Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Budapest
- Cycle on flat and easy-going paths along the Danube River
- Marvel at the Schlögener Loop & Hungarian Danube Bend
- Travel through Germany, Austria, Slovakia & Hungary
- Explore the Wachau wine valley, UNESCO World Heritage
- Finish in the iconic fairy-tale city of Budapest
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in PassauYour Danube cycling adventure starts in Passau, also known as the City of Three Rivers. If you have time to spare before collecting your rented bike (before 4:00 PM) the historic Bavarian city is a delight to explore. The Old Town was created by Italian baroque masters in the 17th century and reveals soaring towers, picturesque palaces, promenades, and romantic lanes. At the heart of the old town is the Cathedral of St Stephen, which boasts the world’s largest cathedral organ.
Passau has direct train connections to Salzburg, Munich (2.5h) and Vienna (3.5h), which are the most convenient airports.
With just a 10-minute walk from the city centre and 550m from the train station, the family-run Hotel Spitzberg Garni is a good base for sightseeing in Passau’s historic city centre. The historic part of the house was built in the 19th century and has rooms with Art Nouveau stucco ceilings. Guests can relax in the bright conservatory or in the hotel bar.
MK Hotel Passau is located in the historic town of Passau, just a few minutes from the train station, close to the pedestrianised centre and local beer gardens along the Danube. The oak wood, large beds, rain showers and free high-speed WiFi make MK Hotel a comfortable start to the trip.
If you arrived late on your first day, it is possible to collect your rented bike before setting off on your first bike ride. Then it’s off for today’s delightfully flat and traffic-free route along the scenic River Danube Cycle Path visiting several fascinating attractions, including a Trappist monastery at Engelhartszell, where cordials and liqueurs boast "special healing powers". Next up is the Schlögener Loop, where the river makes a dramatic bend of 180 degrees.
Total ascent/descent: 76m/66m
This pretty family-run hotel complex offers the perfect accommodation to relax and revitalise after a hard day's cycling. Enjoy the hotel's lounge, bar, restaurant and panoramic terrace overlooking the countryside. It has a wellness centre with a heated outdoor and indoor swimming pool.
You’ll leave the impressive Schlögener Loop behind and continue cycling along the easy-going route through the fertile and picturesque Eferdinger basin. The valley is wider here and you’ll pass numerous ferries and boats as they sail the Danube while you go by pedal power. The destination is Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, where you can make the most of a summer’s evening with a stroll through the enchanting old town.
Total ascent/descent: 34m/79m
An ideal location adjacent to Palais Kaufmännischer Verein and bordering the historic Old Town, just steps from excellent shopping areas and the main pedestrian zone, Landstraße. With high-end amenities such as flat-panel LCD television, individual climate control and room service, our rooms guarantee guests a relaxing getaway in the heart of the city.
Today’s cycling heads along the Danube and through breath-taking scenery of lush meadows. Cycle to Enns, the oldest town in Austria and worthwhile a visit! Further along, you will pass the Celtic village of Mitterkirchen, the majestic church of Baumgartenberg and the romantic castle of Clam. The final destination today is Grein, which is home to Austria's oldest city theatre and the magnificent Grein Castle.
Total ascent/descent: 33m/62m
This hotel offers a picturesque stay during cycling tours on the Danube, with easy access to the historically rich Burg (Castle) Kreuzen. Schatzkammer also provides a restaurant and bar, free WiFi, and free public parking onsite.
Discover remarkable scenery in a landscape that is known for its diversity. Pass densely wooded areas and rock formations on both sides of the Danube River as you pedal along the cycle path. The narrow Strudengau valley gives way to a wider landscape from the attractive town of Persenbeug, and then to the Wachau valley, which is characterized by terraced vineyards and fruit orchards. At Melk, you will revel in the sight of a gorgeous baroque Benedictine monastery.
Total ascent/descent: 25m/53m
The family-run Wachauerhof located on the Danube invites you to relax in the house overlooking the beautiful blue Danube. In the shady guest garden or in the veranda you can enjoy the beautiful view over the Danube. As a member of the Danube Bike Hotels Wachau, they are specialised in guests traveling by bike.
More delights are in-store today in the beautiful Wachau Valley, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will rarely be without the sight of a castle, palace or monastery as you follow the route on its way to Krems. Stop off at the pretty winery villages of Spitz, Weissenkirchen, and the cobbled streets of Durnstein. If there’s a must-do on this tour it’s popping into one of the quaint taverns to sample a glass or two of the local wine. Don't leave without trying some of the apricot-based delicacies on offer, guaranteed to be locally produced; Austrian hospitality at its best!
Total ascent/descent: 75m/80m
Hotel Unter Den Linden is located in the Northern Austria in the Krems location. It is a family run hotel just a few minutes walk from local attractions.
