Danube Family Tour 7 Nights
7 nights from €1358
4.73A journey of discovery along the Danube designed for family fun and beautiful memories
This Danube bike tour for families is specially designed with children and parents in mind. Featuring shorter daily cycling distances, mostly flat terrain, and safe, traffic-free bike paths, it's the perfect way to explore Austria’s stunning landscapes at a relaxed pace.
You'll stay in a range of hand-picked family-friendly accommodations, from working farm stays where kids can help feed animals, to a luxury hotel with a pool and spa in the picturesque Wachau Valley. A ride on the famous Ferris wheel in Vienna’s Prater amusement park adds a touch of magic that children will never forget.
This unforgettable family cycling holiday along the Danube River combines geasy biking, scenic beauty, and cultural highlights, making it an ideal choice for families looking for an active European vacation.
You may also book this tour as a guided option for an increased fee. Please inquire for further details.
Fantastic trip with the family!!!
“This was a great way for the our kids & grandkids to see the Danube River and learn about European history. The hotels were all very nice and well located in the towns. The…” Full Review
“This was a great way for the our kids & grandkids to see the Danube River and learn about European history. The hotels were all very nice and well located in the towns. The segment distances were very good for the children ages 7, 10, & 12. The 7 year old was on the tow behind with Dad so those distances were good for him too. There were numerous places to stop and rest along the way which was nice. The luggage transfer was great and our luggage almost always arrived before we did.
We were 7 in total and it was an amazing trip to be together.
We arrived in Linz early and spent most of an afternoon at the ARS Electronic Center and the kids really enjoyed that.
The weather was all over the place cool the first two days and then it changed to very warm so be prepared for weather changes along the way.” Less
—Jay P. Grandpa :)
Best family trip ever
“There were 13 of us in total from three generations ranging form 77 years to 6 years of age. Reception at trip start was great, accommodating swapping bike sizes for one of the…” Full Review
“There were 13 of us in total from three generations ranging form 77 years to 6 years of age. Reception at trip start was great, accommodating swapping bike sizes for one of the children and a great send off. Some difficulty finding one of the accommodations. We were in several sub-groups and each of us got lost in Krems in our own way BUT no one was stressed because of the enjoyment we had from cycling such beautiful paths.” Less
—Robert Taylor
Great trip
“It was a lovely combination of epic landscape and gorgeous towns to visit. Food was fabulous. Hotels were perfect.”
—Renee Fogelberg
Daily Program
Distances listed are miles traveled by bike - actual distances may be longer and include boat or train transportation.
Day 1: Arrival in Linz
If you arrive early enough, enjoy a visit to Fairytale World at the famous Postlingberg. The Cave Railway, installed in 1906 as one of seven medieval hilltop towers, is also a major tourist attraction in the capital of Upper Austria.
Overnight in Linz.
Day 2: Linz – Mitterkirchen
31 miles/50 km
Start your trip with a cycle through the river wetlands to the mouth of the Enns River. Here, take time to explore the oldest city in Austria before you head to Mitterkirchen for the evening. You'll be accommodated at an authentic farm where children can help feed the lovely animals. Discoveries surrounding an old Celtic village here will also give you an idea about life in simpler times.
Overnight in Mitterkirchen.
Day 3: Mitterkirchen – Marbach
28 miles/45 km
Today you'll cycle through the picturesque plains of the Machland area, entering the wild Strudengau Valley with its dreamy towns and villages. On your way to the Nibelungengau area, you'll immerse yourself in lush forests where you'll be surrounded by glorious, untouched nature.
Overnight in Marbach.
Day 4: Marbach – Dürnstein
22 miles/35 km + boat
This stage first takes you to Melk, home of the world's largest Baroque abbey. Following on, you'll glide through winegrowing villages, past old fortified churches, and through the shadows of the inspiring ancient castles of the Wachau region. You'll then board a riverboat (please note that the boat is not running before April 11 and guests will receive a train ticket instead). Your destination tonight is Dürnstein, where you'll spend two nights in a wonderful hotel boasting a brilliant pool and spa.
