Danube Cycle

Land Tour

14 days

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Danube Cycle
  • About
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  • Itinerary
  • Location

$AUD 289 per day

Departure: Passau, Germany

Discover the history of magnificent Baroque castles and Benedictine monasteries along the winding cycle route that follows the Danube. You will travel from Germany through Austria to Slovakia and conclude your journey in Hungary. Our route visits the great cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest and takes you past charming villages and vineyards. The compelling history of the Danube itself and the nations it links will capture your imagination as you pass by sites of historic interest and significance. A journey that portrays the historic division and contemporary unity of Europe.
About
13 breakfasts, 12 dinners (not in 2025) (dinner not included in Vienna). Continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, cheese, occasionally eggs and meats, coffee, tea and juices. Dinner will consist of 3 courses which are likely to include regional specialities
13 nights in 3 to 4 star inns and hotels with private facilities on a twinshare basis in low season (it is possible to upgrade to mainly 4 star hotels (CAT A) - supplement applies)
Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess
21 speed bike rental equipped with pannier and odemeter (7 speed bikes on request or if 21-speed is fully booked, children trailers (max 2 children, 40kgs) on request. A limited number of 8-speed electric bikes are available for hire - must be pre-booked and a supplement applies).
Maps, route information and tourist information per room plus GPS Tracks for the Passau-Vienna stage and navigational app for the Vienna-Budapest stage
1 bottle of wine per room - to be collected from the winery in Wachau
A tasting of regional products (in 2024)
Train ride Krems – Tulln, Train ride Mosonmagyarovar - Gyor (including bike)
1 ferry trip (or train outside ferry operating season) Szentendre to Budapest (Danube Bend area)
Emergency hotline
Note: Children’s prices are available on request – excellent discounts apply.
Hightlights
Cycling along the Danube bike path
Exploring the majestic cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest and the three river town of Passau
Experiencing the timelessness of the river landscape
Visiting the Basilica in Esztergom, the abbey at Melk, the Danube Bend and the Danube loop
Discovering the "Little Alföld" Protected Area and the Danube floodplain National park

