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Day Trips from Linz Without a Car: Lakes to Fairytale Towns

ByTina Riegelnegg Updated on

Linz is a great base for exploring more of Austria. Within an hour or two by public transport, you can visit colourful historic towns, impressive abbeys, beautiful lakes and even cross the border into Germany or Czechia.

I’ve done most of these day trips from Linz myself, and one of the biggest advantages is that you don’t need a car for any of them. Some are just 15 minutes away by train, while others make for a longer adventure.

I’ve ordered this guide roughly by travel time from Linz, so you can easily find a day trip that fits your plans, whether you only want to travel half an hour or don’t mind spending a little longer getting there.

Enns: Best Quick Day Trip From Linz

Tall medieval clock tower built from gray stone rises above the town square with a large clock face, painted imperial coat of arms, and historic sundial on its façade. The tower's arched entrance sits at street level beneath a dramatic sky filled with layered clouds.
Panoramic view over Steyr's rooftops, churches, and surrounding countryside seen from inside a tower observation deck. The protective safety mesh in the foreground frames the cityscape stretching toward rolling hills beneath a stormy summer sky.

Travel time from Linz: 15 min by train + 20 min walk, or 50 min bus

Enns is a small town, so you don’t need a full day to explore it. The main highlight is its colourful Hauptplatz and the distinctive Stadtturm, which dominates the square. I especially recommend climbing the tower for the views over the town.

Enns also has a fascinating Roman history but otherwise there’s not lots of things to do in my opinion.

St. Florian: Best for a Beautiful Baroque Abbey

Grand baroque church interior with soaring white columns, ornate carvings, and richly painted ceiling frescoes. Wooden pews lead toward the altar beneath a series of decorative vaulted arches.
Woman wearing sunglasses and a sleeveless pink top stands on a white stone staircase inside an ornate palace. Decorative columns, arches, and a classical statue frame the staircase behind her.
Ornate historic library with towering curved wooden bookshelves filled with old books and decorated with gilded details. A white marble bust stands beneath the upper gallery and an elaborate painted ceiling.

Travel time from Linz: around 30 minutes by bus

Just outside Linz, Stift St. Florian is one of Austria’s most underrated abbeys with one of the most beautiful libraries in Austria.

My favourite part was the incredible historic library, but the Marble Hall and crypt, where composer Anton Bruckner is buried, are also highlights. Most of these rooms can only be visited on a guided tour, so check the seasonal tour times before visiting.

For more practical tips, read my complete guide to visiting Stift St. Florian.

Kremsmünster: Best for Another Impressive Abbey

Travel time from Linz: around 30 minutes by train

Another easy day trip from Linz is Kremsmünster, with several train connections taking around 30 minutes.

The main reason to visit is Kremsmünster Abbey, a historic Benedictine monastery and the town’s biggest landmark. It’s a good alternative if you want another architecture and history-focused day trip without travelling far from Linz.

I haven’t visited Kremsmünster myself yet, so I’ll add more personal recommendations once I do.

Steyr: Best for a Picturesque Old Town

Historic gateway and adjoining building decorated with colorful medieval-style murals and coats of arms. A flower-filled terrace and café seating create a welcoming entrance beneath the painted arch.
Stone fountain topped with a sculpted figure stands in the middle of Steyr's historic town square. Colorful gabled buildings with red tiled roofs frame the square beneath a bright blue sky.
Turquoise river flows over a low weir beside a tree-lined riverbank on a sunny day in Steyr. A bridge and historic buildings are visible in the distance beneath a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Travel time from Linz: around 50 minutes by train

Steyr is one of my favourite underrated towns in Austria. The easiest option from Linz is the S1, which takes around 50 minutes.

I loved simply wandering through the historic centre, especially the colourful Hauptplatz and the smaller streets around it. But what really makes Steyr special is its setting at the confluence of the Enns and Steyr rivers.

