The Best Day Trips from Vienna
Nature, culture, and culinary delights

Uncover new perspectives in nature, culture, and cuisine on your day trips from Vienna. Easily accessible by train and bus, these trips offer a quick, stress-free escape.

Vienna is vibrant, inspiring, and full of life—but sometimes, nature calls. Just outside the city, a green oasis of gentle hills, dense forests, and scenic river landscapes awaits. Here, nature and culture come together, with historical sites, peaceful vineyards, and hiking trails offering plenty of opportunities for culinary discoveries.

Day trips from Vienna give you a chance to explore the area in all its variety—easy to reach by public transport and without any hassle.

A short train or bus ride from the city, the Wienerwald and Wiener Alpen open up before you. Hiking paths, ridgelines, and monasteries provide the perfect getaway. Further south, the rolling vineyard hills invite you to stroll among the vines, ideally followed by a visit to a traditional Heurigen wine tavern.

Between Krems and Dürnstein, the Danube winds through terraced vineyards in the Wachau Valley, with castle ruins and baroque monasteries in the background. Take a boat ride on the river or a bike tour along the shore, and sample some regional specialties to top off your experience.

If you're craving a cultural adventure, you'll find castles, renowned museums, and spots beloved by artists, combining history and the present day.

Day trips from Vienna reveal a whole new side of the region: hop on, head out, and enjoy nature, culture, and the charm of Austria.

The most beautiful cities around Vienna

The most beautiful regions around Vienna

The most beautiful sights around Vienna

Traveling by boat, bus, and train

FAQs

A day trip from Vienna to Salzburg is worth it if you want to explore the highlights. With the quick train connection (about 2.5 hours), there’s plenty of time to visit the Old Town, Mirabell Gardens, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and enjoy a coffee break.

For a more relaxed pace, however, an overnight stay is recommended.

The area surrounding Vienna is part of the state of Lower Austria. Here, you'll find the three regions directly adjacent to Vienna:

  • Vienna Woods to the south and southwest – nature, hiking, and monasteries like Heiligenkreuz Abbey

  • Weinviertel ("wine quarter") to the north and northeast – gentle hills, vineyards, and wine cellars

  • Donau Niederösterreich – along the Danube River

There are many exciting day trips that you can easily take by train and bus from Vienna:

  • Vienna Woods: Perfect for relaxed hikes or bike rides through dense forests and picturesque villages.

  • Hell Valley (Höllental) & Rax: A hiking paradise with stunning gorges and the Water Pipe Trail.

  • Semmering: Attractive year-round, especially the Railway Hiking Trail, offering spectacular views.

  • Kreuzenstein Castle: A medieval castle, easily accessible by regional train (S-Bahn) to Korneuburg.

  • Linz: Just over an hour by train, where baroque Old Town meets modern culture.

  • Salzburg: A day trip by train (about 2.5 hours) to explore Mozart, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and Salzburg's Old Town.

  • Baden near Vienna: Thermal baths, imperial parks, and charming coffeehouses—perfect for any season, just 30 minutes from Vienna.

  • Lake Neusiedl: Just 45 minutes by train—ideal for cycling or water sports.

  • Wachau Valley: Melk Abbey (Stift Melk), vineyards, and idyllic towns like Dürnstein can be explored leisurely by train and boat.

Tips for sustainable travel

"Responsible travel" means experiencing a country while also being mindful of nature, climate protection, and fostering fairness in our interactions.

Sustainable travel means...

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