Danube Family Tour 7 Nights
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A journey of discovery along the Danube designed for family fun and beautiful memories
This Danube tour was designed especially for families. It offers shorter daily distances than the usual tour program, with accommodation in hotels, ranging from family farms where children can assist with feeding the animals to an exclusive hotel with a pool and spa in the beautiful Wachau valley. A ride on the famous ferris wheel in Vienna's Prater is a highlight of this amazing bike trip.
The Danube River Bicycle Path offers almost care-free cycling and an ideal way to view the region. It's downstream most of the way, passing through picturesque towns and villages, crossing lush farmland. It’s paved and almost traffic-free, following an old horse path where teams of horses once struggled to tow barges upstream. Along the majestic river, you'll pass inspiring castles, cozy villages, and sprawling vineyards. The unforgettable end of the tour is the Austrian capital, Vienna, with its countless sights and historical monuments.
You'll start in a deep valley with craggy outcroppings topped with the ruins of ancient castles. Soon, the hills turn to the rolling vineyards of the Wachau region, dotted with medieval towns. As the river widens, flat pastures spread to the horizons, and you'll meander through charming farms and villages. From time to time you'll cross the river, over dams, locks and bridges, and, occasionally, board small ferries especially serving cyclists.
You may also book this tour as a guided option for an increased fee. Please inquire for further details.
Highlights
- Europe's best-known and most-loved bike route
- Vienna, 'City of Dreams'
- Ride on Vienna's famous Prater ferris wheel
- Romantic Wachau, well-known wine-producing region
- Rest day in Durnstein with pool and spa
- Overnight at working farm where children may feed the animals
- Wide range of landscapes and cultural landmarks
Learn More
Learn more about self-guided tours.
Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Munich and Vienna. -
Traveler photos
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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.
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Accommodation
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Hotel Schwarzer Bär, Linz
www.linz-hotel.atRadlerbauernhof Moser, Mitterkirchen
www.radlerbauernhof-moser.atHotel Wachauerhof, Marbach
www.wachauerhof.atGartenhotel Pfeffel, Durnstein
www.pfeffel.atHotel Nibelungenhof, Tulln
www.nibelungenhof.infoAustria Classic Hotel, Vienna
www.classic-hotelwien.atPlease 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.
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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 cmMen’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar
Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "slopping" cmSpecifications 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
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 >
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
- 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.Dates & Prices
Questions about pricing or options? Call +1-215-613-0874 to talk to a Tour Advisor now.
Daily Mar 29–Oct 12
- Tour package 2025 Daily Mar 29–Oct 12 from € 12982025 departures: Daily Mar 29–Oct 12
2025 March Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 April Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 May Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 June Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 July Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 August Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 September Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 October Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tour package Double occupancy € 1298 Single occupancy € 1703 Bike Rentals Price Standard touring bike Included Premium bike € 70 Gravel bike € 130 Electrically-assisted bike € 170 Tandem bike price per person€ 50 Children's Bike Equipment Price Children's bike On request Children's trailer On request Children's bike seat On request Follow-me On request Discounts are available for children sharing accommodations, please contact us for pricing. - Extra Options
Extra night, Linz Double occupancy € 99 Single occupancy € 165 Extra night, Dürnstein Price Double occupancy € 129 Single occupancy € 189 Extra night, Vienna Price Double occupancy € 105 Single occupancy € 189 Transfers Price Vienna to Passau by minibus from the hotel in Vienna€ 85 Vienna to Passau by train€ 45 Dinner Package Price 6 x 3-course dinners* € 259 Helmet rental€ 20 Helmet purchase€ 52 **Partly with voucher in a close-by restaurant in walking distance
Included services
- 7 nights accommodations in 3- and 4-star hotels with one night at an authentic farmhouse
- Daily buffet breakfast
- Standard bike rental
- Luggage transportation (No limit in pieces of luggage; each piece with a maximum of 20 kg)
- Detailed route information and maps; personal tour information upon arrival
- Service hotline for the duration of the tour
- Boat tickets from Spitz to Durnstein (including the bike; train ticket instead of boat ticket for tours starting early Apr and October)
- Ticket for the Ferris wheel in Vienna
- Surprise for the children
- Rental bike insurance
- Navigational app(GPS tracks are available upon request)
Optional dinner package, if booked: 6x dinners (not possible in Vienna)
Please note if visitors tax is due, it is not included in the tour cost.