Leave the Wachau Valley behind as you hop on a train to from Krems to Tulln, famous for its beautiful market gardens and Art Nouveau painter Egon Schiele. You'll then cycle through the woods of "Wiener Wald" and pass through the gates of Vienna. It is worth taking the time to visit the impressive monastery in Klösterneuburg before making it to the City of Music. Try Austria's national dish 'Wiener Schnitzel', which is a thin, breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet traditionally served with potato salad.
Total ascent/descent: 41m/62m
This modern hotel sits close to the Kagran Underground Station. For a quick jaunt to the city centre, the metro operates nearly 24 hours a day. So hop on in! St. Stephen’s Cathedral and downtown Vienna are just a few minutes away.
Not far from Vienna begins an untouched alluvial landscape and a nature reserve with stunning and diverse flora and fauna. Enjoy the wonderful peace and silence, only interrupted by the twittering chirps of birds. The ancient Romans have left their print and also have relaxed in the nice warm water of Bad Deutsch Altenburg. The archaeological park of Carnuntum will invite you into an exciting journey to the past.
Total ascent/descent: 14m/31m
A family run three-star hotel offering all the necessary amenities for a pleasant stay. The hotel has a sauna and hammam, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property. Enjoy the heated outdoor swimming pool and sunbathing lawn, open during the summer months.
Nestled between the hills of Hainburg and the Carpathian Mountains, cycle on to Europe’s youngest capital, Bratislava. The Slovak capital has an enchanting, sleepy old town in addition to magnificent modern buildings.
Total ascent/descent: 40m/59m
Be in the centre of it all at the Park Inn in Bratislava. This stylish hotel with on-site restaurant and bar is located on the banks of the Danube River. You can explore historic sites like St. Martin’s Cathedral and Bratislava Castle just a few minutes’ walk away. Or relax in the comfort of your modern accommodation.
The marshy landscape of the Szigetköz is an ideal environment and paradise for birds and fish alike. In the midst of these wild and untouched lowlands with more than 500 tiny islands, you will find quaint farming villages and a labyrinth of countless Danube canals and creeks. The days bike tour ends in the beautiful city of Györ, situated at the mouth of 3 rivers. The city enchants with its baroque old town. We highly recommend enjoying the route between Mosonmagyarovar and Györ comfortably by train, which shortens the ride to 45km (28 miles). Train tickets are available at ticket machines at the train station for approx. €2. More information can be found in your Information Pack and route notes. Alternatively, you can cycle the whole stage which would be approx 88km/55 miles.
Total ascent/descent (with train to Györ): 9m/33m
The cycling section if not taking the train between Mosonmagyarovar and Györ is approx. 15m/34m of ascent/descent.
The Hotel Ibis Györ is located in the heart of Györ at the entrance of the Old Town's pedestrian zone and at the foot of the Castle. Its proximity to the baroque centre, the shopping mall, the stadium and the industrial park make the hotel an ideal place to explore.
Today you will again bike through the unique and delightful landscape of the protected area “Szigetköz” and on to Györ, one of the most important cities in the Hungarian lowlands with an alluring historical city centre. For a pleasant walk, the narrow lanes, churches and the palaces of the baroque city-center are awaiting your arrival and prove to be more than inviting.
Total ascent/descent: 77m/105m
Hotel Europa is an elegant accommodation in Komarno, located in the city centre, near the city park and a 5 minute walk from the famous Elizabeth Bridge, which connects Slovakia and Hungary. Enjoy the hotel's stylish bar and restaurant, where cocktails and long drinks are served from their iconic drinks trolley, and opt for a mid-afternoon espresso with their chef's cake of the day.
Today you cycle along the banks of the Slovakian Danube on small low-traffic roads through quaint and quintessential villages. On your way to the “Town of Bishops and Kings”, Esztergom, also known as the „Hungarian Rome“ or “Royal City”, you pass the Roman fort of Kelemantia. The Basilica of Esztergom, the largest Catholic Church in Hungary is another highlight and glamorous part of the overall tour.
Total ascent/descent: 38m/40m
The hotel is situated on the slope of the Castle Hill of Esztergom in a wonderful, silent garden. All the religious and cultural facilities and museums of Esztergom are nearby. Esztergom has been an important city at Danube for about 1000 years.
Amid the hilly landscape of Hungary, the River Danube divides into parts and gives form to Szentendre Island where you will cycle through traditional Hungarian villages and settlements. One of the highlights are the handicraft boutiques and the Open Air Museum of Skanzen. After a short ferry* you will reach your final destination Budapest, where you’ll experience the atmosphere and attractions of this cosmopolitan capital. It’s a city where Eastern Europe meets Western. Alternatively, why not cycle the whole stage, which would be 82km.
*Depending on the time of year the ferry may not be operating and you will be provided with train tickets instead of ferry tickets.
