’t assume you’ll be able to tap your card everywhere.
There are ATMs at Prater, but visitors using foreign bank cards may be charged additional fees.
Set a Ride Budget Before You Arrive
The pay-per-ride system makes it very easy to lose track of how much you’re spending. Consider deciding in advance how many rides each person can choose!
Check Height and Age Restrictions
Restrictions vary by attraction. Check the signs before buying tickets or promising a particular ride to a child.
Don’t Arrive Too Early
Prater’s attractions don’t all follow the same opening hours. Some rides begin operating later than others, particularly during the week or outside peak season.
Late afternoon worked perfectly for us because more rides were open and we could stay to see the lights after dark.
Visit in Dry Weather
Some outdoor rides close during rain, high winds, or other bad weather.
Belle patiently waited for better weather after her actual birthday turned out to be the most miserable weather day of our trip. I’m so glad we waited. This is NOT an attraction I would choose for a rainy day.
For indoor Vienna options, consider the Vienna Crime Museum and Haus des Meeres aquarium.
Stay Until After Dark
I never, ever get tired of seeing lights at night.
Amusement park lights are extra cool.
Save the Wiener Riesenrad for Sunset
This was my favourite decision of the day.
Check the sunset time, allow for a possible queue and try to board shortly after the sun goes down. You’ll see Vienna during golden hour, dusk and darkness—all during one 12–15-minute ride.
Is Prater Vienna Worth Visiting With Kids?
Absolutely.
Prater can cost as much or as little as you want. You can visit without paying admission, select only a few attractions or make an entire afternoon and evening of it as we did.
It worked especially well for our family because our kids were old enough to enjoy the more intense rides. There are plenty of gentler attractions for younger children, but I think Prater is particularly fun with older kids and teenagers who can take full advantage of the roller coasters, drop towers, and haunted attractions.
For more family-friendly Vienna ideas, read about visiting Schönbrunn Zoo and Palace with kids.
And apparently we were slowly becoming amusement park people, because our European adventures later took us to Linnanmäki amusement park in Helsinki.
Your turn:
- Do you like thrill rides, or do you prefer to keep two feet planted on terra firma?
- How do you feel about clowns? Creepy—yay or nay?
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You got on those swings? Never never ever for me. You all are thrill seekers!
I don’t like scary or fast moving ride. I probably would get sick on most of them. I would love the obstacle course / fun house though. Clowns- mostly dislike/creepy.
You gave Belle such a special day- and you and John went on the rides too! You definitely get bonus points for being cool parents!
Extra fun fact- I live in the town where the inventor of the Ferris wheel was born!
John loves roller coasters. I’m not a huge fan, but the swing was a fun experience (especially once I was safe back on the ground). It was SO HIGH! And you’re just dangling from two little chains. Definitely makes you hyper aware of the fragility of life (and the concept of gravity…).
Ha. Can you let Belle know she has two cool parents???? I think the kids sometimes think we live mostly to ruin their fun, but goodness they have GREAT lives.
That IS an extra fun fact. I guess he was a railway engineer, so the proper term for the “cabins” is actually “wagons.”
This looks so fun! I think I need to go to Prater!
I’m more scared of rollercoasters than clowns; not sure what that says about me!
It’s a very lovely amusement park (definitely gives Tivoli vibes). I don’t know if I’m scared of rollercoasters, but I definitely don’t actively look forward to going on them.
That said, the adrenaline rush IS pretty cool. I just always feel like I am probably going to die. Hence the adrenaline, I guess!!!
Thank you for all your Vienna posts! I’ve been several times, but never with children, so you’ve given me lots of ideas!
Spending a month there gave us a lot of time to explore! We saw a lot, and there is still lots we left UNDONE! It’s a big city with a lot to offer.
Oh WOW this looks so fun!!! So fun! I would love to do all of these things. I love amusement parks and thrill rides – the only thing I really don’t like is a ride that spins too much (like the teacups at Disney). But the faster and higher the better for me! I want to go here!!! Maybe I will. What a great experience for a birthday – she will remember that always. Yes, expensive, but you only turn 15 once! I like the idea of having a big experience for a birthday, rather than a bunch of gifts. The memories will always be there!
Elisabeth, my goodness, the photos of you and Belle on the swings – you look like you could be her older sister. You look SO youthful and relaxed!!! I mean, it REALLY struck me – your skin is perfect and you look so young! I actually did a double-take. You look about 21!! *goes to apply serum*
I did NOT take you for a rollercoaster lover at all Nicole! How has this never come up in conversation before??? For some reason, I am feeling incredibly shocked.
YOUTHFUL. I actually laughed out loud. I feel so old lately. I think it’s a trick of the camera (and maybe the fact I have to resize them for the blog and it makes them a bit blurry); I assure you my skin is NOT perfect. But I adore the compliment nonetheless. I actually was incredibly relaxed at Prater. It was such a fun afternoon. And maybe the adrenaline jolt from hurtling through the air on swings outrageously high in the air made my skin glow???
What a wonderful birthday present – and one that the whole family could enjoy! I went on many roller coasters and scary rides as a kid, but now I’m definitely a “feet on the ground” person. The ferris wheel would be just my speed, and the views look amazing. I am terrified of fun houses, haunted houses, etc. I had a really bad experience when I was a kid. Luckily, I never had any bad experiences with clowns, so I’m OK with them!
I’ve never done a “fun house” in my life. I did really like the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney. That was very much my speed 🙂
I suspect my rollercoaster days are almost over. I’ve never loved them, but I’m happier and happier to stay put on firm ground!
What a fun family outing!
Gah, clowns are creepy! The stuff of nightmares.
Anytime you give me a lighthouse or a bridge, I’m all up in its business, but I would not be able to do the rides. I can’t explain why, but the idea gives me a feeling of dread.
That’s why it’s fun to go with people who have coats and sunglasses that need to be held. I lived vicariously via them and did not have to cheat death a dozen times, haha.
You know how I feel about lighthouse 🙂
GAH. That swing ride does look scary! I wouldn’t like the free fall one either, but I used to like roller coasters. Tragically, now I’m very prone to motion sickness, so I would have to be careful at this park. I wish I could go there as a kid- well, a teenager. I would have been up for all the rides then. It does sound like a fun experience, and the perfect birthday celebration for Belle!
Anything that spins my in circles or jerks me back and forth is a no-go. I feel so nauseous!
But the kids loved it and seem to have strong stomachs for roller coasters.
I used to be all about the roller coaster life, but in recent years, I have just totally lost my stomach for it! I can’t do it, and find the nervousness I get before the ride is not worth the actual ride. The last ride I went on was at a festival, and I got so nauseous on it! Blergh. Getting older is for the birds.
The anticipation is the worst part for me. And I scream the WHOLE rollercoaster ride!
Looks like a thrilling day! I would definitely have lost my lunch on those swings – good for you for being a good sport!
I was surprised how scary it was… turns out 117 m feels very HIGH!
Happy birthday Belle! I love that you don’t pay to get in, but per ride. That’s how it used to be at Disney World when I was a kid; you bought tickets for each ride.
The view from the Ferris wheel is amazing, especially with all the lights at night.
I’m not a fan of heights or going fast these days, so I would have been a cheap date!
I had no idea Disney used to function this way!