Experience Plus!

Bicycle Tours Since 1972

Experience Plus - Bicycle Tours since 1972
1-800-685-4565
info@ExperiencePlus.com
Bicycling the Danube from Germany to Vienna Plus! Budapest
Pencil In/Questions

Bicycle Tours in Austria: Bicycling the Danube from Germany to Vienna Plus! Budapest

Selected by National Geographic Traveler magazine as one of "50 Tours of a Lifetime".

Join us on a bicycle tour that follows the Danube River, from Germany to Vienna, and then on to Budapest. Enjoy long, leisurely rides along the longest river in Europe and through farm villages, picture-perfect Medieval German towns and the vineyards of the Danube in Austria. Along our bicycle route we'll have time to visit historic Abbeys and cathedrals in towns such as Regensburg, Passau, Linz, and Melk.

If this sounds great but you don't have time for the full 13 days, check out our Bicycling the Danube from Germany to Vienna tour, which features the first 8 days of this itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive in Medieval Regensburg

Highlights: Northernmost point of Danube River; Medieval center; welcome dinner together

Meet us today in Regensburg, easily reached by train from the nearby airports of Frankfurt and Munich. Our starting point was a Roman outpost under Marcus Aurelius in 179 AD and marks both the northernmost point of the Roman Empire in Germany and the northernmost extent of the Danube. Its Medieval center is wonderfully preserved. We'll enjoy a welcome dinner together tonight. Daily Mileage: Test ride in town only.

Lodging: Hotel Muenchner Hof

Day 2: Regensburg to Deggendorf

Highlights: Walhalla Temple, and Benedectine Monasteries near Metten

Our first ride today takes us through more Roman settlements today along with Benedictine monasteries, including one near Metten. Bibliophiles will want to stop for a tour of the library in the Abbey of St. Michael of Metten as among the 160,000 volumes in this historic collection is one of the earliest bibles printed in Germany and a 1493 "Nuremberg Chronicle," one of the earliest printed world history books printed in German and Latin). Dinner on your own tonight. Daily Mileage: 96 km (59 miles)

Lodging: Hotel-Gasthof Höttl

Day 3: Deggendorf to Passau

Highlights: Passau and the Inn River as we enter Austria

We pass Niederaltaich Benedictine Abbey as we leave Deggendorf this morning on our way to Passau, gateway to Austria. In Passau we see the Danube nearly double in size as it is joined by the Inn River, flowing out of Austria and Germany. Passau is the popular start for Europeans pedaling the Danube river; the section Passau to Vienna is the most pedaled route in Europe! Saint Stephan's Cathedral here also houses the largest organ outside of the United States so it might be worth taking a peek at the impressive instrument. We'll have a guided tour in Passau this afternoon and dinner together tonight. Daily Mileage: 59 km (36 miles)

Lodging: Hotel Weisser Hase

Day 4: Crossing the border to Austria

Highlights: The Famous Danube Valley of Austria

The Danube River and the valley it has formed shape the central transportation artery of Austria. Today and tomorrow we ride through the heartland of Austria. Castles perch above the river as we ride one of the most famous bicycle routes in Europe. For those who have had too much history, the Ars Electronica Museum in Linz will be a welcome change - stop by this afternoon and visit this museum that tries to bridge the gap between art, science and technology. Dinner on your own this evening. Daily Mileage: 99 km (61 miles)

Lodging: Hotel Wolfinger

Day 5: Linz to Grein an der Donau

Highlights: Farmland and vineyards, Danube bike paths, Mauthausen Concentration Camp

Our route after Linz will include more agriculture on alluvial farmland washed out of the Alps far to the south. Our destination today is a small town, Grein an der Donau. Those who wish can take time to visit the Mauthausen Concentration Camp a powerful and sobering experience as you walk up and down the 186 "death stairs". Over 130,000 people were killed here including Jews, Italians, Russian POWs, criminals and political prisoners. Dinner is together at the hotel. Daily mileage: 63 km (39 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Goldenes Kreuz

Day 6: Grein an der Donau to Dürnstein

Highlights: Vineyards of the Danube, Abbey in Melk, wine tasting

On our way to Dürnstein we enter one of the most interesting Austrian wine regions. You'll want to stop, photograph and visit the spectacular baroque Abbey of Melk. We'll taste some of the unique white wines typical of this area before dinner together. Daily mileage: 76 km (47 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Richard Löwenherz

Day 7: Dürnstein to Vienna

Highlights: Vienna, former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

We'll have an easy day along the Danube today though not without bicycle traffic since this stretch of the Danube Bicycle Path is one of the busiest in the world. We'll arrive tonight in Vienna, the largest city in Austria and one of Europe's leading musical centers, where we will stay for two nights. The city was first a Roman and Celtic settlement, but as the Austro-Hungarian Empire rose to prominence, magnificent Medieval and Baroque architecture became especially prevalent. We'll have dinner together tonight. Daily mileage: 102 km (63 miles)

Lodging: Novotel Wien City

Day 8: Rest day in Vienna

Highlights: Imperial Vienna; Hofburg palace; Viennese pastries

This is a rest day in Vienna, one of the great imperial cities of Europe. You've earned a rest. There is so much to see here we'll provide a briefing this morning, then you are free to wander and explore this secret capital of Europe where eastern and western European culture has combined to perfection. Be sure to visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace, home to the ruling Habsburg family for over six centuries or take in a concert at a local church or concert hall. Dinner on your own tonight. No ride today.

