Krems to Vienna via train

Old Jul 1st, 2014, 04:17 AM
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Krems to Vienna via train

We are looking to do the Vienna to Melk via train, visit the Abbey then take the cruise to Krems and train back to Vienna for a day trip. In looking at the train schedules for Krems to Vienna it requires a transfer at St Poelton but the transfer time is only 9 minutes. That seems like a very short time to change trains- has anyone done this?

Also - at the boat doc in Krems are there taxis to take you to the train station? (the walk is too far for us) We would have about 90 minutes before the train leaves is it worth it to explore the city or just head to the train station?
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Old Jul 1st, 2014, 06:15 AM
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Krems has direct trains to Vienna's Franz-Josef Bahnhof - no need to backtrack to St Poltein - but a 9-minute change is no problem - especially since if you miss it there will no doubgt be another train within 30 minutes or so on that busy commuter line. For lots of practical info on the fantastic Wachau Valley jaunt check out www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

It takes 1 h 2 mins for direct trains Krems to Vienna Franz-Josef station - no changes - if you go via St Poltein there is a change and it takes all told 1 h 10 minutes - which route should you take - whatever is most convenient for you once back in Vienna.

The Franz-Josef station is a secondary station right near the heart of Vienna. the St-Poletin route takes you back to the West Banhof station, further out from the town center. Take whatever route is best - for direct no hassle of changes go to the Franz-Josef Bahnhof - probably a bit cheaper as well.
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Old Jul 1st, 2014, 06:24 AM
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Thanks! What about getting from the boat doc to the train station?
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Old Jul 1st, 2014, 07:34 AM
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Well unless you want to stroll around Krems, a largish but nice city I would take a bus from Durnstein to Krems as I think that bus would take you to the train station since it is a bus substituted for trains that were taken off the route not long ago.

Better to spend your time in Melk or Durnstein than in Krems and the last few miles of Danube between Durnstein and Krems is so-so compared to the Wachau Valley proper.
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Old Jul 2nd, 2014, 02:32 AM
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So are you saying that there will not be any taxis waiting at the boat doc in Krems?
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Old Jul 2nd, 2014, 04:26 AM
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No I am not saying that because I have no idea - I walked from Durnstein to Krems so am not familiar with the boat dock.
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Old Jul 2nd, 2014, 06:00 AM
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There weren't taxis at the Krems boat doc on the day I traveled. You can call a taxi.

There is a city bus, but the schedule is coordinated more for the commuters. The bus arrived at the Krems train station in just enough time for commuters and students to hop on the train bound for Vienna. If you are using the combi ticket, http://kombitickets.railtours.at/com...au-ticket.html you already have your train ticket in your hand.
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Old Jul 2nd, 2014, 07:20 AM
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I'm trying to get a sense of what people do when they leave the boat in Krems. We will have some time before our train leaves for Vienna so do people walk into the town and browse around before heading to the train station? I suppose we could hail a cab if we were walking about in Krems? How far is it from the boat doc to the town where we would find shops, cafes, hotels, etc?
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Old Jul 2nd, 2014, 10:43 AM
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https://www.google.com/search?q=krem...%3B1000%3B1000

Looks about one kiolmeter rops to the train station from what is marked on this map 'Hafen' or harbor and about .5 km from the station to town center. Again I have not been to the boat dock but the map shows that it is not too far - well it depends on what 'far' means of course.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2014, 12:49 PM
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It is better to give advice when actually having completed the experience rather than referring to a map and not even knowing location of boat docks etc.

The " hafen " /port referred to above is actually a commercial port for receiving and shipping goods from Danube barges.This in the eastern end of Krems not near sightseeing boat docks and not near tourist sights or tourist transport.
The river sightseeing boats do not use this facility . They arrive in the west end of the town - many kilometers from this preferred to port.

Both DDSG and Brandner tourist ships arrive and depart from dedicated docks directly on the Danube. This is 3- 4 kilometers from the Krems center and also the Krems train station.

As mentioned by greg above - taxis at this point rarely seen.

The local city bus line #1 I think runs by the dock area to the city center - relatively frequent service.

A very popular restaurant Wellen Spiel is by the boat docks with good food and a sun terrace also.

The mentioned tour ships have offices by the entrance with varied hours - not open the complete day. They could probably call a taxi for you or even the restaurant.

Most taxis in town are found in a rank in front of the train terminal.

Boat dock to krems center 8-10 euro ? just a guess never used one there.

The center of Krems with tourist sites is very close to the train station
If interested in the town

www.krems.at

some nice restaurants, local shops and tourist things- wine museum churches, Gozzoburg castle

Near the boat docks in the former village Stein some nice churches and several museums.

Stein was absorbed into Krems many years ago.


A good alternative to taking the boat to krems is to leave the boat in Durnstein- tour the many sights there and take bus # WL1 directly to Krems- its end station is the train station- This bus runs about 1 time per hour. You pay the driver directly for the fare.

www.duernstein.at

transport info
www.oebb.at

Walking Durnstein- Krems is not recommended.

