Self Guided: Cycling Along The Danube - Vienna, Austria To Budapest, Hungary

Our Clients’ Reviews

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Average Review Rating: from 9 reviews.

Barbara Crump

CYCLING THE DANUBE - VIENNA TO BUDAPEST

Written July 2012
This was a RadResein tour. It's a misnomer to say it was "cycling the Danube" as most of the time the Danube wasn't visible or accessible and we cycled through lots of farmland. The promise of having the cycles available in Vienna didn't eventuate and when Tobias was asked (the Radresein person briefing us and handing out the cycles) he didn't make any effort to rectify this. Instructions in and out of the bigger cities were totally inadequate. Hotels mostly ok but the Vienne hotel, purportedly a 4 star, had no air conditioning in 38-40 degree heat - how can this star rating be?
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Cycling into Budapest
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Look carefully at the detail (rather hard when it is in general terms in the advertising). Insist on detailed maps/instructions for negotiating entry and exit of cities.
judith hodges

CYCLING THE DANUBE - VIENNA TO BUDAPEST

Written August 2011
A relatively easy cycle ride on cycle paths and mainly quiet roads, accommodation and bicycles excellent. Whilst we were not by the Danube as much as we'd expected, particularly when we were, the scenery was fantastic.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The final days cycling which involved 3 ferries across the Danube and, for us, a ferry trip from Szentendre to Budapest ( we were advised by the local Rad Reisen rep to do this rather than cycle into Budapest)
We stopped at Lipot and went to open air thermal baths and these were excellent- remember swimming costumes that day

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Suggest an extra night in Vienna at the beginning and 1 or 2 nights in Budapest at the end
For us, the airport bus would have been better than the recommended train route to the hotel in Vienna
Take swimming costumes for Lipot.
Beware that differences between Exodus trip notes and information from Rad Riesen can lead to confusion especially when negotiating routes out of towns.
In particular, we were advised to take the train from Tata to Koragom and then cycle along the north of the Danube in Slovakia to Estergom rather than following the route advised by Exodus that day. We were also advised to catch a ferry into Budapest from Szentendre. The instructions for finding the tickets were not very clear.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Overall, very good value holiday and, in particular the bikes and accommodation were fine
We have been on several Exodus holidays and intend to go on more
Andrew Nicolas

CYCLING THE DANUBE - VIENNA TO BUDAPEST

Written July 2011
First of all I would say we had not been on bikes for 20 odd years but the cycling was still a lot tougher than expected when combined with very hot weather (fairly fit mid 30 - 40 year olds to put that in context). Looking at the route map and title of the trip I had expected 40-50 percent directly along the Danube but you can't actually see the river for most of day 1. Only the final day was what I expected really - cycling along and crossing a beautiful river. The quality of the food especially in the smaller hotels way exceeded expectations. It's also going to seem like extortion buying drinks back in the UK after seeing the prices on this trip!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Highlights: Vienna's elegance and the Danube in Budapest.
The quality of food was very impressive 10/10.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I would advise:
1. Don't under estimate the hot sun making the cycling far tougher than expected
2. Bring your own map(s). Ambiguous trip notes sent us on the wrong path a few times that could have easily been corrected with a decent ordnance survey type map rather than retracing steps. The map provided was not good enough to correct inevitable errors on route and caused quite a few extra unwanted miles. When going into / leaving the larger towns get hold of a map with street names before hand as this will save a lot of time if you slightly misunderstand what the trip notes are saying. This should all be provided really. (I would add others doing the same route made similar errors, so not just us!)

Is there anything else you would like to add?
As mentioned it was a slightly frustrating holiday given the quality of maps and directions causing extra miles and wasted time. Notes appeared to be out of date (prices quoted for the ferry crossings being one example).
Although a lot of time is spent on the roads the drivers are extremely considerate to cyclists, often letting you go when they have the right of way.
Ana Thorn

CYCLING THE DANUBE - VIENNA TO BUDAPEST

Written May 2011
Great holidays to enjoy cycling with great views !
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Going along the Danube around Vienna was really nice - enjoying the views and the sun.
Arriving at Bratislava - the city is really cool.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Plan your day to stay a bit longer in Bratislava - really nice place.
The route from Tata to Esztergom is really hilly, so it is worth while to train for it.
Enjoy the country side and the little villages - we found really good bars and restaurants on the way (even though they could not always speak English, they were very friendly).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to have stayed in a different hotel in Budapeste - everything else was great, but the Flamenco hotel was not great - location was not the best and basic facilities was not great.
David Anderson

