Getting to Melk Abbey from Cesky Krumlov or Vienna

I can't answer your question, but we've been to Melk Abbey twice on a Tauck River Cruise and it is spectacular. We loved it BOTH times. Def stop by the famous apricot store after you leave the Abbey, it's on the right after exiting the Abbey once you are back in the town of Melk - it is called Wieser Wachau - they have the famous apricot jams, apricot liquors, hand creams, gummies, chocolates w/apricot liquor in the center, etc - this area is known for apricots and that shop is amazing.

It's an easy train ride from Vienna to Melk Abbey, and there is some luggage storage available in Melk at the tourist info center and also the Abbey. This recent post from Trip Advisor has more information on that.

The rental car will cost quite a bit because of the drop off fee. Daytrip.com might come out no more expensive and a lot easier, especially if you haven't driven in the region before. Melk is worth the effort.

I think you are underestimating how remote and poorly connected is Cesky Krumlov. Certainly there are car services to Vienna or back to Prague (BECAUSE CK is a high-demand but distant excursion), but they would have to price in their “empty return.” We used a car service to do CK as a long day trip from Prague. Your choice.

Some bigger rental companies restrict use in Czech Republic. I’d want to know about road service and support in such long, remote self-driving.

Huh?

Prague to Cesky Krumlov on CK Shuttle 2 hours and $50 each To Vienna 3 hours, and $50 each. I think up to 8 passengers in the van. So not private.

Daytrip.com same travel times and $250 Cesky Krumlov to Vienna (or Melk) for a private car that holds 3 passengers and a lot of optional stops are available. They do Cesky Krumlov to Prague, but I didn't look up the price.

Not far out of the way.

Thank you all Forum travelers for your helpful replies. Decided against renting a car (would add so much extra stress) in favor of transportation readily available. I would be interested in knowing about “sites in between” Cesky to Vienna or Prague to Vienna should we use Daytrip.com.

To the first traveler who commented on the famous apricot store at Melk Abbey . . . that warmed my heart as my mother of Bohemian heritage loved apricots, dried apricots and of course apricot kolacky!

I would be interested in knowing about “sites in between” Cesky to
Vienna or Prague to Vienna should we use Daytrip.com.

Go to Daytrip.com, put in the journey and date and they will show you the standard options and costs. Or you can write and ask for a quote on something custom.

As Mr. E has noted, it is easy to get to/from Cesky Krumlov using CK Suttle. They also offer private transfers from CK to Vienna for apprx $250 - with the option to plan stops along the way, which may add to the cost:

https://www.ckshuttle.cz/transports/transfer-from-cesky-krumlov-to-vienna/

Private scenic transfers allow you to see more interesting places during your journey. You can choose your our itinerary or you can let us suggest some interesting places to see. The price of the scenic transfer is calculated individually.

On the way from Cesky Krumlov to Vienna it is possible to see for example: Wachau Valley, Melk, Hluboká nad Vltavou, Třeboň and the surrounding lake area (Třeboňsko), Holasovice, Budweiser Budvar brewery in České Budějovice or Klosterneuburg.

We found CK Shuttle offered great, reliable service, so I would check them out first before exploring alternatives.

We used a private transfer from Linz to Cesky Krumlov, stayed 3 nights and then used the same company to go back to Linz where we continued on to Melk by train. It was a very pleasant way to go but did cost a bit more than a shared shuttle. From Melk we took the train to Vienna. Melk is worth at least one night also, we stay 2 to have a full day to bike along the river.