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Austria - Salzburg to Vienna (Train and Boat)

Austria - Salzburg to Vienna (Train and Boat)

Old May 16th, 2013, 01:29 PM
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Austria - Salzburg to Vienna (Train and Boat)

Our preliminary plan is to take the train from Salzburg to Melk, take the boat cruise to Krems and take the train to Vienna from Krems. We will have our luggage as we are flying out of Vienna.
If we wanted to stop at Melk to do some sightseeing prior to the boat cruise, is there a place where we can check our luggage?
Can we get off at Duernstein from the cruise, walk around a bit and catch another boat to Krems? If so, is there a place to check our luggage?
I realize that if the above can work, we will have to coordinate the timing of the boat and train.

Thank you.
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Old May 16th, 2013, 03:50 PM
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Most Austrian train stations have luggage lockers - check www.oebb.com - Austrian Railways site to see if Melk does - Durnstein also has a train/bus station that could have lockers but it is a small backwater station.

Melk Abbey may have a bag storage too and since there is little else to see or do in this very cute small town walk from the station to the nearby abbey (worst case scenario - one has to watch bags whilst other looks around abbey) - then walk to the boat dock, not far either.

Yes you can get off at Durnstein and hop a later boat but from Durnstein to Krems the scenery becomes rather ho-hum (compared to the fantastic Wachau Valley at least) so you can take a train from here directly to the Frans-Josef Bahnhof in Vienna (buses may be substituted for trains - Krems itself is an interesting if larger city.

Durnstein is also small - its blockbuster sight being the ruined castle where Richard-the-Lion-Hearted was imprisoned after being kidnapped and held for ransom when return from some Crusade - again it may have bag storage as many castles and museums do to prevent folks from taking bags in.

Trains run frequently and in summer so do boats so no real careful planning is needed - you will not get stranded - buses also run along the Danube.

For lots of info on Austrian trains and boats thru the Wachau Valley check out these superb IMO sources - http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id33.html; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.
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Old May 17th, 2013, 02:18 AM
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http://www.ddsg-blue-danube.at/eng/index.php
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Old May 17th, 2013, 07:06 AM
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If you want to bike a tad along one of Europe's most scenic bike paths - one hugging the Danube thru the gorgeous Wachau Valley then you can do it I believe in conjunction with the DDSG boats - I believe they provide bikes to cycle between docks - well I guess you'll have your luggage but an idea for others perhaps.
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Old May 17th, 2013, 10:24 AM
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Thank you all for your help.
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Old May 17th, 2013, 11:55 AM
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Some comments re the above-

" Most Austrian train stations have luggage lockers "

This just not correct.
Some of the larger locations have lockers.
often the number of lockers are limited.

In Melk for example - 4-5 large lockers perhaps 5-6 small lockers - not many considering visitors.
Travelers should consider this in their planning

While you can exit the boat at Durnstein for a visit - sheck schedules carefully - not that many boats daily.
Also realize that the boat dock is 3-4 kilometers from the Krems Train Station- too far to walk with luggage.
Bus service bus #1 but not extra frequent - taxi best.

Durnstein Castle is a ruin and a good walk above the village - Luggage storage - hardly -

Durnstein has no public luggage storage as found at some train stations

Durnstein has no bus station- rather a bus stop with a sign and bench to seat 3-4 persons.

Durnstein train station has been closed for some years.
Now in process of a sale to a privete person for commercial use.



Biking is nice but with any amount of luggage impossible.

Some places to check for more info

Boats

www.ddsg-blue-danube.at

www.brandner.at

Transport schedule

www.oebb.at

In summer train service is quite limited Durnstein- Krems.

Bus about every hour.

It becomes tiresome correcting information that is much less than accurate found posted here by some.
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Old May 17th, 2013, 12:35 PM
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molker I believe lives in the area and is thus an expert on what he/she says.

Biking is nice but with any amount of luggage impossible.>

Well the boats used to at least provide bikes - you would leave your luggage on the boat - assumedly in some designated placebut if that were not possible then no and as most folks do this as a day trip who knows?
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Old May 21st, 2013, 04:34 AM
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It becomes tiresome correcting information that is much less than accurate found posted here by some.>

The info I gave was not incorrect except for one thing - Durnstein's train station which was still in operation last time I was there - everything else was correct - note I said 'could have' not does have and yes I said most Austrian train stations have lockers - like Melk does - I did not say the lockers would be all full like you claim they will be. anyway most of the advice I gave was spot on overall except for some very minor things - the biking was an aspect the DSDG boat company advertises or used to, etc. Oh well yes some things do get tiresome - attitudes for example!
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Old May 22nd, 2013, 12:13 PM
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Pal your assertions , as happens too often- filled with errors.

Re read my comment on Melk train station lockers. As often happens , you do not comprehend or read incorrectly.
You state quoted from above by Pal " I ( Pal ) did not say lockers would be all full like you ( Molker ) claim.

Note Pal - my comment referred only to the limited number of lockers available at Melk and that travelers should be aware and take note of this in their planning.

Your comment May 16 post on this thread "Most Austrian train stations have luggage lockers "

Not correct .
Only 6 train stations in Niederosstereich have luggage lockers . Niederosterreich is a large Austrian State that surrounds Vienna. It is quite large . Places like Melk, Krems, Durnstein are in this state.

5 in Upper Austria

3 in Styria.

Your omissions of facts and just bad info has been well documented on numerous prior posts here on this forum.

I remind you of your statement made January 10 2013 on a posting here " Austrias Wachau " your quote- " Molker, I believe lives in Vienna area, so take what he says with lots of confidence.
The well known tourist state in summer and winter- Tyrol has 10- hardly most stations.

I remind you of some advice just above- re Durnstein castle ruins-

this regarding baggage storage in Durnstein specifically about Durnstein Castle- " may have baggage storage "

As anyone can attest- this is an old ruin- no office - no admission- no bag storage- no staff- Just a extended walk on a path that can get steep- even thinking of taking any luggage up this track is poorly advised at best.

I will not mention the frequent other errors that abound in your comments about this area.
Its not my attitude - just your poor, incomplete or advice in error in many subjects.
I would much prefer to offer my advice by actual experience and visits , rather than take extra time to correct your comments.

This beautiful area of the Wachau makes for a great and varied visit - best made as a day trip from Vienna- this allowing an easy transfer and leaving luggage in travelers Viennna Hotel- no need to look for storage - no need to drag it anywhere. Spend the time sightseeing not to worry about luggage.
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Old May 22nd, 2013, 01:01 PM
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and spend some time in that scenario biking along the Danube in accordance with the boat which you never mentioned as being possible but which some folks may really like - you are nit-picking all in all - I have visited the Wachau Valley three times but not in the past few years so some things have changed but my overall take is right on - a few details - minor details and I will not be bullied by your and your acerbic remarks - generally I have a great understanding of the Wachau Valley - I have written a detail travel article on it and spent days researching the area - again things have changed a bit in a few years but I will continue giving my advice on how best to enjoy this wonderful area - I do note your updates and upbraiding and will incorporate them into my future contents - give me a break!

Most Austrian station have lockers means that most stations the average tourist will use has lockers - I can never ever remember not being able to find one in the many stations I have been in - so I try to give the best advice possible and will continue to do so, not being intimidated by you.
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