Danube Bike Path - Vienna to Budapest
Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Bike Tours
Three Country Bike Tour along the scenic Danube Cycle Path
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€744 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Following the flow of the Danube, along the Danube Bike Path, an indescribably beautiful and varied scenery surrounds you through three countries and three capitals. Between the Austrian and Hungarian alluvial landscape and the Danube River Bend, you will experience regional art, culture, and nature. The highlights of this bicycle tour in Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia are as varied as the people and cultures.
Your tour starts in Vienna, the capital of Austria, city of music, culture, art, and history and your final destination and delight is Budapest, Hungary's capital, regarded as one of Europe's most beautiful cities. In the 8 days of exploring, you will enjoy the Danube Flood Plains National Park, Bratislava, Archaeological Park Carnuntum, and Esztergom.
The long and mighty Danube links nations and cultures and you will experience this as you bike Europe's best-known bike path through three countries and visit three capitals. Enjoy the journey.
This tour can also be taken as a 14-day tour from Passau to Budapest.
Highlights
- 3 capitals: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
- National Park Donauauen
- Archaeological Park Carnuntum
- Protected Area “Szigetköz”
- Basilica in Esztergom – Hungary’s biggest church
- Danube Bend
- Artist town Szentendre
Want to see more bike tours in Hungary?
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Vienna
Day 2: Vienna - Region Bad Deutsch Altenburg/surroundings, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 3: Region Bad Deutsch Altenburg/surroundings - Bratislava, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 4: Bratislava - Györ, 31 mi. (50 km) + train ride Mosonmagyarovar - Györ
Day 5: Györ - Komarno/ surroundings, 35 mi. (57 km)
Day 6: Komarno/surroundings - Danube Bend, 31 mi. (52 km)
Day 7: Danube Bend - Budapest, 39 mi. (62 km) + ship
Day 8: Departure from Budapest*All distances in this bicycle tour in Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria are approximate and vary according to details of accommodations.
DAY 1: Vienna
Individual arrival to the capital of Austria and overnight in the city. Opportunity to explore this city of music. you could visit a typical Viennese tavern to experience local cuisine.Excursions possible (ask us for details):
- City Tour by bike
- Historical City Tour with Schönbrunn Palace
- Waltz and Operetta concert at a Viennese palace
- Vienna Hop on and Hop off bus tour
- Vienna Pass
Sample hotels:
Cat. A: 4-star Hotel Kaiserwasser
Cat. B: 4-star Hotel Park Inn by RadissonDAY 2: Vienna - Region Bad Deutsch Altenburg area, 26 mi. (42 km)
Not far from Vienna, begins an untouched alluvial landscape and Nature Reserve with stunning and diverse flora and fauna. The silence is interrupted only by the sounds of the birds. You will have an opportunity to visit the Archaeological Park of Carnuntum which was once a Roman Army camp. Emperor-to-be Tiberius founded the settlement; he erected a fortified winter camp in the Carnuntum area in the year 6 AD which evolved into one of the most important cities within the Roman Empire. You will find detailed reconstructions of Roman buildings, entertaining stories, and plenty of interesting information regarding Roman traditions, customs, and celebrations.Sample hotels:
Cat. A: 4-star Hotel Altes Kloster
Cat. B: 3-star Gasthof StöcklDAY 3: Region Bad Deutsch Altenburg - Bratislava, 16 mi. (26 km)
Nestled in the hills of Hainburg and the Carpathian Mountains, you start your day's journey with cycling to Europe's youngest capital, Bratislava, a contrast between old and new. You will find cobblestoned roads, pedestrian plazas, pastel 18th-century rococo buildings and street cafés galore. Expand your gaze and you can’t miss the institutional housing blocks and bizarre communist construction beyond. An age-old castle shares the skyline with a modern and unusual bridge.Sample hotels:
Cat. A & B: 4-star Hotel Park Inn BratislavaDAY 4: Bratislava - Szigetköz - Györ, 31 mi. (50 km) + train
The marshy landscape of the Szigetköz is a paradise for birds, fish, and more. In the midst of these wild and untouched lowlands with more than 500 tiny islands, there are quaint farming villages and a labyrinth of countless Danube canals and creeks. After a relaxing train ride, the day's final destination awaits, Györ, with its gorgeous Baroque-style old town square. Győr, Hungary's second richest town in historic buildings outside Budapest has won Europe-award for the protection of the historic buildings, in acknowledgment of the reconstruction of the Baroque center of the town. Churches, palaces, museums, characteristic corner balconies and narrow lanes, all reminders of a historic past, invite visitors to take a walk in the center of the town.Sample hotels:
Cat. A: 4-star Hotel Famulus
Cat. B: 3-star Hotel Ibis GyörDAY 5: Györ - Komarno/surroundings, 35 mi. (57 km)
The route leads through the outskirts of Györ through the suburbs and continues on through the lowlands of the hill country of Transdanubian. In Babolna, you will want to visit the world-famous stud farm, known for its Arabian horse breeding. Afterward, through lush rolling hills of the village of Komarom, you reach the final destination of the day.Sample hotels:
Cat. A: 4-star Hotel Peklo
Cat. B: 3-star Hotel Bow GardenDAY 6: Komarno - Danube Bend, 31 mi. (52 km)
Today you will cycle along the banks of the Slovakian Danube on low traffic roads through quaint and quintessential villages. On the way to the "Town of Bishops and Kings", Esztergom, also known as the "Hungarian Rome" or "Royal City", you will pass the Roman fort of Kelemantia. The small town of Esztergom in Hungary played an important role in the establishment of the Hungarian state 1000 years ago. As a royal seat for two centuries and as a center for the Roman Catholic religion for 1000 years it abounds with history and culture. The Basilica of Esztergom, the largest Catholic Church in Hungary, is a highlight.Sample hotels:
Cat. A: 4-star Hotel Portobello
Cat. B: 3-star Hotel Szent AdalbertDAY 7: Danube Bend - Budapest, 39 mi. (62 km) + boat or train transfer
Amidst the hilly landscape, the Danube River divides itself into parts creating the Szentendre Island. Here, you cycle through typical Hungarian villages. Szentendre is famous for its numerous handicraft boutiques and the Open - Air Museum, Skanzen. Depending on the time of year you travel, the itinerary today features either a boat ride into the city or a train ride.- Free Budapest App
- Budapest City tour by bike
- Budapest Hop on and Hop-off bus tour
Sample hotels:
Cat. A: 4-star Hotel Novotel Budapest Danube
Cat. B: 4-star Hotel Danubius FlamencoDAY 8: Budapest
Today is at your leisure to enjoy the Hungarian capital. It is bustling but peaceful, a friendly metropolis and a place where old treasures blend with the modern. Long gone is its communist shadow. Today, Budapest is embracing its role as an important 21st-century city. If you want to return to Vienna, there are daily departures every 2 hours by bus. The duration of trip is approximately 3 hours. You can even request that you be dropped off at the Vienna International Airport. Return by train is also possible. Boat transfers are seasonal, usually operated from mid-April to the end of June (except Monday) and July through end of August, daily. Departure is at 4:30 to 5 pm, with check-in required one-half hour early.More Danube Bike Tours can be found here or you can view 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 accommodation for 7 nights according to booked category
- Breakfasts
- 21 gear unisex touring bike with handlebar bag, pannier, and odometer
- Luggage transfer (max. 2 pieces of luggage, max. 20 kg for one piece and no more than 30 kg/person)
- Route descriptions, tour information, and maps - one set per room
- GPS tracks (on request)
- 1 train trip Mosonmagyarovar - Györ (incl. bike)
- 1 ship or train transfer Szentendre - Budapest
- Service hotline
What’s Not Included
- Individual arrival to Vienna
- Lunches
- Dinners (Can be included for a supplement. See pricing.)
