Prague to Passau

Day 1: Arrival in Prague
Day 2: Prague – Benešov (38 miles / 61 km)
Day 3: Benešov – Tábor (37 miles / 60 km)
Day 4: Tábor – Hluboká nad Vltavou (37 miles / 60 km)
Day 5: Hluboká nad Vltavou – Český Krumlov (25 miles / 40 km)
Day 6: Český Krumlov – Lake Lipno Area (25 miles / 40 km)
Day 7: Lake Lipno – Passau
Day 8: Departure from Passau

*All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Arrival in Prague
The day is yours to explore Prague, the "Paris of Central Europe". You are free to relax, shop, or stroll the streets. You can also opt to take the unique Prague-by-bike tour. The tour is guided by locals who love and know their city and can showcase much more than any travel book. Finish your experience with a glass of good beer in a carefully chosen place. If time allows, it is suggested that you book a few extra nights in Prague before the tour to enjoy all the city has to offer.

Sample accommodation:
Standard: DAP or International
Premium: Hotel Clement

Day 2: Prague – Benešov (38 miles / 61 km)
Your first cycling day begins with a relaxed ride along the Vltava River, following scenic bike paths upstream. After approximately 20 km of flat terrain, you leave the river behind and climb into the romantic Posázaví Highlands. Each ascent is rewarded with sweeping countryside views. At Zbořený Kostelec, you may take a short hike to the ruins of a local castle before continuing to nearby Týnec nad Sázavou, home to a charming Gothic stronghold and Romanesque rotunda.
The day concludes with a visit to Konopiště Castle, once the summer residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este. His assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 triggered the start of World War I.

Sample accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Atlas
Premium: Hotel Bellevue

Day 3: Benešov – Tábor (37 miles / 60 km)
Today’s ride leads you along quiet side roads and peaceful byways through a scenic part of Central Bohemia. This region is sometimes called “Czech Meran” for its gentle rolling hills or “Czech Siberia” for the cooler air that settles in the valleys. Expect a beautiful mix of climbs, sweeping views, and fun descents, a true cycling paradise.

After traversing this undulating landscape, you will arrive in Tábor, a formidable medieval fortress city that served as the headquarters of the Czech Reformation during the 15th-century Hussite Wars. Never conquered, Tábor offers plenty to explore and promises a rewarding evening after a fulfilling day of riding.

Sample accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Grand
Premium: Hotel Nautilus

Day 4: Tábor – Hluboká nad Vltavou (37 miles / 60 km)
Today, you enter the South Bohemian region, an area known for its warm hospitality, centuries-old fish farming traditions, and the charming architectural style known as “folk Baroque.” The route leads through picturesque villages, including Záluží, home to a well-preserved open-air museum showcasing traditional rural architecture. You will also pass through the Borkovická Marshland, where you can learn about peat mining and appreciate this unique natural environment.

In Dolní Bukovsko, you can visit the early Gothic Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, notable for its precious Gothic mural paintings.
The highlight of the day is your arrival in Hluboká nad Vltavou to visit its striking neo-Gothic castle, inspired by the Tudor style. With its many towers and distinctive pale yellow façade, it looks straight out of a fairytale. Inside, 141 richly furnished rooms display priceless objects from the Schwarzenberg collection.

Sample accommodation:
Standard: Pension Kapr
Premium: Hotel Štekl

Day 5: Hluboká nad Vltavou – Český Krumlov (25 miles / 40 km)
After breakfast, you cycle upstream along the Vltava River toward the South Bohemian metropolis of České Budějovice. In addition to its well-preserved main square, Baroque fountain, and iconic Black Tower, the city is world-famous for producing Budweiser Budvar beer. One sip of this golden brew reflects centuries of Bohemian brewing tradition and confirms why beer is considered a true national treasure here.

Your route continues to the 13th-century monastery of Zlatá Koruna (“Golden Crown”), once an important center of learning and political influence.
By day’s end, you arrive in Český Krumlov, often called the “Pearl of the Renaissance.” This enchanting town features more than 300 historic buildings surrounding a grand Renaissance castle that once belonged to some of the kingdom’s most influential noble families. After Prague, Český Krumlov is the Czech Republic’s most visited destination, and for good reason. For many travelers, this town becomes the highlight of the entire journey from the Czech Republic to Passau.

