Dance Trips to Vienna

For most attendees, our Vienna trip typically spans five to ten days, giving you plenty of time to explore the city’s rich culture before and after the ball you choose to attend (most people only attend one ball, but we do have attendees who come to both). Upon arrival, you'll settle into your accommodation—guided by us and handpicked by you to suit your budget and preferences—and enjoy tours through some of Vienna’s top sites, like Schönbrunn Palace and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Always in February, the Kaffeesiederball is held at the Hofburg Palace, an iconic Viennese ball brimming with tradition, featuring classical music, lavish waltzes, and even late-night funk and disco performances. A few days later, we attend the Vienna Opera Ball at the world-renowned Vienna State Opera, the pinnacle of elegance, where dignitaries and celebrities grace the event.

At both events, we’ll guide you through every step of the experience, from understanding the intricate dress code to navigating the formal etiquette, ensuring you are fully immersed in the Viennese ball tradition.

Our annual trip is always in February, but some of our clients choose to travel to Vienna in January to attend a ball or two independently. If February doesn’t fit your schedule, check our blog for recommendations on January balls in Vienna.

If you're new to the Vienna ball scene, we recommend attending the Kaffeesiederball before considering the Vienna Opera Ball. Here’s why:

The Kaffeesiederball, held at the historic Hofburg Imperial Palace, is a formal yet approachable event, offering a grand Viennese ball experience at a fraction of the cost of the Opera Ball. With ticket prices typically a quarter of those for the Opera Ball, it’s a great entry point. The dress code is more lenient as well—men are required to wear tuxedos (not the more formal tails needed at the Opera Ball), and while both balls mandate floor-length gowns for women, the Kaffeesiederball is more forgiving if you don’t strictly adhere to every rule.

In contrast, the Opera Ball is a highly exclusive event with stringent dress codes and extensive rules. Attendees must follow a detailed guide—literally pages of rules—which can be overwhelming for first-time ball-goers. Additionally, without the proper attire, such as tails for men, you won’t be allowed entry, whereas the Kaffeesiederball offers a more relaxed, yet still elegant, experience.

For these reasons, we only extend invitations to new ball attendees for the Kaffeesiederball. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in Viennese ball culture without the additional pressures of the Opera Ball, which we reserve for experienced guests who are comfortable navigating its complex etiquette.

It's important to note that this trip is not fully organized or booked by us. We only handle the purchase of ball tickets and provide chaperoning at the event. However, we do offer comprehensive guidance on the whole trip. You will ultimately design your trip according to your preferences, but we provide various suggested approaches for flights, hotels, and cultural experiences, catering to different budgets.

Here’s a general summary of costs:

• Ball Tickets: Prices range from $400 to $1,200 per person, depending on seating and table options. The Kaffeesiederball offers more flexible pricing, while the Opera Ball is more expensive due to its exclusivity.

• Airfare: Round-trip flights to Vienna from the U.S. range from $700 to $5,000, depending on booking time, airline, and comfort level.

• Accommodations: Vienna has a wide variety of hotels. Luxury options like Hotel Sacher start at $1,000+ per night, while boutique hotels and Airbnbs in the city center can be found for as low as $150 per night.

• Dining: Plan to spend around $30 to $250 per day on meals, especially if you explore Vienna’s renowned culinary scene.

• Cultural Experiences: Expect to spend $50 to $100 per day on cultural activities. This includes museum entries (around $18 to $23 per person) and guided tours (group tours range from $16 to $32, and private tours from $105 to $210).

• Our Fees: We charge $250 per ball ticket for securing the tickets and chaperoning. We also organize a pre-ball dinner (cost split by attendees) and provide a detailed itinerary with recommended hotels, restaurants, and cultural excursions.

To summarize, a budget-conscious solo traveler can expect to spend around $3,000, while a luxury-oriented trip can easily exceed $10,000.

While it's entirely possible to attend a Viennese ball without setting foot on the dance floor (watching the grand performances and festive atmosphere is entertainment enough!), we strongly encourage you to prepare for dancing. The heart of a Viennese ball is the dance floor, and mastering the traditional waltz or other ballroom dances will enhance your experience. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned dancer, there's something magical about gliding across the floor at such an elegant event.

For those in the Chicago area, we highly recommend taking lessons at Ballroom Dance Chicago where we have a ball specific branch of the studio called Waltz Academy. Our expert instructors will equip you with the skills and confidence to shine on the dance floor at any ball—whether in Chicago or Vienna.

If you're not in the Chicago area, we recommend finding a teacher experienced in International style Viennese Waltz and English Waltz as a starting point. These styles are essential for a Viennese ball and will give you solid foundational skills.

Day 1 - travel day

Pre-ball days are usually focsued on exploring the rich cultural of Vienna.

On Day 2, you'll visit iconic landmarks like the Hofburg Imperial Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral, and stroll through the city center, taking in Vienna's blend of historical and modern architecture. The day also includes a visit to the Vienna State Opera, where you'll immerse yourself in the city's famed musical tradition, even if you don't attend a performance. You’ll also visit the Naschmarkt, a lively open-air market where you can sample fresh produce, pastries, cheeses, and explore the many stalls of international food.

Day 3 involves diving deeper into Vienna’s art and cultural history. You'll start with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, one of the world’s finest art museums, showcasing pieces by masters such as Caravaggio and Vermeer. Following this, you'll stroll along the Graben and Kohlmarkt, famous streets filled with elegant shops and historic buildings.

Day 4 is dedicated to preparations for the Kaffeesiederball. You'll rest up during the day, and in the evening, you'll head to the Hofburg Palace, transformed into a grand ball venue. The ball experience includes witnessing the grand opening ceremony with debutantes, live music in multiple halls, and the excitement of waltzing on the palace's lavish dance floors. Late-night food like Würstel (Viennese sausages) keeps the energy going as the event continues into the early morning with lively performances and dancing.

Post-ball days allow for a more relaxed exploration of the city

Day 5 is all about relaxation and recovery. After a long lunch and a glass of grüner, you might visit the Albertina Museum or enjoy a leisurely coffee in one of Vienna’s historic cafes, indulging in a slice of Sacher Torte.

Day 6 includes a visit to Schönbrunn Palace, a magnificent baroque palace that was once the summer residence of the Habsburgs. You’ll also explore the vibrant MuseumsQuartier, a hub for contemporary art. The trip wraps up with more time to explore Vienna’s culinary scene and perhaps revisit favorite landmarks.

Day 7 - travel day

First, fill out the inquiry form to see if space is still available. We highly recommend inquiring early as our trips have incredibly limited space, with only about 20 people attending each ball, and we often receive more inquiries than we can accommodate.

Be aware that decisions for the February ball season are typically finalized by the end of August. Each year, we negotiate for a limited number of tickets, so early registration is crucial for securing your spot in this exclusive experience.

Once we have confirmed availability, to ensure your spot, we require a $250 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit.

Once we’ve finalized details with the ball staff and have a contract for tickets, we will request the remaining balance, which you will need to submit within one week of the request.

Other than that, the real difficulty is choosing how to spend your time in Vienna - a city steeped in culture and tradition with endless restaurants, museums, galleries, shops, and historical sites vying for your attention.