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Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna

Europe's most popular cycling holiday route

The Danube Cycle Path is perfect for a relaxing cycling holiday of a particular kind! The tour is considered the most popular cycling holiday section in Europe and impresses above all with its beautiful landscape that follows the EuroVelo 6 cycle route.

The Romans, Nibelungs, various emperors and kings were once on this route through Upper Austria. Baroque towns, idyllic waterscapes and cultural highlights allow for sightseeing in between. Get on your bike and go on a journey of discovery through Austria along the famous and very popular Danube Cycle Path!

Details about the Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna cycling tour

The starting point of this cycle tour is the baroque town of Schärding or the three-river city of Passau. The decision of where to start is entirely up to you. Those who love nature will be intensely happy. Because the Donauradweg (Danube Cycle Path) has the most beautiful landscapes in Austria in store for you. 

The city of Linz, Marchland and Wachau are just a few examples of charming places where you can make a well-deserved stopover. The special thing about the Danube Cycle Path is the beautiful blue Danube, this constant signpost and landmark travel is with you to Vienna. If you get lost for a while, don't worry. As a faithful companion, the river flows right into the heart of Vienna and signals the end of the cycle tour.

The highlights of the Danube cycling holiday at a glance

  • Wine tasting in Wachau:  A tasting should not be missed to enjoy the fine wines of the Wachau region.

  • Melk Abbey: The symbol of the Wachau is well worth a visit. The Benedictine Monastery is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Vienna: Take time to explore the exciting city by bike or on foot.

Things worth knowing about the Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna bike tour

You will cycle from Passau to Vienna in eight stages. Numerous breaks provide opportunities for relaxation in between. The one-way route is flat throughout, making it ideal for a first bike ride with friends or the whole family.

This tour has been graded as Easy. Find out more about our cycling holiday difficulty levels.

You can read more about the Danube Cycle Path in our detailed guide.

Tour information
Easy
  • 8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Self-Guided
  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total cycling distance: approx. 345 km
Active on Holiday Team
+44 1706 618 155 Contact
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Itinerary

After an individual arrival, walk through the beautiful baroque town of Schärding and admire the famous "Silberzeile" or stroll through the "new centre" of the three-river city of Passau, which has been completely redesigned as a car-free pedestrian area. Evening briefing and issuance of your rental bike.

Along the River Inn, it goes to the three-river city of Passau. Here we recommend a short city tour and a cathedral tour with a concert on the largest church organ in the world (except on Sundays and public holidays). Along the Danube, it continues via Obernzell towards Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria). Via the Donauleiten nature reserve, you reach the “Schlögener Schlinge” on the north side. Here you can see for yourself that the granite was an insurmountable opponent for the water and the Danube was forced into a 180-degree change of course. While you take a ferry to the other shore towards your hotel, you will have plenty of time to view this natural phenomenon.

ca. 40-55 km

Today you will cycle through the greenery of the Eferding basin via the Danube market Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering towards the capital of the Upper Austria region, Linz. True to the motto: "Everything starts in Linz", the numerous restaurants in the historic old town offer a delightful stopover. Other highlights of the European Capital of Culture 2009 are the beautiful view from the Pöstlingberg or a lovely walk along the Danube.

ca. 50 km

Today, for a change, we first go a bit away from the Danube towards St. Florian (Augustine Canon Monastery) and Enns. In Enns, you can visit the town square with the 60-metre-high town tower, the symbol of the oldest town in Austria, or visit the archaeological collection in the town museum Lauriacum. Then drive again along the Danube and reach the beautiful baroque town of Grein. Here you have the opportunity to get an impression of Austria's oldest, still in use, city theatre. You can also visit the Maritime Museum or the Greinburg.

ca. 55 km

The stretch of the Danube, the Strudengau, once feared by sailors, now awaits the cyclists. Where there used to be fought against the current of the Danube, today you can comfortably cycle. In Maria Taferl towers high above the valley a beautiful pilgrimage church, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.

ca. 50-60 km

In Melk today you should take a break and look up, otherwise, you will miss the beauty of the monastery of Melk, which towers over the Danube. After leaving the city behind, the route continues into the Wachau countryside, where you will find the enchanting atmosphere of typical orchards and vineyards. Passing through the wine towns of Spitz, Weißenkirchen and past the castle ruins of Dürnstein, today's stage ends in Krems, the 1000-year-old town, or in Tulln. Of course, a visit to a wine tasting should not be missed during your stay in the Wachau, so we have organized this for you today.

ca. 40-60 km

With the last kilometres of this bike tour, you will reach the Danube capital Vienna. Enjoy the many beautiful things this city has to offer and treat yourself to a piece of the famous Sachertorte in one of the typical coffee houses in Vienna. Stroll along Vienna's shopping street, Mariahilfer Straße, visit St. Stephen's Cathedral or visit the main attractions with a ride in one of the famous carriages.

ca. 45-65 km

This special cycling holiday ends after breakfast, or book an extension in this beautiful city where there is still a lot to discover.

