Enjoy cycling from Germany's lower Bavaria region to Austria's capital city, Vienna, on dedicated cycle paths. Taking you through towns and villages along Europe's most famous waterway, this predominantly traffic-free (and flat!) route is perfect for beginners or for those that love to explore a region by bike, with plenty of opportunities to sample local dishes and admire centuries old towns along the way.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

This cycling holiday is rated as easy, thanks to its daily rides along mostly flat and traffic-free cycle paths that follow the riverbank. The overall grade reflects the trip as a whole, though individual days may vary in difficulty—some routes might be a bit easier or more challenging than the average.

Although the route is mostly flat, the Wachau Valley in Austria can be described as slightly more undulating in comparison to the other sections of the route.

This tour presents no technical challenges and is a more accessible itinerary compared to Vienna to Budapest, which includes a mix of backroads, side roads, and cycle paths.

This cycling tour is perfect for beginners embarking on their first cycling holiday or for those seeking a relaxed pace with ample time to explore along the way. To make the most of your Danube adventure, we recommend getting some practice rides in before your trip—whether it's commuting to work or enjoying leisurely weekend outings.

You'll stay in comfortable, family-run hotels along the cycle path, offering 3- or 4-star comfort with private facilities. The accommodations cater to cyclists, providing bike storage and in some instances even charging points for e-bikes to ensure a seamless experience.

For those travelling with friends or family but preferring their own space, single rooms are available upon request, subject to availability and an additional fee.

This trip is also an excellent choice for solo cyclists. With the route being so popular, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet and connect with fellow travellers along the way.

Austrian Twin Beds

In Austria, 95% of hotel rooms feature double rooms with two separate mattresses, each with its own bedding, placed on a shared base. This setup is designed to accommodate requests for both double and twin bed arrangements. However, twin beds (two distinct single beds) and traditional double beds (a single large mattress on one base) are uncommon and cannot be guaranteed.

Meals

All breakfasts are included and in Austria Frühstück typically includes bread, rolls, cold cuts, cheese, eggs, fresh fruit, pastries, and muesli. There is always a plentiful supply of tea and coffee and orange juice. While packed lunches are not included, they can often be arranged through your accommodation, just be sure to request one the night before!

Dinner is not included so you are free to choose from the available options each night. One of the highlights of this trip is the fantastic food and drink of the regions that you cycle through. Some of our favourites include; a traditional Wiener Schnitzel with a potato salad, a hearty bowl of Goulash, a refreshing cold glass of Grüner Veltliner, and a slice of Sacher-Torte with a cup of tea or coffee.

Should you have any special dietary requirements please let us know. We try to accommodate all requirements where possible.

The Danube Cycle Path is a dedicated, well-paved, and clearly signposted route that is easy to follow, making it one of Europe's most popular cycling routes. This is the Austrian section from Passau to Vienna that enjoys the best-maintained signposting of the entire stretch. 

With our award-winning Macs Adventure App, you'll have access to the GPX tracks, enabling you to follow the route on your smartphone with richly detailed maps for a seamless navigation experience.

This trip can start on any day of the week from April to October, subject to the availability of our preferred hotels. 

The most popular time is June to August, drawing cyclists with its warm weather and long daylight hours. This period is especially popular among families and groups, making it the busiest time of year.

For those looking to avoid peak season, May and September strike the perfect balance. These months offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds while maintaining the vibrant energy of historic towns, often bustling with cyclists.

April and October, part of the shoulder season, provide a quieter and more relaxed experience. April brings landscapes alive with blooming wildflowers, while October showcases stunning autumn hues, offering a picturesque setting for those who prefer cooler weather and fewer riders.

If you're flexible with your dates, this can help in securing your trip more easily!

Between April and October, the Danube region enjoys a pleasant climate, making it a fantastic time to set off on your cycling adventure. Spring, from April to early June, brings mild temperatures ranging from 10°C to 21°C (50°F to 70°F), with lush greenery and blooming flowers creating a picturesque backdrop. Summer, spanning June to August, sees warmer days with highs of 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F), perfect for outdoor activities and river cruises. Autumn, from September to October, offers cooler but comfortable weather, with temperatures typically ranging between 13°C and 24°C (55°F to 75°F). This season also brings vibrant fall foliage, especially along the riverbanks, creating stunning scenery. While occasional rainfall occurs during these months, it’s generally light and short-lived, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the region’s beauty.

Passau is located in Bavaria in Germany near the Austrian border. While it doesn't have its own airport, it is easily accessible by rail from nearby cities.

Two of the most convenient options are to fly into Munich or Vienna. Munich Airport offers frequent flights from major UK cities. From here, you can take a direct train to Passau (duration: roughly 2hrs).

If you're arriving at Vienna Airport, you can make your way into Vienna by train (duration: 15min) or bus (duration: 20min). We include a train journey from Vienna Central Station to Passau (duration: roughly 3hrs).

Consider exploring Rail Europe for a convenient way to book European rail tickets and passes.

Vienna Airport has extensive connections to most major international cities and the airport is only a short bus or train journey from the city centre. 

If you would like to return to Passau this is possible. We can arrange a train ticket for you (or a bus ticket, this depends on the season) which is included in the price of your trip. There are several train journeys between Vienna Central Station and Passau each day. This ticket is only valid on trains from ÖBB (2nd class), and not on trains from Westbahn (marked "WB" on any timetables). The return transport of your own bike is not included, and we ask you to reserve the ticket for any bike before arrival. 

Your trip includes daily door-to-door baggage transfer at no additional cost. To ensure a smooth experience, we kindly request that each person limits their luggage to one bag, with a maximum weight of 23kg (50lbs).