Danube Bike Path - Passau to Budapest
Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Bike Tours
Cycle through four beautiful and culturally rich countries
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length14 days
- Prices from€1094 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
The Danube Bike Path from Passau to Budapest follows, for the most part, the beautiful Blue Danube River providing views of wonderful landscapes. Rolling hills, forests, meadows, picturesque villages, and impressive sights from the Roman and Nibelungen times will be your backdrop.
The art and culture encountered are the legacy to ancient history.
Highlights
- 3 river city Passau
- Bratislava
- Historical theatre Grein
- Romantic Wachau Valley
- Danube metropolis Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest
- Abbey Melk
- The Danube Auen National Park
- Archaeological Park Carnuntum
- Basilica in Esztergom
- Danube Bend
- Arabian National Stud Farm
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Itinerary
Day 1: Passau
Day 2: Passau - Schlögener Loop, 25 mi. (41 km)
Day 3: Schlögener Loop - Linz, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 4: Linz - Strudengau, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 5: Strudengau - Nibelungengau, 31 mi (50 km)
Day 6: Nibelungengau - Krems/Surroundings, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Krems/surroundings - Vienna, 25 mi. (40 km) + train from Krems - Tulin
Day 8: Vienna - Bad Deutsch Altenburg, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 9: Bad Deutsch Altenburg - Bratislava, 20 mi. (32 km)
Day 10: Bratislava - Szigetköz - Györ, 28 mi. (45 km) + train from Mosonmagyarovar - Györ
Day 11: Györ - Komarno/surroundings, 35 mi. (57 km)
Day 12: Komarno/surroundings - Danube Bend Region, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 13: Danube Bend Region - Budapest, 38 mi. (62 km) + Cruise
Day 14: BudapestAll distances are approximate. Itinerary is subject to change due to conditions on the path, roadwork, or other circumstances.
Day 1: Passau
Once you arrive, become acquainted with the "City of Three Rivers". Nothing is on the agenda aside from arriving. Take time to stroll through the majestic old part of town or even enjoy a river boat cruise. The bike handover is between 4 pm and 7 pm. You will be provided with a bus ticket for you to go to the bike shop for pick-up. For late arrivals, it will be arranged for the next morning.Day 2: Passau - Schlögener Loop, 25 mi. (41 km)
The first leg of the tour travels through the Upper Danube Valley to Schlögen. Enjoy a visit to Austria's only Trappist monastery in Engelhartszell. Here you can sample delicious liqueurs made right in the convent. Afterward, continue the impressive journey towards Schlögener Loop where the river makes a complete 180-degree bend.Day 3: Schlögener Loop - Linz, 34 mi. (55 km)
Enjoy the special experience of riding through the Eferdinger basin towards Linz, as you cycle past small ferries lining the riverbanks. Enjoy a summer evening stroll through the enchanting old part of town in the capital of Upper Austria.Day 4: Linz - Strudengau, 37 mi. (60 km)
An excursion to Enns, the oldest town in Austria is highly recommended and worth the visit. Today's journey will take you through beautiful meadows and tranquil hinterland. Passing by, enjoy views of the Celtic village, Mitterkirchen, the majestic church of Baumgartenberg, and the romantic castle of Clam. At the end of today, the route leads through the gorgeous Baroque city of Grein, Austria's oldest theatre awaits.Day 5: Strudengau - Nibelungengau, 31 mi (50 km)
Cycle through the fascinating landscapes of tall and densely wooded rock formations lining both sides of the Danube. High above lies the Pilgrimage Church of Maria Taferl, while the marvelous Benedictine monastery of Melk greets you from a distance.Day 6: Nibelungengau - Krems / surroundings, 31 mi (50 km)
A highlight of this tour is the chance to cycle through the magnificent Wachau. This landscape is filled with terraced vineyards, apricot groves, castles, palaces, and monasteries. Should you choose, there is the opportunity to take a break and relax on a short boat excursion. Cycle through the winery villages of Spitz, Weißenkirchen, and Dürnstein on the way to Krems. Awaiting in these charming villages are quaint, alluring taverns ready to present Austrian hospitality at its best.Day 7: Krems - Vienna, 25 mi. (40 km) + train from Krems - Tulln
