Day Trips From Vienna Austria: Where To Spend A Gorgeous Day

Vienna makes an excellent base for day trips because of its central location and the rich variety of experiences within easy reach. Within a short distance, you can experience completely different environments - from the romantic Danube Valley with its vineyards and medieval castles to the alpine lakes of Salzkammergut, or the rolling hills of Burgenland's wine country, UNESCO World Heritage sites like Hallstatt, the baroque splendor of Melk Abbey, and the Alpine landscape around Rax and Semmering mountains. These destinations offer different perspectives on Austrian culture and history that complement what you see in Vienna.

If you have an extra day or more these 9 private or small guided day trips from Vienna increase your radius beyond the capital's culture.

1. Vienna Salzburg Day Trip

Day Trips from Vienna. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Salzburg offers a perfectly preserved baroque old town, and is Mozart's birthplace. The city provides a concentrated dose of Austrian musical and architectural heritage that's distinctly different from Vienna's imperial grandeur. Most of all, Salzburg’s dramatic alpine setting beneath the Hohensalzburg Fortress and its compact, walkable center make it ideal for a day trip, easily accessible by a scenic 2.5-hour ride from Vienna.

As for transport, you can go by train to Salzburg,  or rent a car. Alternatively, take one of these organised Vienna tours to Salzburg. Don't feel your travel time is wasted. On your way there (if going by car) you will travel through Salzkammergut's lake paradise.

Duration of trip: 12-13 hours

2. Vienna Budapest Day Trip

Day Trips from Vienna. If you have seen one city of the 'Golden Triangle' (Vienna, Budapest, Prague), you should see at least another one. They share a few centuries of common history under the Habsburg Emperors.

Budapest offers a completely different cultural experience with its stunning Danube setting, distinctive Hungarian architecture, and famous thermal baths, all easily accessible via a 2.5-hour ride from Vienna. The city provides a fascinating contrast to Austrian culture, featuring dramatic sights like the Parliament building, Buda Castle, and the historic Széchenyi Chain Bridge that can be experienced in a full day trip.

Actually, I love to compare Vienna with Budapest since they are strikingly similar and delicately different: from architecture and music to cakes and people themselves. Essentially, you can embark on a self-guided tour by rental car, train or bus, or book a guided day trip from Vienna to Budapest.

Duration of trip: 12 hours

3. Vienna Prague Day Trip

Day trips from Vienna. Prague offers one of Europe's most stunning medieval cityscapes with its fairy-tale castle, Gothic and baroque architecture, and the famous Charles Bridge, all remarkably well-preserved and distinctly different from Vienna's imperial style. The city's rich Czech culture, excellent beer, and compact historic center make it perfect for a day trip, accessible by a scenic 4-hour journey through the beautiful Bohemian countryside.

Prague is probably the farthest capital from Vienna that you can reasonably visit within a day trip. Having said that, you'll need to be incredibly organised to make the most out of your couple of hours there. Landing on the wrong side of town can cost you a third of your time.

Also, make sure you pick an enjoyable route to Prague.
I have joined a guided day tour to and within Prague. Read my review.
Duration of trip: 13 hours

4. Day Trip To Bratislava

Day Trips from Vienna. Bratislava offers a charming blend of medieval old town charm and communist-era history, all centered around its hilltop castle overlooking the Danube, and it's incredibly accessible with just a 1-hour train ride from Vienna. The Slovak capital provides an authentic Eastern European experience with its cobblestone streets, unique local cuisine, and fascinating mix of architectural styles that represents a completely different cultural perspective from Austria.

During the time of the Iron Curtain, Bratislava was further away for my local family in the Vienna Woods than Rome. Thanks to various travel options I have visited Bratislava several times. Find out what to see and do in Bratislava, and how to get there, in Mini Danube Cruise.

