Attending the Vienna State Opera felt like a dream.

It was everything I hoped it would be – grand, atmospheric, genuinely special – but yes, I learnt a couple of useful things along the way.

Interior of Vienna State Opera with orchestra performing on stage beneath red velvet curtains, surrounded by ornate cream and gold balconies filled with seated audience members.
Inside the Vienna State Opera House, just before the show
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I’m Hazel, a solo traveller from the UK, and I was visiting Vienna on my own when I booked a ticket to see L’elisir d’amore at the Wiener Staatsoper.

Walking up to the building that evening, I could hardly believe I was actually there. I had bought myself a ticket. I had decided to go. Standing inside that extraordinary building, I remember thinking, this is exactly how I want to live my life.

If you are considering doing the same, here is what it is really like – from seating realities to dress codes, interval logistics and everything in between.

First Impressions: It Is Spectacular

The building is magnificent (and I’m not sure I’ve ever used that word before).

Grand interior staircase of the Vienna State Opera with cream marble walls, gold detailing, green-carpeted steps, classical statues on pedestals, and colourful ceiling frescoes above ornate arches. If you'd like it slightly shorter while keeping the colour detail, I can refine it further.
Inside the Vienna State Opera House

The ceilings, the sculptures of composers, the sweeping staircases that feel designed specifically for dramatic entrances. I genuinely struggled to take it all in at once.

Those staircases are made for photographs. I saw people in full ballgowns and diamond jewellery doing proper photoshoots against the backdrop of marble and chandeliers. If I’d been with a companion that evening, I absolutely would have done the same.

I asked a member of staff if they could take a photo for me. They apologised and explained they are not allowed. So the only evidence of my outfit is a hotel-room photo beforehand. Slightly less cinematic, but it will have to do.

What to Wear (Reality, Not Myth)

There is no strict dress code.

I wore a simple black long-sleeved dress, sheer tights and heels. I straightened my hair (which I don’t always do) and I added some earrings and a fur coat. I felt fine; quite comfortable in fact.

Woman taking a mirror selfie in a hotel room, wearing a fitted black long-sleeve dress with a flared skirt, black tights, and pointed heels.
Smiling woman taking a selfie inside the Vienna State Opera, with curved tiers of pink and red balcony seating visible in the background.
Staff are not allowed to take photos, so you may have to make do with selfies/mirror photos if you are solo

Some people were dressed a lot more formal and glamorous. There were lots of tuxedoes and satin floor length gowns.

That said, there is no single dress code. You do not need a ballgown. But making a small effort does help you feel like you belong in the space.

The cloakroom in Vienna Opera House is mandatory, but at least it is free (unlike when I went to see a Mozart concert at Schonbrunn Palace).

Seating: A Small Warning About Row 1

I booked directly through the official Vienna State Opera website. Tickets are released in advance and well-known productions usually sell out weeks ahead, especially in high season.

I paid 108 EUR for a seat in Row 1 of the Galerie Mitte rechts, one of the upper galleries.

On paper, that sounded excellent.

In reality, I could not quite see comfortably over the front ledge. I am not tall, and I had to perch on the edge of my seat with my back perfectly straight for much of the performance in order to see properly.

It was manageable, but not ideal.

View from a red velvet balcony inside the Vienna State Opera, showing cream and gold tiers of boxes, a crystal ceiling light, closed red stage curtains, and a small digital screen in the foreground.
My view if I sat back in my seat (it’s a partial view if you are not tall)

If you are shorter, Row 1 in the upper galleries can feel slightly restrictive. I would choose a row further back next time.

Standing Tickets: The Hidden Bargain

Standing tickets at the Vienna State Opera cost around 15 EUR.

For that price, you get:

  • A proper view of the stage
  • A personal screen with surtitles
  • A rail to lean against
  • Perspex dividers marking your space
Auditorium of the Vienna State Opera with curved tiers of red and pink seats, cream and gold balconies, and a large stage curtain featuring an image of a crowd scene.
Standing galleries are visible at the top left of the photo

Honestly, I would consider standing next time. Especially given the visibility limitations from my seated position.

It is one of the best cultural bargains in Vienna.

Surtitles and Following the Story

Each seat has an embedded screen where you can choose your language for surtitles (the opera equivalent of subtitles).

They were clear and easy to follow.

I did not need to read them constantly. The acting was expressive enough that much of the story was obvious from the staging and performance alone.

The Performance: Talent on Another Level

The opera I saw was L’elisir d’amore, which turned out to be unexpectedly funny.

The basic premise is that a man believes a love potion will make someone fall in love with him. The “potion” is essentially wine. If you drink enough of it, apparently everyone becomes irresistible.

The audience laughed openly. The lead tenor did an entire sequence of brilliant drunk dancing that had the theatre in stitches.

Not all operas are comedic, of course. Many are tragic or intensely dramatic. But this particular production simply happened to be joyful.

What struck me most was the talent.

Hearing voices like that live is humbling. I genuinely do not understand how people learn to sing like that. The control, the projection, the sheer power without a microphone. It makes the rest of us mere mortals feel very ordinary in comparison.

