Nijmegen to Krems an der Donau: A Scenic Road Trip Through Historic Europe

The Roman-era road connecting the Rhine to the Danube has shaped European history for millennia. On this 850 km drive from Nijmegen (the oldest city in the Netherlands) to Krems an der Donau (the gateway to the Wachau Valley), you'll trace the Limes Germanicus corridor.

The most efficient route combines the A73, A61, and A3 through Germany, then the A7 and A3 through Austria, with a quick hop on the S5 to Krems. Expect 8-9 hours of driving time without stops—but as any savvy traveler knows, the magic lies in the stops between.

Here we explore how to turn this pure transit into an unforgettable road trip, answering is it worth driving Nijmegen to Krems an der Donau with a resounding yes. For more on spotting off-route treasures, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The scenery shifts dramatically: from the flat Dutch polders to the rolling hills of the Rhineland, then the dense Bavarian Forest, and finally the terraced vineyards of the Wachau Valley.

Key natural attractions include the Siebengebirge (Seven Hills) near Bonn, the Danube Gorge near Kelheim, and the Wachau's apricot orchards.

• Nijmegen to Frankfurt: Ooijpolder wetlands, then the Eifel volcanic region (detour to Maria Laach Abbey).
• Frankfurt to Nuremberg: The Spessart forest, ideal for a woodland hike at Schloss Mespelbrunn.
• Nuremberg to Passau: The Altmühl Valley Nature Park—consider a break at the Solnhofen quarries (fossil beds).
• Passau to Krems: The Danube Cycle Path parallels the river; stop at Schlögener Schlinge (Danube loop).

Local commerce thrives on regional specialties. In the Rhineland, buy Rüdesheimer coffee (brandy-laced) and Rheingau Riesling. In Franconia, stop for Bratwurst and smoky beer from Bamberg. In the Wachau, purchase apricot liqueur and Gruner Veltliner wine.

• Hidden gem: The village of Dürnstein (blue church tower) is a perfect coffee stop on the approach to Krems.
• Things to do between Nijmegen and Krems an der Donau: wine tasting at a Heuriger (Austrian wine tavern) in the Wachau.

The journey crosses three countries: Netherlands, Germany, and Austria. Toll roads are limited to Austria; buy a vignette (10-day for €9.90) at the border or online.

Speed limits vary: 130 km/h on German autobahns (with unlimited sections), 130 km/h on Austrian highways, and strict enforcement with mobile cameras.

• Fuel prices: Netherlands ~€2.00/L, Germany ~€1.80/L, Austria ~€1.55/L. Fill up in Austria for savings.
• EV charging: Extensive network along A3/A7. Ionity and Fastned stations every 50 km.
• Best stops Nijmegen to Krems an der Donau for fuel: Raststätte Siegburg (A3), Raststätte Feuchtwangen (A7), and Raststation Pichling (A1 in Austria).

German autobahns have excellent road surfaces but beware of construction zones. Austrian highways are well-maintained, but heavy traffic near Vienna is possible.

For families, the Pleasure Forest Pottenstein (near Bayreuth) is a huge playground with zip lines. Also consider the Landal GreenPark in Hirschau, a family-friendly resort.

• Pet-friendly stops: Raststätte Erfurt Ost has a designated dog walking area.
• Fatigue management: The German autobahn rest stop network includes hotels (Rasthof) for short naps. Use the app “Tank & Rast” to find locations.
• Infrastructure safety: Emergency phones every 2 km on autobahns. In Austria, service stations have free tire air.