Vienna to Budapest 5-nights (Active)
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Vienna to Budapest 5-nights
This 5-night tour from Vienna to Budapest is a "sporty" experience for travelers interested in covering longer cycling distances each day. The active option described here treats you an average of 54 miles each day. If you're looking for a more leisurely cycling option, check out the Vienna to Budapest (Classic) tour.
On this bike path you will explore lowland forests, original villages and magical cities. Of course the 3 metropolises Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest are the best-known.
In Carnuntum and in the Roman castle Kelemantia you find Roman relics from the past. Discover the diversity of the flora and fauna in the lowland forests. The small villages, which you cycle through, still keep their original charm. You pass through the Rye Island that is a real natural paradise. Don't forget the numerous castles and palaces, which are proudly situated nearby the Danube. The small towns along the bike trail have a special flair and their charming historic centers invite visitors to discover and enjoy. Overall this bike tour will inspire everybody!
Highlights
- 3 metropolises Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest
- Rye Island, a real natural paradise
- Numerous castles and palaces
- Danube Bike Path
- Lowland forests
- Roman castle Kelemantia
- Castles and palaces
Learn More
Learn more about self-guided tours.
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Traveler photos
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Daily program
Day 1: Individual arrival to Vienna
We recommended you arrive a day or two early to experience Vienna. This metropolis on the Danube has plenty to offer and it is worth to stay there for a longer time. Enjoy a cup of coffee and the typical Vienna cake "Sachertorte" in one of the numerous coffee houses or treat yourself to a roundtrip with the horse-drawn cab "Fiaker."Day 2: Vienna – Bratislava (44 mi/70 km)
The first distance of your bike trip guides you through the national park Donau-Auen. There you will get to know the diversity of the flora and fauna as well as the manifold types of landscape.You pass the castle Orth and the village Eckertsau and reach Bad Deutsch Altenburg. There you can make an excursion on the Roman bike trail (Römerweg) to Carnuntum. The archaeological park is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological sites in Austria. After Hainburg you reach the border to Slovakia and its capital city Bratislava that is your next overnight stay.
Overnight in BratislavaDay 3: Bratislava – Györ (50 mi/80 km)
You cycle a short distance in Slovak territory before you pass the Hungarian border in Rajká. Within the first few kilometers of your cycle trip in Hungary you will discover charming villages. The complete section is influenced by agriculture.Your route guides you through the so-called Szigetköz (a small Rye Island). This is characterized by numberless side arms of the Danube. The beautiful town Mosonmagyaróvár is also called "City of 17 bridges" and ideally suited for a short break.
Further on your way, you will pass Hédervár. The castle there is situated in the middle of a protected park. However, you should schedule a plenty of time for visiting Györ. The district capital offers many sights and a breathtaking historic center.
Overnight in GyörDay 4: Györ – Esztergom (68 mi/110 km)
Soon you reach the Hungarian Böny. From there a route version guides you to Bábolna, a well-cultivated town with a beautiful inner city. The local National Stud is known far beyond its borders. Racehorses are bred in the splendid inner courtyard. Afterwards, the route takes you back to the Danube where you soon reach the divided town Komárom/Komárno. The route runs near riverbanks in the flat Danube valley. In the course of this you pass different villages and while cycling you can view the vineyards in the background.The sporty bikers can choose a route over Tata but there are some hills. Those interested in history should plan time for the Roman castle Kelemantia which is on the way. However, the absolute highlight is your destination today: Esztergom - also known as "Hungarian Rome." Its basilica is the largest church of the country.
Overnight in EsztergomDay 5: Esztergom – Budapest (53 mi/85 km)
You cycle along the "Donauknie" which is probably one of the most attractive sections of the Danube bike trail. The Royal Palace and the castle of Visegrád will delight you and the open air museum, as well as the baroque old town of Szentendre, invites you to stay. The crowning highlight is Budapest. After arriving there you can review all impressions of this wonderful bike trip during a walk through the city.