Total ascent/descent: 82m/77m
If cycling the whole stage, it would be approx. 92m/97m of ascent/descent.
Mercure Budapest Buda situated in the neighbourhood of Buda Castle, a 5-minute walk from the Castle District and either 4 metro stations or a walk from the city center. All rooms are air-conditioned and feature a satellite TV.
Depending on your onward travel plans, you may like to further explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Budapest. It may be worth it to spend an extra night or two relaxing in one of the spas, visiting one of the many castles of fortresses and sampling the local cuisine such as Hungarian Goulash.
This trip has a carbon score of 7kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 7kg is equivalent to 1 single running shoe (not even a pair!). Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?Enjoy cycling from Germany's colourful Bavarian city of Passau to the fairy-tale city of Budapest along a mixture of dedicated cycle paths and quiet roads, taking you through cities, towns and villages along Europe's most famous waterway. This route includes Austria's musical capital city, Vienna, and Slovakia's capital of Bratislava and its beautiful castle. 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 32-60 km and the difference in daily elevation gain/loss lies between +9m/+82m and -31m/-105m. On the stage between Krems and Vienna, we opt for the easier alternative which is getting a train from Krems to Tulln (included) and cycling from there. 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 of these stages 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 and 3 and 4-star hotels. 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 are available although a supplement is payable. This trip is available to solo cyclists and is perfect as the route is popular so there are plenty of people to chat with every day.
Twin rooms - 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 quite often these rooms will instead come with 1 double bed with a sofa bed alongside it.
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". Travelling 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.
- 13 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels and Inns
- All breakfasts
- Daily luggage transfers
- 1 bottle of wine from the Wachau Valley (per room)
- Train journey from Krems area to Tulln (including bike)
- Boat (or train) journey from Szentendre to Budapest (depending on the season)
- GPX tracks, route book, maps and an information pack
- Emergency support from our local partners and our office
- Lunch, Dinner, Snacks and Drinks
- Travel to Passau & From Budapest
- Bike Hire and helmet
- Personal equipment
- Return transfer of your own bikes
- Local tax (€ 1 - € 2,5 p.p.n.) valid for Passau-Vienna section
- Travel Insurance (required)
- Train journey from Mosonmagyarovar to Györ (approx. €2, payable locally)
- Bike Hire and helmet
- Return travel from Budapest to Passau
This trip is available on selected Sundays and Mondays 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.
Passau is located in Germany, close to the Austrian border. It doesn't have an airport but it easily accessible by rail from nearby cities such as Munich, Linz, Salzburg, and Vienna.
By Air
Passau has direct train connections to Linz (1h30), Salzburg (2h45), Munich (2h30) and Vienna (3h30), which are the most convenient airports. Please visit the DB Bahn website to check the times.
If you are arriving at Vienna Airport rail or bus transfers to Passau are not included, but can be added at addtitional cost. If you would like to arrange this please let us know at the time of booking. These cannot be arranged on the day of arrival.
By Train
Visit the DB Bahn website to check train times and book tickets to Passau from European destinations. You may also wish to try Rail Europe for European rail tickets and passes.
By Car
Parking is available in Passau from between €30 and €60 per week. Contact us for details.
Budapest Airport is served by a number of scheduled and low-cost airlines connecting through to most major international cities. If you need to return to Passau this can be booked at an extra cost for you. This is a combination of bus travel to Vienna and train travel to Passau.
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.
Alternatively, 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 of 1 bag per person (maximum weight 20kg).
Please note that due to popular demand we aim to get your personalised itinerary with hotel confirmations to you 3 to 4 weeks prior to departure. There may be a slight delay in receiving your personalised information when booking last-minute or during the high season.
Rental Bikes: 7-speed bikes with coaster brake (backpedal) or 21-speed bikes (unisex) are available to rent, these are not included in the tour package but can be booked as an extra. Electric bikes (unisex), children’s bikes, and other specialized equipment may be available upon request.
All rental bikes are equipped with a pannier (saddle bag), an odometer (except for the electric bikes) and a helmet is also included in the price.
If you’d like to hire a bike, please let us know the height and frame size you currently ride. If you would prefer to bring your own bicycle please ensure it is thoroughly serviced and is an appropriate bike for this trip.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Bike that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, bike theft, emergency evacuation, and hospital care.
Please refer to the sections "Grade & Terrain" and "Experience & Fitness" under "Trip Info"
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this trip is extremely popular especially during peak season from July to August.
You will need comfortable shoes and clothing for cycling, a helmet (included with the bike hire), and other weather-appropriate clothing such as clothing for when you're not cycling. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.
If you cant cycle a stage, you can take public transportation or book a taxi to transfer you to your next stop (at your own expense). You can discuss options with your accommodation provider.
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