Itinerary Summary
Fly directly into Vienna (VIE). Days: the OBB train or DDSG riverboat to Melk and its abbey, the Wachau valley with Durnstein's blue church tower and Weissenkirchen wineries, and Krems old town for Gr…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Vienna arrival and a first Heuriger evening
14:00
2.5h
Vienna Airport transfer to the city center
Clear passport control at VIE and take the S-Bahn S7 to Wien Mitte in 16 minutes. Validate the ticket before boarding; the City Airport Train runs nonstop but costs about three times as much.
📍 Vienna Airport to Innere Stadt
18:00
1.5h
Heuriger evening in Nussdorf
Take tram D to the end of the line and pick a Heuriger for new wine, cheese, ham and liptauer spread. Buy wine by the glass at the counter and pay as you go; taverns close when the wine runs out, often before 22:00.
📍 Nussdorf
20:00
1h
Night view from the Kahlenberg terrace
Ride bus 38A up to the Kahlenberg for the city lights spread below the Vienna woods. The terrace is free and open late; bring a jacket because it is noticeably cooler and windier than in the center.
📍 Kahlenberg
💡 Pro Tip: Vienna airport is 16 minutes from Wien Mitte by S-Bahn S7. Entry rules depend on your passport, so read the Austria visa section before booking. Heuriger taverns on the city edge open in the afternoon and often close early; the Nussdorf and Grinzing clusters are easiest by tram D. Austria is UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer.
Days 2-5 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$44035%
Vienna and Wachau guesthouses, 4 nights
Food & DiningUS$25020%
Heuriger cold plates and wine-cellar lunches
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is harvest season in the Wachau Valley?+
The grape harvest runs from September into October, when Gruner Veltliner and Riesling are picked and new wine appears in the taverns. This is the best window for cellar doors and Heuriger visits. Late spring is quieter and greener but lacks the harvest activity.
How do I get from Vienna to Melk and Krems without a car?+
Take an OBB train from Vienna to Melk, visit the abbey, then continue by train or the DDSG riverboat through the Wachau to Krems and Durnstein. The boat is the scenic option and runs in the warmer months. Regional trains return you to Vienna the same evening.
What is a Heuriger and how do I know one is open?+
A Heuriger is a family wine tavern serving its own new wine and cold plates. Many open only during the new-wine season and signal it with a branch or wreath hung over the door. Look for the wreath in Weissenkirchen and around Krems, and check locally before making the trip.
How much should a five-day Wachau wine trip cost?+
Plan for about $1,050-1,500 (roughly EUR 910-1,300) per person excluding flights. Mid-range hotels in Krems or Durnstein, rail and boat fares, abbey entry and tastings fit within that range. September and October are busiest, so book rooms early and reserve tastings at smaller wineries.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 5 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $1,050–1,500 (≈ €910–1,300), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: easy
- Best for: Wine & Vineyard Trails
Budget Spreadsheet
Download the customizable budget template for this itinerary.
Unlock Budget DownloadPrint / Save as PDF
Open a print-ready version, then choose Save as PDF in the print dialog.
Unlock Print / PDFYou May Also Like
- Austria Winter: Skiing & Christmas Markets in 7 DaysAustria · 7 days · Comfort · approx. $1,640–2,390 (≈ €1,430–2,080), excl. int'l flights
- Vienna: City of Music & Art in 5 DaysAustria · 5 days · Comfort · approx. $1,050–1,500 (≈ €910–1,300), excl. int'l flights
- Austria Spa Break: Baden bei Wien & Bad Gastein in 6 DaysAustria · 6 days · Wellness · approx. $1,350–2,090 (≈ €1,170–1,820), excl. int'l flights