Danube Cycle Path Passau-Budapest

4 Countries - 1 Experience

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Please note: You can only take part in this trip if you are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19!
As of Oct 2022, subject to change.

Feel save, book flexible: FREE rebooking up to 6 weeks prior arrival to any alternative date in 2021 - applies to bookings between May 01 and June 15 2021 , the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

Rebooking FREE OF CHARGE until 28 days prior tour start; valid for all new bookings between May 01 and ***September 15 2021***. Valid for all tour-dates 2021 – the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

The Danube Cycle Path from Passau to Budapest is a superlative cycling trip. The river landscapes could not be more varied: steep, densely forested slopes alternate with flat alluvial landscapes and the endless expanse of the Hungarian Plain. Between vineyards and orchards, countless castles and palaces tell the story of the Romans, the Nibelungs and the Crusaders.

Enjoy the particularly warm Austrian/Hungarian hospitality, discover the picturesque old town of the Slovak capital Bratislava and cycle to the beat of a waltz through charming Vienna. The metropolis of Budapest, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, is the crowning glory of this bike tour.

Our Tip: If you book until 60 days prior to arrival you get a 5% discount!

Route

Tour profile Level 1-2

The tour is mostly flat and only sometimes slightly hilly. The Austrian section follows well-maintained and equipped cycle paths, in Hungary you will often cycle on country back and side roads. Upon entering and leaving cities there can of course be traffic that must be closely observed!

Day 1: Passau

Individual arrival. Use the remaining time on a city tour or get to know the "City of Three Rivers" on a boat cruise (not included) or simply go for a stroll through the picturesque old part of town. Between 4 pm and 7 pm bike hand over – for late arrivals on the next morning.

Day 2: Passau – Schlögener Loop, approx. 41 km

Start the first cycling route through the Upper Danube Valley to Schlögen. In Engelhartszell, you can visit the one and only "Trappist" monastery in Austria and you can even sample some delicious liqueurs straight from the convent. Continue the journey to the impressive "Schlögener Loop", where the river makes a complete 180-degree bend.

Day 3: Schlögener Loop – Linz, approx. 55 km

There are small ferries between the banks; enjoy this special experience. Enjoy the special experience of riding past the many ferries along the riverbanks as you continue to cycle through the Eferdinger basin to Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. Enjoy the summer evening with a stroll through the enchanting old part of town.

Day 4: Linz – Strudengau, approx. 60 km

An excursion to Enns, the oldest town in Austria is highly recommended and worth a visit. This leg guides you through beautiful meadows and tranquil hinterland while passing the Celtic village of Mitterkirchen, rolling by the majestic church in Baumgartenberg and on to the romantic castle of Clam. Toward the end of the day, you reach the gorgeous Baroque village of Grein. There, the oldest theatre in Austria is awaiting your royal visit.

Day 5: Strudengau – Nibelungengau, approx. 50 km

Today’s tour is enjoyed by cycling through the fascinating landscape of tall and densely wooded rock formations on both sides of the Danube. High above the Danube is the Pilgrimage Church of Maria Taferl. From the distance the marvellous Benedictine Monastery of Melk is greeting you.

Day 6: Nibelungengau – Krems/surroundings, approx. 50 km

Another highlight on this tour is the chance to cycle through the magnificent Wachau. A landscape, where you will find terraced vineyards, apricot groves interspersed with castles, palaces and monasteries. There is also the possibility to take a break off your bike and relax on a short boat excursion. On your way to Krems you cycle through the winery villages of Spitz, Weißenkirchen and Dürnstein. Through these charming villages you will see quaint alluring taverns, which are just waiting to present Austrian hospitality at its best.

Day 7: Krems/surroundings – Vienna, approx. 40 km + train ride Krems - Tulln

By train you will depart from this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Region. After arriving in Tulln, you ride your bike directly through the Vienna Woods (Wiener Wald) and pass through “The Gates of Vienna”. Along the way don’t forget to stop in and visit the impressive monastery in Klosterneuburg and then continue on to the “City of Music”, Vienna.

