Jump to content
Jump to footer
Book now
To the online version

Danube bike path

From Passau to Vienna

Explore the paths running alongside the blue Danube River just like the Romans, the legendary Nibelungs, and even like Europe’s powerful kings and emperors did before you. You will get to know the beauty and historical significance of this ancient military and trading route. Never far away from the cool, clear water of the Danube, you will enjoy one of Europe’s most beautiful and popular cycle routes.

You can either start your trip in the baroque town of Schärding or in Passau, the town of three rivers. You will cycle through various districts of Upper and Lower Austria and finally to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. You will love the breathtaking natural beauty of the Danube valley and the Schlögen bend or perhaps you will fall in love with the landscapes along the Danube river such as the Machland, the Strudengau, or the famous Wachau. In the rural areas, to accompany these wonderful impressions, you can enjoy many traditional Austrian delicacies. Your physical wellbeing will be well catered for, from savoury dumpling specialities all the way to the wines of the Buschenschenken taverns in the Wachau region. This cycle tour is a true classic and is a great first family cycling holiday.

Easy
Bike tours
8 Days / 7 Nights
Self-guided tour

Itinerary

Stroll through the pretty little baroque town of Schärding and marvel at the famous Silberzeile lane. Alternatively take a walk through the “New Centre” of Passau, the town of three rivers, which has been completely redesigned as a pedestrian, car-free area.

Along the river Inn you will come to Passau, the town of three rivers. We recommend that you take a guided tour of the town, and visit the cathedral where you can enjoy the sounds of the largest church organ in the world (except Sundays and public holidays). Then you will continue along the Danube, first passing Obernzell and finally arriving in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria). You will then cycle through the nature reserve Donauleiten, from where you will reach the Schlögen Bend to the north. This is where granite proved to be too much of an opponent and forced the Danube to change directions by 180 degrees. While a ferry takes you to the other side of the river to your hotel, you have plenty of time to look at this natural phenomenon.

Today you will cycle through the green Eferdinger basin via the market towns of Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering and all the way to the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. Linz's historical old town has many pubs and eateries for you to discover. Other highlights of the European Capital of Culture 2009 include the magnificent views from Pöstlingberg mountain and a stroll through the Donaulände park.

On the fourth day, you will take a little detour away from the course of the Danube to St. Florian (Augustinian monastery) and to Enns. In Enns you can go to the town square with its 60 metre town tower, the landmark of the oldest town in Austria, or you visit the archaeological collection in the municipal museum Lauriacum. Afterwards, you will return to the river, first reaching the beautiful little baroque town of Grein. Here you have the opportunity to visit the oldest municipal theatre in Austria that is still being used. Or you can visit the maritime museum or Greinburg castle.

This section of the Danube, the Strudengau, was once feared by sailors, now you can cycle along it. Where they used to fight against the Danube currents, you can now take a leisurely cycle ride. In Maria Taferl, high above the Danube, you will find the magnificent pilgrimage church, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.

You should make a little stop in Melk and look up or you will miss the beautiful Stift Melk monastery that overlooks the Danube. As soon as you leave the town you will arrive into the picturesque Wachau region, where you can enjoy the charming atmosphere of the region’s typical orchards and vineyards. You will pass through the little wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen, cycle past the Dürnstein Castle ruin, and finish your journey in the 1000-year old town of Krems or in Tulln. A stay in the Wachau region means that you simply have to take part in a wine tasting, which we have organised for you.

The final kilometres of your bike tour will be a relaxed trip to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. According to the variant, part of the stage is covered by train. As soon as you arrive you can check-in to your room and then enjoy all the amenities of the city for the rest of the day. Treat yourself to a Viennese-style Americano coffee and a piece of the famous Sachertorte cake in one of Vienna’s typical coffee houses. Take a stroll along Vienna’s Parade shopping street, along Mariahilfer Strasse, visit the St Stephen’s Cathedral or see the main sights and take a trip in one of the famous Fiaker cabs.

Day 8
Individual departure or extension

Tour character

Easy

Along the Danube, flat or slightly downhill, almost continuously on a well-developed cycle path without motorised traffic. Only very short sections run on side roads - in terms of route, the Danube Cycle Path is the perfect example of a cycle tour.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & extras

Services

Included:

  • 7 nights in the room of the booked category
  • breakfast
  • Personal tour information (DE, EN)
  • 1x ferry trip (Au-Schlögen) incl. bike
  • 1x wine tasting in the Wachau
  • Detailed travel documents 1 x per room (DE, EN, FR)
  • Carefully prepared itinerary
  • Navigation app and GPS data
  • Luggage transport
  • Rental bike insurance
  • 7-day service hotline

Not included:

  • Arrival and departure
  • parking fees
  • Spa and local taxes where applicable
  • transfers
  • Optional sightseeing
  • travel insurance
  • Expenses for personal use
Extras

Arrival / parking / departure

  • Good train connections to Schärding and Passau. In Passau multi-storey car park approx. € 45 per week. In Schärding public, free car park at the company premises directly on the cycle path, no reservation possible/necessary.
  • Airports: Munich or Vienna

  • Return transfer by minibus from Vienna, daily at approx. 3.00 pm from the hotel, approx. 4 hours journey time, costs € 79 per person, own bike an additional € 39. Booking required, payable in advance!
Hotels

Category A: Very good hotels mostly in the 4-star category or the best hotels in town.

Category B: Selected hotels in the 3- and 4-star category.

Category C: Cosy inns and hotels in the 3-star category and 4-star in Vienna and Linz. All rooms have a shower/WC or bath/WC.

Further information

Further important information in accordance with the "Pauschalreisegesetz" (Package Travel Act) can be found here!

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Annika Krüger
Give us a call
+49 441 48597 18
Write a message
Send an e-mail

4.57 out of 5 stars

7 ratings
5
57%
4
43%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%
Load more
Danube cycle path

You might also be interested in

Follow us on our website and discover many beautiful regions...

Exclusive offers!
Discover our varied cycle holiday offer!
find out more
/en/biketours/offer
Follow us on our website and find your perfect cycling holiday at an exclusive price.
find out more
You now receive special conditions when you book a trip.