Danube Bike Path 5-nights (Active)
5 nights from €948
4.82A fantastic 5-night adventure along the dreamy Danube
This fabulous 5-night tour along the romantic Danube River is a super 'sporty' experience for travelers interested in covering longer cycling distances each day. The 'Active' option described here treats you to an average of 50 miles per day. If you're looking for a more leisurely cycling option, check out the Danube Bike Path 7 Nights (Classic) tour.
Explore the picturesque paths along the winding Danube River just like the Romans did, as well as the legendary Nibelungs and Europe's powerful kings and emperors. You'll get to know the beauty and historical significance of this ancient military and trading route, whilst never being far away from the cool, clear waters of the river on one of Europe's most popular and beautiful cycling routes.
Pedaling off from the baroque town of Passau, the 'City of Three Rivers', you'll cycle through the various breathtaking districts of Upper and Lower Austria, finally arriving in the Danube metropolis of iconic Vienna. You'll fall in love with the natural beauty of the verdant Danube Valley, the stunning Schlögen Bend, and the wonderful landscapes of the Machland, Strudengau, and Wachau.
In rural areas, to accompany the excellent impressions garnered from your ride, you'll enjoy many traditional Austrian delicacies, from savory dumpling specialities to the moreish wines of the Wachau region's Buschenschenken taverns. Your physical wellbeing will be well catered for!
Awesome trip!
“Great way to experience Austria! Path is very well signed and goes along the beautiful Blue Danube as well as through quaint towns and villages. Lots to see!”
—Jonathan
Excellent bike tour through Germany and Austria
“The Danube Cycle Path is an excellent biking tour. We felt like we really got to see the countries we were biking through. We biked in early May and the weather was perfect, not…” Full Review
“The Danube Cycle Path is an excellent biking tour. We felt like we really got to see the countries we were biking through. We biked in early May and the weather was perfect, not too warm but sunny with blue skies. I would highly recommend this trip. You do need to be fit enough to bike 50 miles a day. I used an e-bike and it was great. Such a beautiful trip! Can’t wait to do another one.” Less
—Jennifer Duncan-morin
Appreciate the support throughout, especially handling paths closed due to flooding
“Lovely trip, with great bike paths, gracious accommodations and excellent directions. We appreciated the hard work of the local hosts, who had to make daily route adjustments due to flooding conditions, but their communications were very good.”
—Tad Staley
Daily Program
Day 1: Individual arrival in Passau
It is recommended to arrive early in Passau to allow yourself time to appreciate this gorgeous city. For a start, the well-known St. Stephan's Cathedral houses the world's largest church organ! In the evening, receive a personal welcome briefing and bike handover (if booked).
Day 2: Passau – Aschach
40 miles/65 km
We recommend a short city tour or a visit to the cathedral today, where you can hear the world's largest organ with your very own ears (except on Sundays and holidays)! You'll then start your cycling adventure along the Danube via Obernzell to Engelhartszell (boasting the only Trappist monastery in Austria). Ride through the wonderful nature reserve at Donauleiten and behold the breathtaking Schlögen Bend on its northern side. Here, the granite stone was too tough an opponent for the Danube River, which was forced into a 180° turn. You'll have time to gaze over this natural phenomenon during a ferry ride to the other side of the river where you'll soon reach Aschach and your hotel.
Day 3: Aschach – Ardagger/Grein
52 miles/90 km
Today, you'll glide through the glorious green of the Eferdinger Becken (basin) via Ottensheim, journeying onwards through Wilhering to the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. Following the motto 'In Liz beginnt's' ('It begins in Linz'), you'll start your city tour in one of the many restaurants that grace the historic Old Town. Further highlights of the European Cultural Capital of 2009 include the magnificent views from the Pöstlingberg or a stroll along the Danube. Later, you'll continue your trip towards Strudengau, exploring Nibelungengau, Grein, and the surrounding landscape.
Day 4: Ardagger/Grein – Krems
52 miles/85 km
From the Baroque town of Grein, home to the oldest city theater in Austria, you'll ride your bike along the lovely river once more. In Melk, we recommend briefly locking up so as not to miss the beauty of Melk Abbey, which towers above the Danube. Then, cycle onwards via the wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen and past the ruins of the Dürnstein Castle to your hotel in Krems. Here, a wine tasting is highly recommended (not included in tour package).
Day 5: Krems – Vienna
52 miles/85 km
From the 1,000-year-old city of Krems, you'll cycle via Traismauer to the Roman town of Tulln. Here, you can once again enjoy the tranquility and culture (perhaps a visit to the Egon Schiele Museum) of the rural area before you arrive in the Danube metropolis of Vienna. Enjoy a cup of 'Verlängerter' coffee and a slice of the famous Sachertorte in one of the typical Viennese coffee houses. Alternatively, take a ride in one of the famous 'Fiaker' (horse-drawn carriages), or even a superb cycling day tour.
Day 6: Departure or extension
If you are interested in extending your stay, we would be pleased to book extra nights for you. You could even consider a cycling day tour in Vienna, 'City of Dreams', or historical Munich.
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary by availability.
The accommodations on this tour are 3- and 4-star hotels.
Passau: Hotel Passauer Wolf
Aschach: Hotel Faustschlössl
Grein: Hotel Goldenes Kreuz
Krems: Hotel Unter den Linden
Vienna Prater: Courtyard by Marriott
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
All of the bike rentals 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 mostly follows dedicated bike paths (only a few sections follow minor roads), and the terrain is flat, or slightly downhill. It's paved and almost traffic-free, following an old horse path where teams of horses once struggled to tow barges upstream.
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, ride over dams, locks and bridges, and sometimes board small ferries that hold about a dozen cyclists.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport: Munich (MUC), Germany
Nearest train station: Passau, Germany
Flights into Munich
If you fly into Munich, your best bet for transportation from Munich Airport to Passau is by train from nearby Freising station. They run at least once an hour, and you can purchase tickets after you arrive in Munich (about €22-28 per person). You'll need to take a 20 minute bus ride from the airport to the Freising station (they leave at 21 after each hour), connecting with a train from Freising to Passau (about 1 hour, 45 minutes). Airport signage is excellent, leading you to the bus and station. Visit RailEurope.com for train schedules and fares or if you'd prefer to purchase tickets ahead of time.
Flights into Vienna
If you fly into Vienna, we recommend taking the Vienna Airport Lines bus to Vienna's West Railway Station. Trains leave every 30 minutes, and the ride takes 45 minutes. You can purchase tickets in the terminal or from the driver. The cost is about €10. From the West Station, trains leave frequently for Passau, with the journey lasting 2.45-3.25 hours. Cost: €25-50. Visit RailEurope.com for train schedules and fares or if you'd prefer to purchase tickets ahead of time.
Trains also leave the Vienna Airport station less frequently and connect via West Station for Passau. See Austrian Rail at www.oebb.at for information and tickets, which range from €25-65 depending on train and connections.
Tour end
Nearest airport and train station: Vienna (VIE), Austria
Vienna City Center to Vienna Airport
There are a number of convenient and inexpensive ways to get from Vienna City Center to 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 take local rail (SBahn) number 8 to the airport. Figure on about 5-5.25 hours.
Tips on getting to and from your tour.
Daily Transfer from Vienna to Passau
A daily pick-up service is available directly from your hotel in Vienna to Passau. The transfer takes approximately 3.5 to 4 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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