Day 8: Vienna – Bad Deutsch-Altenburg/surroundings, approx. 42 km

Not far from Vienna an untouched alluvial landscape and a Nature Reserve with stunning and diverse Flora and Fauna begins. Get away from it all and enjoy the wonderful peace and quiet, only interrupted by the twittering chirps of birds. The ancient Romans have left their footprints here. They also relaxed in the nice warm water of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. The Archaeological Park of Carnuntum is waiting to take you into an exiting journey through the past.

Day 9: Bad Deutsch-Altenburg/surroundings – Bratislava, approx. 32 km

Nestled between the hills of Hainburg and the Carpathian Mountains, you cycle on to Europe’s youngest capital, Bratislava. The Slovak capital has an enchanting sleepy old town as well as magnificent modern buildings.

Day 10: Bratislava - Schüttinsel – Györ, approx. 45 km + train Mosonmagyarovar – Györ

The landscape of the "Szigetköz" is an idyllic paradise for birds and fish. In the midst of this wild and untouched landscape with more than 500 tiny islands you will find farming villages and a labyrinth of countless Danube creeks. After a short train ride, you reach Györ with its beautiful Baroque-style old town.

Day 11: Györ – Komarno/surroundings, approx. 57 km

The National Stud of Babolna is world famous for its Arabian horse breeding and is definitely worth some time. While you are visiting the stallions and the Stud Museum you can catch a glimpse of some secret Hungarian horse breeding techniques and methods. After cycling through the lush rolling hills into the village of Komarom, you will find your accommodation in the favourite village of renowned King Matthias.

Day 12: Komarno/surroundings – Danube bend region, approx. 52 km

Today you cycle along the banks of the Slovakian Danube down small low-traffic roads through quaint and quintessential villages. On your way to the “Town of Bishops and Kings”, Esztergom, also known as the „Hungarian Rome“ or “Royal City”, you pass the Roman fort of Kelemantia. The Basilica of Esztergom, largest Catholic cathedral in Hungary and the rest of the town again and again prove to be a highlight and glamorous part of the overall tour.

Day 13: Danube bend region – Budapest, approx. 62 km + ship/train ride

Amidst the hilly landscape, the river Danube divides itself into parts creating the Szentendre-Island. On this island, you cycle through typical Hungarian villages. Szentendre is famous for its numerous handicraft boutiques and the Open-air Museum of Skanzen. A few particular highlights include some of the most famous attractions in Budapest all in which you will discover on your boat/train ride into the city.

Day 14: Budapest

Enjoy this day in the metropolis Budapest. You can book the bus ride back to Vienna via our company (not included.) From Vienna you have to change to the train to Passau (not included). We recommend an extra night in Vienna so you can highly enjoy this great city and won’t have any stress with transfers. Schedules subject to change!

Services

Included services

  • 13 nights in rooms with private facilities 

  • Breakfast or halfboard (dinner) option for surcharge

  • Daily luggage transfer up to hotel in Budapest (1 suitcase/max. 20 kg/person) 

  • Welcome drink in the arrival hotel in Passau and Vienna

  • 1 bottle of high-quality wine per room in the Wachau Valley 

  • 1x tasting of regional products

  • 1x train Krems – Tulln (incl. bike) 

  • 1x train Mosonmagyarovar – Györ (incl. bike)

  • 1x cruise (before/after seasonal boat schedule train ride) Szentendre – Budapest 

  • Service-hotline (also accessible on weekends)

  • Handlebar bag with tourbook, maps and informational material per room

Our tip: Get your eSIM for a low-priced holiday-data package here

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

Season / Period
Type

Extras

Discounts for 3rd person (in double room with 2 full paying adults)
0-6,99 years -100%
7-11,99 years -50%
12-14,99 years -25%
15-99 years -10%
 
Bicycles & equipment
21-speed-bike/7-speed-bike. 169
E-bike 339
Kid´s bike 169
Helmet (payable locally) 39
   
Additional night**
Passau 3* (dbl/sgl) 57/80
Passau 4* (dbl/sgl) 76/99
Vienna 4* (dbl/sgl)** 72/99
Budapest 4* (dbl/sgl) Cat A 69/125
Budapest 4* (dbl/sgl) Cat B 69/125
**additional nights in Vienna are only bookable during the bike tour with arrival on Saturday/Sunday  
   
Transfers  

Private transfer Munich - Passau - one-way / 1-8 persons
airport/city

 240/290
Transfer own bikes with RAD+REISEN bus, S1+S2 Friday, S3 Saturday 59
Bus ticket Budapest -Vienna  34
Train ticket Vienna Passau 49

