UNDERSTANDING VIENNA
Tipping, Opening Hours & Local Etiquette Made Simple
During a visit to Vienna, you’ll quickly come across situations where local customs and established routines play an important role – whether it’s how you pay in restaurants, the opening hours of shops, or the small but typical everyday etiquette you’ll notice around the city. None of it is complicated; it simply works a little differently here than in many other places.
To help you navigate without any uncertainty, this guide brings together the essentials in a way that's clear, concise and practical. You’ll learn how tipping in Vienna is usually handled, when you can realistically still buy groceries, and which polite habits are considered normal in daily life. In short: everything you need to move around Vienna with confidence and ease from the very first moment.
Tipping: Quick Guide
Tipping is standard in Vienna, but far more relaxed than many visitors expect. While 5-10% is the official guideline, most locals don’t calculate percentages. Instead, people simply round up sensibly and say the final amount out loud.
Restaurants & Coffeehouses
Officially, 5-10% is normal.
In practice, it works like this:
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For smaller bills, 1-2 euros are common.
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For larger amounts, people round up logically (e.g., 46 → 50 euros).
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Tipping is handed over when paying, not left on the table.
The process is simple: The server tells you the total - and you say the amount you want to pay.
For example:
“Make it thirty.”
or simply “Fifty.”
Note:
Many servers appreciate receiving the tip in cash, even if you pay the main amount by card. It reaches the person who served you more directly.
Card payments
In Vienna, you state the total amount before entering your PIN — this is still the standard method.
Tip-buttons on terminals are becoming more common, but they do not reflect typical local practice and are viewed critically by many Viennese. Most people simply state the final amount instead of waiting for touchscreen options.
Bars
Very straightforward:
“Keep the change” or rounding up by €0.50-€2 is fully acceptable.
No one expects more.
Taxis
Taxi fares are almost always rounded up:
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18.20 → 20 euros
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14.40 → 15 euros
Works the same for cash or card.
Hotels
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Housekeeping: 1-2 euros per night if you were satisfied
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Luggage service/concierge: 2-5 euros depending on the task
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Large, American-style tips are unusual
Opening Hours in Vienna
Compared to many other major cities, shopping on Sundays in Vienna is almost impossible. Most stores remain closed, and only a few exceptions help you out. To make planning easier, here are the key opening hours and the important special cases at a glance.
Supermarkets
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Monday-Friday: usually 07:40-20:00
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Saturday: typically until 18:00
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Sunday: closed, with only a few exceptions
Exceptions on Sundays and public holidays:
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Train stations (e.g., Hauptbahnhof, Westbahnhof) – supermarkets open, usually until 22:00, often with long queues
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Billa Corso in the Herrnhuterhaus (1st district) – open on Sundays
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Some souvenir shops in the city center – partially open
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Gas stations – snacks & drinks available, usually more expensive, but reliable
Restaurants
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Most open between 10:30 and 11:00
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Kitchens often close about an hour before the restaurant closes
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Closing times vary between 22:00 and 23:00
Note: In many restaurants, it has become common to be seated by the staff. Choosing a table yourself is not always appreciated.
Coffeehouses
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Traditional coffeehouses usually open between 08:00 and 09:00
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Modern coffeeshops generally between 09:00 and 10:00
Closing times vary widely depending on the establishment.
Shops in the Inner City
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Monday-Saturday: usually 10:00-19:00
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Larger fashion chains often until 20:00
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Sunday: closed, with a few exceptions (souvenirs)
Museums
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Standard hours: 10:00-18:00
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Some museums offer extended hours on Thursdays (e.g., until 21:00)
Since schedules vary by museum, it’s always worth checking the official website.
Christmas Markets
Opening hours vary from market to market.
You can find all important information here.
Etiquette in Vienna
Viennese manners are polite, calm, and often a bit reserved. This reserve can sometimes be misread as unfriendly, but it has nothing to do with bad intentions – it’s simply the city’s natural, unobtrusive way of interacting.
Many things feel intuitive once you’re here, but it helps to know a few typical patterns in advance.
Politeness – short and respectful
In Vienna, politeness is low-key and direct. A simple
“Grüß Gott,” “Hallo,” “Bitte,” or “Danke” is all you need.
Overly enthusiastic friendliness can feel forced, while concise politeness is completely normal.
In Restaurants and Cafés
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You usually wait briefly at the entrance to be shown to a table – even in simpler places, this is becoming more and more common.
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Tap water is available everywhere, but almost always only upon request, unlike in many other cities. Some places charge a small service fee for it.
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When you’re ready to pay, you say so directly, typically with “Zahlen, bitte” or simply “I’d like to pay, please.” The check does not arrive automatically, even if you’ve been finished for a while.
Public Transport
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On escalators, you stand on the right and walk on the left.
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When boarding, you always let people exit first.
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After stepping into a tram, bus, or subway, you don’t remain in the doorway — you move further inside so others can board smoothly.
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Loud phone calls, music without headphones, or strong-smelling food are not appreciated.
The Famous Wiener Grant
The Wiener Grant is a category of its own - and possibly the most misunderstood aspect of Vienna. If you’re new to the city, it may show up as a short, blunt reply or a tone that sounds less warm than it’s meant.
But trust me: it’s not an attack. It’s Vienna.
The Grant isn’t bad mood — it’s a form of honest, straightforward communication. Most Viennese don’t waste energy on exaggerated friendliness; instead, you get exactly what they truly mean.
And there’s something incredibly endearing about that.
Over time, you’ll notice how much warmth sits beneath this concise way of speaking. It’s not loud or effusive, but it’s very genuine. If a Viennese person does something for you, it’s because they really mean it, not because they’re putting on a show.
And one day, you’ll catch yourself appreciating the Grant. You’ll realize that a simple “passt scho” carries more agreement than any enthusiastic compliment elsewhere.
And that an honest, relaxed smile from a Viennese local means more than any obligatory courtesy.
The Grant isn’t always easy to read.
But once you understand it, Vienna won’t feel distant anymore - it’ll feel surprisingly close.
At first glance, Vienna can seem quiet, polite, and sometimes a little reserved – but that’s exactly what gives the city its character. Once you know how tipping works, when places are actually open, and how Viennese people go about their everyday life, everything becomes much easier.
And the more you get used to the city’s typical tone, the sooner you’ll notice: behind that initial distance, there’s often far more warmth than you’d expect.
📌 You might also like:
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👉 Vienna Travel Guide 2025 – Everything you need for your Vienna trip
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👉 10 No-Gos in Vienna – avoid common misunderstandings easily
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👉 20 Best Sights in Vienna – all the city’s highlights at a glance