Day Trips to Mauthausen from Vienna

Mauthausen is one of those hard but necessary visits. Located 160 kilometers from Vienna, Mauthausen is one of the most infamous concentration camps of the entire network of Nazi camps. Undoubtedly, a great idea for an immersion in history as a complement to the basics of what to see and do in Vienna.

If you have decided to visit it, you have several excursion options at your disposal. I have analyzed them all to present you with all the information you will need. Just choose the one that best suits you and your circumstances and... off you go!

The best option

Mauthausen Concentration Camp Day Trip from Vienna

Full day tour with audio guide

Explore the Mauthausen concentration camp from Vienna with bus transfer and access to the museum, the quarry and the death stairs.

Duration: from 8 to 9 hours

From $153 at Hellotickets

Embark on a moving journey to the Mauthausen concentration camp from Vienna, where an audio guide will take you through this tragic chapter of World War II to learn about the history of the different areas of the infamous camp for approximately nine hours, including bus transfer from the city.

Immerse yourself in the history of Mauthausen, a camp that housed more than 200,000 prisoners and where more than 200,000 died. 000 prisoners and where at least 90,000 people died due to inhumane conditions and cruel medical experiments conducted by the Nazis.

Experience the intensity of this place by visiting the Mauthausen Memorial and Museum, as well as the Wiener-Graben quarry and the death stairs, where prisoners were subjected to forced labor and unimaginable tortures.

Recommended if... you want to learn about the grim history of World War II.

We start the list with the most common option: to dedicate one day to the concentration camp. Something that, in a way, is inevitable given that the time it takes the itinerary both outward and return is 2 hours. These are very complete visits that leave no part of the camp unexplored. In fact, they usually include a visit to the museum. The bus tour is also worthwhile as it passes through beautiful places such as the Vienna Woods and Melk Abbey.

They are generally quite complete tours, although I advise you to check the question of the guide. If you want it in English you should make sure that it is specified in the offer of the company. They are usually in English, so if you are not fluent in this language, it is best to check this point before booking.

Details of interest

If this option is the one that best suits your wishes, keep in mind the following information:

• Method of transportation: Bus
• Travel time: 2 hours each way
• Typical visits: Concentration camp, barracks, SS quarters, gas chamber and Mauthausen Museum.
• Approximate duration: 8 hours
• Prices: from 180 €.
• Guide in several languages
• Recommended if... you want a conventional visit without private services.

By the way, about the visit to the Museum, it is of great interest. You can check which exhibits are available so you know what to expect.

Do you want something more exclusive and without the need to travel to meeting points and to share the trip with other people? Then 1-day private tours are your solution. They are all about comfort: normally, the car picks you up at your accommodation and takes you to Mauthausen. There the guide, who is usually also the driver, will accompany you inside the camp. However, it is advisable to check this because, depending on the company, it may vary.

Mauthausen for small groups (up to 7 people) on private tours

Are you a group of friends, or maybe you are traveling as a family? Whichever of the two, this type of tour can offer you great comfort since it is designed for groups of maximum 7 people. It is also designed as a private tour since the vehicle comes to your hotel to pick you up. Otherwise, it includes the usual services and the classic stops of a tour to Mauthausen.

Interesting details

Interested in booking this type of excursion? Here is what you should know:

• Vehicle: Minibus.
• Approximate itinerary time: 2 hours.
• Usual visits: Mauthausen camp, prisoner barracks, SS quarters and visit to the Museum.
• Approximate duration: 8 hours.
• Prices: from 700 € (for groups up to 7 persons).
• Guide in several languages
• Recommended if... you want something private traveling with your family or group of friends.

Private tours to Mauthausen for medium sized groups (8-15 people)

Perfect if you are traveling with an already medium sized group. If you are visiting Mauthausen with between 8 and 15 people, this is the mode that will ensure you comfort and save you waiting time. This type of excursion offers pick-up at your hotel and transfer to Mauthausen. Also the entrance to the camp facilities.

Regarding extra services, it is advisable to check the particular offer, although it is not usual in excursions to Mauthausen that food is included. Audio guides, for example, may be included, although this is something you should indicate at the time of booking. However, you can download the official Mauthausen audio guide here.

Details of interest

The excursions that belong to this type of tour usually have common characteristics. They are the following:

• Vehicle: Minibus.
• Approximate time of the itinerary: 2 hours.
• Usual visits: Mauthausen Camp, prisoners' barracks, SS quarters and visit to the Museum.
• Approximate duration: 8 hours.
• Prices: from 1400 € (for groups up to 15 persons).
• Guide in several languages
• Recommended if you want something private traveling with medium sized groups.

Mauthausen for large groups of 20-50 travelers on private tour

This is the option to visit Mauthausen for really large groups and especially interesting if you are organizing a study trip or some kind of corporate or sports team trip.

Unlike other tour formats they do not always include pick-up from your accommodation. It should not surprise you, then, if the pick-up is at a meeting point previously defined by the company.

