Vienna to Budapest 5-nights (Active)

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!

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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.

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 Bratislava

Day 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 Györ

Day 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 Esztergom

Day 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 Budapest

Day 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.com

Hotel Devín, Bratislava
www.hoteldevin.sk

Barokk Hotel Promenád, Györ
promenadhotelgyor.hu

Portobello Wellness & Yacht Hotel, Esztergom
www.portobello.hu

NH Hotel Budapest City Center, Budapest
www.nh-hotels.com

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.

How to get there

Tour start
Nearest airport and train station: Vienna (VIE), Austria

Tour end
Nearest airport: Budapest (BUD), Hungary
Nearest train station: Keleti Pályaudvar, Hungary

Transfer 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

Dates

Prices

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

Tour Company