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Vienna & the Wachau: 3-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 3-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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3
days
105 km
distance
3.7 h
driving
18
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~12.3 hours of daylight in September — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Harvest and golden vines between castle ruins — cycle one bank of the Danube and boat back down the other.
Day 1 Vienna → Krems
- 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
14:15
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
Overnight: Krems
e.g. Bicycle Youth Hostel · Gästehaus Kleine Mühle
Day 2 Dürnstein
- Transit
- 0h29
- Finish
- ~14:45
- Temperature
- 8.7°C–19.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~11
- Daylight
- 12.3h
09:15
10:15
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
12:15
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)
13:45
Overnight here
e.g. Camping Rossatz · Pension Altes Rathaus
Day 3 Melk
- Transit
- 1h17
- Finish
- ~16:35
- Temperature
- 7.9°C–17.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~14
- Daylight
- 12.3h
09:35
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, …
10:35
11:35
12:35
13:35
14:45
Tour a well-preserved Renaissance castle featuring terracotta figures and a garden.
50 min · Melk · €10 (adults), €9 (concessions), €3.50 (children)
open: Apr-Oct M-F 09:00-17:00, Sa Su and holidays 09:00-18:00
15:35
Stiftrestaurant Melk stiftsrestaurant-melk.at map ↗
Enjoy a meal operated by the historic Melk Abbey.
60 min · Melk · Main courses €8-€13
open: Apr-Oct daily 09:00-18:00, Nov-Mar daily 10:00-15:30; closed 23-25 Dec
🔍 Check before you book
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.