Austria must be the country most completely connected by bicycle paths in the world. You can cycle almost anywhere and hardly touch a road. This tour is no exception. The entire route is on bicycle paths and a few quiet country roads. Well marked with directional signs for the cyclist, it is almost impossible to get lost. The route from Passau, Germany to Vienna, Austria follows the Danube river always slightly downhill and with the prevailing winds at your back. It just doesn’t get easier than this... or more pleasurable, due to the catering of the towns and villages to cycling tourists. Here it is easy to mingle with the locals and to meet people from all over Europe fulfilling a lifelong dream of "Cycling the Danube".

Only in Roman times was the Danube a cultural barrier. Later the Danube was an axis along which different movements and events, such as the migration of the peoples, the conversion to Christianity and the establishing of empires, took place. This region has always been marked by the fusion of the East and the West.

The Danubian Bike Trail between Passau and Vienna is regarded as Europe’s most popular bike route, and with good reason. Hardly any other part of the Danube Valley offers such a variety of culture and scenery and such a density of historical sights. Remote valleys, fertile plains and steep vineyards as well as neat farmhouses and splendid monasteries characterize this lovely area. The meander of the Danube at Schlogen, Melk Abbey and the Wachau are landmarks of this bike route, which is about 220 miles long.

From Passau to Lintz the Danube flows past the densely wooded slopes of a narrow valley between the Bavarian Woods and the Sauwald to Schlogen. After that is flows through sheer cliffs of granite then smoothes out into the kitchen garden of upper Austria, the fertile, Eferdinger Becken area.

HIGHLIGHTS: The three-river-town of Passau, Danube loop, Linz (the Upper-Austrian state capital), Grein (City Theatre), Romantic Wachau, Abbey Melk, Krems, Metropolis Vienna.

Early in history the three-river-town of Passau was already called one of the most beautiful towns of Germany. Its unique location at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Liz rivers has made it a centre of culture. Around 460 A.D. St. Severin founded a monastery. Later Passau became a diocesan town. The townscape has preserved some of its glorious past even though many buildings were destroyed in the fire of 1662. On the Gothic ruins a new town was built in Italian baroque style. The cathedral is the largest sacral baroque structure north of the Alps. It houses the world’s biggest organ and you can hear concerts on working days from noon to 12:30pm. Spend an afternoon strolling about and in the evening join in the fun at one of the local beer gardens.

Day 2 - Passau to Schlogen Loop/surroundings    44km/28mi

After the hamlet of Parz the path runs through pastures and woodland ‘till you reach Faberhof Inn. The road ascends slightly but the marvelous view of the ruined castle of Krampelstein and the valley makes up for the strain.

Now follow the Treppelweg bike path, where horses used to pull boats upstream in the past, and cycle a scenic route to Kramesau, an old farmstead . As you enter the riverside forest, the valley narrows and you follow the meander of Schlogen where extensive forests protected by steep slopes give the impression of nature untouched by civilization. Spend the night in Schlogon, where the Danube flows back towards Passau for a short distance.

DAY 3 - Schlogen Loop/surroundings to Linz 53km/33mi                           

Between Schlogen and Obermuhl a quiet winding road takes you through shady forests and past the ruined castle of Haichenbach with its impressive tower.

Day 4 - Linz to Grein/surroundings   65km/41mi

Along the way, cycle to St. Florian and its Augustinian Abbey, the finest baroque building in Austria. This magnificent baroque church is a masterpiece, it houses Austria’s largest organ. In the Middle Ages the monastery become the spiritual and economic centre of this region. The writers' and painters' school was very famous and Anton Bruckner, organist of the monastery from 1845 to 1855, helped to increase St. Florian's importance

A lazy day pedaling slowly through the peaceful Wauchau valley following the wine route, visiting the wineries, chatting with the vintners and sampling the wines. High over the Danube stands the pilgrimage church of Maria Taferl. Take a while to explore the Benedictine Monastery at Melk, the largest Baroque building in the world. Spend the night here at this marvelous place on the Danube.

Day 6 - Melk/Emmersdorf to Krems/Traismauer   49/59km/25/37mi                                       Return to Top

Cycle through tiny villages and savor the beauty and the peacefulness of the legendary Wauchau valley with its fine wines and the many legends made famous by Wagner. You can find wine terraces, apricot trees, and castles and monasteries between them. Explore Keunringer Castle where Richard the Lionhearted was held for ransom for a year when returning from the crusades. During your travel to Krems you cycle through the attractive wine places of Spitz, Weissenkirchen and Dürnstein. Along the way you see cozy Taverns, where you can enjoy the Austrian hospitality.  Follow the bicycle path along the Danube past fields of wild flowers, vineyards and wineries to Krems and on to Traismauer where we you will spend one last night in this enchanted land, beautiful beyond description.

