Melk, at the western end of the Wachau, is on the main rail line from Vienna's Westbahnhof (about 1 hour 15 minutes). Krems, at the eastern end, is connected to Vienna's Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof (about 1 hour). Both towns make good starting points depending on which direction you want to travel through the valley.
The Wachau is about 90 kilometres west of Vienna by road, reached via the A1 Westautobahn or the more scenic Route 3 along the Danube. Most visitors arrive by car or bicycle. During the summer cycling season, bikes can be transported on the regional trains from Vienna.