# The Marchfeld castles by car from Vienna: Schloss Orth, Eckartsau and Schloss Hof in one day

In the morning, Schloss Orth and its island in the Donau-Auen National Park and the imperial lodge at Eckartsau; lunch at the Kräutergarten and the afternoon in the gardens of Schloss Hof.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/austria/lower-austria/schloss-hof/itineraries/orth-and-eckartsau-castles-by-car · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 09:00 · Salida: 45 min by car (east along the north bank of the Danube, via Groß-Enzersdorf)
- 09:45 · Schloss Orth, the Donau-Auen National Park centre (opens at 9:00 · €15; family €30 · tower viewpoint and Schlossinsel island)
  - 15 min by car, 9,4 km
- 11:45 · Schloss Eckartsau and its park in the Danube forest (park and playground free · information and café from 21 March to 1 November)
  - 15 min by car, 14,9 km
- 13:00 · Restaurant Kräutergarten (inside the grounds: buy the Schloss Hof ticket first) · Restaurant Kräutergarten, €€
  - 5 min on foot
- 14:15 · Schloss Hof Palace and Baroque Gardens (€24; family €61.50 · no dogs · closes at 18:00)
- 17:45 · Vuelta: 1 h by car (via the B49 and the A4, or via Groß-Enzersdorf)

The Marchfeld, the plain that opens east of Vienna between the Danube and the March, was the Habsburgs' hunting ground. Its castles remain, each with its own character: Schloss Orth, a four-towered castle turned into the gateway of the Donau-Auen National Park; Eckartsau, the imperial hunting lodge in the middle of the floodplain forest; and Schloss Hof, the Baroque palace of Prince Eugene and Maria Theresa. Together they fill a relaxed day by car, with short journeys between them.

## The day, hour by hour

9:00 · Leave Vienna. East along the north bank of the Danube, about 45 minutes to Orth an der Donau.

9:45 · Schloss Orth. The centre of the Donau-Auen National Park: the "Im Fluss" exhibition on the life of the river, the tower viewpoint and, outside, the Schlossinsel island, with walkways for watching riverside wildlife and play areas for children. About two hours. €15 for adults and €30 for the family.

11:45 · Schloss Eckartsau. Fifteen minutes further east. The castle park, free and open all year, has a natural playground; from 21 March to 1 November the information point and café open, and there are guided historical tours.

13:00 · Lunch at the Kräutergarten. Twenty minutes away, already at Schloss Hof. The restaurant is inside the grounds and you can only enter with the palace ticket: buy it on arrival and start with lunch. They cook with what they pick in the palace garden.

14:15 · Schloss Hof. The imperial rooms and the terraced gardens that descend towards the March, with the Neptune fountain and, from April to October, the water running. A good three hours. €24 for adults and €61.50 for the family. Dogs not admitted.

17:45 · Return. About 55 minutes to Vienna.

## If you go with children or it rains

With children, extend Schloss Orth: the Schlossinsel island has walkways and play areas, and Eckartsau a natural playground. In the rain, stay longer inside the Orth exhibition and the rooms of Schloss Hof, and skip the Eckartsau park.

## Cómo llegar

### By car
It is how it is designed: three castles 15 or 20 minutes from each other.

### Without a car
Go only to Schloss Hof on bus 540 from Aspern Nord (U2); Orth and Eckartsau have no practical connection on the same day.

## Consejos

### Buy the Schloss Hof ticket before lunch
The Kräutergarten only admits people with a grounds ticket.

### Guided tours at Orth, at the weekend
On Saturdays and Sundays there are guided tours for a supplement.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How much does the day cost?
Between €60 and €100 per person with the two tickets and lunch, not counting the car.

### Is it open all year?
No. Schloss Orth is closed from 2 November to 19 March; Schloss Hof is open all year.

### Can I go with a dog?
To Schloss Hof, no. Ask at Orth and Eckartsau, which are inside the national park.