Departing by train from the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Region you will be transferred to Tulln. From Tulln, the cycling begins through the Vienna Woods and passes through "The Gates of Vienna". On your way to "The City of Music" don't forget to stop in and visit the impressive monastery in Klosterneuburg. In Vienna, at hotel reception, you will be provided with more tour documents for the second leg of your journey.Day 8: Vienna - Bad Deutsch Altenburg, 26 mi. (42 km)
Not far from Vienna lies an untouched alluvial landscape and Nature Reserve with stunning and diverse Fauna and Flora. Get away from the city and enjoy the wonderful peace and quiet, interrupted only by the twittering of birds. Here lie the footprints of ancient Romans, left from their days of relaxing in the warm water of Bad Deutsch Altenburg. The Archaeological Park of Carnuntum awaits to take you on a journey through the past.Day 9: Bad Deutsch Altenburg - Bratislava, 20 mi. (32 km)
Cycle on towards Europe's youngest capital, Bratislava. Nestled between the hills of Hainburg and the Carpathian mountains, the Slovak capital is sure to enchant with its mixture of a sleepy old town and modern buildings.Day 10: Bratislava - Szigetköz - Györ, 28 mi. (45 km) + train from Mosonmagyarovar - Györ
On your way to the Baroque-style old town of Györ, cycle through the landscape of the Szigetköz. Here you will find an idyllic paradise for birds and fish alike. Amidst this wild and untouched paradise lie more than 500 islands, which house quaint farming villages and a labyrinth of countless Danube creeks. A short train ride to the beautiful town of Györ is the capstone of the day.Day 11: Györ - Komarno / surroundings, 35 mi. (57 km)
World-famous for its Arabian horse breeding, the National Stud of Babolna will not disappoint. During your visit to the Stud Museum you can catch a glimpse of some secret Hungarian horse breeding techniques and methods. After visiting the stallions, cycle through the lush rolling hills into the village of Komarom. Here you will find your accommodations for the evening in the favorite village of renowned King Matthias.Day 12: Komarno - Danube Bend Region, 32 mi. (52 km)
Today you cycle down small, lightly traveled roads next to the banks of the Slovakian Danube. Traveling through quaint and quintessential towns and past the Roman fort of Kelemantia your ride will bring you to the "Town of Kings and Bishops", Esztergom. Esztergom is also known as the "Hungarian Rome" or "Royal City". The Basilica of Esztergom, the largest cathedral in Hungary, and the rest of the town will prove to be a highlight and glamorous part of the tour.Day 13: Danube Bend Region - Budapest, 36 mi. (62 km) + Cruise
Amidst the hilly landscape, the Danube river divides to create the Szentendre-Island. On the island, you will get to cycle through traditional Hungarian villages. Szentendre is famous for its numerous handicraft boutiques and the Open-Air Museum of Skanzen. You will take a boat ride into the city of Budapest, where you will discover some of the city's most famous attractions.Day 14: Budapest
Enjoy today in the metropolis Budapest. An optional bus departure to Vienna is daily (every 2 hours) at 11:30 AM. Arrival in Vienna is at 2:30 PM where you will then transfer to a train for Passau (advance reservation required, surcharge applies). We recommend taking an extra night in Vienna to enjoy the wonderful city and to prevent stress during transfers.Train ticket Vienna-Passau is also available on request.
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Accommodation
Category A: mostly 4-star or very good 3-star hotels
Category B: quaint inns, 3-star hotels and pensions. In Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest, 4-star hotelsInclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations for 13 nights in the selected category
- Hybrid touring bike rental of the brand KTM with step-through aluminum frame, 21 speeds, Ortlieb pannier, handle bar bag, bike lock, mudguards, odometer, gel saddles, repair kit
- Daily breakfast
- Daily luggage transfer, 2 pieces of luggage per person (max. total weight of 30 kg per person)
- Welcome drink at the arrival hotel in Passau
- 1 bottle of high-quality wine in the Wachau Valley (per room)
- A tasting of regional products
- 1 train ride from Krems – Tulln (incl. bike)
- 1 train ride from Mosonmagyarovar – Györ (incl. bike)
- 1 ship or train ride, depending on season from Szentendre – Budapest
- Service-hotline (also accessible on weekends)
- Route book, maps, and information (one packet per room)
- GPS tracks are available on request
What’s Not Included
- Travel to and from Passau
- Meals other than those mentioned in included
- Dinner option offered (Cat. A: 13 dinners, Cat B: 12 dinners, Vienna, breakfast only). See pricing.
