How to See the Vienna State Opera for less than $5

If you've got a little patience, you can see the Vienna State Opera for cheap. There's only one catch: you have to stand.

Standing room tickets are a inexpensive way to catch opera performances around the world. But in this capital of culture, there's an art to getting these "seats." Think of it as the ultimate in old school mosh pits.

Here's what you need to know:
Get to the opera house about two hours before the performance and bring a scarf. Use the entrance near Opengrasse, head toward the box office window and wait in line. Ticket sales start 80 minutes before showtime.

The seasoned opera goers will be the ones with books, snacks and their own pop-up chairs.

Pick your section before your turn in what will become a quickly-moving line. Parterrestehplatz (4 EUR) is downstairs, directly in front of the stage. Balkonstehplatz (3 EUR) are on the sides of the middle level. Galeriestehplatz (3 EUR) is in the center of the top balcony level. If you're among the first 100 people in line, Parterrestehplatz tickets are your best bet.

When you get to the window, buy your tickets and head toward your section, where you'll wait in one more line. This line will allow you to pick your standing spot, but you'll have to move quickly and deliberately the second staff opens the doors. Doors open 45 minutes before showtime with people rushing to good spots. Believe it or not, the competition can get intense.

Once you've found a spot, hang out or tie a scarf to the bar in front of it and head out until showtime. Show your ticket stub to get back in, find your scarf (it'll be there) and stand back for the show.

Which brings me to.... where in the world is Meena?

Catching a Viennese opera, of course!