Introduction
Both Melk and Krems Are Accessible by ÖBB
Trains to and from Vienna Can Be Quite Crowded
Be Careful with Short Transfer Times
Which Seats Are Best? | I Recommend the Open-Air Terrace on the 3rd Floor
1. 2nd Floor | Best for Enjoying a Relaxed Meal
2. 3rd Floor | Best for the Full Cruise Experience
3. There Are Both Covered and Fully Open Sections
  1. Covered Seating
  2. Fully Open-Air Seating
So Which Is Better?
1. 2nd Floor Is Best For
2. 3rd Floor Is Best For
2026 Operating Season
There Are Pre- and Post-Season Periods
Main Departures During Peak Season | Which Cruise Should You Take?
1. Melk → Krems
2. Krems → Melk
3. Far Fewer Departures During the Pre- and Post-Season
4. My Personal Recommendation
Melk Abbey
Schönbühel Castle
Aggstein Castle
Weißenkirchen
Dürnstein Abbey
Frauenbergkirche
Snacks and Desserts Are Available Onboard
Is Ice Cream the Most Popular Choice?
Adults: €42
Is the Wachau Ticket Worth It?
Can You Buy Tickets on the Day?
Be Careful with Afternoon Departures from Melk

Introduction

One of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites near Vienna, Austria, is the Wachau Valley.

Along the Danube River, you will find:

Monasteries
Castles
Vineyards
Charming towns

These attractions make the Wachau one of Austria’s most scenic destinations.

One of the most popular ways to explore the Wachau Valley is the Danube cruise from Melk to Krems.

The current operator is DDSG Blue Danube. There used to be several companies operating cruises in the area, but DDSG is now the main operator.

In this guide, I will share my experience of actually taking the cruise, including how to get there, the operating season, highlights along the route, food, ticket prices, and practical tips.

Route information shown in the onboard brochure

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Getting There | About 1 Hour from Vienna

Both Melk and Krems Are Accessible by ÖBB

Both Melk and Krems, the main departure and arrival points for the cruise, are accessible by Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).

The typical route is:

Vienna → St. Pölten
Change trains at St. Pölten
Continue to Melk or Krems

Depending on the train, the journey from Vienna to the nearest station generally takes just under an hour.

Trains to and from Vienna Can Be Quite Crowded

One thing to keep in mind is that trains to and from Vienna can get quite crowded.

This is particularly noticeable on:

Weekends
Public holidays
Peak tourist season

Although the train ride only lasts a few dozen minutes, solo travelers should have little trouble, while groups may find themselves having to sit separately.

For group trips, especially when traveling with children, I recommend reserving seats in advance.

This is what the train from Vienna to Melk can look like. Without a reservation, finding seats together can be difficult. This is quite common on trains to and from Vienna.

Be Careful with Short Transfer Times

On the other hand, some connections at St. Pölten allow only around five minutes to change trains.

If the first train is delayed and you miss the connection, your reserved seat on the next train could effectively go to waste.

In my case, I actually made the seat reservation while I was already on the previous train.

ÖBB’s booking system is relatively flexible, so this can be a surprisingly convenient way to handle it.

Which Seats Are Best? | I Recommend the Open-Air Terrace on the 3rd Floor

The Danube cruise ship mainly has:

2nd-floor seating
3rd-floor seating

Seats are generally available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Therefore, especially on sunny days or popular departures, it is worth boarding a little early if you want to secure a good seat.

2nd Floor | Best for Enjoying a Relaxed Meal

The 2nd floor has table seating similar to a restaurant.

It is therefore ideal if you want to enjoy:

A meal
Coffee
Ice cream
Parfaits

at a leisurely pace.

Because it is indoors, it is also a good choice if you:

Want to avoid the wind
Do not want to get sunburned
Do not like the heat

However, because you are viewing the scenery through glass, I felt that it lacked some of the exhilarating feeling of actually traveling along the river.

3rd Floor | Best for the Full Cruise Experience

The 3rd floor, on the other hand, is an open-air terrace.

It has that classic “European river cruise” atmosphere.

Feeling the breeze from the Danube while looking at:

Monasteries
Castles
Vineyards
Small towns

is a wonderful experience.