- Helmet (available for purchase)
- Local tax payable on spot (approx.€1 - 2.50/person/night) valid for Passau - Vienna portion
- Bike protection
- Travel insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2020
Season 1: October 3 to October 10, 2020 (only Sunday arrival is possible)
Season 2: April 12 - April 24 + September 19 - October 2, 2020
Season 3: April 25 - September 18, 2020Season 1 arrivals are only possible on Sundays
Season 2 and 3: Arrival every Saturday, Sunday, and MondayDue to the following events in Budapest, hotel availability in Budapest may be problematic and will incur a surcharge.
Formula I Grand Prix:
No bookings for tour starts July 24 up to and including July 26
UEFA:
Tour starts: June 12 through June 14 and June 19 through June 21 and Extra Nights: June 12 through June 29. A supplement will apply. See pricing.
NEK pope visit:
Tour starts: September 11 through the 13 and Extra Nights: September 17 through September 19. A supplement will apply. See pricing.Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2020
Cat A Dinners included Cat B Dinners included Season 1 $ 2291 £ 1257 $ 2,130 € 1384 $ 2481 kr 14726 $ 1,577 $ 545 £ 299 $ 506 € 329 $ 590 kr 3501 $ 375 $ 1811 £ 994 $ 1,684 € 1094 $ 1961 kr 11641 $ 1,247 $ 412 £ 226 $ 383 € 249 $ 446 kr 2649 $ 284 Season 2 $ 2539 £ 1393 $ 2,361 € 1534 $ 2750 kr 16322 $ 1,748 $ 545 £ 299 $ 506 € 329 $ 590 kr 3501 $ 375 $ 2043 £ 1121 $ 1,900 € 1234 $ 2212 kr 13130 $ 1,406 $ 412 £ 226 $ 383 € 249 $ 446 kr 2649 $ 284 Season 3 $ 2721 £ 1493 $ 2,531 € 1644 $ 2947 kr 17493 $ 1,873 $ 545 £ 299 $ 506 € 329 $ 590 kr 3501 $ 375 $ 2258 £ 1239 $ 2,100 € 1364 $ 2445 kr 14514 $ 1,554 $ 412 £ 226 $ 383 € 249 $ 446 kr 2649 $ 284 Single supplement $ 728 £ 400 $ 677 € 440 $ 789 kr 4682 $ 501 $ 612 £ 336 $ 570 € 370 $ 663 kr 3937 $ 422 Electric Bike $ 281 £ 154 $ 262 € 170 $ 305 kr 1809 $ 194 $ 281 £ 154 $ 262 € 170 $ 305 kr 1809 $ 194 Season 1: October 3 to October 10, 2020
Season 2: April 12 - April 24 + September 19 - October 2, 2020
Season 3: April 25 - September 18, 2020Due to the following events in Budapest, hotel availability here may be problematic and will incur a surcharge.
UEFA:
Tour starts: June 12 through June 14 and June 19 through June 21: and the following extra nights, June 12 - June 29:
Supplement, per person/per night: $ 46 £ 25 $ 43 € 28 $ 50 kr 298 $ 32 Single supplement per night: $ 91 £ 50 $ 85 € 55 $ 99 kr 585 $ 63 NEK Pope visit:
Tour starts: September 11 - September 13 and the following extra nights, September 17 - September 19:
Supplement per person/per night: $ 46 £ 25 $ 43 € 28 $ 50 kr 298 $ 32 Single supplement: $ 91 £ 50 $ 85 € 55 $ 99 kr 585 $ 63Extra Options
2020
Extra nights Twin/double Single Passau, 4* Cat. A $ 113 £ 62 $ 105 € 68 $ 122 kr 724 $ 77 $ 162 £ 89 $ 151 € 98 $ 176 kr 1043 $ 112 Passau, 3* Cat. B $ 94 £ 52 $ 88 € 57 $ 102 kr 607 $ 65 $ 132 £ 73 $ 123 € 80 $ 143 kr 851 $ 91 Vienna, 4*, possible before, after or during your tour.
