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: 12 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 overall grade reflects the trip as a whole, though individual days may vary in difficulty—some routes might be a bit easier or more challenging than the average.

The Austrian section (Passau to Vienna) follows well-maintained dedicated cycle paths, while in Hungary you will often cycle on country back and side roads, which is why the grade of Vienna to Budapest is easy to moderate (slightly higher than our Passau to Vienna tour).

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.

You'll stay in comfortable, family-run hotels along the cycle path, offering 3- or 4-star comfort with private facilities. The accommodations cater to cyclists, providing bike storage and in some instances even charging points for e-bikes to ensure a seamless experience.

For those travelling with friends or family but preferring their own space, single rooms are available upon request, subject to availability and an additional fee.

This trip is also an excellent choice for solo cyclists. With the route being so popular, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet and connect with fellow travellers along the way.

Austrian Twin Beds

In Austria, 95% of hotel rooms feature double rooms with two separate mattresses, each with its own bedding, placed on a shared base. This setup is designed to accommodate requests for both double and twin bed arrangements. However, twin beds (two distinct single beds) and traditional double beds (a single large mattress on one base) are uncommon and cannot be guaranteed.

Meals

All breakfasts are included and typically includes bread, rolls, cold cuts, cheese, eggs, fresh fruit, pastries, and muesli. There is always a plentiful supply of tea and coffee and orange juice. While packed lunches are not included, they can often be arranged through your accommodation, just be sure to request one the night before!

Dinner is not included so you are free to choose from the available options each night. One of the highlights of this trip is the fantastic food and drink of the regions that you cycle through. Some of our favourites include; a traditional Wiener Schnitzel with a potato salad, a hearty bowl of Goulash, a refreshing cold glass of Grüner Veltliner, and a slice of Sacher-Torte with a cup of tea or coffee.

Should you have any special dietary requirements please let us know. We try to accommodate all requirements where possible.

The Danube Cycle Path is a dedicated, well-paved route that is easy to follow, making it one of Europe's most popular cycling routes.

The Austrian section from Passau to Vienna enjoys the best-maintained signposting of the entire stretch. In Slovakia, the route is also clearly signposted. Signage in Hungary can be a little less consistent in certain areas. With our award-winning Macs Adventure App, you'll have access to the GPX tracks, enabling you to follow the route on your smartphone with richly detailed maps for a seamless navigation experience.

This trip can start on selected Sundays and Mondays from April to October, subject to the availability of our preferred hotels. 

The most popular time is June to August, drawing cyclists with its warm weather and long daylight hours. This period is especially popular among families and groups, making it the busiest time of year.

For those looking to avoid peak season, May and September strike the perfect balance. These months offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds while maintaining the vibrant energy of historic towns, often bustling with cyclists.

April and October, part of the shoulder season, provide a quieter and more relaxed experience. April brings landscapes alive with blooming wildflowers, while October showcases stunning autumn hues, offering a picturesque setting for those who prefer cooler weather and fewer riders.

If you're flexible with your dates, this can help in securing your trip more easily!

Heads up! From August 1 to 3, 2025, Budapest will be hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix—a huge event that’s sure to shake up travel plans in the area. Because of this, we won’t be able to offer tours starting in Passau on July 20 or 21. Why? Well, the extra costs and potential chaos could put a damper on your otherwise amazing experience, and we’re all about making your journey as seamless and enjoyable as possible. 

Between April and October, the Danube region enjoys a pleasant climate, making it a fantastic time to set off on your cycling adventure. Spring, from April to early June, brings mild temperatures ranging from 10°C to 21°C (50°F to 70°F), with lush greenery and blooming flowers creating a picturesque backdrop. Summer, spanning June to August, sees warmer days with highs of 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F), perfect for outdoor activities and river cruises. Autumn, from September to October, offers cooler but comfortable weather, with temperatures typically ranging between 13°C and 24°C (55°F to 75°F). This season also brings vibrant fall foliage, especially along the riverbanks, creating stunning scenery. While occasional rainfall occurs during these months, it’s generally light and short-lived, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the region’s beauty.

Passau is located in Bavaria in Germany near the Austrian border. While it doesn't have its own airport, it is easily accessible by rail from nearby cities.

Two of the most convenient options are to fly into Munich or Vienna. Munich Airport offers frequent flights from major UK cities. From here, you can take a direct train to Passau (duration: roughly 2hrs). If you are arriving at Vienna Airport, you can make your way into Vienna by train (duration: 15min) or bus (duration: 20min). We include a train journey from Vienna Central Station to Passau (duration: roughly 3hrs).

Consider exploring Rail Europe for a convenient way to book European rail tickets and passes.

Getting to Budapest Airport from the city centre is straightforward. The 100E Airport Express bus has a frequent, direct service from central Budapest (Deák Ferenc tér) to the airport (duration: 35mins). Tickets can be bought via the BudapestGO app or at ticket machines.

Should you wish to return to Vienna, we recommend taking the train (duration: 2hrs30mins). From here you can connect to high-speed trains through Germany and France, or you can take the Eurostar from Brussels to London.

Please see Trainline Europe for timetables, tickets, and prices.

Your trip includes daily door-to-door baggage transfer at no additional cost. To ensure a smooth experience, we kindly request that each person limits their luggage to one bag, with a maximum weight of 23kg (44lbs).