Details of interest

If you plan to travel with groups of this size, then pay close attention to the following information:

• Vehicle: Bus.
• Approximate time of the itinerary: 2 hours.
• Usual visits: Mauthausen camp, prisoner barracks, SS quarters and visit to the museum.
• Approximate duration: 8 hours.
• Prices: from 150 € per person (for groups up to 50 people).
• Guide in several languages
• Recommended... for study trips, sports teams or corporate trips.

The journey from Vienna to Mauthausen is not very long but not extremely short either. In addition, it passes close to incredible attractions such as Melk Abbey. That is why some tours choose to stop at this monument to show you around. They often include tickets to visit it.

If you want to spice up your journey between Vienna and Mauthausen, you should consider this alternative. Especially if you are a music lover, since this abbey hosts a Baroque Music Festival in summer that is a delight for music lovers.

Interesting details

If you are going to opt for this type of tour, I show you what are the most common features they present:

• Vehicle: Bus or minibus.
• Approximate time of the itinerary: 2 hours.
• Usual visits: Melk Abbey, Mauthausen Camp, prisoners' barracks, SS quarters and visit to the Museum.
• Approximate duration: 10 hours.
• Prices: from 200 €.
• Guide in several languages
• Recommended... for those who are curious to see also an iconic monument of the country.

This type of tour does not focus solely on Mauthausen but includes a stop at the concentration camp as part of a broader itinerary. There are many tours along the Danube, of varying lengths, although most of them include a trip through Austria, specifically through iconic locations such as Linz, Mitterkirchen or Grein. If you are looking for an absolute immersion in Austria without giving up your desire to visit Mauthausen, this is an option worth considering.

Details of interest

These types of tours are the most varied of all, but if you opt for one of them, here's what you need to know:

• Vehicle: It depends on the tour, there are those by bus but also by bicycle.
• Approximate duration: It also depends on the tour, although they are usually long. Minimum 2 days and maximum 7.
• Usual visits: Another issue that depends on the tour, there are those that stop in emblematic Austrian towns and even others that go into cities in neighboring countries that are located on the banks of the Danube.
• Price: There is something for everyone, but do not set aside less than 500 € in your budget.
• Guide in several languages
• Recommended if... you are looking for a total immersion without renouncing to see Mauthausen.

By the way, if you are interested in doing any of these Danube routes, I recommend you take a look at this article on how to get from Vienna to Budapest. Like Vienna, the Hungarian capital is also bathed by the Danube River, so it is one of the emblematic routes along the course of this river. You can take a look at other options in this article about the best excursions from Vienna.

If you want to go to Mauthausen on your own, you can do that too. You will have to take public transportation or a rental car. The advantage is obvious: you have the time and the way to get there. For example, if you want a pleasant trip enjoying the scenery, the train is the best way. If, on the other hand, you prefer to save money, the bus is the best option. However, the bus is the longest way to get there.

The only thing you have to keep in mind is that if you go on your own , you won't be able to enjoy a guide service. Or, in other words, you will only have the guided tours organized by Mauthausen, which, by the way, are not very frequent and have great time limitations. Passes are at 2 p.m. and are only available in German, English and Italian.

Details of interest

• Vehicle: Train (which you can take from the Wien hbf and bus 361 (which departs from the Wien VIB).
• Travel time: The train usually takes about 2.5 hours, the bus 3.5 hours.
• Regular visits: As it is not a tour, you choose what you want to visit.
• Prices: from 25 € for the train and from 6 € for the bus.
• Recommended if... you want to go at your own pace and visiting Mauthausen without a guide is not a concern for you.

As it usually happens in other camps of these characteristics, where the harshness of what happened there weighs heavily, respect is a key element. In fact, the organization of the Memorial has defined and published the rules of conduct in Mauthausen. Here are the most important ones.

Dress code

• According to the guidelines, clothing should "be appropriate to the dignity of a memorial".
• It is advisable to avoid political symbols on clothing.
• It is not permitted to wear sportswear or sports equipment.
• High-heeled shoes are not recommended, especially because of the possibility of accidents that they could cause due to the paths and wooden platforms.

Rules of respect

• No talking in the crematorium.
• Do not speak loudly or use voice amplification devices.
• Eating is allowed only in the visitor center and in the Bistro.

Finally, the memorial organization also prohibits entry with pets. And it discourages children under the age of 14 from entering.

The Vienna Pass is very similar to other tourist passes such as the Berlin Pass. That is, a card that allows you access to more than 60 attractions in Vienna. Depending on how you approach your visit it can pay off. You can get it with a validity from 1 to 6 days. If you plan to visit Vienna in depth and without rest it is a great option.

However, if your wish is to visit Mauthausen, unfortunately the Vienna Pass will not help you. First of all because the visit to the concentration camp is not included among the attractions it offers. And secondly, because the transportation benefits also do not apply to a train or bus between Vienna and Mauthausen. Nevertheless, it can be very advantageous for you to visit the best of Vienna. For more useful information, here is an article on tips for visiting Vienna.