This year a new flood wall is being constructed along the Danube. Traffic has been altered and former less used small ways carry not just new traffic but must accommodate bikes also.
Not a great thing at this time.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2014, 05:01 PM
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molker:
Thanks for the advice and yes I was looking for input from someone who has been there and knows the lay of the land so to speak. Now I'm wondering out loud here- the boat docs at Krems and everyone gets off- what do they do- where do they go? Too far to walk into town or the train station.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2014, 10:50 PM
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They go to the train station either on foot or by bus. It is one mile between the two. Whether it is too far to walk or not depends on individual. I walk between six to twelve miles a day according to my pedometer. It was a simple walk on a level boring paved side walk.

Look at the timing. If you take the 10:55 English tour at Melk, then have lunch in Melk, then the only natural boat choice is the 13:50 leaving Melk, arriving 15:30 in Krems to make the 16:01 train. That train takes about one hour to Wien Franz-Josefs (or Wien Spittelau for better subway connection) arriving around 17:04. If you dilly dally, then your next direct train is 17:02 arriving in (outskirts of) Vienna at 18:04.
Whether or not you want to spend time in Krems or in Vienna is your choice.
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Old Jul 4th, 2014, 04:43 AM
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greg - you would love the walk from Durnstein to Krems - I did it - a very sweet stroll - not sure how far but like you I walk 8-12 miles a day so a short walk in the park - nice side road following Danube - thru vineyards and then into Krems by some apricot (?) distillerie plant and through Krems.
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Old Jul 4th, 2014, 04:45 AM
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Ok molker says
"Both DDSG and Brandner tourist ships arrive and depart from dedicated docks directly on the Danube. This is 3- 4 kilometers from the Krems center and also the Krems train station."
Greg says:
" It is one mile between the two."
So guys which is it?
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Old Jul 4th, 2014, 05:10 AM
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BillT, the Krems city website has a nice self-guided walking tour of the city. There is no corresponding map, though, so I made one on GoogleMaps that we used to tour both Krems and Stein.

http://www.krems.gv.at/system/web/zu...lonr=220269570

We were in Krems last month and in Dürnstein this week; passengers from the cruise ships were walking into both towns. GoogleMaps puts the distance from the DDSG port to the Bahnhofplatz at 1.5km.

molker, I experienced the traffic diversion through Oberloiben. Pretty, but the terror of oncoming cyclists will keep me away for awhile.
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Old Jul 4th, 2014, 05:31 AM
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In case you are not aware of, you can measure walking/driving distances on your own using the google map as mentioned by fourfortravel,

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/48.4...!1m0!3e2?hl=en
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Old Jul 4th, 2014, 06:08 AM
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The distance from tour boat docks to the Krems train station

is 3-4 kilometers / 2 +- 2 1/2 miles.
I regularly drive along the roadway there.

Many tourists making this boat trip are on regular tours. They have their tour bus waiting for them in the adjacent parking lot. Others come by auto and park in the same lot as the buses.
Some make the walk, are not in the best physical condition, and often do not realize the actual distance.
A nice park is found along the walking route ( Ringstrasse for the most part ) several cafes enroute also.

Some take just a little time to check bus schedule. Bus stop in front of the restaurant and info area. These buses run fairly regularly .

Many passengers choose the Durnstein stopto disembark rather than krems. They visit there and then take the bus directly to Krems Station- this runs 1 time per hour.

Durnstein famous for the site of the castle where Richard Lionhearted held for ransom in late 1100s- the famous Church with the blue steeple - one of the most photographed places in Austria- numerous good wineries with good white wines and ok pricing.

Visit the local graveyard - a few steps up from the main street. Nicely maintained and a good look to the way those passed are honored- fine metal grave markers. A bone house there too.

I repeat the warning regarding walking from Durnstein to Krems. Some seem to ignore that due to construction , traffic routing has changed for a large portion of this route.

Certainly the person recommending this route has not done it in recent times. Things can change.

The former local quiet roadway now receives one way traffic forced to detour from the main road Route#3.This includes local bus routes, all tour buses making the way through the Wachau, deliver trucks for the entire Wachau

This also receives almost all bikers along this route.

Now lets add the hikers-


Re bus Durnstein- Krems

You can pay the driver for bus ticket 2-3 euro . Stop is at the east end of Durnstein village - near to the vehicle roadway tunnel entrance.

the boat journey passes less than stellar scenery between Durnstein and krems. Thus you miss little by stopping in Durnstein

In my opinion the best way to end this journey.
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Old Jul 4th, 2014, 06:11 AM
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greg:
Thanks - great map that answers my question. Thanks to others as well- I appreciate all feedback!
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Old Jul 5th, 2014, 03:45 AM
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In looking at the train schedules it appears that there are trains leaving Krems for Vienna (Franz Joseph station) at 4 and 5 pm so that gives us plenty of time to walk to the station and catch the next train either the 4 or 5 pm train.
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Old Jul 5th, 2014, 08:12 AM
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molker and I both recommend taking the bus from Durnstein to the train station in Krems as he says the boat ride from there is not scenic at all - why go to Krems by boat?

Why? And then you will have more time to look around Krems town center, a short enough walk from the train station.
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