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Join Passau
Check into the hotel where you will receive your travel documents. The remainder of the day is free to explore the town. Located at the junction of three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau has a number of interesting sites including the Fortress “Veste Oberhaus” built in 1219 where there is an observation tower for a good view of the town and the river and St. Stephen's Cathedral with the world’s largest church organ.
Collect your bike this afternoon (4-7 pm) or tomorrow morning. Generally we provide bikes with 21 gears – if you would like a 7 speed bike please specify this on booking.
Day 2 - Cycle to Engelhartszell and Schlögen (41km/25.5mi)
The cycle begins directly at the bike garage where your bikes were collected, following the Danube through the Austrian border town of Engelhartszell which is home to a former Cistercian abbey (1293-1786) and since 1925 the only Trappist monastery in Austria. From here you continue to Schlögen. The famous Schlögener Blick provides a wonderful view of the surrounding Austrian countryside.
Day 3 - Cycle to Linz (55km/34mi)
On the southern bank of the Danube you pass Aschach and the monastery Wilhering until you reach the capital of Upper Austria, Linz. The city has a lively arts and music culture. In 1783 Mozart wrote his Symphony No. 36 here, now known as the Linz Symphony. The modern art gallery “Lentos” is worth a look. It is situated on the Danube and illuminated at night.
Day 4 - Cycle to Grein or surrounds (60km/37mi)
The cycle continues along the Danube cycle path passing the Mauthausen concentration camp. It is possible to visit the camp which has an interesting museum, although the detour requires a steep uphill climb. Another interesting side trip is the town of Enns, the oldest city in Austria. Meandering away from the river the route takes you through fields of wheat, corn and sunflowers. This is the Strudengau region, a valley in Lower Austria. In the afternoon you arrive at Clam Castle and the town of Grein, dominated by the castle of “Greinburg”. In Grein you will find the oldest Austrian theatre which is open to visitors. Overnight in the surrounding area near Grein.
Day 5 - To Melk and Nibelungengau (50km/31mi)
Continuing through Strudengau, you arrive in Ybbs, a former trading centre on the Danube. The route continues past the Pilgrimage Church of Maria Taferl to Melk, with its imposing Benedictine Monastery. Well before you reach the town you can see the huge monastery and there will be ample time in the afternoon to explore the museum, abbey and absorb the sweeping view from its balcony. Overnight in a surrounding town, close to Melk.
Day 6 - Cycle through Wachau and on to Krems (50km/31mi)
Today, you pedal through the renowned Wachau, with its truly romantic scenery of vineyards and quaint villages, enroute to Krems. You will pass several fantastic sights (abbeys, castles, ruins). Alongside the cycle path you will find the so called “Heurigen” (typical Austrian wine taverns) where you can taste wine or regional foods.
Day 7 - Train to Tulln then cycle to Vienna (40km/25mi)
This morning you take the train to Tulln then cycle past the castle of "Greifenstein". You then continue to metropolitan Vienna, capital of Austria. The route into Vienna is mostly on a cycle path with no vehicles allowed, allowing easy access to the main centre and your hotel. Own arrangements for dinner tonight.
Day 8 - Explore a nearby nature reserve & the archaeological park of Carnuntum (42km/26mi)
From Vienna cycle along the Danube-Cycle-Path through the national park “Donauauen", which was established to protect the Danube floodplain areas and the large diversity of plants and animals found within this ecosystem. The route continues past the castles of “Orth” and “Eckartsau” before reaching the health resort town of Bad Deutsch Altenburg. Nearby you can view the Roman excavations of Petronell-Carnuntum, an important archaeological site. Overnight Bad Deutsch Altenburg or surrounds.
Day 9 - Follow the Danube to Bratislava (32km/20mi)
The Danube is bordered by the hills of Hainburg and the small Carpathian mountains at this point. Today you will cycle on to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Don’t miss the lovely pedestrian zone, old quarter, numerous sites and shopping opportunities. Bratislava is Europe’s youngest capital city, ideally located between the Danube plain, hills and vineyards. Overnight Bratislava.
Day 10 - Continue by bike and train through delightful villages to Györ (82km/51mi or shorten by train)
Continuing along the banks of the Danube you soon reach the Hungarian border and continue through the Szigetköz. The marshy landscape is an ideal environment and paradise for birds and fish alike. In the midst of these wild and untouched lowlands with more than 500 tiny islands, you will find quaint farming villages and a labyrinth of countless Danube canals and creeks. The day's bike tour ends in the beautiful city of Györ, situated at the mouth of three rivers. The city enchants with its baroque old town. Recommendation: Shorten the cycling stage between Mosonmagyarovar and Györ comfortably by train. Train tickets are available at ticket machines at the train station and cost approx. € 1,- per ride. This shortens the cycling stage to approx. 44 km/27.5mi)
Day 11 - Visit the stud of Babolna and cycle to Komarno and surrounds (57km/35.5mi)
Following your departure from Gyor where you need to concentrate on the directions, you cycle today through the landscape of western trans Danubia, passing the national stud in Babolna. Continue cycling along rolling hills to the divided town of Komarom (border town between Hungary and Slovakia, also Komárno), a favourite of King Matthias.
Day 12 - To Esztergom (52km/32mi)
Cycle along the banks of the Slovakian Danube on low-traffic roads through quaint and quintessential villages in the Danube bend region. On your way to the “Town of Bishops and Kings”, Esztergom, you pass the Roman fort of Kelemantia. A highlight of the day is the Basilica of Esztergom, the largest Catholic cathedral in Hungary with its beautiful view.
Day 13 - Ferry round trip to Szentendre Island and cycle to Budapest (50-67km/31-42mi)
Amidst the hilly landscape, the Danube river divides itself into parts creating the Szentendre Island. Here you will cycle through typical Hungarian villages. Szentendre is famous for its numerous handicraft boutiques and the Open-air Museum of Skanzen. Continue by bike and boat to the Hungarian capital, Budapest (dependent on the boat service, a train may be substituted). On the boat, the views from the sun deck is overwhelming. The cycling concludes on arrival in Budapest - we recommend exploring Budapest on foot and by tram.
Day 14 - Trip concludes
The trip concludes in Budapest after breakfast. We can arrange extra nights for you in Budapest if you wish to extend your stay in this fabulous city.
Location

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