Besançon to Krems an der Donau: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The route from Besançon to Krems an der Donau spans approximately 850 km, crossing eastern France, Switzerland, and Austria. A little-known fact: the A36 autoroute near Besançon was built over a Roman road that once connected Vesontio (Besançon) to the Danube provinces. Driving time is roughly 8-9 hours without stops, but the journey rewards those who take detours. This guide answers is it worth driving Besançon to Krems an der Donau with a resounding yes, especially if you explore the best stops Besançon to Krems an der Donau. The things to do between Besançon and Krems an der Donau range from medieval towns to alpine vistas.

Key Data Table

The route transitions from the Jura mountains in France to the Swiss Plateau, then the Alpine foothills, and finally the Danube Valley. Besançon sits in a meander of the Doubs River, surrounded by hills. As you drive east, the landscape opens into rolling farmland before entering the Swiss Mittelland.

Natural Landscapes & Attractions

• Jura Mountains: near Besançon, the Citadelle offers panoramic views. Drive through the Cluse de la Loue for a scenic detour.
• Rhine Falls (Switzerland): just north of the A1 near Schaffhausen, Europe's largest waterfall. A 30-minute detour.
• Lake Constance (Bodensee): visible from the A1 between St. Gallen and Bregenz. Stop at Meersburg for a lake view.
• Wachau Valley: after reaching Krems, the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley offers terraced vineyards and castle ruins.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• From Basel, you can detour 20 minutes to the St. Johann Monastery in Müstair (but it's far south). Better: the old town of Bern (UNESCO) is a 2-hour detour south of the A1, but worth it for the medieval arcades.
• Krems an der Donau is the gateway to the Wachau Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO site since 2000, known for apricot orchards and baroque monasteries.
• En route, the Abbey of St. Gallen (UNESCO) in St. Gallen, Switzerland, has a magnificent library. Exit the A1 at St. Gallen.

Local Commerce & Culture

• Besançon: watchmaking tradition; visit the Musée du Temps. Local speciality: Comté cheese.
• Swiss towns: try fondue or raclette in a village restaurant. In Zurich, the Niederdorf quarter offers artisanal shops.
• Krems: its old town has wine taverns (Heurigen) serving Grüner Veltliner. The Kunstmeile Krems art mile features contemporary galleries.

Culinary Infrastructure

• Highway rest stops: in France, Aire de la Jura has decent sandwiches; in Switzerland, Raststätte Gunzgen offers a full restaurant.
• Picnic spots: near the Rhine Falls, there are designated barbecue areas. In Austria, the E60 has several picnic stops with views of the Alps.
• Food highlights: try Tarte flambée in Alsace (slight detour north of Belfort); in Austria, don't miss Marillenknödel (apricot dumplings).

The journey begins on the A36 from Besançon, heading east toward Belfort. After crossing into Switzerland near Basel, you join the A1/E60 toward Zurich. From Zurich, take the A1 east to St. Gallen, then continue on the E60 into Austria via the A8. How long to drive Besançon to Krems an der Donau? About 8.5 hours non-stop, but plan for fuel and rest stops.

Fuel and Route Economics

• Fuel costs: approximately €100-€120 for a standard car; prices vary between France (€1.80/L), Switzerland (€1.70/L), and Austria (€1.60/L).
• Tolls: French autoroutes (A36) cost ~€15; Swiss vignette (€40) required for motorways; Austrian vignette (€9.90 for 10 days) needed.
• Budget-friendly tip: refuel in Austria where fuel is cheapest.

Road Quality and Safety

• All highways are well-maintained; Swiss roads are pristine, Austrian sections have occasional construction.
• Speed limits: France 130 km/h, Switzerland 120 km/h, Austria 130 km/h. Strict enforcement with radar traps.
• Winter tires mandatory in Austria from November 1 to April 15.

For finding unique stops, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Long drives require planning for rest and safety. The best stops Besançon to Krems an der Donau include family-friendly and pet-friendly options. Things to do between Besançon and Krems an der Donau range from easy walks to museum visits.

Family and Child Suitability

• Swiss Vreneli Park (near Zurich) is a small amusement park with rides for young kids. About 10 km from the A1.
• In Austria, the Wachau Railway offers a scenic ride from Krems to Emmersdorf, perfect for children.
• Most rest stops in Switzerland have play areas; in Austria, the A8 rest areas are modern with indoor play corners.

Pet-Friendly Framework

• French rest stops (Aire de la Jura) have designated dog walking areas. Switzerland requires pets to be leashed; many rest stops have pet relief zones.
• In Austria, dogs need a muzzle on public transport but not in rest areas. Hotels in Krems are pet-friendly with prior notice.
• Tip: carry a water bowl and waste bags; European rest stops often have drinking fountains.

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones

• Drive in 2-hour intervals. Ideal rest stops: Aire de la Jura (France, after 1 hour), Raststätte Knonau (Switzerland, near Zurich), Raststätte Vösendorf (Austria, near Vienna).
• For longer breaks, detour to the town of Rapperswil (Switzerland) on Lake Zurich, or the medieval city of Tulln (Austria) just before Krems.
• Power nap: many Swiss rest stops have quiet rooms; in Austria, the A8 has designated rest areas with shaded parking.

Hidden Off-Route Spots

• Abbey of Einsiedeln: a baroque monastery with a black Madonna, 30 km south of Zurich. Slight detour but stunning.
• Küssaburg Castle: near the Swiss-German border, a ruin with a view of the Rhine. Accessed via the B34.
• Schloss Hof: an imperial palace near Bratislava, but too far east; instead, visit Schallaburg Castle (near Melk) on the way to Krems.

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality

• All three countries have high safety standards; emergency phones every 2 km on Swiss highways.
• Winter driving: expect snow in the Jura and Alpine foothills from December to March. Check conditions on the A1 near St. Gallen.
• Construction: the A1 between Zurich and Winterthur has frequent roadworks; plan extra 30 minutes.

Climatic Conditions & Route Aesthetics

• Spring (April-May): blooming fruit trees in the Wachau. Mild temperatures, occasional rain.
• Summer (June-August): warm, up to 30°C. Lake Constance regions crowded.
• Autumn (September-October): harvest season in Wachau, golden vineyards. Misty mornings on the Swiss plateau.
• Winter (November-February): snow possible, fewer tourists. The route is still passable with winter tires.