There Are Both Covered and Fully Open Sections

The 3rd floor is divided into:

A covered area
A completely open-air area

Covered Seating

The main advantage is that you can avoid direct sunlight.

The Wachau Valley receives surprisingly strong sunlight, and it can get particularly hot in summer.

So covered seating is a safer choice if you:

Want to avoid sunburn
Find prolonged direct sunlight uncomfortable

The downside is that it is somewhat less well ventilated.

Fully Open-Air Seating

Personally, I found this option to provide a much stronger “cruise” experience.

The wind comes through properly, giving you the feeling that:

“I’m actually cruising down the Danube right now!”

It is also much easier to take photos.

However, you are much more exposed to:

Sunlight
Wind
Temperature

For that reason, I recommend bringing:

A hat
Sunglasses
Water

with you.

So Which Is Better?

It really depends on your personal preference.

2nd Floor Is Best For

Enjoying a meal at a relaxed pace
Avoiding direct sunlight
Spending time in a quieter environment

3rd Floor Is Best For

Fully enjoying the scenery
Taking photos
Getting the full cruise experience

Season | The Cruise Does Not Operate in Winter

2026 Operating Season

The Danube cruise does not operate year-round.

The service generally stops during the winter season.

In 2026, the operating period is:

March 28 – November 1

During this period, cruises operate between Melk and Krems.

There Are Pre- and Post-Season Periods

There are also:

Pre-season (March 28 – April 24)
Post-season (October 5 – November 1)

During these periods, the number of departures is reduced.

Especially in early spring and late autumn, you may find that there are fewer departures than expected, so be careful when planning your trip.

Main Departures During Peak Season | Which Cruise Should You Take?

During peak season (April 25 – October 4, 2026), DDSG operates up to around four departures per day.

However, the departure you choose can make a significant difference in terms of scenery and how easily you can fit sightseeing into your itinerary.

Melk → Krems

The main departures from Melk are:

11:00 (MS Wachau)
13:50 (MS Dürnstein)
14:35 (MS Austria)
16:25 (MS Wachau)

The cruise from Melk to Krems travels downstream, so the journey takes just under two hours.

The 13:50 and 14:35 departures are particularly popular because they allow you to visit Melk Abbey in the morning before boarding the cruise.

In fact, combining a visit to Melk Abbey with a cruise seemed to be one of the most popular ways to experience the area.

The 11:00 departure requires an earlier start, but it gives you plenty of time after arriving in Krems for:

Sightseeing in Krems
Visiting wineries
Café hopping

So it is a great option if you want to explore Krems afterward.

The 16:25 departure is closer to an evening cruise and has a more relaxed atmosphere.

The Danube looks especially beautiful in the late afternoon, but since you arrive later, be sure to check the train schedule in advance if you plan to return to Vienna.

Also, on some days, the later departures may require a transfer to another ship during the journey. For example, on the 16:25 departure, passengers may transfer to MS Dürnstein around Spitz.

Krems → Melk

The main departures from Krems are:

10:15 (MS Dürnstein)
11:00 (MS Austria)
13:10 (MS Wachau)
15:45 (MS Dürnstein → transfer during the journey)

Morning departures tend to be popular. However, because the route from Krems to Melk travels upstream, it takes a little over three hours.

One reason is that Krems is not as concentrated around a single must-see attraction as Melk is, so many visitors seem to prefer starting their day with the cruise itself.

The 10:15 departure is particularly convenient because you can:

Take the cruise in the morning
Visit Melk Abbey in the afternoon

The 15:45 departure is also used by many people as a shorter Wachau cruise, with a more relaxed late-afternoon atmosphere around Spitz. A family ticket is also available for this departure period.

Far Fewer Departures During the Pre- and Post-Season

During the pre-season (March 28 – April 24) and post-season (October 5 – November 1), the number of departures drops considerably.

The basic schedule is:

MS Dürnstein → daily
MS Austria → mainly weekends

So if you assume there will be plenty of afternoon departures, you may find that there simply is not a suitable cruise available.

In autumn, the days also get shorter, so checking the timetable carefully is especially important during the pre- and post-season periods.