Overnight in BudapestDay 6: Individual departure, or extension
In the Hungarian capital city there are many things to discover. If you are interested we would be pleased to book some extra nights for you.Surface and terrain
You cycle on bike trails, along a dam and partly on relatively quiet side roads. Occasionally you will be on busy roads but only for a short while. You cycle off road only for 3 short distances otherwise you will be on asphalt. On the whole, the route is marked very well with a few exceptions in the Slovakian part.
Altogether the cycling is relatively easy with occasional slight hills; however, considering the longer stages, one this variation of the Vienna-Budapest itinerary, you should have a higher level of cycling ability and comfort than the Classic version.
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary by availability.
The accommodations on this tour are 4-star hotels.
Arcotel Kaiserwasser, Vienna
www.arcotelhotels.comHotel Devín, Bratislava
www.hoteldevin.skBarokk Hotel Promenád, Györ
promenadhotelgyor.huPortobello Wellness & Yacht Hotel, Esztergom
www.portobello.huNH Hotel Budapest City Center, Budapest
www.nh-hotels.comPlease 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.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport and train station: Vienna (VIE), AustriaTour end
Nearest airport: Budapest (BUD), Hungary
Nearest train station: Keleti Pályaudvar, HungaryTransfer from Budapest to Vienna by van: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in season 1 and 2, and daily in season 3, departure at approx. 3 PM. Duration: approx. 3.5 hours. Price: €75 per person and 29 € for own bikes. Alternatively, there are excellent direct train connections available. Special transfers are available on request with at least 4 participants.
Tips for getting to and from your tour
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Dates
Saturdays: Apr 01-Apr 13, Sep 30-Oct 07, 2023; Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays: Apr 14-May 31, Sep 01-Sep 29, 2023; Daily: Jun 01- Aug 31, 2023
Season 1: Apr 01, 2023 - Apr 13, 2023, Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 07, 2023
Season 2: Apr 14, 2023- May 31, 2023, Sep 01, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023
Season 3: Jun 01, 2023 - Aug 31, 2023
Prices
Tour package
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Per person, double occupancy €649 €719 €769 Single use room (1 person/1 room) €988 €1058 €1108 Bike Rentals
Hybrid touring bike, 7/21-speed unisex frame €99 Hybrid touring bike, 7/21-speed men's frame €99 Hybrid touring bike, 27-speed, upgrade €159 Road bike(Merida, model ride 91) €239 Electrically assisted bike €239 Additional Options
Dinner package(Vienna and Budapest breakfast only) €99 Extra Nights, Bratislava
Per person, double occupancy €85 Single room (1 person/1 room) €149 Extra Nights, Budapest
Per person, double occupancy €85 Single room (1 person/1 room) €155 Extra Nights, Vienna
Per person, double occupancy €79 Single room (1 person/1 room) €139 Included services
- 5 overnight stays in 4-star hotels
- Breakfast (buffet style)
- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel(no limit in pieces of luggage; each piece with a maximum of 20 kg/44 lbs)
- Detailed travel documents
- 7-day Service Hotline in case of emergencies
- Well-planned route guidance
- Personal welcome meeting and bike fitting
- Rental bike insurance
- GPS Tracks available on request
- If half board is booked : 3 x 3-course dinner (Vienna and Budapest breakfast only)
Please note if visitors tax is due, it is not included in the tour cost.
Bike rentals
Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:
- Hybrid touring bike, 7/21-speed, unisex
- Hybrid touring bike, 7/21-speed, men's frames, crossbar
- Hybrid touring bike, 27-speed, upgrade (only available with a crossbar)
- Road bike
- Electrically assisted bike, Pedelec, unisex*
- Tandem bikes are available (upon request only)
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
All above 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 a helmet (not rent) from the tour company for €49. It will be a high quality, brand new helmet. You must let us know your helmet preference upon booking. If you do not buy a helmet through the tour company, we recommend you bring your own.Specifications on hybrid touring 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 hybrid bikes will be upright for comfort
Upgraded components on 27-speed hybrid bikes
- Hydraulic Magura HS 11 brakes
- Shimano Deore XT derailleur on 27-speed
- High-quality Suntour suspension fork
*Posture for 27-speed upgraded hybrid bikes will be upright and forward
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Route Map
Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.
