Vienna, the impressive imperial capital of Austria, is an amazing city to visit on its own. There are many spectacular day trips from Vienna that you can add to your visit. Visitors could easily spend a week exploring the amazing places in Austria.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Vienna here.
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Where to Stay in Vienna
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Vienna hotels here! Other hotel options include the following:
- Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront
- Boutique Hotel Nossek
- Ibis Styles Wein Messe Prater
- Courtyard by Marriott Vienna Prater/Messe
- NH Wein Airport
Best Day Trips from Vienna: Less Than 1 Hour
Esterhazy Palace, Austria
By Paul of Paulmarina
The Esterhazy palace in Eisenstadt, the capital of the Burgenland region, is well worth a visit if you enjoy learning about Austrian history, culture, and art.
The best way to get there is via car or train. By car, it’s just a 50-minute and 35-mile (ca. 56 km) drive via the A3 freeway, and if you want to travel via public transport, catch the direct train from the Vienna central station to get there within 1 1/2 hours.
During the Habsburg reign in Austria, the Esterhazy Palace was the residence of the loyal Esterhazy family, who originally hailed from Hungary, a territory then part of the empire. Incidentally, the palace gained in importance thanks to Joseph Haydn the composer, who was the Kapellenmeister of the family and who lived there as well.
The Haydn Hall, an event banquette hall, is a wonderfully decorated, acoustically perfected hall still used today for classical music concerts. You can’t miss a visit to the intricately decorated baroque hall, with its ceiling frescoes and stucco details.
Look out for the red room, a room decorated with red silk wallpaper, and don’t forget to head to the wine cellars, which have been turned into the largest wine museum in Austria. A walk across the vast manicured palace gardens only completes a visit to this stunning palace in Eastern Austria.
Melk, Austria
By Jolayne of Just Wander More
One of the many highlights of a trip to Vienna, Austria, is taking day trips outside of the city. This is especially true if you are exploring ideas of things to do in Vienna with teens. Whether you take the train or go by car, the distance from Vienna is approximately one hour; the scenery along the way is breathtaking.
One of the top things to do during your visit to Melk is to tour the Melk Abbey. The Benedictine abbey sits atop a hill overlooking the town as well as the Danube River. The tour includes the royal wing, abbey museum, the great hall where lavish dinners were once held, the library, which is home to over 100,000 books, and the chapel with its symmetrical towers and 200-foot-high dome. You may even wish to attend worship services.
Be sure to leave some time to wander through the extensive gardens around the abbey.
Feeling a little more adventurous? Rent bikes in Melk and ride along the Danube River through the Wachau Valley. You can follow the 25-mile (35 km) bike path to Krems, and then take the train from Krems back to Vienna, or just ride for a while along the path and return to Melk.
Best Day Trips from Vienna: 1-2 Hours
Bratislava, Slovakia
By Melissa of Parenthood and Passports
Bratislava is perhaps one of the most popular day trips from Vienna. The Slovakian capital city is just an hour away by train, car, or even boat.
The picturesque old town area of Bratislava is compact and beautiful, filled with medieval buildings with colorful facades, cobbled streets, and a lively atmosphere. During your Bratislava day trip, spend some time wandering through OId Town. Find and ponder the quirky statues randomly scattered through the district, and stop at the quaint shops that line the plazas and streets.
Your next stop during your day trip is the iconic Bratislava Castle. Perched on a hill overlooking Old Town, Bratislava Castle offers panoramic views of the city and the Danube. After touring the museum inside Bratislava Castle, if time permits, take a taxi to Devin Castle, which is about a 15-minute drive from Old Town. Believed to date back to the 5th century BC, the ruins of this former fortress stand on the banks of the waterfront where the Danube and Morava rivers meet.
With a relaxed ambiance and somewhat of a small-town allure, Bratislava makes a perfect day trip destination from the busy yet enchanting city of Vienna. You will get a small taste of a different country and be able to savor the unique charm of this captivating city.
Brno, Czech Republic
By Adri of Traveltipzone
If you’re looking for an option for day trips from Vienna, Brno in the Czech Republic can be a great choice. Relatively close to Vienna, Brno, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic, is just under 2 hours away by car. You can reach Brno almost entirely via the highway from Vienna, covering a total distance of 140 km (87 miles). Its easy accessibility makes it an ideal destination for a day trip, and you can comfortably explore its main attractions within a day.
Brno is a vibrant Czech city, rich in cultural life and stunning historical buildings. The Špilberk Castle, part of the UNESCO World Heritage, is one of the main attractions in the city. Take a walk in the park surrounding the castle, enjoying the view of Brno from the hilltop.
Another major landmark in Brno is the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, located in the city center, where you can climb the tower for a stunning view of the city. Additionally, don’t miss other central attractions such as the Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock. During your visit, enjoy a pleasant walk through the city’s popular squares like Náměstí Svobody and Zelný Trh.
If you want to learn more about Czech culture, it’s recommended to visit the Moravian Museum and Pražák Palace – Moravian Gallery. When in the Czech Republic, don’t miss out on the world-famous Czech beers. Brno is filled with beer pubs, including places like CRAFTBEER Bottle Shop & Bar Zelňák and Beer Exchange 2.0, where you can try the local beers.
