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Wachau Valley Day Trip: Vienna-Melk-Dürnstein-Krems

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Hey everyone! I've put together a day trip plan from Vienna to explore the beautiful Wachau Valley. This itinerary combines train travel, a scenic Danube boat cruise, abbey exploration, and delicious Austrian cuisine. Would love your thoughts or suggestions!

Itinerary

Morning: Vienna to Melk (Train)
- Depart: Wien Westbahnhof at 08:18
- Arrive: Melk Bahnhof at 09:21
- Morning activity: Visit the Melk Abbey
- Lunch at Rathauskeller

Afternoon: Melk to Dürnstein (Boat)
- Depart: Melk at 14:35
- Arrive: Dürnstein at 15:55
- Explore Dürnstein

Evening: Dürnstein to Krems (Boat)
- Depart: Dürnstein at 17:55
- Arrive: Krems at 18:10
- Dinner at Wellen.Spiel

Return: Krems to Vienna (Train)
- Depart: Krems at 20:52
- Arrive: Vienna (Spittelau) at 21:54

Has anyone done a similar trip? I'm especially wondering if this itinerary might be too ambitious or crammed with too many stops. Is there enough time to enjoy each location, or should I consider removing a stop? Any recommendations to improve this itinerary would be greatly appreciated!

Posted by
2702 posts

I biked from Melk to Durnstein to Krems and— yes— you’ve allowed enough time for Melk Abbey, Durnstein ( an iconic, small village with its own abbey and castle ruins) and Krems before returning to Vienna. Be sure to take a look at Krems’ old medieval center as it’s also quite interesting.

Posted by
2421 posts

Depending on how long your visit of the Melk Abbey and your lunch will be, maybe you could catch the boat departing at 13:50, giving you more time for Dürnstein.

It is an uphill walk of about half an hour to the base of the ruins of the Dürnstein fortress, and then 10 minutes more "climbing" to the very top of the rock, giving you an extraordinary view of the river Danube and the Wachau valley (if weather permits).

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