How to Get Around Wachau Valley as a Budget Traveller

When my mom and I traveled through the Wachau Valley in summer 2022 for almost two and a half days , we decided to skip renting a car.

We were eager to keep our costs low and enjoy the journey at a slower pace, taking in vineyard views, medieval towns, and the beauty of the Danube River without the stress of navigating narrow roads or finding parking.

While having a car can definitely be helpful for flexibility, I discovered that getting around the Wachau Valley by public transport as a budget traveller is not only possible—it can be part of the adventure.

Ferries, trains, and buses link many of the region’s highlights, making it easy for budget travelers to explore Wachau villages like Melk, Durnstein, Spitz and many more without driving.

In this guide, I’ll share everything I learned about transportation in the Wachau Valley, from routes and ticket prices to practical tips that will help you plan a smooth and memorable trip—no matter how you choose to travel.

Ways to get around Wachau Valley and who it suits best

VOR Buses – The Locals’ Choice

VOR buses (short for Verkehrsverbund Ost-Region, the Eastern Region Transport Association) are how locals without a car get around the Wachau Valley—and they’re definitely a boon for budget travelers like us.

If you’re staying in bigger towns or along the main route, they’re an easy and affordable choice for getting around without a car.

How often VOR buses run in Wachau Valley

VOR buses run about every 40 minutes between Melk and Krems along the 40 km stretch. They’re a comfortable and surprisingly scenic way to travel through rolling vineyards, medieval villages, and beautiful Danube views.

Check their planner to know the exact schedules. Even Rome to Rio shows good schedules.

My personal experience riding the VOR bus

When my mom and I hopped on the bus from Krems to the medieval riverside town Dürnstein, we felt a real sense of freedom. It was amazing to see hidden gems in the Wachau Valley without worrying about parking or navigating narrow roads.

I loved just staring out the window, watching the vineyards and little villages go by. It felt like a local experience rather than just a way to get from place to place.

We even met students coming back home from Krems to Spitz and hotel staffs who recommended some delicious local places in Melk’s Rathauskeller for delicious Austrian style veg food.

The buses are step-free, so my mom found it super easy to board. Families with strollers and older folks using wheelchairs were also getting on and off easily.

You can even bring your bicycle or pets on these buses.

Waiting times and planning tips

Because buses run every 40 minutes, the waiting period can feel a bit long sometimes. For example, after we finished eating, wandering, and even dipping our feet in the Danube at Dürnstein, we headed back to the bus stop for our ride to Melk.

We ended up waiting about 20 minutes for the next bus—which feels longer than what I’m used to in Salzburg, where buses come every 5 to 10 minutes.

The buses are always on time, but you either need to plan your schedule down to the minute or just accept that you might have a bit of a wait.

Personally, I don’t recommend planning too rigidly. Part of the charm of traveling the Wachau Valley is leaving room for spontaneous moments.

Tips to take buses in wachau valley.

Main bus lines: 715 and 720

Two main VOR bus lines connect Melk and Krems along the 40 km stretch:

I took the 720 bus near Dürnstein Abbey on the north bank to reach my hotel in Melk on the south.

As the 720 is the main northern line, it crossed the bridge near Emmersdorf, arrived in Melk, and stopped in the side lane outside Melk’s historic Rathaus.

Both the 715 and 720 buses only cross the river at the end of their routes- Either Melk or Krems, not anywhere in between.

To cross between south and north, other bus routes like 717 to 723 serve. They run less often, so it’s good to check schedules in advance.

Ticket prices and planning

Check Rome2Rio or the official VOR route planner for up-to-date schedules and prices.

Spotting and boarding buses

Personally, I recommend mixing buses with cruises, and the Wachaubahn train instead of relying on buses alone—it makes exploring the valley much more flexible.

Wachaubahn – Scenic Railway for tourists

Austria’s trains are brilliantly efficient and the best way to get around. The Wachau even has its own train — the Wachaubahn. If you’re into scenic rides, don’t miss the Wachaubahn railway. It’s more of an experience than just getting from A to B.

The train runs between Krems and Emmersdorf, gliding through tunnels and past vineyards. The full stretch is about 34 km and takes roughly 50 minutes end-to-end, though many travelers just ride part of the route for the scenery.

Trains between Melk and Krems usually run only once every two hours, so it’s important to check the schedule and plan your day carefully if you want to include this ride.

The large windows and spacious seats on the Wachaubahn made the ride special. They gave us sweeping views of vineyards, villages, and cycling paths winding through the vines. It felt more like a moving panorama than just a train journey.

My personal experience on the Wachaubahn

My mom and I took one ride and loved seeing the valley from a completely different angle. I personally rode from Emmersdorf to Weissenkirchen, purely for the experience.

It was a 30-minute journey that cost me €17, passing beautiful vineyards, villages, and cycling paths winding through the vines. It felt more like watching a moving panorama than simply riding a train.

During the ride, I even went through the same villages and vineyards I’d seen from the river cruise the day before—it was gorgeous and felt different to pass beside the sleoping roofs on one side and vineyards on the other.

Surely, the route the Wachaubahn takes is one of the most picturesque train journeys in Austria.

Things to know about the ride

Overall, I’d say the Wachaubahn is lovely for the novelty and views, but it’s best as a scenic add-on rather than your main mode of transport for getting around the valley as they frequency is just once in 2 hours

Ferries

Update (2025): When I visited in summer 2022, some ferries weren’t running at all. Recently, a ferry service from Weissenkirchen village has restarted, but it’s still not fully functional yet and doesn’t run as frequently as other routes.

