Short Vienna visit, include an overnight in Melk?

Posted by grdemedeiros on 09/23/26 01:39 PM

We are traveling to Vienna and Budapest to celebrate my sister's birthday. She and her husband are on a Danube cruise, we're meeting her at the end in Vienna (we're not on the cruise).

We arrive VIE at 13:30 on Dec. 17
We'll go to Melk on Dec. 18 to visit the Abbey with them (the cruise stops there)
Their cruise arrives Vienna on Dec. 19 (where they disembark)
We'll leave Vienna together on Dec. 21 for Budapest

Normally my husband and I like to stay put for 5-7 nights in one location. We're adjusting our style to fit hers. Because of the fast turnaround times of this itinerary, we're trying to decide if we'll:

A) get one hotel in Vienna for 4 nights Dec 17-21, or

B) go straight to Melk on Dec. 17, sleep there 1 night, then return to Vienna for 3 nights Dec 18-21

Either way, we'll take the train to Melk and back to Vienna.

I'm not sure B is worth that much of our short time in Austria. Melk's main attraction seems to be the Abbey, but I did see that there will be a Christmas market.

Thoughts?

Posted by Emily 🐈 🐈

Vienna, Austria

09/23/26 02:38 PM

6253 posts

My two cents - take the train from the airport (assuming you are arriving by train) to Melk and spend the night there. It will be a nice alternative to the bigger cities. Then take the train back to Vienna the following day.

Posted by Mr É 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🇭🇺

Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest

09/23/26 02:51 PM

27545 posts

If you are arriving on a flight from the US then going straight to Melk is a bit of a .... but if you can do it, I think Emily has the right idea.

Emily any comments on visitng Melk in late December?

Posted by Emily 🐈 🐈

Vienna, Austria

09/23/26 03:09 PM

6253 posts

Yes, the longer distance trains from the airport go to St. Polten, where you then switch to a local train for the rest of the ride. Takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, so not that bad. The return back to Vienna is a bit shorter as you don't need to go all the way to the airport.

I have been to Melk many times, but not in December. I have heard that the Christmas market is cute and authentic - maybe I'll go this year. The abbey is (obviously) indoors, so weather is not a factor.

Posted by Lin C

Surrey, UK

09/23/26 03:56 PM

1150 posts

I'd stay in Vienna and take the train to Melk for the day (about one hour each way).

The Melk cruise stop is only a half day at most.
Much more relaxing to stay in one hotel.

Posted by grdemedeiros OP

09/23/26 04:17 PM

6 posts

Thanks, ya'll practically read my mind. I was thinking about the same plan Emily suggested, while also being concerned about the very long travel day that Mr.E points out (we're coming from the US West Coast).

It's good to know about the direct train from the airport to Melk, I hadn't got that far in my transport research.

Posted by Emily 🐈 🐈

Vienna, Austria

09/23/26 04:53 PM

6253 posts

Just to note that the train from the airport to Melk is not direct (as noted above). It requires a change in St. Polten.

Keep in mind as well that you will still be very jet lagged on Dec. 18, so waking up in Vienna and the idea of a day trip to Melk on that day won't be any better. Again, I think you just push through on Day 1 to Melk.

Posted by jkh

Northwest Arkansas

09/25/26 12:45 AM

1280 posts

I am a fan of the push on to Melk on the 17th club. However, you mentioned a couple of details that I want to fully understand and provide some additional input regarding your plans.

First, the Melk Christmas Market is only open Friday - Sunday. So would you have time to see it as you will be traveling to or back to Vienna on Friday? How late would you stay just to see it versus visiting a Vienna market on Friday evening?

Second, what is your sister's excursion itinerary? When will they get off the ship and get to Melk Abbey or the town center to meet you? I think this should be input to your decision as to where to spend the night of the 17th. A morning excursions would make staying in Melk almost mandatory. What will you do if Melk is their afternoon excursion and the ship isn't docked in Melk.

Third, what is your current travel and jet lag tolerance? Based upon your arrival time in Vienna I am guessing that you are connecting via LHR or somewhere in Europe. I agree that pushing-on to Melk is the way to go. But are you up to it after your flights?

And now, unrelated to your post...I use compressible packing cubes for one or two night stays in a location. You put all the clothes you need for the 18th in one compression cube. One cube and toiletries come out of the bag on the 17th. One cube with travel clothes and toiletries goes back in the bag on the 18th. Your Vienna cube(s) stay in your bag while in Melk.

Have a great time. I enjoyed my visit to Melk and can't wait to be in Vienna in December.