Hi, we are going to be in Salzburg traveling to Vienna on Sept 27. We are considering to take the train from Salzburg to Melk, possibly see the Abby and then take the cruise to Krems, and finally a train from Krems to Vienna.
Is it best book all this in advance, or can the trains and cruise be purchased on site. Thanks.
Please resist the urge to stop in Melk and the Wachau Valley on the way from Salzburg to Vienna. Sure, it looks convenient on a map, but it really isn't. You'll have suitcases to deal, you'll be rushed, the weather might be bad, etc. Do yourself a favor and get straight to Vienna and make a day trip to the Wachau Valley from Vienna. You will be much more free to move around and adjust your plans according to the weather. I suggest using Westbahn trains from Salzburg to Vienna. Tickets can be bought on board. If you choose to use OeBB trains, then you want to buy those well in advance to save money. Regional trains, such as Krems to Vienna, can be bought on the day. Look into the Einfach-Raus ticket from OeBB, which will save you money. The cruise tickets can be bought on the day.
Thank you, we will definitely take your advice!
We did this in the opposite direction (Vienna to Salzburg) but did an overnight in Melk. I wouldn’t want to haul luggage through Melk.
Thank you for your helpful comments now I'll need to rethink my itinerary! I have 3 and a half free days in Vienna where I’ll be returning from a 16 days Balkans/Dalmatian coast tour, before I fly back home. I’d love the split the time between Vienna, Salzburg and the Wachau region. Is this too ambitious? I would certainly appreciate your comments and your help on the itinerary:
April 20 arrive VIE 2:15pm - do a HOHO tour of Vienna- overnight in Vienna.
April 21 Vienna- RS Vienna walking tour, stopping at a few sights: Hoffburg imperial apt, etc ; PM train to Salzburg
April 22 Salzburg RS walk tour; sightseeing- Old Town; Mirabelle palace & Gardens, etc.
April 23 Salzburg to Melk ; Abbey tour; Boat ride to Krems and back to Vienna** As Emily pointed out this might not be the best option with luggage to contend with. Can one take luggage (a carry on suitcase & a day backpack) on the boat? Luggage would still be problematic even if the Wachau valley stop is switched to the April 21st from Vienna to Salzburg, wouldn't it?
April 24 fly home.
Any ideas on how I can make this work? Transportation help would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. not sure if this is the correct place for this posting.. sorry!
Althea are you flying home out of Vienna?
IMO yes, too ambitious an itinerary. If you go home out of Vienna, then save Salzburg for your next trip. Everything get compared to Paris, but Vienna is really the most Paris-like not-Paris city in Europe - so much to see and do, so much beauty and culture!
I thought I'd add on a comment since we took our trip and took Emily's advice. We left Salzburg and went straight to Vienna. On one of our days there, we took advantage of the package deal from the train station to travel to Melk, saw the Abbey, and took the boat to Krems. While my wife and I each had a backpack and carryon only, it would have been really inconvenient to drag it all through the town and up the hill to the Abbey. Once there, I am not sure they have a spot for luggage anyway. I notice you do not mention the Abbey, but my own opinion is I rank that over the boat trip. The boat trip was also nice, the weather was perfect and the day enjoyable. I am sure you could get a carry-on and backpack on the boat, but you might find it a bit crowded on top deck for all of it and might not get a seat there, which is advisable because the viewing is better up there. Once off the boat in Krems it's a bit of a walk to the train station. I suggest re-doing your schedule to stay an extra night in Vienna and use that day to do the OeBB train deal to see the Abbey and boat trip without the luggage. While aggressive, I think you can still squeeze in Salzburg and return to Vienna for the flight home, but personally I agree with hlaufenberg, go to Salzburg next time.
Thank you all so much for your insights... I'll need to rethink this.. hubby has his heart set on seeing Salzburg! and unfortunately we can't add another day to the trip. So maybe 1 and a 1/2 day in Salzburg and the rest of the time in Vienna and forgo the
Wachau Valley ?
Maybe head straight to Salzburg from VIE airport on Sat afternoon. Sunday in Salzburg returning to Vienna Monday morning then the rest of Monday and all day Tues in Vienna flying out from VIE Wednesday morning. Does this sound doable for a couple of
seniors ??!! and what & where would be the train from VIE to Salzburg? So appreciate all your help... thanks!
I can't comment on visiting Melk Abbey as I haven't been there. But I have been to both Salzburg and Vienna and both are beautiful cities. Spending just 3 1/2 days in both would be doing them both a grave injustice. If you are really pushed for time Salzburg would be the better choice as it is obviously a smaller city with fewer must-visit attractions. But there is still plenty to see including Mozart's house, the famous Marionette theater and the castle.
There is plenty to do in Vienna even if you decided only to visit a couple of famous museums. Nice beer, great cake shops (best apple strudel in the world probably) and the schnitzels are pretty good.
If Salzburg is a MUST Althea then your most recent plan is perfectly rational -- straight to Salzburg and then last couple of days in Vienna. I've been to Salzburg 3 or 4 times. One can deep dive the place, or it can be a perfectly pleasant and interesting one day visit. Vienna though is about 2/3's of Paris as far as tourist cities go. If you must split your time more in Vienna is the better choice.
My two cents - go straight to Salzburg, spend two nights there and return early to Vienna after the second night. You’ll have a full day in Salzburg and nearly two full days in Vienna. You can make that work. I’d pick Salzburg over Wachau any day, even as much as I love the Wachau.