(Only with arrival on Saturday or Sunday)$ 113 £ 62 $ 105 € 68 $ 122 kr 724 $ 77 $ 162 £ 89 $ 151 € 98 $ 176 kr 1043 $ 112 Budapest, 3*, Cat. A $ 106 £ 58 $ 99 € 64 $ 115 kr 681 $ 73 $ 192 £ 105 $ 179 € 116 $ 208 kr 1234 $ 132 Budapest, 4*, Cat. B $ 86 £ 47 $ 80 € 52 $ 93 kr 553 $ 59 $ 146 £ 80 $ 135 € 88 $ 158 kr 936 $ 100 Additional supplement for Budapest:
June 12 - June 29 and September 17 - September 19: $ 46 £ 25 $ 43 € 28 $ 50 kr 298 $ 32 Single: $ 91 £ 50 $ 85 € 55 $ 99 kr 585 $ 63Electric bike: $ 281 £ 154 $ 262 € 170 $ 305 kr 1809 $ 194
Additional options (must be reserved at time of booking):
Helmet purchase: $ 48 £ 26 $ 45 € 29 $ 52 kr 309 $ 33 Train ticket: Vienna - Passau: $ 73 £ 40 $ 68 € 44 $ 79 kr 468 $ 50 Bus ticket: Budapest - Vienna: pending
Transfer: Munich airport - Passau: $ 114 £ 63 $ 106 € 69 $ 124 kr 734 $ 79 Supplement for transfer from Munich city center or Munich train station, 1 - 8 ppl., shared cost: $ 66 £ 36 $ 62 € 40 $ 72 kr 426 $ 46If you are bringing your bike, tour discount applies however, there may be a supplement incurred for any transfers.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
The tour is mostly flat with some slight hills along the way. The Austrian section of the trip follows well-maintained cycle paths, while the Hungarian section follows country roads. The average distance is 30 miles per day (48 km). As always, when entering and exiting towns and cities, traffic will be encountered so good control and balance of your bicycle is necessary.
Travel
There are a couple of options as far as arrival and departure airports.
- You can arrive to Munich Airport (MUC) which is well connected to the city center and beyond by public transportation, taxis, and transfer services and depart from Budapest (BUD).
- If you prefer to arrive and depart from the same airport, you can arrive and depart from Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Local Travel
Arrival to Munich:
Public transportation:
To access a train to Passau, your point of embarkation, you first take a bus to Freising train station (approximately €3). It’s also possible to take a taxi from the airport to Freising Station (approximately €27). From Freising, continue by train to Passau. The train ride is approx. 2–2½ hr. (depending on connections) and costs €30 to €45 depending on type of train. If your travel plans include spending some time in Munich before your tour you can access a train to Munich city center directly at the airport at either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. You can then take a train from Munich to Passau.
Private transfers:
Transfers are available for a supplement from the airport or Munich City Center to Passau. See pricing.
Departure from Budapest:
Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD), formerly known as Budapest Ferihegy International Airport, is about 10 miles from the city center. Both terminals at the airport are accessible via public transport. Buses run between Kőbánya-Kispest metro station in the city and the airport. The bus ride from the metro station to Terminal 2 takes about 30 minutes.
Arrival to Vienna:
From Vienna Airport, you can take a train to Passau. There are a few direct departures or many departures with transfers involved. We can assist you with reserving a ticket. See pricing.
Departure from Vienna:
At the end of your tour, from Budapest’s main train station, Budapest-Keleti, you can take a train to Vienna. Travel time is just under 3 hours. The airport is outside the city limits, about 20 km (12.5 miles) from the city center. The CAT train line is the dedicated train link between Vienna and the airport. It leaves from Wien Mitte and delivers you to the airport (and vice versa) in 16 minutes, with no stops en route.
You can also request a bus ticket from us. See pricing.Climate
Please check local condition before your arrival and keep in mind that you will be experiencing an epic tour, visiting four countries, from Passau, through the Wachau Valley, into Bratislava and all the way to Budapest. Not only will you have rural cycling all along the river, but you will be visiting some larger cities in which the temperature always varies from the countryside. The narrow Wachau Valley, in the middle of your excursion, is situated between two high forest plateaus. Here the Danube River Gorge is advantageously protected from the north and the west resulting in a microclimate that is otherwise found only much farther south. This has resulted in the development of unique flora and fauna. This unique climate and landscape combined with the soils is why wine cultivation is so successful. A good website to visit to research average high/low temperatures, average rainfall, and other weather-related facts is weatherbase.com.
Recommended
Do note:
In Slovakia, wearing a helmet is required by law outside the city limits.
In Hungary, wearing a safety vest is required by law at night and during times of low visibility outside limits of cities/villages.
