Bastard @ Prater

Advantages: cheap rides, relatively short queues
Disadvantages: Not the nicest part of town

...The Prater is mentioned frequently in Viennese literature although in recent times it has suffered somewhat from a reputation as being a glorified red light district and home to pickpockets by night. The Prater is one of Vienna's major jogging spots, and this is the only reason for most Viennese visiting the Prater, other than the Ernst Happel Stadium (football). The funfair offers a variety of rides most of which cost between ATS30 and ATS70, and there are more sedate rides for children, as well as rollercoasters, log flumes, go-karts and similar fairground attractions. The highlight for some is the icon of Vienna for many, the Riesenrad. Whilst people may belittle it, especially when you consider it alongside the BA London Eye, the Riesenrad (Giant Wheel) has been in service since 1896. A revolution lasts 10 minutes... Read review

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Advantages: free
Disadvantages: full of tourists

...The Prater is a huge park which stretches for over 6km, situated just slightly east of the centre. Originally an imperial hunting ground, it was opened to the public in 1766. It can be reached by bus 74A, the U1 and several strassen- and schnellbahn lines. Within the park itself there is a lot to see and do, including  The Maria Grun Kirche (church)  golf course  bowling alley  racetrack  planaterium  swimming pool  tennis courts What most tourists, and indeed natives mainly mean when they talk about the „Prater“ though is the Volkprater, an amusement park at one end open 8am to 11pm daily. There are a number of well known attractions here, but the most famous of these has to be the Riesenrad, the giant ferris wheel immortalised by Graham Greene’... Read review

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Advantages: Good fun, reasonable prices
Disadvantages: Watch out for pickpockets.

...The Wiener Prater, home to the World famous Riesenrad, is only three stops from the centre of the city on the U-Bahn. There are a wide range of rollercaosters and rides, from log flumes though haunted houses, and there are ubiquitous fast food stands, ice cream sellers and bars. The Prater is a bit seedy, with the occasional lady of the night offering her services and has got a reputation for being a pickpocketers paradise, although it is not often that overcrowded. Ride admission prices are reasonable (usually between ATS30 and ATS60) and it can make a fun evening out for a change, but is not somewhere you would go night in night out. By day it is a jogger's paradise, and is quite a good place to go to escape the relative hustle and bustle of the city centre. The Riesenrad is ATS55 for an adult and the ride lasts about 20 minutes... Read review

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