Transportation in Brno is easy, whether you choose to drive or use public transport. Since the city is less crowded than Vienna or Prague, it’s an ideal choice for those who prefer a more relaxed trip in the area. All in all, with its cultural and gastronomic richness, historical sights, and great views, Brno is a perfect choice for a day trip from Vienna.
Znojmo, Czech Republic
By Lizet of A Wander Food World
Znojmo is one of those hidden gems that the majority of tourists haven’t discovered yet. Just across the Czech border, you’ll find this cute little town in the region with the same name: Znojmo. This region, located in the wider area of South Moravia, is known for its rich wine history. Wine, you say? Yes, indeed. The country mostly known for its beer culture, also has a very lively wine region with great wines. In Znojmo, you’ll find one of the best vineyards in Europe. The Šobes vineyard usually sells out their wines before they even harvest the grapes, and even the former queen of England was a fan.
It’s no surprise that one of the biggest wine festivals of the year is held in the city of Znojmo. It’s a festive way to kick off the wine season, which starts with the local wine “burčák.” This is a partially fermented wine, which is low in alcohol and tastes more like lemonade.
It’s a local delicacy, and you’ll find sellers on the streets selling plastic bottles with the yellow goodness. Because it’s only partially fermented, the process continues after bottling. This increases the amount of alcohol over time, but also the amount of gas. This makes it impossible to bottle and export the wine, so you’ll have to visit the country to try this. It’s available between September and November.
Aside from wine, the Znojmo region is also known for the Podyjí National Park, popular among hikers and cyclists. In Znojmo town, you can enjoy the views over the area and great small-town vibes. The biggest highlight of the city is the 40km long corridor system that has been connecting the old town houses for centuries.
This cute town is only 89km/55.3 miles from Vienna, which takes less than 2 hours by train or a bit over an hour by car. It’s an easy trip to experience a different country’s culture, an absolute must-visit for wine lovers, and one of the best day trips from Vienna.
Lutzmannsburg, Austria
By Carly from Fearless Female Travels
Located 90 miles south of Vienna, along the Hungarian border, Lutzmannsburg is one of the best day trips from Vienna. If you only have one day, you’ll want to go by car, but if you have time for an overnight visit, it’s also possible to arrive via Austria’s efficient network of buses (the trip requires three inter-city buses and takes about 2.5 hours).
At first, Lutzmannsburg appears to be a typical Austrian village, with quaint homes surrounded by fields of sunflowers, working farms, and sprawling vineyards. However, what makes Lutzmannsburg unique compared to other Austrian villages is its massive spa complex – Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg. This is one of the best family-friendly spa complexes I’ve ever visited, as it has three large sections dedicated to young children, families, and exclusively adults.
Personally, I spent most of my time in the Sauna World section, which features seven wet and dry saunas, a Jacuzzi, a plunge pool, and complimentary infusions (wellness treatments delivered inside the saunas). Like most German and Austrian saunas, the sauna section of Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg is co-ed and textile-free, meaning men and women use saunas together without swimwear (just wrap up in a clean towel if desired). I also couldn’t resist the pull of the family-friendly area, where I put my bathing suit back on and tried out the longest indoor waterslide in Austria and the world’s longest virtual-reality waterslide, which allows you to take a slippery slide through outer space or across a breathtaking safari.
If you get tired of relaxing, you can also spend an hour or two exploring the natural regions around the sauna complex. You can even stroll across the border to Hungary if you want to check another country off your list! Most of the well-signed trails are easily walkable, but it’s also possible to rent an e-bike across the street from the sauna if you’d rather cycle through the forests and vineyards. Make sure your route includes the nearby Aussichtsplattform Lutzmannsburg observation platform, which is free to ascend and offers some of the best views of the entire region.
Best Day Trips from Vienna: More Than 2 Hours
Salzburg, Austria
By Sabrina of Shadesofsummr
Distance from Vienna: 2 hours 15 minutes, 296 kilometers
One of the best day trips from Vienna is to the musical city of Salzburg. The quickest way to go from Vienna to Salzburg is by train. You can also take the car, but it will take about an hour longer. There are also many providers offering day tours from Vienna to Salzburg.
Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria and has a ton of awesome places to stay. It is famous for being the home of Mozart and the movie background for Sound of Music. It has stunning castles, impressive fortresses, and many museums and cultural buildings. Salzburg is super picturesque and interesting at the same time, so it is definitely worth a visit. Make sure to check out this walking tour of Old Town!
One of the must-do things when spending a day in Salzburg is visiting Mirabell Gardens, Mozart’s birth house, and the Getreidegasse. If you have the time, hike up the Hohensalzburg Fortress for a stunning view over the city or take a Sound of Music Tour. It is also a great place to base yourself to take some day trips.
The best time to go to Salzburg is in winter. It has one of the most fantastic Christmas markets in Austria. Another great idea is to combine a day trip to Salzburg with a short stop in Hallstatt, one of the most scenic villages in Austria. Make sure to get a Salzburg Card to save some money during your day.