Don’t miss the free Tabor Lift either, which takes you up to a viewpoint overlooking the old town.

For more ideas, read my complete guide to the best things to do in Steyr.

St. Pölten: Best for a Non-Touristy City Trip

A dramatic shot of the ornate Holy Trinity Column in St. Pölten’s main square, with intricate statues and a fountain at the base. The pink and white Rathaus (town hall) with a rainbow flag hangs in the background under a bright sky.
The Flederhaus, a five-story wooden structure with open floors, netted balconies, and large white letters spelling "#VISITSTPOELTEN" near the rooftop, stands on a grassy hill under a blue sky.
The Lower Austrian state parliament building, shaped like a ship, stretches over the water with sleek, modern lines. In the foreground, pink and yellow flowers add a splash of color.

Travel time from Linz: around 50 minutes by train

St. Pölten isn’t usually high on Austria itineraries, but that’s part of its appeal. I visited without particularly high expectations and ended up really enjoying its quiet, non-touristy atmosphere.

Highlights include the pretty Rathausplatz, St. Pölten Cathedral and some beautiful Art Nouveau architecture. My favourite quirky find was the Flederhaus, a five-storey wooden structure where you can relax in hammocks for free.

If you want to experience a more everyday side of Austria, read my complete guide to the best things to do in St. Pölten.

Gmunden: Best for a Relaxing Lake Day

Sailboats floating on the clear blue water of Lake Traunsee with Schloss Ort and its long wooden bridge in the distance. Steep green mountains rise behind the castle under a cloudless blue sky.
Colorful flower beds surrounding a pale blue fountain in a landscaped garden in Gmunden. Historic pastel buildings and a church tower rise behind the garden under a clear blue sky.
Schloss Ort rising from the blue water of Lake Traunsee with its white clock tower and dark onion shaped dome framed by leafy trees. A long wooden bridge carries visitors across the lake to the castle entrance.

Travel time from Linz: around 50 minutes by train

If you’d rather escape to the mountains and water, Gmunden is one of my favourite day trips from Linz. You can take a direct train or change at Attnang-Puchheim.

Gmunden sits right on beautiful Lake Traunsee, and I think it’s best enjoyed slowly. Walk along the lakeside promenade, visit the famous Schloss Ort, browse the local ceramics and, in summer, go for a swim in the lake.

For more ideas and practical tips, read my complete guide to the best things to do in Gmunden.

Melk: Best for a Famous Austrian Abbey

Majestic Melk Abbey perched atop a rocky hill, its striking yellow baroque towers rising above the lush greenery and the Danube River below.
A hand holding a cup of bright orange sorbet from "Eis Greissler" against a sunny street scene in Melk, Austria, with colorful flags and historic pastel buildings in the background.
Vegan apricot ice cream
A view of the manicured gardens of Melk Abbey, featuring symmetrical hedges and a central, ornate pink and white pavilion framed by lush greenery under a cloudy sky.
View of the pavilion from the viewpoint

Travel time from Linz: around 1–1.5 hours by train

Melk is best known for the impressive Melk Abbey, but I recommend leaving enough time to explore the town too. Trains from Linz usually require one change in Amstetten or St. Pölten.

The abbey is definitely the highlight, especially its beautiful library, church and museum. Afterwards, wander through the small old town and cross the St. Leopold Bridge for one of the best views back towards the abbey.

For everything else to see, read my complete guide to the best things to do in Melk.

Salzburg: Best for a Classic Austrian City Trip

A scenic view of Salzburg’s Old Town framed by leafy tree branches, with pastel-colored buildings, church domes, and the Hohensalzburg Fortress rising above the city under a bright blue sky.
Vibrant orange roses in the foreground frame a view of the baroque Mirabell Palace and Gardens in Salzburg, with manicured lawns, walking paths, and the Hohensalzburg Fortress visible in the distance under a bright blue sky.
A sculpture of a man standing atop a large golden sphere, known as the Sphaera, in Kapitelplatz, Salzburg. Behind him rises the historic Hohensalzburg Fortress, perched on a green hill under a clear blue sky.