Map
Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.
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: LinzTour end
Nearest airport and train station: Vienna , AustriaPublic 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.
Reviews
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★★★★★ Kate Richardson 5 months ago
A trip we will never forget!
We recently returned from this tour and can say on behalf of our entire family that we were completely WOWed by the experience. Austria is really special and we were so happy to be able to explore it by bike. I don't think we would have enjoyed it in the same way if we had simply rented a car and toured around. We did find that the average mileage each day was a bit longer than we had anticipated. With a 7- and 9- year old, it really put them t the test but they were proud of themselves each evening when we reached our destination. We will absolutely recommend this to others!
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- this was my first!
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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BikeTours.com staff reply from bozena_kusovac July 5, 2024
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that your family had such an amazing experience exploring Austria by bike. Kudos to your 7- and 9-year-olds for rising to the challenge each day—they must have been so proud of themselves! We're delighted that our tour provided a unique and enjoyable way to see the beautiful Austrian landscape. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
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★★★★★ JOHN BEST 5 months ago
Beautiful trip with the kids
A great way to see Austria with kids--we took six kids ranging from 3 to 9 years old. There were a variety of small towns with old streets, playgrounds, and castles that the kids loved exploring. The hotels were comfortable (a bit hot with no A/C and 95 F days) and all had extensive breakfasts, much better than is typical in the U.S. The routes were also clearly laid out via the app and hardcopy maps they provided. I gave this four stars for a couple reasons; one, the mileage was actually higher per day than was represented, which was challenging for the smaller kids. Two, the communication could have been better, especially towards the end of the tour. Last, the route took us on several shared roads with vehicular traffic (70 kph) and in an industrial area, which was fine for the adults, but again, may not be suitable for some children.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Janet Witt 5 months ago
Fabulous!
There were 4 adults, 4 teens, and 1 6 year old in our group. The biking was very enjoyable and doable. The variety in the hotels, places, and activities piqued everyone’s interest. Well-planned trip.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 10-17 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Rebecca Hengemuhle 5 months ago
Such an adventurous way to explore Austria
We loved this bike tour and it was a great adventure for our family to explore Austria. Biketours was easy to work with and the local operator was helpful. We loved the hospitality at our hotels (except one). Our first night in Linz was wonderful and the museum electronica was amazing. The stay on the farm/ cideria Hotel Moser was such a highlight and was super family friendly. Our boys loved the soccer pitch and food. Maria Taferl was absolutely stunning but an epic ascent that most kids / adults without an e-bike won’t be able to do. There is a bike shuttle option up though. Durnstein was great and we enjoyed a day off to explore the town/ ruins/ pool. The ferry provided a different view of the Danube but probably wasn’t necessary as it didn’t save us too many kms. Tulln was okay with our half board dinner at a separate Greek restaurant (which was delicious) and in a different hotel from where we checked in and had breakfast. The staff at the Hotel Austria were incredibly helpful and helped us come up with a good itinerary and travel plans through Vienna. The Danube cycle path isn’t always on a separate bike road which made it a little more nerve wracking with kids but our kids soon learned good road etiquette and safety. The app/ guide book was good but we still needed our own gps to get to our hotels. I would recommend the half board option and extra night in Vienna. We all really loved this adventure. The scenery, food and hospitality through Austria was incredible.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Robert Taylor October 20, 2023
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 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.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 203
- How many tours have you completed?
