CYCLING THE DANUBE - PASSAU TO BUDAPEST

Our Clients’ Reviews

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  David Lambie

  CYCLING THE DANUBE - PASSAU TO BUDAPEST

  

  Written September 2011

  The first weeks cycling from Passau to Vienna was more interesting  than the second week - Vienna to Budapest   (better scenery and fewer miles along boring levees). However, the views from Esztergom Basilica's dome were breathtaking and Budapest is a fascinating city. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Ancient Abbeys and Basilica are worthwhile visiting. Fantastic views from Aggstein castle after a 20% climb - see how far you can cycle before you have to get off and walk. Schlogener loop in the Danube. Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Museum of Terror in Budapest doesn't sound appealing but is very informative. The lake at Tata is picturesque. Honesty boxes along parts of the route for fruit from the orchard farms.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Study the route into Vienna carefully otherwise you may get lost. The route description out of Gyor insists on using street names but none can be seen - luckily I had a GPS with Hungarian street maps - everyone we spoke to got lost. If you are reasonably fit then take the route description warnings about long or tough days with a pinch of salt. If you are hiring bikes check the bell and pump work before starting out.

   
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  Sally Frohlich

  CYCLING THE DANUBE - PASSAU TO BUDAPEST

  

  Written September 2011

  Super trip, lovely scenery, good cycle tracks and very good bikes. Hotels could be better. The route takes you through gorgeous, peaceful farmlands and along the beautiful Danube, and each night is spent in an interesting and picturesque town. The miles covered are sometimes long but not difficult. We enjoyed doing the self-guided tour, and you meet up with other lovely people along the way. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Melk Abbey was probably the most awe inspiring place we visited. It is so vast and ornate and so beautiful and my husband can't stop talking about it. Also the basilica at Esztergom was amazing, and for us, as  horse lovers, the stud farm at Babolna was wonderful, together with the horse museum and the visit to the mares and foals. Then, just cycling along the Danube, through the pretty, clean towns and villages with all the glorious flowers and the peace and tranquility of the river - a fantastic memory.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take a thermos flask with you and coffee etc to put in your saddle bag. We stopped every day for coffee wherever we felt like it and also we made sandwiches for lunch so that we could stop anywhere and weren't restricted to restaurants.

  Make sure you have a waterproof bag in which to put your map and route directions. The plastic sleeve on top of your handlebar bag is not waterproof!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I'd recommend this trip to anyone. We met people of all ages along the way, all enjoying it.

  The leg from Passau to Vienna is prettier than the leg from Vienna to Budapest, the cycle tracks are better and you see more of the Danube, but Slovakia and Hungary are very different and very interesting and Bratislava and Budapest are very interesting. If you have only one day in Budapest we recommend that you take a city tour in the morning and a river cruise in the afternoon.

  Wine is very expensive everywhere. Take as much of your own as you can fit into your luggage!