Best - Price - Guarantee

If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
All prices per person in EUR

Accommodation

Hotel samples

Category A
selected 4*hotels; exceptional best 3*hotels possible

Passau: 4*Hotel Passauer Wolf
Schlögener Loop: 4*Hotel Donauschlinge
Linz: 4*Courtyard by Marriott
Region Strudengau: 4*Hotel Aumühle
Region Nibelungengau: 4*Hotel zum Schwarzen Bären
Krems: 4*Hotel Steigenberger Krems
Vienna: 4*Hotel Kaiserwasser
Region Bad Deutsch-Altenburg: 4*Hotel Altes Kloster
Bratislava: 4*Hotel Park Inn Bratislava
Györ: 4*Hotel Famulus
Komarno: 4* Hotel Peklo
Donauknie: 4*Hotel Portobello
Budapest: 4*Novotel Budapest Danube

Category B
quaint inns, 3* hotels and pensions. In Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest 4-star hotels

Passau: 3*IBB Hotel Passau Süd
Schlögener Loop: 3*Gasthof Draxler
Linz: Hotel Prilmayerhof
Region Strudengau: 3*Landgasthof Zur Zugbrücke
Region Nibelungengau: 3*Hotel Moser
Krems: 3*Hotel zum Goldenen Engel
Vienna: 4*Hotel Arcotel Donauzentrum
Region Bad Deutsch-Altenburg: 3*Gasthof Stöckl
Bratislava: 4*Hotel Park Inn Bratislava
Györ: 3*Hotel Ibis Györ
Komarno: 3*Hotel Bow Garden
Donauknie: 3*Hotel Szent Adalbert
Budapest: 4*Hotel Mercure Castle Hill

Note: Please be informed that these are hotel samples and therefore subject to alteration! Find Your final hotel bookings at Your hotel list after/at booking.

Bicycle

Rental bicycles & equipment

Our bicycles are state-of-the-art quality bikes, designed specifically for the requirements and wishes of our guests. This is how we created easy-running, robust touring bikes with a low comfort entry, precise Shimano Nexus 8-speed hub gears, modern V-brakes, hollow aluminum rims and puncture-proof tires. The elevating handlebars allow for comfortable and back-friendly riding. The bikes in our fleet are mostly not older than 3 years. During the duration of the trip you are liable for any damage, loss or theft.

The following bikes are available with 28" tires in various frame sizes (Men’s frames are provided for men over 188 cm):

  • 24-speed trekking bikes UNISEX* with hand brakes and freewheel
  • E-bikes (pedelecs) UNISEX
  • child seat, child trailer, pull-along bikes

Our rental bikes are equipped with a spacious waterproof pannier, a handy handlebar bag, service kit with tools, air pump,bike lock per room.

E-Bikes | Electric bikes | Pedelecs

We provide you with modern quality e-bikes (pedelecs) with 7 or 8-speed hub gears, gradually selectable aid of pedaling power, puncture-proof tires and low UNISEX comfort entry. The bikes have a powerful motor and a strong lithium-ion battery, one battery charge is enough for up to 70 kilometers. You conserve your battery by starting with the lowest possible assistance and increasing it as needed. You charge the batteries at night using the charger.

IMPORTANT: please reserve ebikes early, as they are only available in very limited numbers.

Breakdowns

Breakdowns or punctures can occur even with new wheels and the best maintenance. Fix punctures yourself, in case of major damage please contact our on-site staff. Please do not have any repairs done to the bikes without our approval.

Bringing of own bikes

You are welcome to bring your own bike. This is specially adapted to your needs and we understand very well that you would naturally like to have it with you on your bike trip. Do not forget to bring a tool bag including necessary keys and spare tube as well as a lock and check the bike for functionality before your departure.

Useful

Arrival - Parking - Departure

Arrival by plane

Airport: Munich (MUC), Linz (LNZ), Vienna (VIE)
Flights can be booked individually. For details see your final travel documents.

Arrival by car

Several public parking garages available (approx. € 35,- to 65,-/week) Please note that parking fees have to be paid on site. An overview of this can be found >>here (just german)

Arrival by train

Train station: Passau, Linz, Vienna
The actual timeable and prices you will find via www.oebb.at, www.sbb.ch or www.bahn.com.
We recommend a taxi from the rtain station to your hotel.