Ferries in the Wachau Valley are a scenic way to cross the Danube, especially between villages like Spitz and Dürnstein. They’re not regular public transport but rather short crossings or tourist rides.

If you’re hoping to use a ferry, definitely check the latest schedules locally or online so you don’t get stranded or have to change your plans last-minute.

Even though ferries aren’t always running or frequent, I think they’re a lovely part of the Wachau experience if your timing lines up.

Danube Cruise – See the Valley by Water

When you look at the Danube winding through the Wachau Valley, it’s easy to imagine boats as the main way to travel.

In reality, though, boats aren’t used for regular public transport between villages. Instead, you’ll find scenic cruises and private speedboats purely for the experience.

My personal experience on the Danube cruise

My mom and I took a DDSG Danube cruise from Melk to Krems, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip.

I absolutely loved standing on the open deck, seeing both sides of the Danube at once—terraced vineyards on one bank and castle ruins or charming villages on the other.

The boat stopped near several small villages, and it was fascinating to glimpse places I’d never even heard of, like tiny Rossatz.

That’s when I realized just how many castles and abbeys are scattered across the Wachau—some perched dramatically on hillsides, others tucked away among the vines.

Practical details about the Danube cruises

If you have time in your itinerary, I definitely recommend a Danube cruise. It’s a relaxing way to soak in the Wachau’s beauty from a completely different perspective.

Read my post all about taking DDSG cruises in the Wachau, including different types of boats, prices, and what to expect.

Cycling in Wachau Valley

Cycling is one of the best ways to explore the Wachau Valley on a budget. The Danube Cycle Path runs right through the region, offering mostly flat, easy stretches winding past vineyards, charming villages, and gorgeous river views.

You don’t have to be super sporty to enjoy it. Even riding between two villages feels scenic and relaxed. And if hills aren’t your thing, e-bikes are really popular, especially during hot summer days.

I didn’t go cycling myself, but I saw cyclists everywhere. While I was cooling off in the Danube at Dürnstein, I met a group riding all the way from Germany to Slovakia along the EuroVelo 6 route.

Hearing their stories made me realize how many people come here just for biking adventures.

Renting bikes in the Wachau Valley

You can rent bikes in Melk, Krems, Durnstein and even in some smaller villages. Some places to check out include:

• Nextbike: Available in both Melk and Krems with convenient rental stations.
• Wachauexplorer, Krems : costs 50 Euros for 24hr rent.

Many VOR buses let you bring your bike on board, so it’s easy to combine cycling with bus rides if you’re planning longer routes.

Cycling and accommodations

One thing I noticed: almost every hotel in the Wachau Valley asks if you’re bringing a bike—either when you book or when you check in. Lots of places have bike stands, secure storage, or even bikes you can borrow. It’s that popular here!

How far to cycle

If you’re feeling energetic, you could ride the entire 40 km stretch between Melk and Krems. But honestly, even just pedaling around one village is beautiful enough to make it worth it.

Other Waterway Experiences in the Wachau Valley

There are plenty of other ways to experience the Danube—though these are more about fun than practical transport.

• Boat Charters & Motorboat Taxis: Private boats or small taxis that you can hire for custom routes. They’re fun but usually quite pricey compared to public transport.
• Rafting Rides: Short rafting trips from Melk or Emmersdorf into the Wachau. More of an adventure experience than regular transportation.
• Motoryacht Trips: High-end options for private events or luxury cruising—beautiful, but definitely not budget-friendly.

When I visited, I stuck with the classic Danube cruise and public transport, but it was fun seeing all these other boats out on the water. If you’re interested, check out my separate post about different DDSG cruises and other boat experiences in the Wachau Valley.

Renting a Car in the Wachau Valley

Even though I’m helping you figure out how to get around the Wachau Valley without a car, I can’t help but mention that renting a car definitely has its pros and cons.

That way, you can decide for yourself whether cars are your buddies—or if buses (and boats) are more your style.

The pros of renting a car

On the plus side, having a car gives you loads of freedom. You can see more places in less time and skip waiting for buses that only run every 40 minutes on each bank of the river.

It’s super handy if you’re staying in a remote village or small pension that buses don’t reach. And if you want to keep bouncing between the south and north banks of the Danube, a car makes that easy.

The downsides of renting a car

But there are some downsides. Renting a car and paying for petrol can get pretty expensive. Parking is usually fine in bigger towns like Melk and Krems, but it’s much trickier in small villages.

Sure, castles often have parking lots, but villages like Weissenkirchen usually have designated parking outside the center, so you’ll have to park and walk in.

Also, some village roads are really narrow and weren’t built for lots of traffic. These aren’t just tourist spots—they’re real communities where people live, so traffic can be slow-moving, and navigating those tight lanes takes patience.

Budget considerations and sustainability

And here’s something important: Austria isn’t exactly a budget-friendly country for travelers.

If you’re trying to save as much as possible in Austria, like we were, and especially if you’re spending more than just a day or two here—or you’re conscious about reducing your carbon footprint.

It might be smarter to skip the rental car altogether and stick with public transport, ferries, and bikes instead.

See my honest review of renting a car in Austria, with all the costs and practical info.