Confusion on Vienna to Melk

Yes we did. It was no big deal except that we had a very tight connection time (I think it was 5 minutes or less) and the first train was something like 4 minutes late. But we made it. We experienced many very tight connections on that trip (not just Vienna to Melk) so next time I'm booking trains in Germany I am going to be sure and check not just the number of connections,but the amount of time.

Thank you! The directions given to us when we bought the ticket were so confusing! I really appreciate your help!

A train planner comes useful in this kind of situations: it shows whether it is a direct journey or one with a change of trains. It might also give you the tracks numbers of the arrival and departure trains. Use the one of the German railways, which covers most of Europe, or that of the relevant national railway company.

You'll be fine. I don't think ours had a change of trains but it sometimes depends on which departure you took.

Did it a month ago. Transfer in St. Polten is easy.. It's a common connection and the trains are timed for it. Word of advice - the boat stop at Krem is not close to the train station and too far to walk. A few taxis will be there to meet the boat, but don't waste too much time - we decided to get ice cream at the little café there and found ourselves stuck for close to an hour waiting for a cab to get us to the train station (at least the ice cream was good...….lol).

I agree that the boat dock and train station are a ways apart in Krems, but we did walk it with no problem. Probably took a half hour or so.

Thanks to everyone for your quick responses. My husband and I were trying to figure it out and getting a bit overwhelmed (jet lag doesn’t help!). I just stopped and posted on this forum and within a short time got not only an answer but helpful advice once we get there! Your help is invaluable! I can do this now!

I’m going to Melk from Westbahnhof tomorrow on the 9:20 REX train, with no changes. It arrives at 10:20. Are you trying to get to Melk by a certain time? Honestly, that is more than enough time to change tracks.

As noted above, the Krems boat dock is very far from the Krems train station. I strongly recommend that you disembark the boat in Dürnstein. Explore this lovely village. (You can’t go to the Wachau and not see its iconic village!). Then take the WL1 bus which takes you directly to the Krems train station in about 10-15 minutes. The bus stop in Dürnstein is at the east end of the village just beyond the gate and in front of the tourist office.

As Emily said there is direct train to Melk from Wien Westbahnhof (REX = regional express). The alternative using the RailJet from Wien Hauptbahnhof and changing in St. Pölten to the REX is a little bit faster.

To clarify a bit on what Emily and wmt1 said, the Austrian railways recommend you to change at St Polten because it's faster to get an express from Vienna to St Polten and then change, than to take the slower train from Vienna all the way to Melk.

The time difference between the two travel variants is 10 minutes. Therefore I prefer the slower train, and not having to change.

Exactly. The time difference is negligible and it is cheaper to go on the regional train (10 minutes longer, no change) with an Einfach Raus ticket.

We just got back from our day trip! We made the connection in St. Polten with a few minutes to spare and had a really nice tour at Melk. Emily, thank you so much for your advice to stop in Dürnstein instead of Krems. We had a wonderful afternoon there! Such a quaint and lovely town! Climbed the hill to the castle ruins (with quite a few stops along the way to get my breath) and visited the church. Just wish we had more time there! Found the bus to Krem with no trouble at all thanks to your detail on the bus! Thanks again for all your help everyone! It ended up one of the nicest days of our trip so far!

Did you happen to be on the English tour this morning at 10:55 for the Melk Abbey?

Yes, I was! I am the girl with longish dark hair and was with my husband who is tall with white hair! I wish I knew you were there! It would have been so nice to meet you!

That’s so funny. I was with my parents. Maybe I showed you where to take the stairwell photo? I pointed out the mirror at the bottom? Was that you?

YES! That was me! What are the chances?!! I would never have even thought to take a picture there and my husband and I ended up with some really cool shots! See ... you even helped me off the Forum! I’m sorry we didn’t meet formally but it’s nice to put a face with the name!

That is so funny! My mom got a shot of the stairwell with your husband’s head in it, peering down, by accident. Glad you enjoyed the rest of your day and best wishes for a great vacation!

Amazing amazing — very cool.

Emily- That is hilarious that your mom got a picture with my husband’s head in it! It sure is a small world! I spend so much time on this forum that I feel I know the regular posters personally! I hope to have your knowledge and join your ranks some day! Had a fantastic time in Vienna ... just not enough time! I’ll just have to come back! Heading to Budapest today. Thank you again for all your advice given to me and to others that helped me plan my trip!

That is really exceptional. How big (or small) is the probability of such a coincidence?

Joyce - Next you’ll tell me that you know my aunt who lives in Pittsburgh. Her name is Fay :)...

Great story! I would call it a serendipitous event. ;) Enjoy the rest of your journey.

I doubt if the tales of these amazing encounters will ever end. Mine is just as amazing.

I was in Rome, for about 4 days I think, and wanted to see the Pantheon. My B&B hostess dropped me off in front of the "Typewriter" (the Victor Emmanuel Monument) and I casually wandered down the street towards my goal. However, I realized quickly that I was very hungry, not having eaten since breakfast. Walking down a narrow lane I saw what looked like nice little restaurant on a dead-end side street, and sat down outside at one of the tables. As I perused the menu, I heard an American voice that sounded somewhat familiar. Looking up, I saw my old friend from Phoenix, Don Drake, who owned Western Cycle in Scottsdale. We looked at each other at the same time: he said "Hal?" and I said "Don?" It was an amazing situation - here we are half way around the world, in one of the greatest and largest cities in Europe, both in the same little out-of-the-way restaurant and run into each other. We still laugh about it every time I visit his shop.

Joyce! We made post if the month :)

Emily - This is funny! I clicked on the post not realizing it was the one I started over a month ago because "I could answer that question"! I did want to tell you that any Fay I meet in Pittsburgh, I will have to ask if they have a niece named Emily in Vienna! After our Melk trip, I think it could happen!

Diggerboi2 - Thanks for sharing your story! I love it! Seriously, what are the chances! It really is a small world!