Vienna to Durnstein Boat Trip

Vienna to Durnstein boat trip | Explore two cities in a day

A Vienna to Durnstein boat trip takes you through Austria’s scenic Wachau Valley, a UNESCO-listed stretch of the Danube. The journey lasts about 4 to 5 hours one way, passing vineyards, medieval ruins, and charming villages. Durnstein is known for its striking blue church tower and the castle ruins where Richard the Lionheart was held captive.

With open-air decks, comfortable seating, and onboard meals and refreshments, this cruise offers a relaxed way to explore one of Austria’s most picturesque regions.

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A town packed with landmarks

Despite being a small town, Durnstein is rich in historic sites. Explore the famous blue-towered Durnstein Abbey, the medieval Kremser Tor (town gate), charming old town streets, and the ruins of Durnstein Castle.

Your Vienna to Durnstein boat trip itinerary

Your boat trip from Vienna to Durnstein is designed for a seamless mix of scenic cruising, exploration, and regional cuisine. Here’s a quick look at what to expect:

Boarding from 7:30am to 8:15am: Your journey kicks off at Marina Wien Yachthafen, where a quick and easy check-in gets you ready to set sail without any hassle.

Departure & breakfast at 8:30am: The journey begins with a delightful breakfast served on board. Enjoy fresh rolls with butter or jam and an array of ham, salami, cheese, and mini pastries.

Lunch snack at 12:30pm: A late-morning bite of veal goulash with pastries will be served to keep you fueled for the rest of your journey.

Arrival in Durnstein at 2:30pm: You’ll dock in Durnstein by midday with two hours to explore. Stroll through the charming old town, visit the iconic Durnstein Abbey, hike up to the castle ruins for panoramic views, or sample local wines in one of the traditional taverns.

Strudel & departure from Durnstein at 4:40pm: Before heading back to Vienna at 4:40 PM, enjoy a delightful apple and curd strudel on board, wrapping up your time in Durnstein.

Evening buffet at 7pm: On the return journey to Vienna, unwind with a delicious evening buffet featuring a selection of dishes such as lasagna, crispy chicken strips, dumplings, and more.

Arrival at Marina Wien Yachthafen at 9:15pm: The boat returns to Vienna Marina, marking the end of your day trip.

Frequently asked questions about the Vienna to Durnstein boat trip

What's included in a Vienna to Durnstein cruise ticket?

Spend a full day cruising the Danube, complete with a two-hour stop to explore Durnstein and the Wachau Valley. Your ticket also covers a hearty breakfast, afternoon snacks like strudel, and a buffet dinner.

How long does it take to reach Durnstein by boat?

The journey from Vienna to Durnstein by boat typically takes around 5 hours.

Is the boat trip suitable for children?

Yes. This boat trip is great for families, and kids love the adventure of sailing along the Danube while taking in the beautiful scenery.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes to explore Durnstein’s cobbled streets and castle ruins. A light jacket is useful for breezy moments on deck. In summer, bring sunglasses and sunscreen, and in cooler months, layer up for changing temperatures along the Danube.

What currency is used in Durnstein?

Austria uses the Euro, so having some cash on hand for purchases in Durnstein is a good idea. While credit cards are widely accepted, smaller vendors might prefer cash for payments.

What is the best time of year for the trip?

Spring and autumn are the best times for this trip, with pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and stunning Wachau Valley landscapes.

From happy customers

Ali

Iraq

May, 2025

+ 1 more

Very nice and well organized public transport and other services The city is very clean and we loved the tulips and the trees The people are friendly and helpful

City Sightseeing Cruise on Danube Canal with Optional Lunch

Marby

United Arab Emirates

Apr, 2025

Very good experience, to see nice landmarks along the Danube Canal. Staff are friendly, we opted for 2 course lunch, and food is great. I also bought audio guide, however, it's actually free.

Peter

Jun, 2025

There is simply nothing to complain about. The staff were very friendly and funny, the food was good and the trip was very pleasant.

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Bratislava or Dürnstein: Day Trip from Vienna on Danube River by Boat

Günther

The Schufffahrt, the service and the staff were absolutely great! Unfortunately, the catering (food) was anything but good! Only for the masses. I haven't eaten so badly for a long time. Please come up with something for this. The rest was and is great. LG Günther 👍🤓🙏

Jennifer

Germany

Ordering the tickets online and exchanging them at the ticket office was smooth. No problems at all. The cruise itself was very nice. It was nice that we had the option to order food from the menu in person, even though we did not choose the lunch cruise option. The main problem that we had with the cruise was all of the people smoking cigarettes the entire 3+ hours. Even the ships crew were smoking the entire time. Frankly, it was gross. The main outdoor area (partially covered) smelled awful and the smoking never let up. As an asthmatic it was problematic. But also the other people in my group who do not have breathing problems found it to be overwhelming and nasty. People even smoked on the upper deck. The only place without smoke was the inside room, which was nice, but sort of defeats the purpose of a river cruise to be stuck indors. I suggest offering smoke-free cruises! Even one per day. I guarantee people will buy tickets. All that smoke is so bad for people's health.

Grand Sightseeing Cruise on Danube River & Canal with Optional Viennese Delicacies

Christian

Wheelchair: all very nice and helpful, really, first class, thank you; apple strudel not too small and also first class;

Inna

Israel

The cruise itself is very chic, the views, the ambiance. The food was so-so, I think it could have been better. But the desserts, the fruit was great. Strawberries, pineapples, watermelons, and more. Delicious cocktails.

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Sunset Summer Cruise on Danube River with Barbecue

Jun, 2024

It was a very nice evening from start to finish with a beautiful ambience, great music, good food and friendly staff. The only small point of criticism would be the following: We are not from Vienna and don't really know our way around. There was a last-minute change to the ship. But even if we had known, there were no staff or markings (beach flags or banners) in front of the ship that the dinner cruise was about to start. I walked around the whole quay forever trying to find the MS Kaiserin Elisabeth or any indication of where exactly the dinner cruise starts. Perhaps that could be retrofitted.