Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna

Vienna, Austria

The Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna reveals the exquisite beauty of the Wachau Valley. You'll travel through gorgeous Austrian countryside and take a scenic boat ride down the Danube. It's one of the most popular day trips from Vienna, and not to be missed!

The history and legends of this lovely part of Austria come to life as you wend your way past charming old villages, steep vineyards and mysterious castles. One such castle is the well-known Durnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned while waiting for his ransom to arrive from England.

Then, you'll enjoy a boat ride down the Danube from Splitz to Melk, passing the heart of the Wachau Valley at the old wine town of Krems. To complete your superb day trip, you will visit Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a pearl of the Austrian Baroque style.

While in Melk, you have the option of having lunch in the abbey's restaurant (price not included).

Please note: The boat trip (1.5 hours) operates from April 13 to October 28 only. In the winter months, lunch will be included in your tour price as a replacement.

USD $77.89

Review by: James C	March 2012
We booked the trip online and expecting a nice boat trip down the Danube, but on the day of the trip we were told by the bus driver that it was a bus tour! The driver even laughingly told us that it was too cold for any boat tour. Not being professional meteorologists, we'd appreciate it if the website did not mislead us by making clear that bost tours are not in season. We had rearranged our short schedule in Europe just to have this boat trip, having been on enough bus tours in Europe. We felt quite cheated.

Review by: Nina	January 2012
Fantastic day except for the weather as it was overcast and raining at times. Can only take photos inside Benedictine Abbey at Melk with no flash, but still managed to take some great photos. Guide that showed us around Abbey was very imformative and also very helpful where to stand to get the best photo taken. Countryside whilst travelling to Melk very green at present and very interesting. Reminded of parts of Australia.

Review by: Linda M	December 2011
It was interesting to get out of Vienna and lunchwas great. Given my time again however I would have chosen the longer day and visited Salzburg.

Review by: CHLOE T	December 2011
EXCELLENT SERVICE, THE ABBEY WAS WORTH SEEING

Review by: Garry V	December 2011
Wonderful trip threw Danube Valley. Enjoyed walking threw the Midevil towns. The icing on the cake was touring Melk. What a beautiful place,

Review by: Peter J	November 2011
Very disappointed!_br/_ We were told to be in the hotel lobby by a time. The shuttle to take us to the bus depot arrived 30 minutes late, no explanation, traffic was good, it was Saturday morning. Tour was late leaving the bus depot, road works was occuring on the freeway which was well advertised, so we missed the start of the river tour. The tour boat made a stop at a wharf mid way to accommodate the operator. However, we missed the best part of the tour._br/_ The Abby is a recent construction as a replica of an old building._br/_ Best part was the service from the waiter at the Abby restaurant we ate at becuase the Abby tour was lame!_br/_ Overall, not really worth the money!

Review by: lcjirene	November 2011
Lovely tour guide who gave very clear and concise explanation! nice choice of lunch as well since we could not go on the boat cruise.

Review by: Charles T	November 2011
The valley boat ride was timely and smooth. The tour at the museum was well organized and clearly guided especially on the history of the museum. Most importantly, the group was well divided into it's language guided group avoiding time wasting for translation. Cost for the trip was relatively high and it should include complimentary lunch for the tour. Conclusion, still worth going but believe they are other cheaper options in booking online.

Review by: Charles T	November 2011
The valley boat ride was timely and smooth. The tour at the museum was well organized and clearly guided especially on the history of the museum. Most importantly, the group was well divided into it's language guided group avoiding time wasting for translation. Cost for the trip was relatively high and it should include complimentary lunch for the tour. Conclusion, still worth going but believe they are other cheaper options in booking online.

Review by: Michael M	November 2011
I hope we can do it again some day all went like clockwork, 5 star rating

Review by: Stella C	November 2011
Just fine, no real issues, the guides provided were informed and competent. Rather a dull trip, the abbey and boat ride were the highlights of course. Too much wait time at the abbey for the tour, and not enough time to look around during the tour. Good for those who love the country.

Review by: Eduard K	October 2011
Great tour.

Review by: Sophia	October 2011
Nice trip very well organized.

Review by: lombertop	October 2011
The day was rainy and cold..highlight of the tour was the Melk monastery.

Review by: alda	October 2011
another 5 star trip from viator.com_br/_ The scenary was great and the tour at the monastery at Melk was very interesting. we really enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the boat ride, the church and the view from its top.

Review by: Tarja M	October 2011
A very nice day trip. A meeting point was little difficult; lots of busses and people looking for they tour and guide. Some information should be find óutside the bus. Little more time to trip should be good.

Review by: Johanna F	October 2011
This was a nice little trip. Our hotel was in the city centre where a rep picked up us up by foot along with other passengers to walk down to the State Opera where our 1st coach waited. We were transferred to another coach where we were efficiently sorted by language and destination ( a few tours happen on the same day). The guide narrated stories along a fairly scenic route in 5 languages. I was a bit disappointed that we did not stop at Krems and Durstein, I was really looking forward to it. We arrived in Spitz and boarded the DDSG where we had a 1.5hr boat trip to Melk. The Monastry was very nice, very grand and unexpectedly very modernised. The library was the best highlight. We brought our own lunch aboard the boat so that we had a chance to explore the Monastry gardens, it was well worth it.The whole tour was nice,organised, but still a bit mifted that we didn't stop enroute, I thought it was supposed to stop. There were other companies that did. But all in all it was a very nice experience.

Review by: Eunice	October 2011
The tour guide hardly did any explanation while in transit. The Tour contents however were good.