Travel time from Linz: around 1 hour 10 minutes by train

Salzburg might feel surprisingly far away for a day trip, but the fast train connection makes it very doable from Linz.

There’s plenty to fill an entire day, from wandering through the beautiful Baroque Old Town to visiting Fortress Hohensalzburg and Mirabell Palace. One of my personal favourites is walking up Kapuzinerberg for fantastic views of the Old Town.

For help planning your day, read my complete guide to the best things to do in Salzburg.

Attersee: Best for a Summer Lake Day

Travel time from Linz: around 1 hour 20 minutes – 2 hours by public transport

For a summer escape from the city, head to Lake Attersee, one of the beautiful lakes of the Salzkammergut. There are several public transport options to Attersee Bahnhof, usually involving one or two changes.

This day trip is all about enjoying the beautiful lake, you can swim, relax by the water and take in the surrounding mountain scenery.

Mauthausen: Best for WWII History

Stone walls and guard towers at the former Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria. The fortified entrance and surrounding structures stand beneath a clear blue sky.

Travel time from Linz: around 30–45 minutes + 1 hour walk

Mauthausen is an important but much more sombre day trip from Linz. The main reason to visit is the Mauthausen Memorial, located at the site of the former concentration camp.

Getting there without a car isn’t particularly convenient. Public transport takes around 30–45 minutes to the town of Mauthausen, but from there it’s roughly a one-hour walk to the memorial, so make sure to factor that into your day.

I have visited Mauthausen on a school trip and it was a really powerful experience.

Passau: Easy Day Trip to Germany

Passau riverfront lined with colorful historic buildings beside the Danube River in warm sunlight. St Stephens Cathedral and its twin green domed towers rise prominently above the old town.

Travel time from Linz: around 1.5 hours by train

Want to add another country to your trip? Passau is an easy international day trip from Linz, with trains taking around 1.5 hours.

This pretty Bavarian city sits where three rivers meet: the Danube, Inn and Ilz. Spend your day wandering through the historic Old Town, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral and enjoy the riverside views.

Český Krumlov: Best Fairytale Day Trip

Tina in a red jacket takes a selfie overlooking the historic rooftops of Český Krumlov. The Vltava River flows below while the castle tower and church spire rise above the red roofed old town.

Travel time from Linz: around 1.5 hours by FlixBus

For a day trip across the Czech border, Český Krumlov is absolutely beautiful. Its colourful historic centre sits in a bend of the Vltava River, with the huge castle complex overlooking the town.

My favourite thing to do here was simply wander. Explore the cobbled streets, walk through the castle complex and stop at the free viewpoints overlooking the Old Town and river. It’s a compact place, so you can see a surprising amount in a day.

For all my recommendations, read my complete guide to the best things to do in Český Krumlov.

Where to Stay in Linz for Easy Day Trips

If you’re planning several day trips, Linz makes a convenient base for exploring Upper Austria and beyond.

Staying close to Linz Hauptbahnhof is especially handy, as many of the destinations in this guide can be reached directly by train or with just one change.

You can still easily explore central Linz from here, while saving yourself an early-morning journey across the city when it’s time for your next day trip.

Not sure where to base yourself? Check out my guide to where to stay in Linz for my recommended areas and accommodation options.

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Travel collage with the text "BEST DAY TRIPS FROM LINZ, Austria" and "AustrianVeganderlust.com." Four photos show a painted historic gateway, Salzburg and Hohensalzburg Fortress, a colorful fountain and garden, and modern architecture framed by flowers.
Best Day Trips from Linz Without a Car

Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Austrian Veganderlust. After travelling the world and documenting her adventures on Veganderlust, she created this blog to share the beauty of her home country, Austria. Tina now focuses on helping travellers discover the best spots in Austria, including where to find the most delicious vegan food.