In Austria, wearing a helmet is mandatory for children under 12 years of age.Remarks
Electric bikes, children’s bikes, and special equipment for children on request.
Additional Travel Details
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our other international clients, please be sure that you research your own country's travel requirements. It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure proper documentation.
*Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Extra Stay
You can book an extra night in Vienna before, during, or after your tour! This will provide you more time to explore the City of Music.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Rad & Reisen.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
Photos
![Durnstein within the vineyards of the Wachau wine region, Austria. Flickr:jay8085]()
![Komarno in the Slovak Republic at the confluence of the Danube and Váh Rivers. Flickr:Janos Korom Dr.]()
![Biking the Danube River in Bratislava, Slovakia. ©Slovak Tourist Board]()
![Cathedral in Budapest, Hungary. Flickr:Moyan Brenn]()
![Danube River in Budapest, Hungary. Flickr:Moyan Brenn]()
![Bratislava Castle in Bratislava, Slovakia. ©Slovak Tourist Board]()
![Cheese in Vienna, Austria. Flickr:AwaraDiaries]()
![Wine tasting in the Wachau, Austria.]()
![Weißenkirchen in the Wachau wine region, Austria. Flickr:Cha gia Jose]()
![Biking past the Benedictine Abbey, Melk, Austria. Flickr:jay8085]()
![Lovely evening stroll through Vienna, Austria. Flickr:Pedro Szekely]()
![Beer break in Passau, Germany. Photo via TO]()
![Schönbrunn Palace Easter Market in Vienna, Austria. Flickr:Su-May]()
![Cobblestone streets in Krems, Austria. Flickr:Mikel Ortega]()
![Vineyards in the Wachau region of Austria. Wikimedia Commons:Lonezor]()
![Veste Oberhaus in Passau, Germany. Photo via TO]()
![Chain Bridge over the Danube in Budapest. Flickr:Moyan Brenn]()
![Esztergom along the Danube in Hungary. Flickr:Andrew Moore]()
![Hungarian Paprika. ©HNTO]()
![Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria. Flickr:Kurt Bauschardt]()
![Heldenplatz in Vienna, Austria. Photo via TO]()
![The famous <i>Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte</i> dessert in Vienna, Austria. Flickr:Raphael Labbe]()
![Schönbrunn Palace gardens in Vienna, Austria. Flickr:Anthony Greyes]()
![Biking the Danube in Esztergom, Hungary. Photo via TO]()
![Biking the Danube River to Budapest Bike Tour. Photo via TO]()
![Concert at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria. Flickr:leonhard.konitsch]()
![Along the Danube River in Linz, Austria. Wikimedia Commons:Thomas Ledl]()
![Shopping in Vienna, Austria. Flickr:Pedro Szekely]()
![Alte Universitat in Vienna, Austria. Photo via TO]()
![Biking the Danube River to Budapest, Hungary. Photo via TO]()
![Chocolate Spargel in Vienna, Austria. Flickr:Andrew Nash]()
![Baroque Castle Hof near the Slovak Republic border in Austria. Photo via TO]()
![Great churches in Passau, Germany. Photo via TO]()
![Beautiful Budapest, Hungary. Creative Commons:Itoldym]()
![Devin in the Slovak Republic. ©Slovak Tourist Board]()
![Durnstein on River Danube in Wachau wine-growing region, Austria. Flickr:Mikel Ortega]()
![Bike rest in Dürnstein, Wachau valley, Austria. Flickr:Don Heffernan]()
![Bike rest in Krems, Austria. Flickr:Mikel Ortega]()
![Tasty meals on board ship. Photo via TO]()
![Passau on the Danube River in Germany. Photo via TO]()
![Passau, Germany. Photo via TO]()
![Apricot dumplings in the Wachau Valley on the Danube.]()
![St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria. Flickr:Dennis Jarvis]()
![Testing out the bikes on board.]()
![Markthalle in Budapest, Hungary. Photo via TO]()
![Sightseeing in Dürnstein, Austria. Flickr:jeffowenphotos]()
![Steckerlfisch is a Danube specialty! Photo via TO]()
![Hofburg and the Imperial Palace in Vienna, Austria. Photo via TO]()
![Danube River through the Wachau Valley vineyards. Photo via TO]()
![Michael's Gate in Bratislava, Slovakia. ©Bratislava Tourismus]()
![Chain Bridge in Budapest, Hungary. Creative Commons:Wilfredor]()
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