Danube Cycle Path: Vienna to Budapest

Enjoy cycling from Austria's capital city, Vienna, to the fairy-tale city of Budapest along a mixture of dedicated cycle paths and quiet roads. Taking you through towns and villages along Europe's most famous waterway, this mostly flat route is perfect for occasional riders who love to explore a region by bike, with plenty of opportunities to sample local dishes and admire centuries old towns along the way. Stay in comfortable 3 and 4-star hotels, inns and pensions, with breakfast included each morning.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 5 Years

This cycling holiday is graded easy to moderate and the daily rides follow mostly flat and largely traffic-free routes on a mixture of cycle paths and back and side roads. The grade is determined on the basis of the entire trip. Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some rides may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade. The Austrian section follows well-maintained dedicated cycling paths, and in Hungary you will often cycle on country back and side roads, which is why this grade is slightly higher than our Passau to Vienna tour (which is a cycle path from the start to end). Upon entering and leaving cities there is more traffic that must be closely observed. Please be mindful of other road users. Although the route is mostly flat, the Wachau Valley in Austria can be described as slightly more undulating in comparison to the other sections of the route. 

This cycling tour is suitable for occasional riders who wish to take it easy with plenty of time to explore along the way. The length of the daily rides varies between 26-58 km and the difference in daily elevation gain/loss lies between +9m/+82m and -31m/-105m. On the stage between Bratislava and Györ, we recommend shortening the stage by getting the train from Mosonmagyarovar to Györ (not included). On the final stage to Budapest, we opt for the easier alternative which is getting a boat or train to shorten the section (included), though you are free to cycle the whole stage if you wish. To fully enjoy the Danube experience, we recommend doing some rides before you depart, whether it's commuting to work or heading out for some leisurely rides at the weekend.

Please note that for the Danube, exact accommodation cannot be confirmed until 2-4 weeks prior departure.

Our Danube Cycle Path trip includes accommodation in standard en-suite double or twin rooms in quaint inns, 4-star hotels, and pensions that are of 3-star standard. Occasionally if a hotel is not available in the location specified in the standard itinerary of this trip, you will be accommodated in a hotel of the same or better standard in the surrounding area. Each day's distance is approximate as the distance will depend on the location of your hotel.

Single Rooms & Solo Cyclists

If you're traveling with friends or family but prefer your own room, single rooms are subject to availability and a supplementary payment. This trip is also available to solo cyclists and is perfect as being a popular route means there are plenty of people to chat with every day.

Twin room requests: in Austria, 95% of all hotel rooms are double rooms (one large bed frame with separate bedding). Twin with separate beds are more than unusual and therefore a room with a double bed alongside a sofa bed is sometimes provided.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning. Packed lunches are not included but are in most cases available at your accommodation (please order the night before!) or you can stop on the way for a traditional "wurst" or bowl of "goulash". Traveling through 3 countries means your tastebuds are also on an incredible journey! You will find suggestions of where to dine in your route notes. Your accommodation hosts are also happy to advise of the local places to eat.

This trip is available on selected Saturdays and Sundays from April through to October.

May to September are the busiest months, and in July and August, the days are wonderfully long for exploring and making the most of the historic towns that you will visit. The summer months generally do not become unbearably hot and temperatures are often pleasantly warm, especially for cycling. Do keep in mind that some days will be hotter than others and it is important to make sure to always carry plenty of water, avoid cycling at noon and wear sunscreen while cycling even on cloudy days.

Please note that the following events are held in Budapest in 2024: Formula 1 Grand Prix (July 19/21). This will not have a huge impact on your trip but the city will be busier as usual and a supplement will be applicable for a compulsory extra night in Budapest.

By Air: Vienna Airport has extensive airline connections across Europe and beyond. Vienna Airport train station has a direct service to central Vienna. Please see Trainline Europe for timetables, tickets & prices.

If you prefer to travel to and from Budapest, it is very easy to travel from Budapest Airport to Vienna. Budapest Airport shuttle bus is a short journey to Budapest Ferihegy Train Station. Change here for direct services to Vienna (approx 4 hours journey time). Please check Trainline Europe for tickets and prices.

You can take a bus from Budapest to Vienna. Times and services are limited, please let us know at the time of booking if you require a ticket and we can arrange this for you (cost is approximately €25-30). This service can only be provided at the end of your journey.

You may prefer to fly out of Budapest Airport which has extensive airline connections across Europe and beyond, and is easily accessible via an airport shuttle bus service.

If you are making your own return travel arrangements to Vienna, the direct train service between Vienna and Budapest has regular services throughout the day and takes around 3 hrs. Please visit Trainline Europe for times, prices and tickets.

Daily door to door baggage transfer is included in the price of your trip. We ask you to keep your baggage to a maximum weight of 20kg per bag, with a max. of 2 pieces of luggage (max. 30 kg / Person in total)