With the train you leave the unique cultural landscape of this UNESCO world heritance region. In Tulln you start your last leg of cycling. The main route stays on the southern bank and runs via Greifenstein and Klosterneuburg to the inner city of Vienna. Bike under the bridge in Tulln and follow the dam to Greifenstein. After biking round the port, you can have a swim at the Aubad on your right. Here you can also branch off to Greifenstein. The way is paved throughout. The fine houses, some of them already in the Vienna Country House style, are towered by the old castle.

The route to the city centre runs along the bikeway. It is hardly possible to miss the way. You cross a park and go along the Danube for a short time. Then you leave the river and follow the Donaukonal (channel). Follow the Donaukanal Bikeway and pass countless bridges. Now you have reached the inner city of Vienna, a city full of wonderful sights and experiences. 

Music is the soul of the city with concerts and operas jamming the schedule. Visit the wine and coffee houses, Beethoven's home, Mozart's house. the Hofburg Imperial Palace and Marie Antoinette's childhood home: Shonbrunn palace. Spend an evening absorbing this magical place.

Day 8 - Vienna

Breakfast and departure... or if you can stay, Bratislava, Slovakia is just 30 miles downstream and Budapest is just two hours by hydrofoil. You could be back for dinner.

Overnight Itinerary - Passau, Schlogen, Linz, Grein, Melk or Emmersdorf, Krems/Traismauer, Vienna

SELF-GUIDED INN TOUR                                                                                          Return to Top

Season 1: Daily from April 12 to May 9 and from October 4 - 10

Season 2: Daily from May 10 to October 3

All prices are per person sharing a double room in B&B (Includes all breakfasts)

TOUR # AUB-1426/C9 -  8 DAYS - $590 (Season 1) - $750 (Season 2)- Single Supplement - $220

In Category C "Comfort" rooms in typical inns:  3* and sometimes good  2* inns

Half-Board supplement: Includes 6 dinners (dinner is not included in Vienna) - $150

TOUR # AUB-1426/B9 -  8 DAYS - $775 (Season 1) - $875 (Season 2) Single Supplement - $235

In Category B "Comfort" 3 star hotels and inns (4 star in Passau, Linz and Vienna)

Half-Board supplement: Includes 6 dinners (dinner is not included in Vienna) - $175

Tour # AUB-1426/A9 -  8 DAYS - $850- (Season 1) - $975 (Season 2) - Single Supplement - $265

In Category A "Deluxe" 4 star hotels

Half-Board supplement: Includes 6 dinners (dinner is not included in Vienna) - $210

Departure dates: Every day from 12 April to 11 October

Bicycle rental - $90

Bicycles:  21-speed unisex bikes, pannier, odometer. Children's bike, child's trailer, child seat available.

ELECTRIC POWERED BICYCLE: You can add the use of an electric motor to do some of the work for you. Our "Flyers" (a Swiss Product) increases the pedaling power 3 fold. This way bikers with different sportif conditions can book a bike tour together

• Electric powered bicycle rental - $170                                                                                Return to Top

Discounts for children up to 14 years in double with 2 full paying adults (additional bed):

• 0 - 6 years      free of charge

• 7 - 11 years    -50% off of tour price

• 12 - 14 years  -25% off of tour price

Discount for 3rd adult in double room  

-10% off tour price- accommodation in double room (with extra bed) with 2 full-paying adults

Extra night in Passau:

Cat C Inn $80/person double room (single supplement - $30)

Cat A/B Hotel $100/ person in double room (single supplement - $40)

Extra night in Vienna: 

Cat C Inn $100 double room (single supplement - $55)

Cat A/B Hotel $110 (single supplement - $60)

Hotels:

• Category A: Comfort rooms in 4* hotels

• Category B: Cmfort rooms in 3* & 4* Hotels and Inns (4* in Passau, Linz and Vienna)

• Category C: "Comfort" rooms in typical inns:  3* and sometimes 2* good inns

• 7 nights in chosen category - accommodation in rooms with private facilities

• Welcome drink in your arrival hotel in Passau

• 1 free handlebar bag as a present per room

• Breakfast everyday

• A tasting of regional products

• Personal welcome meeting

• Daily luggage transport from Passau to the hotel in Vienna (1 suitcase per person max wt of 42 lbs.)

• Detailed maps, route description and information material (one per room)

• Train ride Krems to Tulln including bike

• Train transfer Vienna back to Passau after tour (transfer of own bikes not included). Reduction for no train back to Passau $33

• Service hotline also on weekends

• 1 bottle of wine "Gruner Veltliner" per room from a vineyard in the Wachau