Vienna's Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz is the one market in the city everyone plans around. Pick the right stop and you walk straight onto the square.
In 30 seconds
- Get off at Rathaus on the U2, or at Schottentor on the U2 and walk about 7 minutes. Tram lines 1, 2 and 71 also stop next to the square; line 2 stops at Parlament. Line D is split in the Althanstraße until mid-November, so don't count on it before then.
- Dates and hours: 13 November–26 December 2026, daily 10:00–22:00. On 24 December it closes at 18:30. The ice rink is closed on 31 December.
- Ride-ticket cost: a single ride is €3,20 (€3,00 in the WienMobil app), valid for transfers on U-Bahn, tram and bus. Vienna has no ticket barriers, so validate paper tickets before you board.
- Quietest time: weekday mornings.
Which station should you use?
The U2 stop Rathaus is the closest, and it lets you come up right at the town hall end of the square. Schottentor on the same line is about a 7-minute walk, and a useful fallback when Rathaus is busy. If you're coming from the south, the U3 to Volkstheater is the other option, about a 9-minute walk from the square. Walking times are from Google Maps (walking route), checked 14 October 2026.
Trams are the easiest option if you're already above ground. Lines 1, 2 and 71 serve the area around the Ring and the square. Line 2 stops at Parlament. Line D is split between Augasse and Börse until mid-November.
Check live departures in the WienMobil app or at wienerlinien.at before you travel. Line routings can change during the festive season.
Opening hours and what to expect
| Date | Market hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Nov–23 Dec 2026 | Daily 10:00–22:00 | Full programme |
| 24 Dec 2026 | 10:00–18:30 | Shorter day |
| 25–26 Dec 2026 | Daily 10:00–22:00 | Last market day is 26 December |
| 31 Dec 2026 | Not stated | The ice rink is closed that day; check the market's hours before you go |
| Until 6 Jan 2027 | Eistraum (ice rink) 10:00–22:00 | Ice rink runs longer than the market |
Source: christkindlmarkt.at, as of October 2026.
When the square closes
The square can be closed to new visitors when it is too crowded. Closures are not announced in advance. If you arrive and the entrances are closed, you don't need to wait: walk to Schottentor or Volkstheater and try again later.
How much does it cost to get there?
| Option | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Single ticket (WienMobil app) | €3,00 | One trip from your hotel |
| Single ticket (machine or kiosk) | €3,20 | Same trip, paid with cash or card at the station |
| Vienna City Card 24h | €19,00 | Market plus museums and discounts in one day |
| Vienna City Card 72h | €37,00 | Multi-day stays that include the Christmas markets |
Prices as listed on the Vienna public transport guide and the Wiener Linien website. Verify before you buy.
Roamy's quick checklist
- Use U2 to Rathaus or Schottentor. Tram lines 1, 2 and 71 also stop nearby. Avoid line D until mid-November.
- Go on a weekday morning for the calmest square.
- Buy tickets in the WienMobil app to save €0,20 per ride and skip stamping.
- If the square is closed, come back after an hour or try Schottentor and walk.
- Plan for the Eistraum ice rink as well: it stays open until 6 January 2027, after the market has closed.
For the full Vienna ticket and station guide, see Vienna public transport.