Major city · Austria
Krems an der Donau
Base in Krems for 1–2 nights to cycle or train the Wachau wine villages; skip it as a day trip from Vienna if you want the valley, not the town.
Krems is the working town at the eastern entrance to the Wachau, 1 hour by train from Vienna. Its old centre and Stein quarter are small; the reason to come is the valley — vineyards, Dürnstein, Spitz, Melk — reached by bike, boat or the local rail line. One night covers the town; two give you a full valley day.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (boats stop mid-October, vineyards bare, some museums shut)
- Airport
- VIE
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Austria ↗Austria is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Austria ↗Motorways and expressways need a vignette (digital or sticker); driving on them without one brings on-the-spot fines.
- Austria ↗Winter tyres or chains are required in winter conditions; hire cars from outside Austria may not have them fitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Krems an der Donau112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Krems an der Donau, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Austria-wide
- SIM or eSIMA1, Magenta and Drei are the networks; prepaid SIMs from shops and supermarkets (registration with ID).Austria-wide
- Tap waterTap water is excellent.Austria-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10%, told to the server when paying.Austria-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Austria-wide
- SafetyKrems is a low-risk town; the real issues are cycling on the B3 road, river currents if you swim…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets in cities cost €0.50 (≈ under US$1); cafés and museums have free ones for guests.Austria-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies · 133 police · 144 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close on Sundays and holidays; Saturday afternoon closures in small towns.Austria-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVIE Vienna International (About 1 h 15 min to Krems by train via Vienna or St.
- Getting aroundThe centre and Stein are walkable end to end in about 2 hours.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealRestaurant main course€10–18 (≈ US$12–25)
- Beer0.5 l€4–5 (≈ US$5–6)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry€5–10 (≈ US$6–12)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VIE Vienna International (About 1 h 15 min to Krems by train via Vienna or St. Pölten; check connections.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Krems an der Donau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre and Stein are walkable end to end in about 2 hours. City buses run limited routes (single €2.10 adults, day ticket €4.20). Bikes rent by the day for the Danube path (about €15/day); the local rail line links Krems to Spitz and the valley, and boats run Krems–Dürnstein–Spitz–Melk mid-April to October.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dürnstein
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min by boat or bike
Boat from Krems mid-April to October, or bike on the Danube path; no direct train
Castle ruins above the village; go early, the climb is steep.
Spitz an der Donau
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Local train from Krems, about 30 min; or bike on the Danube path
Wine village with terraced vineyards; pair with Weißenkirchen.
Melk Abbey
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Train to St. Pölten then west line, or boat in season
A full day with the abbey; the boat back is the scenic option.
Weißenkirchen in der Wachau
goDoor to door: About 40 min by boat or bike
Boat from Krems mid-April to October, or bike on the Danube path; no direct train
Heurigen and the church on the hill; easy to combine with Spitz.
Emmersdorf
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h (check)
Train to Melk, then cross the Danube (check ferry or bridge)
Small village; only worth it if you are already at Melk.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Krems old town (Innere Stadt)
Walk to Landstraße, museums and the station; best for one night without a car.
Stein
Riverside quarter 15 min walk east; quieter, close to the boat docks.
Donaupark / riverbank
Camping and riverside stays; 20 min walk to the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–140 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- €160 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, guesthouse or hotel1 × 2 nights × €120 | €240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €100 | €400 |
| City bus day ticket, one day2 × €4 | €8 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × €15 | €30 |
| Kunstmeile combiticket2 × €15 | €30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €74 |
| Trip total≈ €203 per person per day, bed included | €812≈ US$950 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Krems excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Heurigen plate with wine | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Restaurant main course | €10–18 (≈ US$12–25) |
| Beer, 0.5 l | €4–5 (≈ US$5–6) |
| Local train Krems–Spitz | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) (check) |
| Boat Krems–Dürnstein | €10–15 (≈ US$12–18) (check) |
| Museum entry | €5–10 (≈ US$6–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat services on the Wachau run only mid-April to October; outside that, use the train or bike.
- Heurigen often close one or two days a week and shut by early evening; check before you walk out.
- Some museums close November to March; confirm hours the day before.
- Wine tasting and cycling do not mix — plan the ride before the tasting, not after.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 112
- Police
- 133
- Ambulance
- 144
- Fire
- 122
- Mountain rescue
- 140
Pocket card
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Krems an der DonauKrems an der Donau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
- Police133
- Ambulance144
- Fire122
Embassy
Austria has no foreign embassies in Krems; most are in Vienna (check your country's site).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Vienna → Krems: about €15–20 (≈ US$18–25), about 1 h (check)
- City bus single: €2.10 (≈ US$3) adults
- Bike rental, one day: about €15 (≈ US$18)
Say or show
- Grüß Gott — Hello (gruess got)
- Danke — Thank you (dahn-keh)
- Die Rechnung, bitte — The bill, please (dee rekh-noong, bit-teh)
- Ein Glas Weißwein, bitte — A glass of white wine, please (ine glahs vice-vine, bit-teh)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kahn ikh mit kar-teh tsah-len)
- Wo ist der Bahnhof? — Where is the station? (voh ist dair bahn-hohf)
Tipping: round up or add about 10%, said to the server.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Krems an der Donau. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (boats stop mid-October, vineyards bare, some museums shut) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for VIE: last train times to Krems, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters: Krems old town, Stein, Kunstmeile, riverbank.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Kunsthalle, Karikaturmuseum, Museumkrems, Steiner Tor) and Heurigen pages with closing days.
- Boat and rail season fixtures so valley day trips can go green.
Sources
- officialKrems Tourismus
- officialCity of Krems
- officialÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways)
- officialDDSG Blue Danube — Wachau line
- officialBrandner — Wachau route
- secondaryWikivoyage: Krems, revision 5250570 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Krems an der Donau
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