Danube Bike Path - Passau to Budapest

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: Budapest 

All distances are approximate. The 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.

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star Hotel Weisser Hase
Category B: 4-star IBB Hotel Süd 

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. 

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star Hotel Donaushlinge 
Category B: 3-star Gasthof Draxler

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. 

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star Arcotel Nike
Category B: 4-star Hotel Donauwelle Stegenberger Linz

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. 

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star Hotel Aumühle
Category B: 3-star Landgasthof Zur Zugbrücke

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. 

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star Hotel zum Schwarzen Bären
Category B: 3-star Hotels Moser

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. 

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star Arte Hotel 
Category B: 3-star Hotel Moser

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.

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star Hotel Kaiserwasser
Category B: 4-star Hotel Park Inn by Radisson

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. 

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star hotel Altes Kloster 
Category B: 3-star Gasthof Stöckl 

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. 

Sample hotels: 
Category A & B: 4-star Hotel Park Inn Bratislava 

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. 

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star hotel Famulus 
Category B: 3-star hotel Ibis Györ

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. 

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star hotel Peklo
Category B: 3-star hotel Bow Garden

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.

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star Thermalhotel Visegrad
Category B: 3-star Hotel Szent Adalbert

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. 

Sample hotels: 
Category A: 4-star Thermalhotel Visegrad
Category B: 4-star Hotel Danubius Flamenco

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.

Finally, be sure to check out all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured  trips, specials, and news.

You have a choice between two categories. Category A consists of mostly 4-star or high end, 3-star hotels. Category B consists of quaint inns and 3-star hotels and pensions. In Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest, 4-star hotels are always booked. In each day’s detailed itinerary you will find the name of the preferred hotel list. If the hotel listed is not available, a hotel of equal standard will be offered.

Bicycles

Men’s and women’s bicycles

Men's and women's hybrid bicycles

• Upright handlebar
• 7 or 21-speed KTM touring bike
• Flat pedals
• Step-through or men's frame (horizontal bar)
• Shimano components
• Accessories include one to two pannier bags, odometer, pump, and repair kit
• Helmet purchase possible

Electric bicycle

Electrically assisted bikes are available to those who love to cycle but who find it increasingly difficult to either master the terrain or the distance. E-bikes are not motorized but have a battery that enables you to pedal with ease. It has been described as similar to having a constant tailwind at your back.