- Six
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
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★★★★★ Renee Fogelberg October 9, 2023
Great trip
It was a lovely combination of epic landscape and gorgeous towns to visit. Food was fabulous. Hotels were perfect.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Oct 3023
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Renee Fogelberg October 9, 2023
Great trip
It was a lovely combination of epic landscape and gorgeous towns to visit. Food was fabulous. Hotels were perfect.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Oct 3023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Robert Taylor August 27, 2023
Taylor Family Tour
Overall a great experience for a family group of 13 ranging from ages 6 to 77. Bike sizing issues were sorted quickly (overnight after arrival and before planned departure) Comments: Would suggest to others to plan an extra night in Linz -- to settle in and see the city. Hotels and meals met expectation based on previous BikeTours trips. A couple of negatives: (1) my e-bike controller didn't work --never iuld get the speed, distance, etc. And a little more oa hinged on how the power system works -- not similar to my e-bike back home. (2) Daily distances on website differ from reality (real distances are longer) (3) Hotel location info is poor - saying it is on the bike path is nice, but not helpful.when it is a couple of km past the town or, I lnnthe case of Durnstien, BEFORE the town when you have been deliveredb into town by boat. But that IS part of the adventure! (3) Plain and simple, the tire pumps.provided are crap -- not just cheap but mising vital washers. Lucky we had se real to try. OVERALL: Would recommend this to any family wanting to explore their "family dynamics" Ours turned out great!
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ gillianrides August 28, 2019
We LOVED this!
Overall this was OUTSTANDING--Biketours was a great company that made fantastic hotel choices and provided top quality support. The breakfasts were wonderful. The bikes were great. The hotels were well situated (or there was a shuttle e.g. Marie Teflar) and some had real character. All were very clean. The scenery was amazing. The riding was amazing. I realize that Biketours can't control the weather but that was amazing, too. We only had a few comments--1. The only place the trail wasn't well marked (only time we wondered if we were "lost") and the trail was partly gravel/rough rock was between Durnstein and Tulln. We wish we had known this. This was also a much longer day of riding than we were prepared for (nearly 54 km). 2. We didn't realize that virtually nothing would be open for breaks on a Monday--our kids needed those breaks!
But really, small peanuts for what was the BEST vacation I have ever been on. I will take another trip with bike tours absolutely!- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my first.
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ DanubeNewbie August 6, 2019
Lovely relaxing week
My husband & I did this tour without kids! We are occasional cyclists, in our 50s & chose this trip to allow for easy going days with time to explore, & because we liked the idea of a rest day in the middle. It was great. Gentle, flat cycle, 99% away from cars, beautiful countryside & interesting villages. Accommodation was great. Half board option kept our lives simple & dinners were varied & very good.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 18th 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was our first
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Cassie September 6, 2018
A Family Holiday Adventure
For our family of three this was a great way to see the countryside of Austria. The bikes were in very good condition with packs included. The course guide was clear, with additional information if you wish to site see along the way... we opted out of site seeing as the weather was very hot, so we made regular stops to swim in the river, for ice-cream, and to pick ripe plums off the tree! We rode up to 50km the first two days so be prepared for that if you aren't used to riding... our 9year old did fine with regular stops. The course is very easy and picturesque with plenty of other riders to chat with.
The hotels were charming and the food very nice, the only flaw being no air-conditioning (average team for us was 33).
We really had a great time and I would definitely recommend this tour to other families.- What was the date of your tour?
- 16th August
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Susana September 5, 2018
Family trip
This trip is perfect for a family with small children. We have 2 kids, 6 and 8 years old and they have enjoyed everything! The bikes, the swimming pools at Mauthausen, the swims in the Danube, the playgrounds alond the way...We hired a one tag along bike (carried by his father :) and a children bike in order to change during the trip and make it easier for them.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Yavuz September 5, 2018
The best ever
We had a self guided tour from Passau to Wien. Except the rainy days, the tour was fantastic. We are ready for the next one ;)
- What was the date of your tour?
- 9-17.07.2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Lisa C July 9, 2018
Excellent family holiday!
Great cycle tour for family. Maps and local guides were helpful. Only suggestion would be to have hotel in Linz not be so far out of town in industrial area and to skip lodging in Marbach; most of the town was boarded up or vacant. Otherwise hotels and locations were great. A wonderful experience I would recommend.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2018
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Tiff from Colorado July 1, 2018
The perfect trip for 3 generations!
