How to travel from Salzburg to Wachau, Austria
The distance between Salzburg and Wachau is around 231km (143 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 15m.
4 routes found
We've found 4 different ways to get from Salzburg to Wachau by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Wachau → Salzburg if you're planning a return trip.
Train to Voecklabruck, bus
Take the train to Voecklabruck then Amstetten Noe and then to Melk then take the bus to Willendorf/Wachau Bundesstraße.
- Duration2h 30m
- Departshourly
- Typical cost€34($34)
Multiple operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Salzburg and Wachau
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Salzburg to Wachau by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take the train which costs around €24 ($24) and will take around 2h 45m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €27 ($27).
The distance between Salzburg and Wachau is around 231km (143 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 185km (115 miles)
It takes around 2h 30m to get from Salzburg and Wachau by train and bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 15m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Salzburg to Wachau is to drive which takes around 2h 15m and will set you back approx €27 ($27).
The cheapest way to travel between Salzburg and Wachau, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus and then take the train which will typically cost around €24 ($24) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Salzburg and Wachau. We recommend that you drive to Wachau. instead which will take 2h 15m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Salzburg and Wachau. We recommend that you drive to Wachau. instead which will take 2h 15m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Salzburg to Wachau. We recommend that you take the train to Amstetten Noe and then to Melk then take the bus to Willendorf/Wachau Bundesstraße. instead which will take 2h 30m.
The closest major airport to Wachau is Wien-Schwechat Airport (VIE) (VIE) which is approximately 88km (55 miles) from Wachau. Linz Airport (LNZ) (LNZ) and Graz Airport (GRZ) (GRZ) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Drive yourself
Yes it is possible to drive from Salzburg and Wachau. The distance is around 231km (143 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 15m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Salzburg to Wachau is to take the train and then take the bus which takes, on average, 2h 30m and will usually cost around €29 ($29).
Compare travel optionsbetween Salzburg and Wachau
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Train to Voecklabruck, bus + 2 similar | 2h 30m | €34($34) | hourly | 239km (148 miles) |
| Train and Bus | 2h 30m | €29($29) | hourly | 239km (148 miles) |
| Bus and Train | 2h 45m | €24($24) | 6 times a week | 245km (152 miles) |
Drive | 2h 15m | €27($27) | on demand | 231km (143 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Salzburg and Wachau
Train operators
Bus companies
Verkehrsverbund Ost-Region - VOR
ÖBB-Postbus GmbH
Union Ivkoni
Airports near Wachau
The following major airports near Wachau offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Austria and internationally.
Wien-Schwechat Airport (VIE)
- Distance
- 88km (55 miles) from Wachau
Linz Airport (LNZ)
- Distance
- 91km (56 miles) from Wachau
Graz Airport (GRZ)
- Distance
- 148km (92 miles) from Wachau