We will be traveling to Europe in April and would be driving for the most of our trip. We need some advice on driving from vienna to mauthausen and then to nuremberg. I have found out from research that there is a scenic route from Vienna to Mauthausen along the danube which passes by some nice towns/vineyards. Is there any place along the way which is worth stopping over? After our visit to the Mauthausen Memorial/Concentration Camp, we plan to drive to Nuremberg for the Spring Festival but the research I have done online has not yielded more information about the route. I would like to find out whether anyone has drove the route before and whether there are any hostels or hotels along the way where we can stop over for the night. More importantly, is it safe? A search on Google Maps said that it will be almost a 4 hour drive and we are worried that we may not be able to reach Nuremberg before nightfall.
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
I did part of your itinerary a few years back but in reverse, driving from Hallstatt to Mauthausen to Melk to Vienna on the A1. I haven't driven that scenic route north of the Autobahn, but either route will take you by/through Melk. Don't miss Melk Abbey...one of the top sites in all of Europe IMHO. I can recommend this hotel in Melk: http://www.sternmelk.at/ Also, try mappy for driving directions to Nürnberg: http://en.mappy.com/#p=itinerary_homepage I assume you already know that your car will not be needed in Vienna, and parking is high. The countryside around Melk and Mauthausen is beautiful and very scenic...the scenic route you mentioned would be great. I used the A1, because it was fast. Driving in Austria and Bavaria is quite safe, but you'll need to buy a toll sticker/vignette at any gas station to drive on the Austrian Autobahn. You'll also need to ensure you have an environmental zone sticker on your car in order to avoid tickets while in German cities – if you rent in Germany, your car will already have the proper sticker. Also, watch your speed in and around Vienna...radar.
Posted by
OP
Singapore
5 posts
Thank you for all the prompt replies. As we have already booked the car for the 2.5 weeks in europe, we are unable to drop the car off at Vienna and unfortunately, have to pay for the exorbitant parking fees for our 2 days there! We will be stopping over at Regensburg for the night and hope to have some time to see the city as it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Will have to give Passau a miss since we need to head off to Nuremberg. Any tips on where I should go in Regensburg? Thanks again.
Posted by
Austin
976 posts
There is a very good Tourist Info Office in Regensburg with lots of brochures,tho few are in English. The cathedral is fantastic, the stone bridge over the Danube is ancient. It's a terrific stop. Maybe someone will chime in about the Thurn und Taxis Schloss? Do sit down and have sausages in one of the lovely restaurants in town. I have friends who live 30-40 minutes away in one of the most beautiful national forests, if you have the time to view the area.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33845 posts
I was going to suggest sausages too (if you eat meat). The original sausage kitchen next to the Danube river and the bridge, so the story goes, is the still operating over 900 years. Have a look at their website We go there whenever we are in town.