Geisterschloss, Ghost train in Prater, Austria
The Geisterschloss is a ghost train in the Prater where visitors ride in small electric cars through dark passages filled with mechanical figures and animatronics. The journey takes passengers through themed rooms designed to create surprise and fright effects.
The original attraction opened in 1933 but was destroyed in 1945 during World War II. It was rebuilt in 1955 under a new name, restoring the ride to the amusement park.
This ghost train represents a traditional form of entertainment in Vienna that brings families together through shared moments of controlled fear. For many locals, visiting this attraction is a childhood rite of passage that connects generations.
The ride lasts about four minutes with alternating indoor and outdoor segments where cars briefly exit the building. These intervals of natural light break up the darker sequences throughout the journey.
A large mechanical gorilla stands at the entrance and has become an iconic feature for visitors. This figure replaced an earlier animatronic model that was destroyed by fire in 2002.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