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Reviews
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★★★★★ Terry Connolly 10 months ago
Very Smooth Arrangements
This worked pretty seamlessly. Bike rentals were in excellent shape, well equipped for storage and travel. Paper maps they gave us were good, but seems like should advise traveler to download Komoot or similar for detail of route map and GPS. All hotels were very nice. Bags got there ahead of us every day. Gyor to Esztergom is a long ride, on busy roads and non-paved surfaces. But overall a positive using BikeTours.
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★★★★★ Cynthia Ord 11 months ago
Loved everything about this tour (except the rental bikes)
I recommend the Vienna to Budapest 5-night tour, especially as an inter-generational adventure. We were a group of two 30-somethings and a 72-year-old dad, and it was a great fit for all of us. This is really a premier section of the full Eurovelo 6 cross-Europe route. I was especially impressed with bikeways and great signage all along the route. We were impressed by the variety and quality of the hotels, and the destination town or city at the end of each day was well-chosen. It was such a treat to go exploring each evening after getting off the bikes!
Squeezing it all into the four-day sporty/active itinerary, however, was challenging on heavy cruiser-style rental bikes, so I'd advise either slowing it down or bringing your own bike.- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- 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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BikeTours.com staff reply from kirsten August 22, 2022
Hi Cynthia!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this tour! We are happy to hear it was a great fit for your group. Your pictures are fantastic and really capture the joy of your adventure! Seeing those smiling faces is why we do what we do. Thank you again for choosing to travel with us!
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★★★★★ mb001 October 28, 2019
Fun trip with lots of biking.
My friend and I did this trip in early Oct. The first hotel in Vienne is Hotel Arcortel and not near any restaurants or pubs but close to the start of the trip. I would suggest booking a few days before in the city center if you plan on seeing Vienna. We stayed next in Hotel Devin in Bratislava. The hotel here and city were great. Everything walking distance. Next was Hotel Barrokk in Gyor. This was a very nice hotel and city that you could walk to a variety of restaurants and shopping. Then day 3 we biked 124km to Esztergom. There is an option to take a train for half of this trip. We did the biking and found it a very long day, but doable. We had electric bikes and it was a good thing! This day of biking was the most difficult not only because of the distance, but the terrain. You are in remote Hungarian countryside with no one around for hours. The bike trail or paths are poorly marked in some areas you find yourself on dirt farm land. Unfortunately we were lost a lot! The hotel in Esztergom was the Hotel Bellevue. This hotel is set on a busy street with no options to walk to any other restaurants or shopping. We were not aware that dinner must be booked ahead of time. After talking our way into a reservation, we found the buffet was average. If possible stay in the city and not this hotel. On the last day we left and needed to catch the ferry across the river. We were lucky as the week we were there was the last week of the season for the ferry. We rode to Budapest and again found some of the trails or paths poorly marked. We ran into a guided tour along the way and the guide told us about an app called mapy.cz and it has the entire map of the bike path we used and saved us several times. It was great to finish in Budapest as it is a very large exciting city with so much to do! The NH Hotel was easy to get to and situated close to many sites.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 10/6-10/10/19
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
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BikeTours.com staff reply from Chloe October 30, 2019
Thanks so much for this review - so many great details and suggestions! We're glad you had a fun trip and enjoyed many of the cities. We appreciate your details regarding the cycling terrain and navigation. This section of the Danube cycle path is less developed and more rustic than other sections, as you have noted. We hope future clients will be well informed by your review and perhaps even utilize the app you have mentioned. Thanks again.
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