Mikulov, Czech Republic
By Joanna of The World in My Pocket
Mikulov is a wonderful town in the Czech Republic, just at the border with Austria. It makes for one of the best day trips from Vienna due to its compact size and the easy transport connections. Getting to Mikulov from Vienna is very easy. You can either drive in one hour if you are doing a road trip around South Moravia or take Flixbus towards Brno, which takes around the same time. If you opt for the train, you will have to change at Breclav, and the journey time will be just over 2 hours.
Mikulov is a relatively small town surrounded by vineyards. It has a beautiful castle overlooking the town, which hosts a very large wine barrel dating from 1643, which can hold up to 1,000 hectolitres. You can actually see the castle from before crossing the border. Visiting the grounds can take a good few hours, as there are many exhibitions to be seen. Visiting the grounds of the castle is free of charge.
For a great viewpoint of Mikulov and the land around it, climb the Holy Hill. The panorama from up there is breathtaking, and the path up, even if it may look difficult, is not. It takes around 15 minutes to reach the top. In the lower part of Mikulov, you will find the Dietrichstein Tomb, which is a protected cultural monument in Czechia. The Dietrichsteins were the noble family in power in Mikulov during the 16th century.
Don’t miss tasting the local Palava wine, which is produced in the hills around Mikulov. Mikulov is one of the best day trips from Vienna.
Budapest, Hungary
By Morgan of Crave the Planet
If you’re into art, culture, and nature, Budapest is an awesome shoulder season destination, especially if you’re already visiting nearby Austria. Thus, it makes for one of the most amazing day trips from Vienna. Both countries have insane natural beauty – in Austria, check out the incredible mountain views from the Olpererhutte bridge, and in Hungary, you can’t beat relaxing at Lake Balaton.
They also seriously deliver on the culture front. Budapest especially has world-class museums and architectural sights for days. It’s the perfect combo if you want to soak up both nature AND art. And as a shoulder season spot, it won’t be as crowded or expensive as summer. Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is filled with castles, thrift shops, and baroque architecture and is located approximately 243 kilometers (151 miles) southeast of Vienna.
There are several ways to get to Budapest from Vienna. You can take a train from Vienna’s Hauptbahnhof (main train station) or Wien-Mitte/Landstraße station, which takes around 2.5 to 3 hours if you get the most direct train that leaves 2-3 times a day. If you don’t catch that train, it will take longer, about 3-4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus or drive by car, which takes around 2.5 hours on the M1 and autobahn A4.
Budapest is a stunning and historic city with a rich culture and many easily explored sights. It’s a great artsy destination for a day trip from Vienna, as you can visit landmarks such as the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Buda Castle, as well as enjoy the city’s famous thermal baths and delicious and varied cuisine. The most popular thermal bath is Szechenyi Spa, but don’t forget to buy a ticket for the metro. They will catch you and fine you 32 euros for hopping on the train.
You’ve got to try chimney cake, street food, and unbelievable coffee. There are innumerable cute coffee shops with a boho vibe filled with youth playing backgammon or chess. They probably just got done shopping at the insane number of thrift stores in the Jewish (Gozdu) district and need a recharge.
If you’re planning to visit Budapest, you should think about going slightly off-season to avoid the throngs of hen and stag parties that flock there. It can be annoying to deal with loud tourists coming to parties. In November, the weather is variable but worth the space and freedom you have to explore places without lines and reservations. Just bring a strong umbrella and raincoat.
Graz, Austria
By Fernanda of Mauka Travels
Graz is an incredible city located in the south of Austria, in the province of Styria. Graz is an excellent choice and one of the best day trips from Vienna because the city center is quite small, so you can easily explore it within a day.
One of the things that make Graz special is that its entire city center is considered a UNESCO World Heritage due to the coexistence of many architectural styles within one place. Within a short walk, you can easily spot buildings with Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau styles. Graz’s city center is very well-preserved, which makes the visit even more pleasant.
To have panoramic views above the city, the best place to go is the Schlossberg, a hill located right in the city center. From the top, you will have 360 views of Graz and also have a chance to visit the Clock Tower, one of the most famous monuments of the city. Instead of going down on foot, you can go with a slide instead – which is a very fun experience for all ages.
Within a day, you will see there are a lot of places you can visit in Graz. Make sure you save time to check out the Hauptplatz (the main square), the Island on the Mur (also known as Murinsel), the contemporary art museum of Kunsthaus, and the Herrengasse (the city’s main shopping street).
For a day trip, the best way of going from Vienna to Graz is by car. The two cities are 200km (124 miles) away, so the drive should take you around two hours each way. Another option is to travel by train. There is a direct train line connecting Vienna to Graz, and the trip takes 2.5 hours. Graz is located right next to the border between Austria and Slovenia, so you can also extend your trip to visit two countries on the same day.
Final Thoughts on Day Trips from Vienna
There are many amazing day trips from Vienna to take to extend your time exploring this amazing area. No matter where you visit, enjoy the gems of this area and create an amazing Central European vacation.