The directions, places to stay and length of trip were exactly as described. The tour was fantastic in June. Excellent service, no lost bags, everything went smoothly. An amazing time was had by teenagers, ourselves and my parents. Just stupendous!
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 15-22, 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was our first!
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Saint Malo September 5, 2017
Pleasant bike ride
There are dedicated bike trails through the trip and the difficulty level is appropriate for a casual rider. Unfortunately, most of the hotels lacked air conditioning, which was sorely missed in the hot August nights after a long day of cycling. We wished we had an opportunity to opt for better hotels. In addition, the written directions were too brief and should have been more detailed. For example, we missed the segment with a boat ride because it did not appear in our booklet. The local operator was very accommodating and friendly. We appreciated the instructions from George.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 28th 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Crazy Canuck August 9, 2017
Everything we had dreamed of !!!
The trip along the Danube was great for the entire family, ranging in age from 11 to 66. The accomodations with breakfast along the route were great. Great service in getting the correct size of bike for everyone. The supplied maps and signage along the root were well detailed for finding our way. The bikes were great with waterproof front and side bag.
A great experience with awesome views.- What was the date of your tour?
- July 19th, 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- our first
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Lola August 9, 2017
First family cycle trip
This was a fantastic trip; the cycling; the countryside, the food and the weather were all excellent. My 7 year old managed to cycle it all independently without bother. The organisation was very good and the local company answered any queries very quickly. I would recommend this tour for families without hesitation.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ djmeissner13 June 30, 2017
Perfect Family Trip!
Our family had an amazing experience. With 2 boys (13 & 15) the distance was easily manageable, and we could focus on the "travel experience" and not just getting there. My first experience with a bike tour company was a good one. Great hotels, good service, super nice people along the route. BikeTours even switched out a malfunctioning bike for us mid-trip. Tour materials were very easy to follow and super helpful. Great memories for sure.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Traveldeb October 18, 2016
A Family Ride on the Danube
I was looking for a relatively easy ride for a group that included two grandchildren. This was perfect. The equipment (trailer and tag along) were just right, the easy paved course let everyone enjoy the scenery, and the accommodations were wonderful.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 21 - 29
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Bernard D August 19, 2016
Danube from Linz to Vienna with some Extra
As a family of four (kids aged 10 and 11) we took six days to cover the 230 kilometers needed to pedal from Linz to Vienna. It was a fantastic way to discover beautiful country along one of the most picturesque stretches of European riverfront. 99.9% of the way is paved, and 80% is on dedicated bike paths (the remainder is biking on quiet country roads). With one rest day in the middle, the days represented between 35 and 55 kilometers of biking. Considering our younger one, our daughter, doesn't have the big leg muscles, our average speed was 14 km/h. We would set off between 9 and 10 am, and reach our accommodations in the early afternoon. The 55 kilometer day was a bit hard towards the end, but still very feasible. All hotels were very clean, quiet, with friendly staff and with delicious breakfast spreads included. We would highly recommend this trip, especially if you tag on a few days for culture in Vienna, at the end, as we did. It gave our kids and us the opportunity to have an active family trip in which we all felt a sense of accomplishment. And you don't have to do more than bring your suitcase up to your room and back down! The rest is taken care of. We are extremely happy with this trip. Thanks to BikeTours, and their Austrian associates (Rad Reiss Freunde) for making it all happen at a reasonable price and without a single hiccup! We could not have planned it better ourselves.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2016
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ JenniferW June 16, 2016
Wonderful family vacation!
The Danube bike path is an amazing ride and great for kids, ours were 9 and 12. The ride has endless beautiful river and hillside views, charming villages, cafes for lunch along the way, and fun parks for the kids to stop and play. The monastery in Melk is awesome. The hotels were lovely and unique, and the rooms were spacious for four. There are paths on both sides of the river, and many opportunities to cross back and forth for different scenery. There were a few short sections along roads shared with cars, which could usually be avoided by crossing to the other side over a bridge. The ride to the hotel in Vienna was easy, it is close to the waterfront path, past the amusement park along a few bike friendly streets. Vienna itself is very bike friendly. A representative from the local tour company met with us at the hotel the night before we started the trip, he was very helpful and explained all the maps and provided local contact information. The bikes were great. Highly recommended!
