Join us on a bicycle tour that follows the Danube River, from Germany to Vienna, and then on to Budapest. Enjoy long, leisurely rides along the longest river in Europe and through farm villages, picture-perfect you'll have time to enjoy natural and man-made sights. Marvel at the "Schlögener Schlinge", visit historic Abbeys and cathedrals in towns such as Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Melk and Esztergom, walk through the steep, terraced vineyards of the Wachau, and experience "Hungarian Tuscany". Relish the modern culinary kitchen of four countries.
Bicycling along Europe's largest river, Vienna, Dinner cruise on the Danube in Budapest, Budapest, Bike paths in Germany and Austria, Cycling in four different countries, Crossing the Iron Curtain by bike, The "Hungarian Tuscany", Bavarian hospitality (with beer!)
Keep in Mind: We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Well-maintained bike paths in Germany, Austria and Slovakia, but Hungarian bike paths are rare and secondary roads are often bumpy. We use charming and modern hotels but A/C or fans may not always be available. Long stretches on bike paths limits van support on a few days.
Includes
Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 14 days, 13 nights; 8 dinners (including a dinner cruise on the Danube) with wine or beer, all breakfasts; wine tasting; guided tour Passau.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic Tour Style page.
Arrive / Depart
Munich Airport (MUC) or Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA), Germany / Budapest Ferenc Liszt Int'l Airport (BUD), Hungary
Highlights: Northernmost point of Danube River; Medieval center; welcome dinner together
Meet us today in Regensburg, easily reached by train from the nearby airports of Frankfurt and Munich. Our starting point was a Roman outpost under Marcus Aurelius in 179 AD and marks both the northernmost point of the Roman Empire in Germany and the northernmost extent of the Danube. Its Medieval center is wonderfully preserved. We'll enjoy a welcome dinner together tonight.
Test ride along the Danube for as long as you'd like.
Highlights: Walhalla Temple, and the Bavarian Countryside
Our first ride today takes us through more Roman settlements and into the Bavarian countryside lifestyle. Take a challenge and climb up to Walhalla Temple. It is not far and you are rewarded with the view back up the river to Regensburg and to the south-east where our ride will take us. Stop for snack at one of the small bakeries or butchers shops. Our destination today is one of these picturesque rural towns.
Highlights: Benedictine Monasteries at Metten, Passau and the Inn River
You'll see two Benedictine monasteries today, including one in Metten. Bibliophiles will want to stop for a tour of the library in the Abbey of St. Michael of Metten which features 160,000 volumes including one of the earliest bibles printed in Germany and a 1493 "Nuremberg Chronicle," one of the earliest world history books printed in German and Latin. You'll pass another Benedictine Monastery as you leave Deggendorf on your way to Passau, the gateway to Austria. In Passau the Danube nearly doubles in size, as it is joined by the Inn River. Take time this afternoon to visit Passau's Saint Stephan's Cathedral which houses the largest organ outside of the United States.
Highlights: Crossing the border to Austria, spectacular part of the Danube valley, boat ride on the Danube.
The Danube River and the valley it has formed shape the central transportation artery of Austria. Today and tomorrow you'll ride through the heartland of Austria. Castles perch above the river as we ride one of the most popular routes in Europe. Take time to explore the Ars Electronica Museum in Linz, also known as the museum of the future as it tries to bridge the gap between art, science and technology.
Highlights: Farmland and vineyards, Danube bike paths, Mauthausen Concentration Camp
You'll leave the river valley to reach your destination today - the modern lodge castel Kreuzen with a beautiful view and Kneipp spa. Those who wish can take time to visit the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. The experience is powerful and sobering as you walk up and down the 186 "death stairs." Over 130,000 people were killed here including Jews, Italians, Russian POWs, criminals, and political prisoners.
Highlights: Vineyards of the Danube, Abbey in Melk, wine tasting
On your way to Dürnstein you'll enter the heartland of Austrian wine country. Stop, photograph, and visit the spectacular baroque Abbey of Melk. A beautiful ride leads you through the medieval villages of the Wachau (UNESCO World Heritage site). You'll visit the cellar and vineyards of one of the area's best producers, and taste some of the traditional white wines they produce.
Highlights: Vienna, former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Enjoy an easy, but long day along the Danube today. You'll reach Vienna via a complex system of bicycle paths that lead directly to your hotel. Vienna is the largest city in Austria and one of Europe's leading musical centers. It was first a Roman and Celtic settlement, but as the Austro-Hungarian Empire rose to prominence, magnificent Medieval and Baroque architecture became especially prevalent.