Route information

Flat or slightly downhill and without significant inclines. The route is almost continuously on well-developed cycle paths without motor traffic. Only very short stretches are on secondary roads. The Danube Cycle Path is a perfect example of a wonderful cycling holiday experience!

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights


Complete a Booking Request: Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna

Make an enquiry about 2024 arrival dates and prices for this tour

Prices and services may vary depending on the travel year
Select travel year:
Place of arrival: Passau
  Season 1
01.04.2023 - 14.04.2023
30.09.2023 - 07.10.2023

Daily
Season 2
15.04.2023 - 05.05.2023
09.09.2023 - 29.09.2023

Daily
Season 3
06.05.2023 - 08.09.2023

Daily
Danube Cycle Path, Passau to Vienna Cat. C, AT-DORPW-08C
Base price
679.00
729.00
789.00
Single room surcharge 229.00 229.00 229.00
Danube Cycle Path, Passau to Vienna Cat. B, AT-DORPW-08B
Base price
749.00
819.00
879.00
Single room surcharge 239.00 239.00 239.00
Danube Cycle Path, Passau to Vienna Cat. A, AT-DORPW-08A
Base price
849.00
919.00
959.00
Single room surcharge 249.00 249.00 249.00
Danube Cycle Path, Passau to Vienna Cat. Charme, AT-DORPW-08D
Base price
1,079.00
1,179.00
1,289.00
Single room surcharge 409.00 409.00 409.00
  • Category Charm: You stay in Charm hotels, beautiful 3*** and 4**** hotels. Special locations or hotels with special and/or exclusive extras such as a spa or wine cellar. In Linz and Vienna in 4**** charming hotels
  • Category A: You will stay in carefully selected 4**** hotels or the best hotels on site
  • Category B: You will stay in carefully selected 3*** and 4**** hotels
  • Category C: 3*** hotels and Gasthofen, in Linz and Vienna 4**** hotels
Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023
Daily
Season 2
Apr 15, 2023 - May 5, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023
Daily
Season 3
May 6, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023
Daily
Danube Cycle Path, Passau to Vienna Cat. C, AT-DORPW-08C
Base price
Single room surcharge
Danube Cycle Path, Passau to Vienna Cat. B, AT-DORPW-08B
Base price
Single room surcharge
Danube Cycle Path, Passau to Vienna Cat. A, AT-DORPW-08A
Base price
Single room surcharge
Danube Cycle Path, Passau to Vienna Cat. Charme, AT-DORPW-08D
Base price
Single room surcharge
679.00
229.00
749.00
239.00
849.00
249.00
1,079.00
409.00
729.00
229.00
819.00
239.00
919.00
249.00
1,179.00
409.00
789.00
229.00
879.00
239.00
959.00
249.00
1,289.00
409.00
  • Category Charm: You stay in Charm hotels, beautiful 3*** and 4**** hotels. Special locations or hotels with special and/or exclusive extras such as a spa or wine cellar. In Linz and Vienna in 4**** charming hotels
  • Category A: You will stay in carefully selected 4**** hotels or the best hotels on site
  • Category B: You will stay in carefully selected 3*** and 4**** hotels
  • Category C: 3*** hotels and Gasthofen, in Linz and Vienna 4**** hotels
Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023
Season 2
Apr 15, 2023 - May 5, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023
Season 3
May 6, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023
Passau
Double room p.p. Cat. C
Single room surcharge
Vienna
Double room p.p. Cat. C
Single room surcharge
Passau
Double room p.p. Cat. B
Single room surcharge
Vienna
Double room p.p. Cat. B
Single room surcharge
Passau
Double room p.p. Cat. A
Single room surcharge
Vienna
Double room p.p. Cat. A
Single room surcharge
Passau
Double room p.p. Cat. Charme
Single room surcharge
Vienna
Double room p.p. Cat. Charme
Single room surcharge
65.00
29.00
69.00
29.00
65.00
29.00
65.00
29.00
79.00
29.00
69.00
49.00
85.00
39.00
165.00
129.00
65.00
29.00
69.00
29.00
65.00
29.00
65.00
29.00
79.00
29.00
69.00
49.00
85.00
39.00
165.00
129.00
65.00
29.00
69.00
29.00
65.00
29.00
65.00
29.00
79.00
29.00
69.00
49.00
85.00
39.00
165.00
129.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Passau
  Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023

