I will be spending several days in Vienna in May and then plan to go to Linz on my way back to Salzburg. Is there any way to take a boat from Vienna to Linz instead of going by train? Thought that would be something different since I'm really in no hurry. Thanks.

Ships certainly go from Vienna to Linz (I was on one for a Christmas cruise in December), and it's a great way to travel. Have you tried Googling to find a company that takes passengers on a relatively short trip?

Prior poster refers to the regular cruise boats that make extended danube cruises- among those are Viking, Avalon, wt, and others. I am certain they would be happy to sell you a cruise at 1000+ , but probably not an overnight if one would happen to fit your schedule.

Look to the following website-

www.ddsg-blue-danube.at

They offer many danube trips.
Page 40 has an offer Vienna to Passau/ Linz- a round trip but perhaps you could work something out.
An alternative is a trip Vienna to Melk- then onward by train.

Try to make the trip on at leastm part of the Danube- a beautiful area.

That's what the OP was hoping for, and I'm also glad to have the information as well.

Donau Touristik (www.donauschiff.com) offer regular sailings by ship between Wien ("Vienna&quot, Linz, Passau, Bratislava and Budapest.
They have a sailing from Wien to Linz on Saturdays and Wednesdays, leaving at 0800 and arriving at 2310. There are intermediate calls, so you can do part of the journey.

Thanks so much for the info. I will check the web sites and see if I can work something out. I appreciate the help.