Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna - photo courtesy of Austrian National Tourist Office

Vienna to Budapest

Austria, Hungary Bike Tour

A Tour of Two Cities

Following the flow of the Danube, this tour will cycle from one capital city to the next along scenic roads, past old settlements, domed cathedrals and a myriad of history and culture. Starting in Austria's capital and the former official residence of the Hapsburg family, Vienna can trace its architectural history primarily back to three eras: the Middle Ages (characterized by the towering Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of the city's most notable landmarks); the Baroque (which gave birth to the former Imperial Palace of Hofburg with its impressive domes); and the late 19th century (when the city's fortifications were demolished to make way for more modern structures, such as the State Opera and Fine Art Museum). Soon after crossing the border into Hungary, you will cycle into Mosonmagyarovar ("the town of 17 bridges") and then into Györ.

Your visit to Tata on the 5th day will be remembered for its 15th century castle complete with a moat. Via Esztergom where you'll find Hungary's largest and most impressive Basilica, your journey will bring you to the 2nd capital city on the tour: namely Budapest (nicknamed the Pearl of the Danube). With the Danube River running straight through it, Budapest is actually split into two parts: Buda on the right bank, and Pest on the left (the city became one in 1873). The Buda section is the most impressive as it sits triumphal on a hilltop and contains the city's main highlights, including the Castle quarter on Castle Hill and the Royal Palace (which was once occupied by the Turks as well as the Hapsburgs).

Where You’ll Stay

Option A; carefully selected 3 to 4 star B&Bs and hotels.
Option B; carefully selected 2 to 3 star B&Bs and hotels.

What’s Included

  • 7 night accommodations
  • Breakfasts
  • 21-speed hybrid bicycle
  • Luggage transportation
  • Tour information packet
  • Route descriptions & maps

What’s Not Included

  • Individual arrival to Vienna
  • Remaining meals

Vienna to Budapest Map

Book This Trip

TourBike
TypeSelf Guided
SkillEasy
Length8 days
From€496
Print Tour

Tour Dates

  • Every Sunday from April 29 to September 9, 2012.

Skill Level

Easy; self-guided hotel tour

Relatively easy hotel tour along the Danube River with an average of 35 miles per day on flat terrain except for the part from Tata to Esztyergom which has 2 grades of 3 km.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Vienna to Budapest Map
  1. Arrival in Vienna.
  2. Vienna – Bad Deutsch Altenburg/Petronell-Carnuntum, 34 mi. (54 km)
  3. Bad Deutsch Altenburg/Petronell-Carnuntum – Mosonmagyarovar, 38 mi. (60 km)
  4. Mosonmagyarovar – Györ, 28 mi. (45 km)
  5. Györ – Tata, train trip + 37 mi. (58 km)
  6. Tata – Esztergom, 35 mi (56 km).
  7. Esztergom – Budapest, 43 mi. (69 km)
  8. Departure from Budapest.

DAY 1: Vienna
Individual arrival to the capital of Austria and an overnight in the city. Upon arrival at the first hotel, there will be a welcome by the tour guide and dinner.

DAY 2: Vienna - Bad Deutsch Altenburg, 36 mi. (54 km)
After acquainting ourselves with the bicycles, we shall leave Vienna. On the dam of Hubertus, we'll cycle via Eckertsau, which has a baroque hunting lodge, to Bad Deutsch Altenburg. During the evening, there is the possibility of taking a trip to the excavations of the ancient Roman camp Carnuntum.

DAY 3: Bad Deutsch Altenburg - Mosonmagyarovar, 38. (60 km)
First, we'll start our day with a journey along the southern side of the Danube to the Austrian-Slovakian border, where the little country of Slovakia will rub off an excellent first impression. Near Rajka, we'll enter into Hungary and arrive in Mosonmagyarovar, also known as the town of 17 bridges.

DAY 4: Mosonmagyarovar - Györ, 28 mi. (45 km)
With the Danube constantly at our side, we'll cycle through numerous little villages before reaching the quaint town of Györ. Györ has quite a large number of attractions. The medieval town center is located by the confluence of the Raab and Mosoni-Duna Rivers. Especially worth seeing are the Bishops castle with the Gothic Doczy-Kapelle, the cathedral housing a bust of St. Ladislaus from the 15th century and the city hall.

DAY 5: Györ - Tata, 36 mi. (58 km)
We'll depart Györ through the suburbs and continue on cycling through the lowlands of the hill country of Transdanubien. Via Babolna and Kocs, we'll enter into the picturesque village of Tata. Here, we can walk round the idyllic Old Lake with a moated castle from the 15th century.

DAY 6: Tata - Esztergom, train trip + 35 mi. by bike (56 km)
We recommend a train transfer for the first 12 miles of todays route due to quite hilly cycling over bumpy roads with some heavier traffic.  The train transfer must be organized on your own; connections every hour, total cost about €2,50/person including bike.  From Komárom (H) we bike over the Danube bridge to Komárno (SK0 and on to the Slovakian side of the Danube to Stúrovo(SK) where we cross over the Danube bridge again back to Hungary to Esztergom.  

DAY 7: Esztergom - Budapest, 34 or 43 mi. (54 or 69 km)
The last day will begin with a look at the basilica of Esztergom, the largest and most impressive church in Hungary. Next, we'll make our departure and ride to the traditional small town of Visegrad, where we can see the ruins of the Renaissance castle by Matthias Corvinus. Then, we'll reverse banks and cycle along the lively island of Szentendre, where a number of small galleries and studios can be seen. From here, Budapest is about 15 kilometers (9 mi.) away .  You can choose to bike the rest of the way or hop on a train or ferry to Budapest (organized on your own).  You'll be expected at a nice hotel easily reached on bike within the center of the city.

DAY 8: Budapest
After breakfast and a leisure morning spent sightseeing the city of Budapest, our journey will come to its end.

Speed boat transfer from Budapest back to Vienna is available every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from April 30 to July 30, and from August 30 to October 1.  From July 31 to August 27 the transfer is available daily.  The boat departs Budapest at 9AM with arrival in Vienna approximately 3:30PM.  Price is €89 per person (should you bring your own bike, transport of bike is an extra €20).

Book This Trip

Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us

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