VIENNA----visiting out to Melk Abbey without a tour group
 

I've seen many tours to Melk Abbey & then a boat ride to Krems on The Danube.

Since we are not fond of buses & crowded tours, we wonder if it is possible (and not too difficult) to
Take the train to Melk by ourselves, then the Danube boat trip to Krems, and train back to Vienna?

So easy - I've done it - buy an all-inclusive ticket for train to Melk, abbey entrance, boat ride to Durnstein (great old town to get off at) and then bus or boat or walk as I did to Krems for trains back to Vienna - no reservations needed or even possible perhaps for any. check www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com for info on this excursion.

Yes easy - very very easy.

Well, the following website should give you some helpful information. We have not tried this route, as we tour the Wachau Valley via a personal vehicle, but it should be a good start. In September you can expect many other travelers in search of a similar journey, and crafting your own route may take some to personalise the experience.

http://www.ddsg-blue-danube.at/eng/c...ship_abbeymelk

Or, rent a car for a day and drive the Wachau Valley on your own schedule. At that time of the year the vineyards are gorgeous (in good weather), offering many stopping points for photos and numerous places to drop in for Austrian fare.

when I did the boat they had bikes for folks who wanted to ride between docks and catch a later boat - one of the primo biking venues anywhere. Not sure they still have that option.

I agree it is very easy. Purchase your ticket at the train station. We got a family ticket for: train to Melk, entrance to Melk abbey, boat to Krems, train home from Krems. Very simple.

Excellent info.

If we have some nice weather in Sept. We will definitely do this.

That could be a big IF IME!

A car driving to the Abbeye is so easy. Besides Krems you could also visit Durnstein. King Richard 1st was held captive in the ruined castle.

We hadn't done the train, but did the bus and cruise to Melk. Then on another trip driving did, Melk, Krems, Durnstein and was able to just take our time.

I recall going by Krems and the bus driving around a little round about so we could see Krems for a MINUTE and then moving on to the cruise.

I knew we had to return to Krems. Loved Durnstein and had lunch there when we had the car.

I got off the boat at Durnstein - as lovely a village as iris says and then walked a lovely 3-4 miles or so to Krems - but buses also do the route and may take you right to the Krems train station whereas from the boat dock it is quite a hike I believe.