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Vienna & the Wachau: 2-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 2-day version for September: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 2-day plan · 3-day plan · 4-day plan · best time to go.

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2
days
105 km
distance
3.8 h
driving
12
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Vienna → Krems

6 curated stops
Transit
1h54
Finish
~17:15
Temperature
8.7°C–19.5°C
Rainy days
~11
Daylight
12.3h
09:00
Marvel at this grand Baroque church with stunning frescoes and paintings.
50 min · Vienna · €8 (adults), €4 (students), free (children under 10)
open: M-Sa 09:00-12:30, 13:00-18:00; Su and holidays 12:00-17:45
10:00
Admire the towering Gothic spire and colorful tiles of this iconic cathedral.
50 min · Vienna · Cathedral/treasury tour: €5 (adults), €3 (students 14-18), €2 (children under 14)
open: Daily M-Sa 06:00-22:00, Su and holidays 07:00-22:00; visits for tourists: M-Sa 09:00-11:30, 13:00-16:30, Su and holidays 13:00-16:300; tour of cathedral and …
11:00
Universität Wien read more map ↗
Pass through one of Europe's oldest and most storied universities.
50 min · Vienna · Tours: €5 (adults), free (children under 6)
open: Sa 11:30 (English)
14:15
Steiner Tor read more map ↗
Explore one of the old city gates dating back to the 15th century.
50 min · Krems
15:15
View exhibits featuring both regional and international artists.
50 min · Krems · €10 (adults), €9 (concessions), free (children under 6)
open: Summer: Tu-Su and holidays 10:00-18:00; winter: Tu-Su and holidays 10:00-17:00
16:25
Burgruine Senftenberg read more map ↗
Enjoy scenic views from this 12th-century fortress ruins north of Krems.
50 min · Krems · Free
Overnight: Krems
e.g. Bicycle Youth Hostel · Gästehaus Kleine Mühle

Day 2 Dürnstein → Melk

5 curated stops
Transit
1h54
Finish
~17:25
Temperature
7.9°C–17.6°C
Rainy days
~14
Daylight
12.3h
09:15
Burgruine Dürnstein read more map ↗
Explore the ruins of a 12th-century castle where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned.
50 min · Dürnstein · Free
open: All hours
10:15
Stift Dürnstein read more map ↗
Admire the distinctive blue and white bell tower of this historic former monastery.
50 min · Dürnstein · Without guide: €3.50 (adults), €2.60 (students), €1.50 (children 6-14); with guide: €6 (adults), €3.50 (students), €3 (children 6-14)
open: Apr-Oct: M-F 09:00-18:00, Su and holidays 10:00-18:00; last admission at 17:30; Nov-Mar: guided visits on Su only in groups of 20 or more
11:15
Kuenringerbad search map ↗
Relax in the outdoor natural swimming pool, maintained without chemicals.
90 min · Dürnstein · Full day: €4.50 (adults), €4 (concessions), €2.50 (children); half day (after 12:00): €3.50 (adults), €3 (concessions), €2 (children); loungers €2; parking free
open: Daily 09:00-19:00 (in good weather)
12:45
Bäckerei & Konfiserie Schmidl search map ↗
Savor traditional Wachauer Laberl pastries and coffee in a historic café.
60 min · Dürnstein
open: Apr-Oct: M-Sa 07:00-18:00, Su and holidays 08:00-18:00; Nov-Mar: M-F 07:00-11:00, Sa 07:00-12:00
15:35
Melk Benedictine Abbey read more map ↗
Marvel at the grand abbey overlooking the Danube, reconstructed in baroque style.
50 min · Melk · With/without guided tour: €11/13 (adults), €6/8 (concessions)
open: May-Sep daily 09:00-17:30 (last entrance at 17:00); Mar-Apr, Oct daily 09:00-16:30 (last entrance at 16:00); Nov-Mar: guided tours only at 11:00, 14:00, …
16:35
Stadtmuseum Melk read more map ↗
Discover prehistoric artifacts and photographic archives in a building from 1792.
50 min · Melk
open: Open only for special exhibits: Th-F 09:30-13:00, Sa-Su 15:00-19:00

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Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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