We came here to see Wiener Riesenrad when we were in Vienna, because it's featured heavily in the film The Third Man, which is my husband's favorite. What we did not know in our plan to visit the riesenrad (ferris wheel) and that it doesn't show you in the film, is that the wheel is in the middle of a giant amusement park, and not really a cool noir looking structure after all! Nothing against the amusement park (Prater), but just be aware that you will have to go into the park and pay to see the wheel up close. It's still cool to see from afar (and if you have kids, to go to the amusement park too). And there are rose gardens outside the park where you can sit and enjoy the wheel from afar over the trees. That's what we did and we got our photo of it that way without a million people around it! read more

Wiener Riesenrad - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Vienna, 9

Pretty view but not worth it, we did a combination ticket which was nice but you share the ride with 10-15 others and we went around once. Half the time we went around they were filling the ride up with other people. It's a nice view and if you only want to go around once then go for it, but you can find the view elsewhere. World's oldest Ferris wheel which was cool, but again at least go around twice. They had nice dinner carriages and depending on the price that might be something to look into. read more

Wiener Riesenrad - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Vienna, 9

With visions of "The Third Man" movie in our heads, Gayle and I recently took a leisurely spin on the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel. It was a fun and enjoyable way to see the City and to spend some quality time within this Prater amusement park. The historical cabs are huge, but maybe there were only a half dozen fellow travelers with us. Cabs can also be rented out for dinners, weddings, and other special events. The "usual" tourist trappings (gift shop, fake scenic photos, museum, etc.) are also here, but they do not distract from the rustic beauty and operation of this historic ride. Lunch/Dinner, ice cream, and other rides are readily available nearby. read more

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Avoid- painfully slow. Supposedly there is an option to have a drink while going around but I didn't see one. That would have made it more Interesting read more

A short 30 minute, if that, U-bahn (Vienna's underground system), from Stadtpark Station and Vienna's District 1, you must go to Prater to ride the Riesenrad. If you're planning to go to Vienna, rent the movie "The Third Man", a classic Carol Reed movie, starring Orson Welles in 1949. The movie is a mystery thriller that also provides a lot of history about post World War 2 Vienna. Personally, I adore Austrian Actress Alida Valli who plays Anna Schimdt, a Czech woman trying to pass as Austrian so that she wouldn't be sent to that country now under Russian occupation and Lime's love interest. There's a memorable scene when the "hero" Holly Martins finds Lime and they have a discussion on the Riesenrad. The scene is famous because of one of Orson Welles most famous movie lines: "Don't be so gloomy. After all it's not that awful. What the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock." read more

Wiener Riesenrad - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Vienna, 9

The historic Riesenrad offers panoramic views of Vienna and nostalgia. Before visiting, read up on the history of the wheel, how and why it was refurbished after the war, and you'll appreciate your visit that much more. It's the oldest operational wheel in the world and, I think, the third ever built. If you've ever seen the classic "The Third Man" you'll remember one of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history which was filmed at this site. Whether you're in town for 48 hours or a week this should be on your list of places to visit in the city (weather permitting). read more

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For a moment forget how touristy this is, it doesn't matter, you should go here anyway, if only for the experience. Yes, the price is a bit steep, but don't let that deter you. Wheel moves rather slowly and does not sway noticeably. A ride around it takes somewhere around 15 minutes. You will get some pretty great views from inside. While it is not taller than the Prater Turm, DC1, or the Millennium tower, Vienna does not have enough tall buildings for the relatively small height to be an issue. While there are some nice photo opportunities inside the wheel, there are enough people that getting the perfect photo may be challenging. (I use a DSLR, with a phone it would likely be easier). In conclusion, this is a place everyone in Vienna should do, but only once. I don't know how sunsets look, and I went during the day, but it may just be worth it (as other towers close by night-time). read more