Review by: Brian B	October 2011
It's the only way to get to Melk and see the Abbey etc. The bus ride to the boat in Spitz, was very informative on what you see on the way. Be prepared to wait for boat to arrive, eat while on the boat _br/_ (good selection and reasonably priced) or bring something, don't waste time at the restaurant they bring you too. Another tour guide escorts you through the Church etc. and library. Very ornate and well preserved. A must see if you like Baroque style. You don't get to stay /see the Abbey long enough timewise, seemed rushed. The sights and beauty both outside and inside are worth it. The weather was perfect in October. We bought wine in the Abbey gift shop - same price all over and you don't have to carry it through the tour. Be at all spots 5 minutes earlier than stated. Overall well worth the money and time spent.

Review by: Yves S	October 2011
Despite repeated phone calls, the local company failed to pick us up. They picked up another couple instead! We were able to be re-scheduled for the next day, although it was much less convenient to us. Pick up was late. The rest of the trip is as advertised. I wish there was an option to go from Melk to Krems instead of Sptiz to Melk. The shortened tour misses a large number of views of the Danube and goes in the right direction: with the current and with the sun in the back for better photos. In Melk, the bus drops the tourists at the restaurant just in front of the abbey. This is a trap. There is much to see in the village of Melk itself.

Review by: SF	October 2011
nice tour - great guide speaking 5 languages very fluidly. a bit short on the river with a longer bus ride, would have preferred longer on the river. great sites on the river to see as well as the town of melk. enjoyble lunch spot

Review by: Phillip R	October 2011
River trip and scenery at abbey were high points. Hearing tour guide comments in five languages, one after another, was rather tiresome. Worth doing but not spectacular.

Review by: Charles S	October 2011
Very good trip. The guide "Jonny" was not very good. He gave very little information out on the outgoing coach and the meeting times and locations were very vague hence we always had to wait for people. No information on the return coach trip.

Review by: Patricia Anne S	October 2011
Not that interesting. Spent most of the day either in a bus or on the boat with not much to look at

Review by: Kira G	October 2011
a bit unorganized, we changedd the buses/minivans 3 times instead of going directly to the boat. Bus in Melk was nice.

Review by: hard2	October 2011
Another 5 star tour with Viator. This trip is not to be missed. The Abbey was absolutely gorgeous. If we would not have scheduled this tour, we would have missed out. If you are considering this tour, just do it - it's not to be missed.

Review by: Marilyn L	September 2011
It was a delightful day on the Danube. Interesting places were somewhat sparse and the organization of touring the abbey was not good and was quite rushed.

Review by: Stuart C	September 2011
We had an excellent guide at the monastery. The trip through the countryside was interesting.

Review by: MRS A L P	September 2011
This is a lovely day out. It starts with a not too long ride on a very confortable bus to the river boat. The ride on the Danube is fabulose past lovely castles and small villages, it land at the abbey of Melk. What a beautiful place this Benedectine monastery is, made even better by the very professional tour director and the sites guides. Let them pick you up at your hotel it is so much convenient.

Review by: Viet Quoc N	September 2011
The Danube valley day trip was fantastic. I really enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the boat ride, the church and the view from its top

Review by: Robert L, United States of America	June 2010
Relaxing day trip. Excellent guide. Monastery is beautiful and guide was outstanding. Restaurant service was slow and I would recommend grabbing a snack on the boat and spending the free time touring the gardens.

Review by: Anonymous, New Zealand	June 2010
A great day trip. The combination of the cruise along the Danube and the visit to Melk was outstanding. And the bus drive to and from was a terrifice way to see the Austrian countryside.

Review by: SOTERIA D, Cyprus	May 2010
Excellent, well organised, it really worthed the money. Very relaxing boat trip through the valley with fantastic views of the Austrian villages. Very good guides both at the bus and the abbey , beautiful place to visit !

Review by: Anne M, United States of America	May 2010
We really enjoyed it. The boat ride down the Danube was wonderful.

Review by: Yancho Z, Bulgaria	April 2010
Excellent!

Review by: Samer G, Egypt	January 2010
I really enjoyed this day trip! It was good!

Review by: Anonymous, Saudi Arabia	December 2009
excellent service

Review by: Claire M, United States of America	October 2009
An excellent journey outside the city...very well organized and executed. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

Review by: Sabin P, Romania	September 2009
We love trips. This one was perfect for us.

Review by: Julie D, Australia	September 2009
A fantastic day. This was one of the best tours we have done. Great coach trip, ferry trip and an amazing day at the abbey. This tour is a must for anyone on a visit to Vienna.

Review by: David P, Spain	August 2009
The boat trip was very pleasant, and the monastery tour made especially interesting by the exceptionally enthusiastic guide. All in all, well worth it! The only slight downside was that the English of the first guide was a little hard to follow.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	July 2009
This was breathtaking! I loved the entire day.

Review by: A. Shelley D, United States of America	June 2009
This was the best trip ever. We had a great guide and a well planned and awesome trip.

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	May 2009
Absolutely loved this tour.

Review by: Anonymous, Greece	May 2009
Excellent trip. Definitely worth doing!

Review by: Hendrik H, South Africa	May 2009
The tour was well organised, and the beauty of the surroundings can only be experienced firsthand. We did not make use of the suggested restaurant and found a delightful eating place in Melk. The tour guide at the monastery in Melk was exceptional.

Review by: Carmel S, Malta	September 2008
Although it was a drizzly day we enjoyed this day trip from Vienna to Melk, with a taste of the Danube Valley.