Port information & tips for Wachau (port will be announced at short notice)
The Wachau is a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of Austria's most fascinating river landscapes. The valley impresses with its terraced vineyards, blossoming apricot orchards, and medieval architecture, which creates a romantic atmosphere along the glittering Danube. Highlights include the magnificent baroque Benedictine Melk Abbey, the historic Dürnstein castle ruins, and the famous blue and white collegiate church. Ships dock flexibly at one of the central shipping piers of the Danube stations in Dürnstein or Krems-Stein, which are usually within walking distance of the historic old towns. Thanks to this first-class connection, the cultural treasures and regional delicacies of the Wachau can be explored comfortably and efficiently directly from the shore.
The Wachau, a picturesque region in Austria, is a popular starting point for river cruises on the Danube. The most important docking points for cruise ships in the Wachau are Krems and Melk, both of which are easy to reach thanks to good connections.
Car
The Wachau is excellently connected to the Austrian motorway network via the A1 motorway (Westautobahn) and the S33 (Kremser Schnellstraße). From the A1, take the Melk or St. Pölten exit and follow the B33 or S33 into the Wachau. In Krems and Melk, public parking spaces are available in the vicinity of the docking points, often including specially designated areas for cruise guests or parking garages. Some hotels in the region also offer Park & Cruise deals.
Train
Krems an der Donau station is an important hub for the Franz-Josefs-Bahn and offers good connections from Vienna. From there, you can reach the docking points in Krems in a few minutes on foot or via a short taxi transfer. Melk station is also served regularly by trains and is only a short walk from the harbor, particularly from the pier on the banks of the Danube below Stift Melk. Both stations are well connected to the regional bus network.
Airplane
The nearest international airport is Vienna International Airport (VIE), located approximately 80 to 90 kilometers from Krems and Melk. Various transfer options are available from there: you can take the Railjet or the S-Bahn to Vienna Central Station and from there take a direct train connection to Krems or Melk. Alternatively, private taxi or shuttle services are available to take you directly from the airport to your docking point. For a relaxed embarkation, especially after long-haul flights, we recommend arriving the day before and staying overnight in one of the charming hotels in Vienna or directly in the Wachau.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the trip: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as docking and departure times may change at short notice.