It's hard to know what to say about this attraction. It was top of our must do list while in Vienna and having done it then I'm really glad to have been, but if it wasn't such an iconic landmark I would probably have said it was a bit rubbish. Standard entry is 9 euros, 8 euros if you have a Vienna Card. For your money you get to wander round a little exhibition consisting of several replica carriages filled with models and stuff before you ride the wheel for one revolution. The exhibition is enough to keep you busy for 10 minutes or so but not much more, then once you are done you join the queue for the next available carriage on the wheel itself. Once aboard you find yourself in what is basically a wooden shed with a small bench in the middle. The walls are covered in graffiti from past visitors from all corners of the globe. If you have already visited the street art exhibition in the Museum Quartier at this point then you are going to be disappointed by this offering, I'm talking biro scribblings of "Anna was here" rather than epic murals crafted with spray paint. The wheel takes you round for your single spin, which lasts maybe 10 minutes. The views are OK but not a patch on those you will find at Donauturm. You will be in a carriage with a bunch of strangers and in our case they were pretty noisy strangers. I'm sure when this opened in the late 19th century it was a marvel of engineering, and it was good to experience. However the contrast between something like this and a modern counterpart like the London Eye is like chalk and cheese. read more

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It's funny how something can look so good on film - I refer to the Third Man - and be so run-down and mediocre in real life, possibly due to the passage of time and lack of maintenance. I would not have visited except for the ghosts of Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten, and they are also the reason for the 3 stars instead of the deserved 1 or 2. A run-down carriage can be rented for a 'romantic dinner' or even weddings. The Riesenrad is also where Celine and Jesse have a kiss in Before Sunrise. read more

Wiener Riesenrad - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Vienna, 9

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Made famous by the film The Third Man this ferris wheel is a must for any film buffs visiting Vienna. (Don't recite Harry Lime's cuckoo speech on board though, he said that just after they got off.) Wonderful views of the city although it's a pity that the ride doesn't take a little longer. The Prater Park within which it is found is also worth a visit, especially for some of the very old fashioned ghost train rides. read more

Wiener Riesenrad - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Vienna, 9

Worth doing for the views, and very pleasant at night when we went! It is a bit of a let down with all the graffiti inside the carriages, but that's more blame to be placed with "Youth Exchange 2012" than the attraction itself I suppose. And sadly seems to be common all over the world. read more

Wiener Riesenrad - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Vienna, 9

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It was fine. I didn't have a panic attack! That's a win. I went on the The Third Man ferris wheel! That's a win, too. It moved slowly, and though it was extremely windy I didn't have any (major) freak outs. Although, you know, when you're at the very top "vintage ferris wheel" doesn't really instil confidence. You can see far on a clear day, and nice to get perspective on the UN Buildings and the Danube, as well as downtown. I'm with Michael L - glad to have done it, not sure I'd ever feel the need to do it again. Yelp note: strategically time it for sunset - you'll be rewarded! read more

The giant ferris wheel - and the Prater just belong to Vienna. I have been on it once and I always remember it! Yes, the carriages were a bit old. Well, it dates back to 1896 built by the English engineer Walter Basset who had built similar ones in Paris, Chicago, London, Blackpool. You can rent a luxury waggon. You can also get married in one of the waggons. Why not? If Vienna means a lot to you! read more

It's a big wheel that goes around and therefore I must ride it. Something about feats of engineering and lots of steel and I'm mesmerized. I guess that means ferris wheels like this and bridges are a turn on photographically speaking, of course. At EUR8.50 for a 10 minute ride, it's not exactly bang for your buck. However, the views of Vienna and the countryside are lovely. It's historic, film documented, and loved by many. Suck it up and go. read more

The Vienna Prater is one of the world's oldest Ferris Wheels and is a brilliant way to see Vienna from above! Definitely would recommend a visit to the Prater to experience the sites! read more

Advantages: great views and very slow turnabouts :-) Disadvantages: Pricey and very slow turnabouts

For 9 euro each you get to share a rickety, wooden shed that is peppered with graffiti, creaking windows and peeling paint with (what is likely to be) a group of strangers. We went at night and the view was disappointing. It was raining, and we could barely see the city. The carriage itself had only one wooden bench in the middle that had to be shared with the rest of the people. If you do not feel like sitting down the entire time you are able to walk around the carriage. The view might be better during the day, but that does not make up for the terrible, run-down conditions. read more