The Wachau is a stretch of the Danube Valley between beautiful towns of Melk and Krems. The valley is renowned for its preserved landscape, architecture and vineyards. If you want to explore Wachau by train, you can use a seasonally running Wachaubahn that connect most important towns of the Wachau Valley. The railway line between Krems an der Donau and Mauthasen near St. Valentine is named Donauuferbahn (107 km). Currently, the 21.9 km long section between Weins and Weitenegg has been abandoned and line is divided into western and eastern section. Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) operates services on the western end; NÖVOG operates seasonal services branded as Wachaubahn on the eastern end. There are direct trains from Vienna to Krems.
Wachaubahn
Wachaubahn operates between from Krems to Emmersdorf. Trains run from March to first day of December. In low-season trains run only three days a week, in high season daily. One-day tickets are available, but there are a fewa trains a day only, so if you want to visit many places during one day, there is no enough trains and you must additonally take a buses. Journey between Krems and Emmersdorf lasts about 50 minutes. In Krems, trains operated by Wachaubahn are synchronized with trains running by Austrian Federal Railways. Bicycles can be transported free of charge on all trains.
Advanced seat reservation and reservation for bicycles are compulsory and free of charge.
The shuttle bus to the Wachaubahn – bus line 721 operates during the season from Monday through Sunday along the route Emmersdorf – Melk – Schallaburg.
Wachau by train – useful websites
Wachaubachn – official website, timetable, prices, journey planner
Wachau Valley – map of attractions
Train travel in Austria – a comprehensive guide
Wachau by train – what to see
Krems an der Donau – a charming town and starting point for trips through Wachau Valley. It is a town with approximately 25 000 inhabitants. Colourful houses, cobbled streets, an unique atmosphere – a perfect destination for one-day trip from Vienna. Most important landmark is the Steiner tor – it is a city gate, one of the last remnants of the medieval walls that once surrounded the city. Personally, I enjoyed the beautiful interior of the Baroque Church of St. Veit. There are two museums: a popular Caricature Museum and Weinstadt Museum located in the historic Dominican monastery. It offers insights into the town’s rich winemaking tradition and history. All attractions are situated within walking distance from the train station.
Göttweig Abbey – a majestatic abbey located on the hill 8 kilometers from Krems and der Donau and 2,5 km from the Furth-Göttweig train station. The Abbey was founded in 1083 as a proprietary monastery and became a Benedictine monastery in 1094. In the early 18th century was newly built in its current baroque form according to plans by J.-L. von Hildebrandt. It is often referred as Austria’s Monte Cassino.
Dürnstein – a picturesque town situated on the banks of the Danube River. Visit ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was held captive, a beautiful baroque abbey church with intricate frescoes and stucco work, Old Town and the vineyards surrounding Dürnstein.
Spitz – a small, sleepy market town it is a good place for a short visit. You can visit the Late Gothic church of St. Maurice and stroll around small town centre. 8 kilometers from the Spitz you can find ruins of Aggstein castle located on the hill high above the Danube River. From the ruins you can admire views over the Wachau Valley.
Emmersdorf an der Donau – a charming and serene town with colorfoul houses and narrow streets. The key landmark in the town is beautiful baroque Parish church, dedicated to Saint Nikolaus.
Melk – one of the most visited places in Austria, famous for its beautiful Benedictine Abbey founded in 1089. Guided tours are available. Tourists can see, for example, the Marble Hall, the Imperial Corridor, the Abbey Library and Museum. The Altane offers a magnificent view of the Danube valley. Don’t miss the Baroque collegiate church with precious frescoes and paintings.
There are direct trains from Vienna to Melk operated by Austrian Federal Railways and Westbahn. Train station in Emmersdorf and der Donau is located on the opposite bank of the Dunau. There are numerous buses between Melk and Emmersdorf.