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2021
Season 1
Saturday departures: April 17 to April 29 + October 1 to October 16, 2021
Season 2
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday departures: April 30 to July 1 + August 27 to September 30, 2021Season 3
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday departures: July 2 to August 26, 2021Category A Category B Season 1 $ 1246 £ 703 $ 1,224 € 774 NZ$ 1338 kr 7976 $ 961 $ 1085 £ 612 $ 1,066 € 674 NZ$ 1165 kr 6946 $ 837 Single room $ 1680 £ 948 $ 1,651 € 1044 NZ$ 1804 kr 10758 $ 1,296 $ 1406 £ 793 $ 1,382 € 874 NZ$ 1511 kr 9007 $ 1,085 Season 2 $ 1342 £ 757 $ 1,319 € 834 NZ$ 1441 kr 8594 $ 1,036 $ 1165 £ 657 $ 1,145 € 724 NZ$ 1251 kr 7461 $ 899 Single room $ 1777 £ 1002 $ 1,746 € 1104 NZ$ 1908 kr 11377 $ 1,371 $ 1487 £ 839 $ 1,461 € 924 NZ$ 1597 kr 9522 $ 1,147 Season 3 $ 1439 £ 811 $ 1,414 € 894 NZ$ 1545 kr 9213 $ 1,110 $ 1229 £ 693 $ 1,208 € 764 NZ$ 1320 kr 7873 $ 949 Single room $ 1873 £ 1056 $ 1,841 € 1164 NZ$ 2012 kr 11995 $ 1,445 $ 1551 £ 875 $ 1,524 € 964 NZ$ 1666 kr 9934 $ 1,197 Extra Options
Dinners included
Category A (7 dinners): $ 259 £ 146 $ 255 € 161 NZ$ 278 kr 1659 $ 200 Category B (6 dinners, excluding Vienna): $ 198 £ 112 $ 194 € 123 NZ$ 213 kr 1268 $ 153Extra options (must be reserved at the time of booking)
Electric bike, with pannier: $ 151 £ 85 $ 149 € 94 NZ$ 162 kr 969 $ 117 Helmet purchase, to be paid on arrival*: $ 47 £ 26 $ 46 € 29 NZ$ 50 kr 299 $ 36 Bus, Budapest to Vienna*: On request
*Buses depart daily at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Travel time is approx. 3 hours and stops at Vienna International Airport as well as city center
(please inform at time of booking where you would like to get off and preferred time)Extra nights incl. breakfast Category A Category B Vienna 4 * $ 109 £ 62 $ 108 € 68 NZ$ 118 kr 701 $ 84 $ 109 £ 62 $ 108 € 68 NZ$ 118 kr 701 $ 84 Single room $ 158 £ 89 $ 155 € 98 NZ$ 169 kr 1010 $ 122 $ 158 £ 89 $ 155 € 98 NZ$ 169 kr 1010 $ 122 Budapest 4 * $ 103 £ 58 $ 101 € 64 NZ$ 111 kr 660 $ 79 $ 93 £ 53 $ 92 € 58 NZ$ 100 kr 598 $ 72 Single room $ 187 £ 105 $ 183 € 116 NZ$ 200 kr 1195 $ 144 $ 159 £ 90 $ 157 € 99 NZ$ 171 kr 1020 $ 123 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
Relatively easy hotel tour along the Danube River bike path with rolling hills that at times can be steep. The Austrian section follows well-maintained cycling paths. In Hungary, you will often cycle on country roads. Upon entering and leaving the cities, you will encounter traffic.
Airport Info
Fly to Vienna (VIE) or Bratislava (BTS). Vienna International Airport is about 16 km east of the city of Vienna in Schwechat.
Local Travel
VIE: By bus:
Vienna Airport lines operates two bus lines from the airport to the center. The buses leave at 30 minute intervals. One way costs €8 and tickets are purchased on board.
By Taxi
Bratislava
Take Slovak Lines/postbus to Vienna Central Station.
End of tour: Transfer Budapest - Vienna (please reserve at time of booking):
Public bus:
Departures every 2 hours on a daily basis, 11 am, 1 or 3 pm. Travel time is approx. 3 hours, stopping at Vienna International Airport as well as the city center (please inform at time of booking where you´d like to get off).
Other departure times on request, schedule is subject to change.
If you are returning to BTS (Bratislava), you can take a bus from Budapest. <br? More details regarding travel will be provided.Climate
Please check local conditions on arrival. The region has a moderate maritime climate, generally experiencing pleasantly mild winters and relatively cool summers. Please check local conditions prior to your departure and remember that your tour will cover a significant distance and will stretch along the Danube from Vienna to Budapest.
Recommended
Extra nights in Vienna and Budapest are highly recommended.
Remarks
In Austria, it is mandatory for children under the age of 12 to wear a bike helmet when on a bike. Please protect your little ones and bring their helmet. Reflective vests are not obligatory, but advised.
In Slovakia, it is obligatory to wear a bike helmet outside of villages and for children under 15 years, mandatory at all times. Reflective vests are mandatory during times of low visibility.
In Hungary, it is mandatory to wear safety vests during times of low visibility. It is not obligatory to wear a helmet but we advised to never cycle without one!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
Extra nights in Budapest and Vienna are highly recommended
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Rad und 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?
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