Transfer (reservation within booking) / the tickets you need to pay extra (not included)

Back from Budapest to Vienna

  • Public bus: Approx. bus departure: 11.00 a.m. 1.00 p.m or 3:00 p.m., duration approx. 3 hours, on request stopping at Vienna International Airport as well as the city center (please tell us on booking), other departure dates on request, changes of schedule possible.
  • RAD&REISEN-back transfer of own bikes in Season 1 on Friday and in Season 2+3 on Saturdays (arrival in Vienna approx. 9 pm)

Back from Vienna to Passau

  • Train ride ÖBB, tickets valid until 1 month after date of issue
  • sending of train tickets if needed prior to tour start is possible.

Additional information

Formula I Grand Prix Budapest
tour start on July 15- 16 on request - with surcharge of € 44 per room per tour night in Budapest and € 55 per room and addtional night in Budapest

The included cruise is possible in the following times:
Szentendre - Budapest
April 28 - October 01, every FRI, SAT and SUN
(train ride will be organized in times not meeting the boat schedule)

Safety equipment
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 own helmet. Reflective vests are not obligatory, but surely useful.

In Slovakia you are obliged to wear a bike helmet outside of villages, for children under 15 years it is mandatory to wear a helmet in general. Reflective vests are mandatory at bad sight, at night and dawn.

In Hungary it is mandatory to wear safety vests at bad light and sight outside of villages, but there is no obligation to wear a helmet.

Participants

minimum participants: 6 persons

 

Videos

Travel stories

4,9 of 6 Stars | 22
I would like to thank you very much, because the bike trip was fantastic, all was excellent, the bikes, the hotels, the routes proposed, the services in general....E.M. 06/22
5,1 18.07.2024 | Kathryn A. Danube Cycle Path Passau-Budapest

Passau to Budpest

Fantastic first half. Too much road riding in Hungary. R& R App was incorrect and out of date in a few places. no app or web page for updated info to be added ie. road closures for flooding, ferries cancelled etc Klaus was amazing to work with
  • Booking handling 6
  • Travel documents 6
  • Per-Tour information 5
  • Accomodation 5
  • Luggage transport 6
  • Route description 2
  • On-site assistance 4
  • Route-character 5
  • Bicycle + equipment 6
  • Price-performance ratio 6
more
0,0 09.07.2024 | David G. Danube Cycle Path Passau-Budapest

Passau to Budapest on an acoustic bike at 72

This is a great ride for a reasonably fit 72 year old on an acoustic bike If in doubt you have the option of an electric bike Good instructions and app and the whole trip went without a hitch Make sure you take their advice on taking some spare clothes ...
fae_foto_53_2024_07_09_16_01_52_1976372482.jpg
more
5,4 13.05.2024 | Valerie V. Danube Cycle Path Passau-Budapest

An overall very good Experience

Our Danube Cycle Path Passau-Budapest is considered the most popular long distance bike tour in Europe & I can now understand why. It was our 1st long distance cycle tour & altho fit 70 yr olds we were apprehensive about this challenge. But it was great. ...
  • Booking handling 6
  • Travel documents 5
  • Per-Tour information 5
  • Accomodation 6
  • Board 5
  • Luggage transport 6
  • Route description 5
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 4
  • Bicycle + equipment 6
  • Price-performance ratio 5
more
5,2 10.10.2023 | Bernie R. Danube Cycle Path Passau-Budapest

R. report Passau to Budapest cycle trip

1. Female bike did not have lights and we could not get them fixed even after three visits to bike shops on the way. Also we did not realise the bus timetable was restricted on a Sunday and nearly missed picking up the bike before 10 am. This could be ...
  • Overall satisfaction 5
  • Booking handling 6
  • Travel documents 4
  • Per-Tour information 6
  • Accomodation 6
  • Board 5
  • Luggage transport 6
  • Route description 4
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 5
  • Bicycle + equipment 3
  • Price-performance ratio 6
more
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Lorenz Predcechtel

Happy to advise you:

 Lorenz Predcechtel

Any questions left?

+43 1 4053873 – 35
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