Overnight in Dürnstein.
Day 5: Rest day in Dürnstein
You'll have several options for how to spend your rest day in Dürnstein. Perhaps you'd like to hike around this beautiful winegrowing region, take a scenic boat ride, or spend the day simply relaxing by the pool at your hotel. The children can enjoy splashing around whilst the adults have time to sample different wines in the shadow of the hotel garden.
Overnight in Dürnstein.
Day 6: Dürnstein – Tulln
31 miles/50 km
It's only a short ride to reach Krems, the 1000-year-old capital of the Wachau region. Along this stretch, you'll discover the 'Donauauen' en route to Tulln, known as the 'City of Flowers'. It's worth a visit to the Egon Schiele Museum here.
Overnight in Tulln.
Day 7: Tulln – Vienna
25 miles/40 km
Today you'll pass through glorious Greifenstein and Klosterneuberg. Your tour ends in the wonderful Danube metropolis of Vienna, 'City of Dreams'. Enjoy a slice of 'Sachertorte' in a local coffee house and don't forget to visit the 'Wursterlprater', the vibrant entertainment area of Vienna's Prater where children are guaranteed plenty of fun and laughter. Your tour includes a ride on the famous Prater ferris wheel.
Overnight in Vienna.
Day 8: Departure or extension in Vienna
Your bike tour finishes after breakfast. Vienna is an amazing city with myriad attractions, and we would be pleased to book additional nights for you.
Don't want the adventure to end? Consider a family-friendly cycling day tour in Vienna or Munich.
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Hotel Schwarzer Bär, Linz
www.linz-hotel.at
Radlerbauernhof Moser, Mitterkirchen
www.radlerbauernhof-moser.at
Hotel Wachauerhof, Marbach
www.wachauerhof.at
Gartenhotel Pfeffel, Durnstein
www.pfeffel.at
Hotel Nibelungenhof, Tulln
www.nibelungenhof.info
Austria Classic Hotel, Vienna
www.classic-hotelwien.at
Please note if visitors tax is due, it is not included in the tour cost.
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
Bikes
Standard Bike
A solid, easy wheeling and sturdy trekking bike which can be recommended to every guest with good conscience. Modern V-breaks, aluminium-rims, and almost indestructible tires ensure high duration. The heart of each bicycle is a modern, high-resistant aluminium frame. Traffic safety is guaranteed by lighting system, carrier, mudguard and comfortable saddle.
Unisex frame 21-gears with free wheel:
Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm
Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar
Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "slopping" cm
Specifications on standard bikes
- Modern, high-resistant aluminum frame
- V-brakes
- Aluminium-rims
- Reliable tires, which ensure high duration
- Shimano Alivio derailleur on 21-speed
- Selle Royal Saddles
*Posture for 21-speed standard bikes will be upright for comfort
Premium bike
The premium bike is equipped with upgraded components, and with a dark varnish a true eye-catcher. The sportive attitude with 27 speed Shimano Deore XT guarantees highest comfort on the tour. Hydraulic Magura brakes HS 11 and a high-quality suspension fork from Suntour are only some of numerous advantages. Truly the proper choice for those who are looking for high quality with a sportive design.
Upgraded components on 27-speed standard bikes
- Hydraulic Magura HS 11 brakes
- Shimano Deore XT derailleur on 27-speed
- High-quality Suntour suspension fork
*Posture for 27-speed upgraded standard bikes will be upright and forward
Gravel bike
The gravel bike is manufactured especially for us by the bike manufacturer MAXX from Rosenheim. The lightweight yet durable frame construction ensures an agile ride, while the tyres provide optimum grip and comfort on a variety of surfaces.