Every performer was exceptional. The orchestra was flawless. I sat there with a newfound appreciation and understanding of why people love this art form.

Interval Realities (And the No-Drinks Rule)

Intervals can sometimes feel slightly awkward when you are alone. Not because anything is wrong, but because intervals are naturally social moments. People turn to whoever they came with, chat, analyse the first act, get drinks together.

If you are hyper-aware of your surroundings, that can briefly register.

I got a drink and wandered around the building instead of standing in one place. The architecture alone is enough to occupy you.

Ornate interior of the Vienna State Opera with gold detailing, rose and cream marble panels, painted ceiling frescoes, and a white marble bust of Mozart above a dark wooden doorway.
Grand interior of the Vienna State Opera with ornate arches, gilded detailing, ceiling frescoes, and a marble statue standing beneath the decorated vaulted ceiling.
Interiors of the Vienna State Opera House

Important detail: you are not allowed to take drinks back to your seat.

That means a fair bit of up and down movement between bar and auditorium. It is slightly inconvenient, but entirely manageable.

There were also beautifully arranged pre-ordered interval refreshments waiting on reserved tables. Small sandwiches and canapés (traditional Viennese belegte Brötchen) with drinks already poured. It looked wonderfully efficient and very refined.

Traditional Viennese belegte Brötchen topped with pink ham, boiled egg slices, gherkins, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and small melon balls, arranged on a bright yellow serving board.
Ornate interior of the Vienna State Opera with cream marble arches, gold detailing, and a white classical statue standing on a pedestal beneath decorated vaulted ceilings.

If you enjoy that sort of ritual, it is worth booking in advance, although you can also queue up and buy them at the bar.

If you prefer a quieter approach, you can finish your drink and return to your seat early, or simply remain seated throughout the interval. There is no obligation to perform sociability.

The Ending: Unexpected Energy

When the performance ended, the audience rose to their feet. There was cheering. Whooping. Prolonged applause.

I had half-expected restrained, polite clapping. Instead, there was genuine enthusiasm.

The standing ovation certainly felt deserved. Every single performer was off-the-scale-excellent.

So, Is the Vienna State Opera Worth It?

Yes.

It is grand without being cold. Historic without being inaccessible. Formal without feeling rigid.

You do not need to be an opera expert. You do not need perfect Italian. You simply need to book a ticket and show up.

For me, it was one of those moments where I quietly thought, “I am so glad I did this!”

And next time, I might try standing – or at least avoid Row 1.

Ornate gilded wall relief inside the Vienna State Opera showing cherubs holding a sign that reads “Opera,” framed by decorative gold detailing.

FAQs About Visiting the Vienna State Opera

If you are planning a visit to the Vienna State Opera and want the practical details in one place, these answers should help you feel more prepared.

Is it worth going to the Vienna State Opera alone?

Yes. The experience does not rely on having a companion. The architecture, performance quality and atmosphere stand on their own. Intervals are social, but you can comfortably use the time to explore the building or return to your seat early.

How much do tickets cost at the Vienna State Opera?

Seated tickets vary widely depending on position and production. Upper gallery seats can cost around 100-250 EUR. Standing tickets are usually around 15 EUR and offer excellent value.

Are standing tickets at the Vienna State Opera good?

They are surprisingly good. You receive a designated space with a rail to lean on, clear stage visibility and your own surtitles screen. For the price, they are one of the best cultural deals in Vienna.

What is the dress code at the Vienna State Opera?

There is no strict dress code. Many guests dress formally, especially in the evening, but smart attire is sufficient. A simple dress or suit is entirely appropriate. The cloakroom is mandatory and free.

Can you take drinks to your seat at the Vienna State Opera?

No. Drinks must be consumed in the foyer areas. You will need to return your glass before going back into the auditorium.

Are there English surtitles?

Yes. Each seat has an individual screen where you can select your preferred language for surtitles.

Exterior of the Vienna State Opera building in pale stone, with arched windows, ornate detailing and a green copper roof, photographed in soft evening light from across the street.
Exterior of Vienna Opera House (photo taken from the Albertina Museum terrace)

Planning More Vienna Experiences

If you are building a Vienna itinerary, you might also find these helpful:

– Vienna Coffee Culture Explained
– What It’s Like to Attend a Mozart Concert at Schönbrunn Palace
– Vienna Highlights (And What They’re Really Like)
– Schönbrunn Palace After Hours Tour Review

Pin This For Later: Vienna State Opera Solo Guide

Planning a trip to Vienna or building your solo travel itinerary? Save this guide so you can refer back to seating advice, dress code tips and standing ticket details before you book.

Collage featuring a smiling woman inside the Vienna State Opera auditorium, the grand marble staircase with chandeliers, the illuminated exterior at night, and red velvet theatre seats, with text reading “Opera in Vienna - Is It Worth It Solo?” and hazelstravels.co.uk at the bottom.

👉 Looking for practical travel tools? Check out my Travel Resources page.

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