Self guided: Cycling the Danube - Passau to Budapest, Austria, Slovakia. Hungary

Peaceful route along the Danube
Cycle through four countries and three capital cities
Enjoy the history and architecture of the Hapsburg Empire

For nearly 3000km the Danube flows through the heart of Central Europe. The cycle path along the river is the perfect means to explore this beautiful area.

In Austria it runs through steep-sided valleys and wide riverside woods, visiting historic towns and cities such as Linz, Melk and Krems and of course the charming city of Vienna.

After a few miles in Slovakia the route continues to Hungary. Riverside woodland gives way to fields and walnut avenues, wide flat landscapes and the shady hills towards the famous Danube Bend.

The end point of the trip is the beautiful city of Budapest with time to soak up the wonderful atmosphere, enjoy the stunning architecture and visit Buda Castle and the Royal Palace.

You have the choice of riding the two-week route all the way from Passau to Budapest, or either of the one-week sections.

What makes this trip responsible?

As a self-guided trip you will be pedalling under your own steam and at your own pace. You will not be part of a group so the impact of your visit on the landscape and communities you pass will be absolutely minimal. Our local operator works with local suppliers and hoteliers to ensure that we support the communities we visit, maximising the benefit to them and also our enjoyment of the region. We will stay in characterful, locally run hotels and the route notes will often give you hints and tips of local restaurants you can try, giving you a taste of the local cuisine while helping to support these establishments. Moreover, we encourage you to journey by train to minimise your carbon footprint.

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Countries visited: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia

Day 1

Make your own way to Passau.

Day 2

Cycle to Schlogen. Free time to explore Passau, the city of three rivers. Ride to the famous Schlogener loop in Austria through forested hills via the only trappist monastery in Austria.

Day 3

A day of river crossing and cycling along country lanes passing the beautiful castle at Ottensheim and Cistercian abbey in Wilhering en route to Linz.

Day 4

Today's ride passes the former Nazi concentration camp at Mauthausen and into the province of Lower Austria; follow the river to Grein, historically the beginning of the river's most treacherous stretch.

Day 5

Cycle to Melk. Ride between wooded mountains, though quiet riverside towns and past one of the most striking edifices on this whole route, the Benedictine Abbey at Melk - stunning both inside and out, you can't miss it!

Day 6

Pedal through the vineyards of the Wachau past pretty villages including Weisenkirchen and Durnstein, site of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Finish in Krems.

Day 7

Ride into Vienna past Greifenstein castle and Klosterneuburg. Return bikes. An evening stroll around the central Stephansplatz is recommended.

Day 8

Cycle to Bad Deutsch Altenburg. Follow the Donauinsel, a long thin island, and continue to the Roman remains at Petronell-Carnuntum, one of Austria's most important archaeological sites.

Day 9

Follow the 'Blue Band' of the Danube to Bratislava, Europe's youngest capital city.

Day 10

Continue through rural villages and a riverside track that leads to the historic city of Gyor.

Day 11

Easy rural ride to picturesque Tata, situated on two lakes.

Day 12

Over the first hills of the trip towards the beginnings of the Danube Bend at historic Esztergom.

Day 13

Ride round the Danube Bend past Visegrad, once the corner of the Roman Empire, to the artists' town of Szentendere, and on to wonderful Budapest.

Day 14

End Budapest.

Want to see more?

Trip Notes contain all the detailed information you need. A full day by day itinerary, accommodation details, guides and other practical information. Download Now

Then Check Availability and Book Online

Exodus images from CYCLING THE DANUBE - PASSAU TO BUDAPEST

Note: Click on a thumbnail to enlarge.

Marcus Nicholson riding the Danube path at Tata

Marcus Nicholson riding the Danube path at Tata

Cycling The Danube - Passau To Budapest

What makes this trip responsible?

Itinerary

Exodus images from CYCLING THE DANUBE - PASSAU TO BUDAPEST