Frame & Geometry
Men’s frame
Comfortable gravel geometry for a fast ride
6061-T6 aluminium diamond frame
High-quality carbon fork
Gravel handlebars (wider and more flared than racing handlebars)
Available Frame Sizes (Men’s)
S: 155–166 cm → 44 cm
M: 166–173 cm → 48 cm
L: 173–181 cm → 52 cm
XL: 181–188 cm → 56 cm
XXL: 188–196 cm → 60 cm
Drivetrain & Components
SRAM Apex gear system, 1 x 12 gears
(front chainring: 40 teeth, rear sprockets: 11–50 teeth)Hydraulic disc brakes from SRAM
Internally routed wires/cables
Wheels & Tyres
Wheels from Miche
Schwalbe G-One gravel tyres (suitable for asphalt, unpaved roads, or off-road)
Saddle & Accessories
Selle Italia gel saddle
Weight approx. 11.5 kg
Bottle cage
Vaude Trailsaddle for day luggage*
Puncture kit with air pump, spare inner tube, and small repair kit
Electrically-assisted bike
Pedelec, unisex frame
A Pedelec is an electric bike which assists with electric support only when pedalling. Composed on the basis of KTM-bikes, this bike is more than adequate for the routes. The bike is easy to handle as you have a good weight distribution and a low balance point. Overall weight amounts to approx. 23 kg. An illuminated LCD display, a computer and a wattage display add to the comfort. You cycle with 28 inch-bikes, three different modes guarantee a maximum fun of cycling.
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
Accessories
Bikes will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:
- Saddlebag (water-repellent), rear
- Handlebar bag (water-repellent), with clear cover on top for easy map viewing (not for gravel bike)
- Tools
- Repair kit (with extra bicycle tube)
- Pump
- Combination lock
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals. Toe cages are not available to rent.
Seats:
If you plan to bring your own seat, please make sure it will be compatible with a 27.2 to 31.4 mm seat post. If necessary, you may also need to bring your own adapter. The tour company will assist in switching the seat post for you.
Helmets:
Helmets are not included with the bike rentals. You can buy or rent a helmet from the tour company (check the extra options in the pricing chart). You must let us know your helmet preference upon booking. If you do not rent or buy a helmet through the tour company, we recommend you bring your own.
Bike Protection:
Included with the rental
Surface and terrain
The route follows dedicated bike paths, with terrain that's nearly flat or slightly downhill. The route is paved and almost traffic-free, following an old horse path.
To shorten a day's riding, you can often board a train or barge along the way. Many trains have cars specifically for bicycles, and barges carry them with no problem either.
From time to time, you'll cross the river, dams, locks and bridges and sometimes board small ferries that hold about a dozen cyclists.
On this tour, reasonable distances were chosen specifically with families in mind.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport: Linz or Vienna, Austria or Munich, Germany
Nearest train station: Linz
Tour end
Nearest airport and train station: Vienna , Austria
Public Transportation
Trains are frequent between Vienna and Linz. Take a bus to the railway station in Munich or Vienna. Check Rail Europe or Austrian Rail for schedules and fares. Train rides to Linz from Vienna and Munich take between 1.15 and 2 hours.
Arrival by car to Linz
Public garage parking is available directly next to the start hotel (€15 per day, payable locally).
Vienna City Center to Vienna Airport
There are a number of convenient and inexpensive ways to get from Vienna City Center to the Vienna Airport (about 15 miles away). Depending on which hotel you stay in and what time your flight is, one option may be better than another. All hotels used in Vienna are happy to provide detailed information. Taxis are also available.
Vienna City Center to Munich Airport
If you are returning to Munich to fly out, trains leave often from Vienna's West Station and Main Station to Munich Main Station or East Station, from which you can take local rail (SBahn) number 8 to the airport. This ride takes 5-5.25 hours.
If you would like to request a private transfer please inquire at the time of booking.
Tips on getting to and from your tour.
Daily Transfer from Vienna to Linz
A daily pick-up service is available directly from your hotel in Vienna to Passau. The transfer takes approximately 2 hours and must be reserved in advance.
Alternatively, you can return by train. Train tickets can also be arranged in advance.
Please note: Transport of your own bike incurs an additional charge.
For pricing and availability, please refer to the "Dates and Prices" tab on the tour page.
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