Duration of trip: from 6 hours

5. Wachau Valley

Day Trips from Vienna. I love the Danube valley of Wachau, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for its terraced vineyards and apricot orchards, its historic villages, its top white wines and wineries, and castles scattered across its hilltops. I didn't see much of it during my postgraduate at Wachau. Recently, I took the opportunity to join a small group tour on a history and wine tasting trip through the most scenic Danube valley. Read my tour reviews in Wachau Valley Tour (small group, wine tasting) and Wachau tour (biking, wine tasting). And don't miss Melk Abbey.

If you prefer to venture out on your own but in private, consider hiring a private car and driver for 4, 8 or 12 hours.
Duration of trip: from 4 hours

6. Vienna Woods

Day Trips from Vienna. If you spend a day, or just a couple of hours, in the Vienna Woods, you will discover the Viennese's historic outdoor and weekend destination. The Vienna Woods are famous for their wine and vineyards, the tragic incident at Mayerling, picturesque towns, spas and romantic hiking paths. They will also help you recharge your batteries before you leave for your next destination. 
Access my top tips on spending a day in the Vienna Woods, on your own or as part of a guided tour. Read my review of the Seegrotte tour review when I crossed Europe's largest underground lake.
Duration of trip: from 4 hours

7. Vienna Alps

Day Trips from Vienna. Did you know that the Alps are closer to Vienna than Salzburg? At just an hour's drive south the Vienna Alps provide you with Alpine feelings and a rich countryside. Whether at Rax or Semmering you can take a cable car up the mountain and go for a relaxed hike.
There are also private guides who take you there right from Vienna. In my post Vienna Alps I share my best tips for a day trip, and what to see and do.
Duration of trip: from 6 hours

8. Klosterneuburg Abbey

Day Trips from Vienna. To get to the bottom of Vienna’s origins AND wine barrels, leave the city centre. Head for a 900-year old abbey and wine estate close to the shores of the Viennese Danube. Stift Klosterneuburg hosts a microcosm of Medieval and Baroque art and lifestyles. It is the cradle of Austria’s and Vienna’s patron saint Leopold III and nearly became the Habsburgs’ Imperial residence.
When Regina, a locally living tour guide, took me there, I kept comparing this attraction to Melk Abbey in Wachau Valley. It is AS good and at just nine miles distance a great destination for exploring Vienna’s closest surroundings along the Danube. My favourites: the little green courtyards, the unfinished Atlas hall, and the altar of Verdun. You can do a guided tour, visit the abbey’s historic 36 metre deep wine cellar and do wine tasting. Learn more in Vienna art wine tour.

Duration of trip: 3-4 hours

9. Burgenland

Day Trips from Vienna. Burgenland is the wine paradise of Austria. It is south east of Vienna and still an insider tip for many travellers. I love the lakeside villages and original wine estates around Neusiedlersee, Europe's largest steppe. There is a lovely bike path along the lake. Many traditional wineries use the mild climate along the lake to cultivate some of the best wines in Europe. Some of them offer a winery tour at their estates. Esterhazy Palace in Burgenland's capital Eisenstadt is an amazing countryside retreat you can visit on weekends. Rust village is picturesque and a paradise for storks, nesting on top of the chimneys.  Find out more. 

Duration of trip: from 4 hours

Should You Rent A Car?

If you prefer to run your own schedule rather than joining a tour group you could rent a car. Quite often you will want to explore other beautiful places along the way. Or you'd simply want to depart and arrive at a different time.
There are a few things that speak for renting a car: First, Austrian drivers are generally considerate and won't make your life hell. Second, the vast majority of our roads are in very good condition. Third, renting a car easy and there are also good deals on offer. In any case, before renting a car find out about driving and parking in Vienna and surroundings in my Car Rental Vienna guide.

Day Trips From Vienna: Reader Questions

Click below to see questions from other visitors, along with my responses...

find out more about the best Vienna Attractions
go to What To Do In Vienna - Must See and Do Tips By A Native
explore my favourite Hotels Vienna Austria - Where I Would Stay If I Was A Tourist