Compare Danube Cycle by UTracks vs Cycling the Danube from Vienna to Budapest by Exodus Travels
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 14 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,650 | $ 2,030 |
| Price Per Day | $ 189 | $ 254 |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | All breakfasts are included. Breakfast: Continental style buffet breakfast. Lunch and Dinner: there are numerous restaurants along the route with a selection of menus of two or more courses and the route notes will provide more details to help you decide. Self-guided cycling also lends itself really well to picnics. You can stop wherever you please, in a spot that suits you and eat your lunch taking in your chosen view. |
| Description | Cycle along the Danube River across four countries from Passau to the romantic city of Budapest |
This is a classic ride linking two historic cities. Your journey starts in Vienna, which requires little introduction, with its abundance of famous sites, entertainment and culture. The River Danube serves as the spine of the cycling route as you meander back and forth through woodland, farmland, avenues of walnut trees, wide flat landscapes and shady hills. A night is spent in the pretty city of Bratislava and in the lovely town of Gyor, as we head towards the Danube Bend at Esztergom. The end point for the trip is the city of Budapest with time to soak up the wonderful atmosphere and enjoy the stunning architecture.Enjoy meandering rides along the Danube from Austria to Hungary. |
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.
meals : D
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.
meals : B,D
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.
meals : B,D
Day 4 Cycle to Grein via Burg Clam Castle (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.
meals : B,D
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.
meals : B,D
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.
meals : B,D
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.
meals : B
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.
meals : B,D
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.
meals : B,D
Day 10 Continue by bike and train through delightful villages to Györ (45km/28mi)
Continuing along the banks of the Danube you soon reach the Hungarian border and continue through small farming villages to the enchanting landscape of the Szigetköz, an idyllic paradise for birds and fish. In the midst of this region with more than 500 tiny islands you will find farming villages and a labyrinth of countless Danube creeks. From Mosonmagyarovar you take a short train ride to Györ, one of the important cities of the Hungarian lowlands. Take the time to explore on foot the laneways, churches and palaces of the beautiful Baroque-style old town.
meals : B,D
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.
meals : B,D
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.
meals : B,D
Day 13 Ferry round trip to Szentendre Island and cycle to Budapest (62km/38.5mi)
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.
meals : B,D
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.
meals : B
Day 1 Arrive Vienna
Make your own way to the hotel. The rest of the day is left free to explore Vienna at your leisure. It is a metropolis with unique charm, vibrancy and flair. It boasts outstanding infrastructure, is clean and safe, and has all of the culture, architecture and inspiration that you could wish for in this wonderful part of Europe. Highlights that you may consider include visits to the grand Schonbrunn Palace, Sigmund Freud Museum and a tour in the Vienna State Opera House. Don't miss a visit to one of the many wonderful coffee shops to enjoy the typical cake Sachertorte!
Day 2 Vienna - Hainburg
This morning you receive your bikes before setting off on your first day of riding. On leaving Vienna the route takes you through the Donau-Auen National Park, an area of extensive flood plains, which have turned into small ponds offering a rich habitat to countless species of birds, animals and insects. From here, pass Orth Castle and the pretty village of Eckertsau before arriving in Hainburg.
Day 3 Hainburg to Bratislava
Follow the Roman bike trail to one of Austria's most important archaeological sites, the Roman remains at Petronell-Carnuntum. End your day in the Gothic old town of Bratislava, Slovakia's pretty capital city that exudes old world charm.
Day 4 Bratislava to Mosonmagyarovar
After a short cycle through Slovakia, you cross the Hungarian border into Rajka. Cycle past storybook villages, where you can still find traditional thatched-roofed farm houses. Your route guides you through the Szigetkoz (a small Rye island) towards Mosonmagyarovar; the charming old 'city of 17 bridges'. The city centre is noteworthy for its impressive collection of Baroque buildings.
Day 5 Mosonmagyarovar to Gyor
Today, you follow a flat cycling route as it takes you through the outstanding natural surroundings of the island between the Danube and the Mosoni Duna (Small Danube). Make a stop to see Hedervar Castle, before arriving in the colourful town of Gyor, to take in its sights and breathtaking historic centre.
Day 6 Gyor/Komarom to Esztergom
Take the train to Komarom then pedal along the riverbanks of the flat Danube Valley, passing quaint villages and lush vineyards. Fitter cyclists can choose a route over Tata, but be aware this is more strenuous and there are no shops and restaurants along the way. Those interested in the history of the area should plan some time for the Roman archaelogical site of Kelemantia, where a military camp stood from the 2nd to the 4th Century. The absolute highlight of the day however, is Esztergom (also known as Hungarian Rome), with the largest basilica in the country.
Day 7 Esztergom to Budapest
Head to the Danube Bend, probably one of the most attractive sections of the Danube bike trail. Here, the river winds its way through the Visegrad Mountains and makes a sharp turn towards the south. The Royal Palace and castle of Visegrad, and the open air museum are well worth a visit, as is the old Baroque town of Szentendre. Here you take a leisurely boat ride into the centre of the city and appreciate the stunning architecture.
Day 8 End Budapest
End your trip in Budapest. There is much to see in this iconic city and we are pleased to book additional nights for you if you wish. Hungary's capital is bisected by the River Danube, and the 19th Century Chain Bridge connects its hilly Buda district with the flat Pest. The city is easy to explore on foot; don't miss the chance to visit one of the city's famous thermal baths or walk up to the dome of St Stephan's Basilica for a fantastic panoramic view!
