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, Europe's most famous cycling path, follows the beautiful Blue Danube River.
Beginning in Passau and ending in the Hungarian metropolis of Budapest, you'll discover the beautiful landscape of the region as you cycle over rolling hills, through forests, meadows, picturesque villages, and the impressive Wachau Valley. Wineries and cozy inns invite you to enjoy the culinary specialties of the region.
Experience the art and culture of some of Europe's most beautiful cities.
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
Want to see more bike tours in Hungary or all of our Danube bike tours?
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.Sample hotels:
Category A: 4-star Hotel Weisser Hase
Category B: 4-star IBB Hotel SüdDay 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 DraxlerDay 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 LinzDay 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 ZugbrückeDay 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 MoserDay 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 MoserDay 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 RadissonDay 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 StöcklDay 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 BratislavaDay 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 GyörDay 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 GardenDay 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 AdalbertDay 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 FlamencoDay 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 bike trips, specials, and news.
Hotels & Bikes
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
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.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations for 13 nights in the selected category
- Welcome drink at arrival hotel in Passau
- Daily breakfast
- 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 luggage transfer, 2 pieces of luggage per person (max. total weight of 30 kg per person)
- 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 & Pricing
Season 1
Sunday arrivals: October 3 to October 11, 2021Season 2
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday arrivals: April 9 to May 6, 2021Season 3:
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday arrivals: May 7 to October 2, 2021Category A Category B Season 1 $ 2271 £ 1262 $ 2,176 € 1424 NZ$ 2459 kr 14777 $ 1,736 $ 1856 £ 1032 $ 1,779 € 1164 NZ$ 2010 kr 12079 $ 1,419 Single room $ 3004 £ 1670 $ 2,879 € 1884 NZ$ 3254 kr 19551 $ 2,297 $ 2414 £ 1342 $ 2,314 € 1514 NZ$ 2615 kr 15711 $ 1,846 Season 2 $ 2510 £ 1395 $ 2,406 € 1574 NZ$ 2718 kr 16334 $ 1,919 $ 2048 £ 1138 $ 1,962 € 1284 NZ$ 2217 kr 13324 $ 1,566 Single room $ 3244 £ 1802 $ 3,109 € 2034 NZ$ 3513 kr 21107 $ 2,480 $ 2606 £ 1448 $ 2,497 € 1634 NZ$ 2822 kr 16956 $ 1,992 Season 3 $ 2685 £ 1492 $ 2,574 € 1684 NZ$ 2908 kr 17475 $ 2,053 $ 2207 £ 1226 $ 2,115 € 1384 NZ$ 2390 kr 14362 $ 1,688 Single room $ 3419 £ 1900 $ 3,277 € 2144 NZ$ 3703 kr 22249 $ 2,614 $ 2765 £ 1537 $ 2,650 € 1734 NZ$ 2995 kr 17994 $ 2,114 Extra Options
Dinners included
Category A: $ 525 £ 292 $ 503 € 329 NZ$ 568 kr 3414 $ 401 Category B: $ 397 £ 221 $ 381 € 249 NZ$ 430 kr 2584 $ 304Transfers, Munich Airport to hotel in Passau
One way: $ 121 £ 67 $ 116 € 76 NZ$ 131 kr 789 $ 93 Two way: $ 226 £ 126 $ 217 € 142 NZ$ 245 kr 1474 $ 173Extra nights Twin/double Single Passau, 4* Cat. A $ 108 £ 60 $ 104 € 68 NZ$ 117 kr 706 $ 83 $ 156 £ 87 $ 150 € 98 NZ$ 169 kr 1017 $ 119 Passau, 3* Cat. B $ 91 £ 51 $ 87 € 57 NZ$ 98 kr 592 $ 69 $ 128 £ 71 $ 122 € 80 NZ$ 138 kr 830 $ 98 Vienna, 4*, possible before, after or during your tour.
(Only with arrival on Saturday or Sunday)$ 108 £ 60 $ 104 € 68 NZ$ 117 kr 706 $ 83 $ 156 £ 87 $ 150 € 98 NZ$ 169 kr 1017 $ 119 Budapest, 3*, Cat. A $ 102 £ 57 $ 98 € 64 NZ$ 111 kr 664 $ 78 $ 185 £ 103 $ 177 € 116 NZ$ 200 kr 1204 $ 141 Budapest, 4*, Cat. B $ 92 £ 51 $ 89 € 58 NZ$ 100 kr 602 $ 71 $ 158 £ 88 $ 151 € 99 NZ$ 171 kr 1027 $ 121 Additional options (must be reserved at time of booking)
Electric bike with pannier: $ 271 £ 151 $ 260 € 170 NZ$ 294 kr 1764 $ 207 Helmet purchase (paid on arrival but must be reserved in advance): $ 46 £ 26 $ 44 € 29 NZ$ 50 kr 301 $ 35 Train ticket, Vienna - Passau: $ 72 £ 40 $ 69 € 45 NZ$ 78 kr 467 $ 55 Transfer, Munich airport - Passau: $ 110 £ 61 $ 105 € 69 NZ$ 119 kr 716 $ 84 Supplement for transfer from Munich city center or Munich train station, 1 - 8 ppl., shared cost: $ 64 £ 35 $ 61 € 40 NZ$ 69 kr 415 $ 49 Bus ticket, Budapest - Vienna: pendingIf you are bringing your bike, tour discount applies however, there may be a supplement incurred for any transfers.
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
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.
Airport Info
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 in Munich:
- 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.
- Take the Regional Express train from the airport to Landshut and then get on another regional train that takes you to Passau. The wait between trains is approximately 15 minutes and does not require you to change tracks. Ticket price is approximately €16. Important to note, these tickets can only be purchased on the DB phone app or at the train station. Purchasing tickets from the machine will not give you this option since it does not allow bookings for multiple regional trains.
- Private 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 in 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 conditions prior to 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.
Recommended
Safety regulations:
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.
Important to know
Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this 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
Reviews
Phil C.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
William G.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Marion M.
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
Tripsite Customer Reviews
William G.
2 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Marion M.
5 years ago
Verified Reviewer