Lodging: Novotel Wien City

Day 9: Vienna to Bratislava, Slovakia

Highlights: Entering Slovakia

An easy ride today takes us to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Czechoslovakia was formed from parts of the historic Austro-Hungarian empire in 1918 and came under Soviet domination in 1948. Not until 1989, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, was the country freed from the Soviets. Bratislava became capital of Slovakia when it separated from the Czech Republic during the "velvet divorce" in 1993. Dinner together this evening. Daily mileage: 83 km (51 miles).

Lodging: Botel Gracia

Day 10: Bratislava to Györ, Hungary

Highlights: Bicycling along the Danube to Hungary

We'll ride by the Benedictine Arch Abbey of Pannonhalma and its winery today on your bicycle ride into Hungary. Enjoy typical Pannonian villages on your way to Györ which was a border town early in its history under the Romans. It was an imperial city under the Austro-Hungarian empire. And was also right in the way of barbarian invasions through the centuries. Much of the present city was built by Italian architects after the retreat of the Ottoman empire in the 17th century. Dinner together this evening. Daily Mileage: 84 km (52 miles)

Lodging: Hotel Klastrom

Day 11: Bicycle Gyor to Esztergom

Highlights: Esztergom

The towns we bicycle through today were destroyed and rebuilt repeatedly. The bridge over the Danube in Esztergom, for example, was first built in 1895, destroyed by the Germans in 1944 and only rebuilt in 2001. Esztergom was the capital of Hungary for two and a half centuries until the mid 13th century, was occupied by the Ottoman Turks for 150 years and enjoyed a rebirth of baroque architecture after 1700. Dinner on your own this evening. Daily Mileage: 106 km (66 miles)

Lodging: Hotel Bazilika

Day 12: Esztergom to Budapest

Highlights: Bicycling along the Danube into Budapest

We ride into Budapest today and our hotel is near the center of Pest so you'll be close to most of the sights. We have a special dinner tonight including a cruise on the Danube. Daily Mileage: 87 km (54 miles)

Lodging: Art'otel Budapest

Day 13: Bicycle Tour ends in Budapest

Highlights: Budapest

Our tour ends this morning in Budapest. We highly recommend that you take a few days to enjoy all that the city has to offer. Whatever you decide have a wonderful journey.
  • Highlights
    Bicycling along Europe's largest river, Vienna, Dinner cruise on the Danube in Budapest, Budapest, Bike paths in Germany and Austria, Cycling in four different countries
  • Includes
    "The Usual" plus... Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 13 days, 12 nights; 8 dinners (including a dinner cruise on the Danube) with wine or beer, all breakfasts; wine tasting; guided tour Passau.
  • Countries
    Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria
  • Begin/End
    Regensburg, Germany / Budapest, Hungary
  • Arrive/Depart
    Munich Airport (MUC) or Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA), Germany / Budapest Ferenc Liszt Int'l Airport (BUD), Hungary
  • Total Distance
    852 km (526 miles)
  • Daily Distance
    Average per day 86 km (53 miles)
  • What to Expect
    Bicycle through four countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary!
  • Rating
    301
    Mostly flat terrain on bike paths and roads. Most days include mileages of 80 km (50 miles) or more. Due to long stretches on bike paths on certain days van support may be less than usual.
  • Notes
    If this sounds great but you don't have time for the full 13 days, check out our Bicycling the Danube from Germany to Vienna tour, which features the first 8 days of this itinerary.
  • Terms
    Terms & Conditions
Dates Price Single
Supplement*		 Notes Next
Step
Jul 19 - 31, 2013 $4700 $600 Confirmed Departure Book It
Aug 16 - 28, 2013 $4700 $600 Book It
Aug 30 - Sep 11, 2013 $4700 $600 Sold Out - Wait List Available. Book It
*We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
Please wait while our photos load

Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.

Map Key

Green pinStart
Yellow pinCity (on route)
Red pinEnd
Other city dotCity (not part of route, provided for reference)
We just returned from our trip and I feel compelled to tell you how pleased we were with the trip. The bicycling, scenery, weather, food were perfect. Most importantly, our tour leaders were outstanding. They made a wonderful trip perfect!
Lizz V., Sunny Vale, CA
Great trip and route. The hotels were located perfectly within the city centers. And my favorite thing was the ability to navigate the route on my own by following the arrows.
Bill H., Raleigh, NC
We had a great time, as always. The guides were the best, the friends to ride with lots of fun and the scenery is beautiful.
Mary B., Newport Beach, CA
Thank you again ExperiencePlus! for another delightful adventure!
Jan B., Salem, SC
This was an adventure of a lifetime (so far). It was especially moving to me to visit Hungary - the land of my father's birth - and learn first hand about it's history and people. The scenery the entire trip was so beautiful - with the river at our sides and the wind at our back (sometimes). Our tour leaders added so much to our enjoyment. I can't wait for our next ExperiencePlus! trip.
Sari R., Glastonbury, CT
The overall experience was fabulous. I liked the ride lengths; the food, particularly in Hungary; the sights; the terrain....) One experience that will stay with me (probably forever) is the visit to Maulthausen Concentration Camp. This was a wonderful trip.
Kathy S., San Ramon, CA
This was a fabulous tour. It met all my expectations and then some. I loved the new titanium bikes and the route. Cycling from Passau to Vienna was my favorite part of the route. Being on a smooth, dedicated cycleway with a great group of people was pure pleasure. Our wonderful team of three leaders made it unique and so special!
Linda M., Livermore, CA