Vienna - things to do and getting around

[FictionalCharacter]

I’ll be spending a day in Vienna in September. Can anyone recommend things to do in the city?
Also what’s the way to get around by public transport, including getting to and from the airport? Are the buses tap on/ tap off like London buses and the tube, or is there some equivalent of an Oyster card?

It’s been a while but we got a train from the airport into the city. They also have a circular tram system you can use and is excellent. You can stay on for a full circular ride and see a lot of the city cheaply.

There are palaces further out, but assume you will have to stay in the centre for time.
There are lots of lovely museums. We really enjoyed the central cafe if you can go there for lunch or dinner.

Probably someone who has been more recently can give you more information though.

Thanks @PotatoPie111 - yes we'll want to stay in the city because we'll be travelling the day before and after, so we want a relaxed day without rushing around! The circular tram sounds great.

I'm in Vienna now! You can buy a day ticket for €8 which gets you access to all trains/tram and I believe buses. Most of the centre is walkable though. We did Schönbrunn palace and zoo (not essential but dc enjoyed it) in the morning, then got the metro to Rathaus and have walked the rest of it. Lots of museums in museumplatz so you can choose what interests you. If it's open when you go the Spanish riding school puts on an excellent show with live musicians but it sells out quickly. The que for cafe central builds up really quickly so I wouldn't bother if you're only there for a day. Lots of other places to get lovely treats.

The Hofberg and Belvedere Palaces are central and the Spanish Riding School (you might catch a rehearsal). The Ring is the circular tram route which also passes the Danube and Prater fairground.

As pp said, the fairground is fantastic with beautiful dioramas. We just used the hop on/off tour bus to get around. You can get the train to Bratislava which is a lovely place to visit.

Obviously the Kunsthistoriches, and then the Belvedere for Klimt ( my favourite museum in Vienna, and one of my favourite in the world ). Spanish Riding School and a slice of sachertorte at the Hotel Sacher perhaps? Light meal or patisseries/ pastry at the Cafe Central. Might not be time for the Hofburg? Prater if you have dc with you. Much can be done with the tram/ walking.

Vienna is very easy to get around - a lot of things are close together and anything else you can get to on the tram

However given you only have 1 day I'd suggest just walking around the centre and stopping for cake.

Most of the art galleries mentioned are big, like taking a whole day big. For one day I wouldn't bother.

Coffee and cake at Demel. Definitely a gallery or museum. The Central Cemetery 😁 (there's actually a cafe in the cemetery too) - it's a fascinating place to wander for a couple of hours. Sconbrunn (another spectacular coffee shop in the Gloriette.

If you only have a day, you'll just be in the city centre and can walk everywhere. It's pretty compact. But there is an excellent train and underground system, if needed.
Go to the Hofburg Palace, Albertina Gallery, St Stephan's Cathedral, the Secesssion Museum & Belvedere if you like Klimt. (You won't do all of these in one day, by the way - can you not stay a bit longer?). Find a lovely coffee shop.... Cafe Central is good, but often has a queue. I like Leopold Hawelka, which is just off the main shopping street, and is reassuringly old-fashioned with proper rickety chairs and stacks of newspapers. Sample Sachertorte or apple strudel.
Vienna is a wonderful city.

I'd recommend coffee and cake at Café Oberlaa (if you want to go where the locals go).
St Stephen's is beautiful. Get the tram around the ring. Hofburg and Belvedere are central.

Also, if you are short of time, just get a taxi from the airport to the city centre - it's not far, and probably cost less than €50.

There's a train from the airport direct to the city centre. Takes 16 minutes, and there no other stops, so you can't get off at the wrong place!

Thanks everyone, great ideas. Yes I will only have one day there plus a few hours the previous day when I arrive. One adult DC with me. I don't want to spend hours queueing at some major attraction so I'd prefer to visit some of the less busy places.

I love the Belvedere; when I was there many years ago, I happened to be there quite early in the morning, gazing out over Vienna as the city emerged into the morning sunlight. The view from the Belvedere is exquisite.

There is a fabulous collection of art there too; it's especially strong on Klimt and includes his famous works.

https://www.belvedere.at/en/visit/upper-belvedere

I also loved the Spanish Riding School; I went on the guided tour, which went through the stables, but you can also watch the horses being exercised or attend an actual performance.

https://www.srs.at/en/tickets-events/