seeing Melk and the Danube from Vienna
 

Is it possible to take a tram from Vienna to Melk, see the area and then take a boat back to Vienna all in a one day excursion? I am traveling with my parents (80's in good health). I would appreciate any input about this day trip -- food especially! Do tickets need to be purchased in advance?

Look at this web site.

www.ddsg-blue-danube.at

you can buy a Kombo ticket for train trip from Vienna to Melk- Abbey visit - boat down the Danube to the town of Krems -train return from Krems to Vienna.

No need to buy in advance.

Some nice places to eat in melk including a restaurant in the Abbey.

I've been researching the same thing and have read several times that you can buy this combo ticket but am unclear exactly where. The boat website and the train website don't mention it. Molker - do you know?

The website linked by molker suggests you can buy the 'all in one ticket ship culture' to/from Vienna - Wachau, with cruise krems-melk (or v.v.) at train station counters in Vienna.

Poster richardab did this day trip. If memory serves, he says it was okay, but perhaps a little long. (if you do a search on his name you might be able to dig up the associated trip report.)

We bought the combi-ticket at the train station right before leaving. It's relatively inexpensive, maybe 32 EURO apiece, and it includes entrance to the Melk abbey, which is a must-see.

The ticket is fo train and boat fare, round-trip. We took the train to Melk, the boat to Krems, and the train back to Vienna. It's a good day-trip.

Prior poster is correct.
You can buy your ticket at the Westbahnhof in Vienna just before you start your trip- a full day.
But a most interesting and varied time.

The Abbey , now fully restored , one of the most impressive in the world. Fantastic views of the Danube from the terrace at the Abbey.
The boat rip passes old castles, nice wine towns and great scenery.

Makes for a good and varied day.

train schedules

www.oebb.at

Try to leave relatively early from Vienna, so you aren't rushed to catch the last train back from Krems, like we were. Check out the scheduled posted by Molker.

Hi anneht,

this is something we'd like to do too, if we ever get to Vienna [postponed twice now].

on this sort of trip, I usually aim to get train there, boat back [depnding on the schedules of course] - the boat trip, being longer than the train, is a great way to relax and recover.

How long are you spending in vienna?

regards, ann

We took the train to Melk, toured the abbey, and had lunch in their beautiful gardens. Then we walked down the hill and boarded the boat to Krems, and then took the train back to Vienna.

That way, we were on the boat during daylight hours to see the sights.

Taking the train back to Vienna was good for us, too, because we were tired by then and not needing to see more sights. It was also about 9 p.m., if I recall correctly, so no daylight left.

I don't think we left Vienna till about noon, and should have left earlier.

One thing I'd like to add.
If you are relying on public transportation while in Vienna, get off at the Spittelau station on your way back to the city from Krems. This is because there is a subway (U-bahn) station there. The train we took finished at Franz-Josef which does not have a U-bahn stop.

No need to leave the train before the end station - Franz Josef Bahnhof when returning to Vienna.

The strassenbahn ( streetcar -tram ) D stops just across the street from the station. Take it in the diection shown - Sudbahnhof.
It takes you quickly to many stops along the Ringstrasse with numerous connections possible from there.
Makes a convenient and easy way back to city center after a long day. Less walking needed.

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In Austria, we are planning to stay for 4 nights in Vienna and 1 night in either Salzburg/Innsbrucke. Is it advisable to take a day trip to Salzburg. We are going to Innsbrucke because my wife wants to visit the Swarovski factory.

We are planning to stay for 3 nights in Prague and 3 nights in Budapest. Any suggestions on things to do? Our budget is 50-60 Euros per night. Any suggestions for accommodation??

Pawan, you'll get answers if you post your question to start your own thread.