Sample accommodation:
Standard: Pension Rosa
Premium: Hotel Gold / Zlatý Anděl

Day 6: Český Krumlov – Lake Lipno Area (25 miles / 40 km)
Today’s ride leads you out of enchanting Český Krumlov and into the rolling South Bohemian countryside. You will cycle through quiet hills and skirt a section of the Boletice military area before reaching the beautiful shores of Lake Lipno, one of Czechia’s most popular recreational regions.

The area offers plenty to enjoy. swimming, boat trips, lakeside paths, or a visit to the ruins of Vítkův Kámen, one of the highest castles in the country, with spectacular views. You may also relax by the water or explore the small villages around the lake.
Your day concludes with a peaceful evening in the Lake Lipno region, surrounded by nature and fresh mountain air.

Sample accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Marlin
Premium: Nová Pec/Hotel Relax, Dolní Vltavice

Day 7: Lake Lipno – Passau (Mileage varies depending on transfer starting point)
Your final cycling day begins with a morning transfer into the Šumava National Park region. The train or car will bring you to Nová Pec, set on the banks of Lake Lipno. From here, you begin riding upstream through the heart of Šumava, surrounded by deep forests, peat bogs, and open meadows.

Near Stožec, you cross the former Iron Curtain and enter Germany. The route then connects with a dismantled railway line, now a smooth and scenic cycling path, that carries you gently through rolling terrain almost to Waldkirchen. From there, the ride continues up and down through idyllic Bavarian countryside on a network of quiet side roads and bike trails.

Your journey concludes in Passau, beautifully situated on the banks of the mighty Danube River, marking the end of your unforgettable ride from the Czech Republic into Germany.

Sample accommodation:
Standard/Premium: Weißer Hase

Day 8: Departure from Passau
It is recommended to extend your stay to further explore Passau!

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

If it is only the Danube you desire, check out all of our Danube bike path tours.

Accommodations in 3-star hotels (standard version) or 4-star hotels (premium version). A sample hotel list is listed in the day-to-day itinerary, keeping in mind all accommodations are based on availability.

A sample hotel list is located in the day-to-day itinerary, keeping in mind all accommodations are based on availability.

Air conditioning cannot be guaranteed in each hotel like in some smaller towns or towns in historical areas that are prohibited from having AC.

Bicycles

Standard Touring Bike

Hybrid Bike – Women’s

Pells Crono Comp Woman (3×8 speed)

• Front handlebar bag (5 L)
• 1× rear pannier (20 L)
• Helmet
• Water bottle holder + bottle
• Sizes: 16”, 18”

Hybrid Bike – Men’s

Pells Crono Pro (3×9 speed)

• Front handlebar bag (5 L)
• 1× rear pannier (20 L)
• Helmet
• Water bottle holder + bottle
• Sizes: 15”, 17”, 19”, 21”, 23”

Electric Bike

Agogs City Liner Class (1×8 speed)

• Range approx. 90 km
• 1× rear pannier (20 L)
• Helmet
• Water bottle holder + bottle
• Size: Unisex, 150–190 cm (26” wheels)

Premium Electric Bike

Cannondale Quick Neo (1×9 speed, 28” wheels)

• 1× rear pannier (20 L)
• Helmet
• Water bottle holder + bottle
• Sizes: 15”, 17”, 19”, 21”

Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 SL (1×10 speed, 28” wheels)

• 1× rear pannier (20 L)
• Helmet
• Water bottle holder + bottle
• Sizes: 14” step-through, 15”, 17”, 19”, 21”

Gravel Bike

Pells Raw 3 Grey (1×11 speed)

• 1× rear pannier (20 L)
• Helmet
• Water bottle holder + bottle
• Sizes: 49, 54, 56, 58

Specialized Diverge E5 (2×9 speed)

• 1× rear pannier (20 L)
• Helmet
• Water bottle holder + bottle
• Sizes: 48, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61

Tandem Bike

Note: Tandem bikes are available on a request basis.

Trek Tandem (3×8 speed, 26” wheels)

• Front handlebar bag (5 L)
• 1× rear pannier (20 L)
• 2× helmets
• 3× water bottle holders + bottles
• Size: Unisex