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2015
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ adortman June 5, 2016
The best tour in 4 years
The tour was perfect for the beginners. Beautiful views, good hotels and food, excellent guidance before tour.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 1st September 2015
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Gramps May 31, 2016
A great way for a grandfather to take grandchildren captive
I had done the Danube ride with my son in 1991. We brought our own bikes to Europe that year and did the trip using only a map and the excellent signposts for guidance and finding overnight accommodations on the fly. I turned 78 last summer; and after waiting years for his children (there are 4 of them whose ages last summer ranged from 15 - 21) to get to an age where I could feel safe with them in my charge, they agreed to come on this ride with me. To be sure, the bikes that were provided were not road bikes or even high quality hybrids; but they were reliable and comfortable to the point that my non-biking grandchildren had no problem with saddle sores or other discomfort. While the overnight hotel facilities for which Biketours had arranged were not of 5 star quality, without exception they were very, very good (comparable, I would say, with Embassy Suites and similar) The hotel keepers were especially hospitable; and the food offerings were varied and of very good quality. Biketours delivered on every single thing that was promised. In fact, they exceeded expectations. Most important, it was a memorable experience that I'll look back upon for the rest of the years that have been allotted to me; and the kids had a grand experience and a fun time. Assuming that travel to Europe is still worthwhile when they have teen aged children of their own, I know my grandchildren will want to take them on a Danube Family Adventure.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Late May, 2015
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Egeny May 26, 2016
It was unforgettable tour!
It was unforgettable tour!
It is the perfect way for a first family tour by bikes. We are family (parents and 12 years old son). We have had tour the last summer. Everything was great: accommodation, meals, information materials, supporting.... Thank you very much to the Bike Tour.com. This summer we are going to book new tour via Bike Tour.com!- What was the date of your tour?
- last summer
- How many tours have you completed?
- it was first time
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Pam P May 24, 2016
Amazing experience
We traveled on this self guided tour with our 10 and 12 year old daughters. We were very impressed with the organization of this trip. The maps were excellent. The trails were scenic, well marked and flat. I highly recommend this trip.
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens, Solo travelers, Families with young kids, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ TannisR May 24, 2016
Fabulous Family Experience!
If you are looking for a family adventure that you will remember for the rest of your life, this tour is for you! Our family had a truly enjoyable experience on the Danube family bike tour. It was a unique family holiday where we all worked together as a team - cycling along the Austrian countryside - to reach our destination. The scenery was breathtaking! The hotels were good to very good (what we expected). The pre tour arrangements, communication and maps provided were excellent. The bike service was excellent and assistance was provided promptly for the few challenges we had.
We are a family of 5 with kids aged 13, 11, and 8. The cycling, coupled with the heat (up to 28-30C most days) was a big challenge for our 8 year old but she did it and is very proud of herself. We had planned to get her a trail bike - to go behind my husband's bike - but it did not work out. The trail bike provided for her was tipping over when she was on it - attached to the adult bike. Maybe it was because the equipment was not good, maybe she was too big for it? That hiccup set us back 2 hours on our first morning which was frustrating. By 10:30 a.m. we were on our way, each of us on our own bike. The tour company linked us up with a bike shop that gladly swapped our trail bike for a 'real bike' for my daughter. Overall, the equipment provided was of excellent quality. The bikes were simple, but that's all we needed with the non-hilly paved terrain. We did not 'train' for our tour. Bring cycling shorts (padded) and gloves to help prevent chaffing. We used ours every day.
Another challenge was map reading. We were given detailed map books of roads and cycle trails. They were excellent maps. But in this digital age, we are used to using Google Maps to tell us how to get to our destination. It was sometimes a frustrating challenge to read the maps correctly.