CYCLING THE DANUBE - VIENNA TO BUDAPEST

Written May 2011
A great way to see the north Slovak/Hungarian border - which remains largely unspoilt. The cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest are all different and well worth spending time in. An easy trip for the cycling novice.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Inspirational would be too strong a word - but Budapest is wonderful and the basilicas at Pannonhalma and Esztergom (view from Slovak side of Danube is breathtaking) are outstanding. Being out on the road through rural Slovakia and Hungary - reminiscent of UK in the 1950s - was cool. We had really good weather which made it an easy trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Most Exodus cycle trips are good for the single traveller - if on your own, you might find this trip lonely as the locals are distant at best [but will brusquely give directions if asked] and your travel companions, whom you might not see much of, are likely to be largely Dutch and German. You don't all stay in the same hotels, or towns for that matter, and this varies from night to night. On the last two days cycle as you go towards Budapest there are dense swarms of small (non biting) flies close to the Danube - if you use sunscreen or insect spray then expect to arrive like well used flypaper. Apparently the Passau to Vienna cycle is far more scenic and better serviced - there are few quality stops enroute at which to eat on this one!

Is there anything else you would like to add?
The bikes were good, but needed a full service. Gear changing on both bikes was noisy and problematic - I sat in 3/5 for most of the trip and 2/2 to 2/4 on hills. Alex sorted one out so that lower gears were possible - but both bikes were overdue a service. The information/route maps provided by Rad & Reisien were first class - we got lost a couple of times, but easily rectified from the information we had. Hotels were good - especially liked the Regia Pazio in Halaszi - good dinner and breakfast on a patio overlooking the river.
Stuart Johnson

CYCLING THE DANUBE - VIENNA TO BUDAPEST

Written September 2010
There was a lot more cycling on major roads than we had expected - for example on day 5, Gyor to Tata, the last 40km is all along a fairly major road - and the cars and lorries in Hungary seemed to pass very close, which was quite intimidating and a bit unpleasant. The accommodation and equipment (including maps, directions, advice and instructions) were very good, and the waterproof panniers provided with the bikes were invaluable.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The views of the basilica on the approach to Esztergom are very impressive.
The Parliament building in Budapest, viewed along the river as you enter the city at the end of the last day are wonderful.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take waterproof clothes, and warm layers - we had four days of rain out of the six cycling, and on one day the temperatures were down to 7 C at midday, at the end of August.
Take a high-visibility jacket or vest, these are required in Hungary when it's raining or dark, and you'll appreciate having them on the busy roads.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We had hoped for mostly very quiet or off-road cycling, along the banks of the river, and were therefore a bit disappointed that so much was on busy roads, and not along the Danube.
For a quieter cycle-ride, through very pretty scenery, we would probably recommend Exodus' "Cycling the vineyards of Burgundy" (code LSQ) over this holiday.
Exodus Response
Hi Stuart,
Thank you so much for your feedback on your LSH trip and in particular for raising the issue of the route in some instances passing by busy roads. With this trip, the routes that we follow are in accordance with the"European cycle route network" that is marked out for cyclists. Unfortunately in some cases this route will deviate away from the river (days 5 & 6) and occasionally pass by busier roads than previously experienced on the trip. The equivalent for these roads could be that of a British A road. Although it would be ideal to continue along the river like the rest of the trip, the set cycle routes mean that there will be occasions that you leave the familiar route for a bit to complete the journey to Budapest.
However, for next season we shall be updating the route notes that you are provided with so that this is explained a lot clearer than previously.
Thanks again for your feedback.
Olly

- Exodus Staff
Sharon Cunningham
CYCLING THE DANUBE - VIENNA TO BUDAPEST

Written August 2009
A friend and I embarked on this journey with a good measure of intrepidation, but were remarkably impressed with all aspects. We found the cycling very manageable, the bicycles were excellent, the hotels were very well chosen and welcoming, the luggage transport was reliable, the trip notes were sufficient and there was a wonderful sense of camaraderie amongst all of the cyclists making the journey. I want everyone I know who can cycle to make this trip now!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Cycling into Budapest and seeing the Parliament Building was exhilarating, a mix of achievement and surprise that we had made it all the way
Crossing the Hungarian Border and seeing the old border crossing buildings
Arriving in Bratislava in time for morning coffee and a stroll
Arriving at the hotel in Bad Deutsch Altenburg and sitting down to a cold beer after a day of cycling in 35 degrees
Sheltering from a thunderstorm under a tree on the side of the road on the way to Tata
Dinner at the Hotel Kristaly in Tata
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We stayed on in Budapest for a few days - spend a day at the Gellert Baths and have a massage
Pack some snacks in your panniers each day, this means you can stop and eat when you need to rather then have to look for a cafe
Arrive in Gyor by lunchtime so you have time to walk around the town and have a rest
Make sure you have some Forints before you enter Hungary
Read through the trip notes at dinner ready for the next day - the trip notes are well written however new cyclepaths etc have been built since they have been written so it is wise to get a sense of directions and possible landmarks before setting off each day, also wise for every person in your group to have a copy of the map and trip notes.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Do this trip!! It is fabulous, you will not be disappointed.