My Personal Recommendation

Personally, I recommend this itinerary:

Morning: Melk Abbey
Afternoon: 13:50 or 14:35 cruise to Krems

I think this is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience the Wachau Valley.

The Wachau is one of those places where the journey itself is part of the sightseeing experience, so I think the best approach is to choose a relaxed departure rather than trying to rush through everything.

That said, since peak summer can get quite hot, I actually wonder if the pre-season might be the perfect time to visit.

Also, departures can sometimes be delayed by around 30 minutes, based on my experience, so I recommend leaving some extra time before any connecting plans.

What You Can See on the Cruise

Melk Abbey

The first sight that really takes your breath away is Melk Abbey.

From a distance, it almost looks like:

“A huge yellow castle.”

But it is actually an abbey.

Before visiting, my image of a monastery was something:

Simple
Ascetic
Plain

In reality, Melk Abbey is incredibly elaborate.

The scale and grandeur of its Baroque architecture are truly impressive, and it left a strong impression on me.

I plan to write a separate review of the interior later.

Schönbühel Castle

This castle stands on a hill overlooking the Danube.

It blends beautifully into the surrounding landscape and felt like the quintessential Wachau Valley scenery.

Aggstein Castle

This castle is perched dramatically on top of a steep cliff.

From the boat, however, it is quite far away, so your reaction is more like:

“Oh, there it is!”

It actually looks smaller from the boat than it does in photographs.

Weißenkirchen

What I particularly liked was the way the church blends into the surrounding town.

It has a strong “European riverside town” atmosphere, which I personally really enjoyed.

The combination of the town and the vineyards is also beautiful.

Dürnstein Abbey

The pale blue tower is its most distinctive feature.

The color reminded me personally of Wedgwood in England.

Another building with a somewhat similar atmosphere is the “Blue Church” in Bratislava, although they were built in different periods and do not appear to have a direct connection.

The blue tower is so distinctive that it is easy to spot even from the boat.

Frauenbergkirche

This church is located near the departure point in Krems.

It is one of the most noticeable buildings in the cityscape of Krems.

The view of the church from the river is particularly beautiful.

Food and Drinks on the Cruise

Snacks and Desserts Are Available Onboard

You can order food, snacks, and drinks on the cruise ship.

Quite a lot of passengers around me were taking advantage of the onboard food service.

Is Ice Cream the Most Popular Choice?

Ice cream and other frozen desserts seemed particularly popular.

Large parfaits were being sold for around €8.

I saw quite a few people ordering them and thought:

“I want one too!”

Unfortunately, it was only about 30 minutes before arrival, so I decided not to order one.

I slightly regret that decision.

If I take the cruise again, I definitely want to try one.

Cost | Surprisingly Reasonable

Adults: €42

The ticket prices are approximately:

Adults: approximately €42
Children aged 9 and under: free

Considering that this is a cruise through a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, I did not find the price excessively expensive.

Is the Wachau Ticket Worth It?

If you already have ÖBB discounts such as:

Vorteilscard
TOP Ticket

the benefits of purchasing a Wachau Ticket may not be particularly significant.

It really depends on how you plan to use it.

Can You Buy Tickets on the Day?

Yes. There is a ticket shop near the pier where you can purchase tickets. It is about a five-minute walk from the 9b port boarding area.

You can also purchase tickets online through the official DDSG website. However, you need to register in advance with details such as your name and password. Also, the website does not always work smoothly when translated into English, and some translations can be rather strange, so keep that in mind.

That said, based on my experience:

Peak season
Public holidays

did not necessarily mean the ship was completely full.

I took an afternoon departure during a holiday period, and there were still enough seats for everyone to sit normally.

Be Careful with Afternoon Departures from Melk

In Melk, the following itinerary is particularly popular:

Morning: Visit Melk Abbey
Afternoon: Take the cruise

As a result, afternoon departures tend to fill up more quickly.

If you are traveling with several people, I recommend making a reservation during the morning just to be safe. However, going all the way to the pier just to make a reservation can be inconvenient, so it is better to prepare your smartphone in advance so that you can make an online reservation.