The bike route we took was mostly along either dedicated bike paths along the Danube, or on country roads with little traffic. There were just a few areas where we needed to bike along a major road. In studying the map carefully, we chose to take the routes with less busy roads. One side of the river tended to have busy traffic roads and the other did not. The map was colour coded accordingly as to the type of path/road/country road. There were not many hills at all.
The hotels were all good. Some were more simple than others. We were not on this vacation for a luxury experience. We were worried that, being a family of 5, the hotels would squish us into one small room. On the contrary, we usually had two rooms or a suite, which was fabulous. The 'spa hotel' where we stayed for 2 nights mid-tour was nice. The pool was welcome, since the weather was quite warm. It was a true European experience when we saw two naked senior citizens enter the pool. At first, my family was shocked (being from modest Canada), but then, two of our kids jumped in naked as well (after the seniors left). When in Rome... SHOW MORE
The bike days were quite long. It took us about 6 hours of biking each day to reach our destination. Our speed was limited by my 8 year old daughter. She went as fast as her little legs could take her. I would recommend 8 as the youngest age for this tour. Ideally, kids would be age 10 and up - in order to ride a bigger faster bike.
Due to our 'slow' biking, we were not able to stop at many of the sights along the way. A few highlights were Pöstlingbergbahn and Grottenbahn in Linz, the Melk Abbey, town of Dürnstein (where we spent two nights), the Burgruine castle ruin in Dürnstein, and a lake between Dürnstein and Tulln where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and jumped in for a swim.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable and unique family experience for us. We would highly recommend it to family with kids age 10 and up (age 8 and up if your child is tall + athletic). A moderate fitness level is recommended.
SHOW LESS- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Mama May 22, 2016
Danube family bike tour???
This trip did not turn out to be anything like we expected. Although the hotels and the scenery were beautiful the support from The Bike Company was useless. When a child with a temp of 104 needed a hospital they had no suggestions on where to go or how to get there. The maps they provided were useless and the directions given to us on the first night we're completed in about 20 minutes. The bikes were inconsistent some had water bottle holders some not. The day at the spa although nice contain total nudity. American children aren't used to that. The Farm Hotel turned out to be 3 goats. The bike ride into Venice was four miles of City biking. bike trails in Vienna are gorgeous but not particularly child friendly. The Danube bike paths all though lovely contained many areas where the speed limit was 70 kilometers an hour. We had seven and 10 year old children riding.The bike support was not given by the tour company but by another tour company. Support really meant they just transported our luggage. This would have been a beautiful ride for adults and teenagers. Not young children. the maps need to be completely redone.
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
-
BikeTours.com staff reply from Lindsay May 23, 2016
Hi Sharon, thanks very much for your feedback. We're requesting a response and feedback from the local tour operator and will be following back up with another comment very shortly. - Lindsay
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Hi Sharon,
We're very sorry to hear that this tour did not meet your expectations. We try our best to educate travelers on what to expect, especially with self-guided tours. Please accept our apologies if you did not find the information sufficient on this tour page and in the materials provided during correspondence with our staff and with the tour company during your tour.
We chatted with the local tour operator regarding your comments about their service. While they regret that you were dissatisfied with the overall experience, they did provide the level of support detailed in the ""Included Services"" for this tour package. They also noted that they organized a taxi to transport your bikes on the rainy day for no additional charge (which is typically not included on self-guided tours). It sounds as though you may most enjoy a private guided tour for your next trip, which would include your own private support vehicle and guide.
The Danube Bike Path is consistently rated one of the best bike paths in Europe for its safety, ease, and family-friendliness, and we've confidently recommended it to families for more than ten years based on the great comments and stories we've always heard from past clients, as well as our own experiences. We're sorry this was not your experience, and we hope to have the opportunity to help you organize another trip in the future that's a better fit for your family.
A note to travelers considering this tour in the future: please be sure to review this page with general information on self-guided tours (https://www.biketours.com/self-guided-bike-tours/) and this page on what to expect on a typical day on a self-guided tour (https://www.biketours.com/typical-day). Also carefully review the ""Included Services"" section on this tour page to familiarize yourself with the level of service you should expect when booking this tour.
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