Daily
Season 2
Apr 15, 2023 - May 5, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023

Daily
Season 3
May 6, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023

Daily
Passau
Double room p.p. Cat. C 65.00 65.00 65.00
Single room surcharge 29.00 29.00 29.00
Vienna
Double room p.p. Cat. C 69.00 69.00 69.00
Single room surcharge 29.00 29.00 29.00
Passau
Double room p.p. Cat. B 65.00 65.00 65.00
Single room surcharge 29.00 29.00 29.00
Vienna
Double room p.p. Cat. B 65.00 65.00 65.00
Single room surcharge 29.00 29.00 29.00
Passau
Double room p.p. Cat. A 79.00 79.00 79.00
Single room surcharge 29.00 29.00 29.00
Vienna
Double room p.p. Cat. A 69.00 69.00 69.00
Single room surcharge 49.00 49.00 49.00
Passau
Double room p.p. Cat. Charme 85.00 85.00 85.00
Single room surcharge 39.00 39.00 39.00
Vienna
Double room p.p. Cat. Charme 165.00 165.00 165.00
Single room surcharge 129.00 129.00 129.00
Filter
21-Speed Unisex Bike
Unisex E-Bike
27-Speed Bike PLUS
21-Speed Men's Bike
7-Speed Unisex Bike
99.00
239.00
159.00
99.00
99.00
Prices per person in GBP

Our rental bikes

Services / Information

Services

Included

  • 7 nights in the chosen category, including breakfast
  • Crossing Au-Schlögen including bike
  • Wine tasting in the Wachau
  • Danube Card in Upper Austria
  • Personal welcome meeting and info discussion (German, English)
  • Luggage transfer(s)
  • Travel folder 1 x per room (German, English with route and overview maps, detailed route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, luggage labels
  • Own signage on the route
  • GPS data available on request
  • Service Hotline

Not included

  • Tourist tax, if applicable, to be paid locally
  • (Optional) Return transfer by minibus from Vienna, daily in the afternoon, costs €75 per person (excl. your own bicycle, surcharge €29), reservation required

 

Arrival information
  • Train: Schärding or Passau station
  • Plane: Munich or Vienna Airport
  • Parking: Schärding free parking at the Eurobike parking directly on the bike path. Passau public garage approx. €35 per week, no reservation possible/necessary
  • Departure: Good train connection between Vienna-Passau or Schärding
Sample hotel list

This is a sample hotel list. Hotels will be booked depending on availability.

Passau 

Stadthotel **** 

www.stadthotel-schaerding.at  

Hotel Passauer Wolf **** 

www.hotel-passauer-wolf.de 

Stiegenwirt *** 

www.stiegenwirt-schaerding.at 

Hotel Spitzberg **** 

www.hotel-spitzberg.de

Biedermeier Hof *** 

www.biedermeierhof.at

Hotel Atrium  

www.atrium-passau.de 

Schlögen/surroudings 

Hotel Donauschlinge ****

www.donauschlinge.at  

Wesenufer Hotel und Seminarkultur an der Donau  

www.hotel-wesenufer.at 

Gasthof Draxler *** 

http://www.donau-urlaub.at

Linz 

Arcotel Nike **** 

www.arcotelhotels.com  

Hotel Courtyard **** 

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lnzcy-courtyard-linz/

Hotel Donauwelle **** 

www.linz.twhotels.at/ 

Grein/surroundings 

Hotel Aumühle *** 

www.aumuehle.at 

Hotel Goldenes Kreuz   

www.hotel-in-grein.at

Gasthof Zur Donaubrücke 

www.gasthof-froschauer.at  

Wachau 

Hotel zur Post Melk **** 

www.post-melk.at 

Donauhof Emmersdorf **** 
https://www.pichler-wachau.com/donauhof/hotel-ueberblick-wachau.html 

Hotel Wachauerhof Melk *** 

www.wauchauerhof.eu  

Krems/Traismauer/Tulln 

Hotel Zum Schwan *** 

www.hotel-schwan.at  

Hotel Zum Schwan*** 

www.hotel-schwan.at  

Landgasthof Schmid Sitzenberg ***  

https://www.gh-schmid.at

Vienna 

Arcotel Kaiserwasser **** 

www.arcotelhotels.com

Roomz Prater **** 

www.roomz-hotels.com/en/roomz-vienna-prater 

Simm´s Hotel **** 

www.simmshotel.at 

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