We offer an optional ride today for those who want to stretch their legs, though we'll start the morning with a guided walk of Vienna. Be sure to take time to explore Vienna, one of the great imperial cities of Europe. Take in a concert at a local church, or concert hall.
An easy ride today takes you to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Czechoslovakia was formed from parts of the historic Austro-Hungarian empire in 1918 and came under Soviet domination in 1948. It wasn't until 1989, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, that the country was freed from Soviet control. Bratislava became capital of Slovakia when it separated from the Czech Republic during the "velvet divorce" in 1993. You'll bicycle through the former "Iron Curtain", which would have been prohibited just a few decades ago.
Distance: 85km (53mi)
Gain: 287m (941ft)
Terrain:
Day Level:
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10: Bratislava to Györ, Hungary
Highlights: Bicycling along the Danube to Hungary
While Györ was a border town early in its history under the Romans, it was an imperial city under the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was directly in the path of barbarian invasions through the centuries, and much of the present day city was built by Italian architects after the retreat of the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century. Leaving Slovakia road conditions become noticeably worse, but you are rewarded with pristine, simple villages that will make you feel as though you have traveled back in time.
Leaving Gyöor you'll pass through important industrial areas before reaching the Pannonian Basin and Babolna, where Hungary's finest riding horses are bred. The landscape changes here and you'll soon be riding the rolling hills of Transdanubia, also known as the "Hungarian Tuscany". Your destination is the small city of Tata which features a beautiful "old lake" and castle from the 15th century.
You'll ride just south of the Danube today through the Transdanubian hills. A beautiful landscape that leads you to Esztergom which was the capital of Hungary from the 11th to the mid-13th century, was occupied by the Ottoman Turks for 150 years, and enjoyed a rebirth of baroque architecture after 1700.
Our tour ends this morning in Budapest. We highly recommend that you take a few days to enjoy all that the city has to offer. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful journey.
Meeting time 2 p.m. - on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on your itinerary.
Note:
As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We recommend flying into the Munich Airport (MUC). You can also fly into the Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
If you arrive at Munich and continue to Regensburg
Airport Shuttle Bus from the Munich Airport to the Day 1 Hotel (1.5 hours/Fares vary).
If you arrive at Frankfurtand continue to Regensburg
*Train from Frankurt am Main Flughafen to Regensburg Hbf (3.5-4 hours/fares vary)
Taxi from Regensburg central station to the Day 1 Hotel (5 min/EUR 6)
*Note: Depart from the AIRail Terminal, next to Terminal 1. Frankfurt Airport is a very busy transportation hub and it is advisable to purchase train tickets with a seat reservation in advance. If you buy a flexible ticket in advance and miss your intended train, it still means that you will have to purchase a new seat reservation separately upon arrival. Purchasing your ticket and seat reservations upon arrival does offer the most flexibility. However, if trains are full, you will have to wait.
Day 14: Departure Information
Bicycle Tour ends in Budapest
Your trip ends on the final day after breakfast.
The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio.
We recommend flying out of the Budapest Airport (BUD)
From the Ending Hotel to the Budapest Airport
Taxi. The front desk can arrange your transfer at a discounted rate (45 min/HUF 6500 through hotel/HUF 8000 regular)
We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Well-maintained bike paths in Germany, Austria and Slovakia, but Hungarian bike paths are rare and secondary roads are often bumpy. We use charming and modern hotels but A/C or fans may not always be available. Long stretches on bike paths limits van support on a few days.
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To Do Today!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation Email, it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed. As you make your plans refer to the Getting To and Away sent to you in your booking confirmation email it provides meeting times and the starting and ending hotels and shuttle information when applicable.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights. Please refer to the Getting To and Away sheet you received in your Reservation Confirmation Email.
12 weeks before your tour begin your training program found on this page.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Deposit Payment Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail you have received for detailed instructions.
6 Weeks–2 Weeks Prior to Departure
Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Suggested Reading and Movie List which you'll find on the country page linked from the www.experienceplus.com/travelinfo page.
Sailing the boat, every afternoon relaxing on the boat after biking and swimming, lovely dinners, hearty breakfasts, bee keepers, traditional dinner out, rides through the islands (up and down!), guides, fellow passengers, crew on the boat-- really it was ALL great.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Hilly
Very hilly
Mountainous
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