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Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna

8 days / 7 nights

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Pedal from Passau to Vienna along the Danube, visiting Austria’s oldest towns, Baroque abbeys, terraced vineyards, and sites like Melk Abbey and Hofburg Palace.

Starting point

Passau

Finish point

Vienna

Season

From April to October

Fitness level

3/5

Tour type

Road / Gravel / E-bike

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Highlights

  • Explore the enchanting riverside towns of Passau, Linz, and Krems
  • Cycle through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley with its terraced vineyards
  • Admire the stunning architecture of Melk Abbey and other historical sites
  • Discover Vienna's rich history, culture, and world-renowned attractions
  • Enjoy a traffic-free, well-marked, and paved cycle path ideal for all skill levels
  • Ride through Enns, Austria’s oldest town, with its medieval square and city tower

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

7 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast
Digital guidebook with detailed itinerary and route instructions
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Service and support during your tour
Tour design and organization
Luggage transfer

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

E-bike
Gravel bike
Regular bike
Single supplement

Discover the beauty and history of the Danube Cycle Path as you follow the winding route of Europe’s second-longest river (not the whole way of course). Our carefully selected itinerary showcases the best of this captivating region, taking you on an unforgettable cycling adventure. 

The bike tour starts in Passau, a city just over the German border, known for its stunning confluence of three rivers and rich cultural heritage. As you journey eastward, you’ll cycle through the picturesque landscapes of Upper Austria and the enchanting Wachau Valley, exploring medieval monasteries, ancestral vineyards, and charming villages. After one postcard-like location after another, you’ll arrive in Vienna, the capital of Austria, where the grand architecture and vibrant art scene await your exploration. 

The Danube Cycle Path offers numerous route options, and we have chosen the best one for you to experience the perfect blend of nature, culture, and history. 

The average daily stage covers a comfortable 40-60 kilometers (25-35 miles), making it suitable for cyclists of all skill levels, including families and beginners. The path is well-marked, paved, and traffic-free, ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride through the idyllic landscapes. 

To ensure a seamless and hassle-free experience, we arrange all of your accommodations and provide a comprehensive itinerary booklet, complete with a GPS track for effortless navigation. We also offer reliable customer support throughout your journey, so you can focus on enjoying the captivating landscapes and charming towns along the Danube Cycle Path. 

 Set out on this unforgettable Danube Bike Tour and let the magic of the river captivate you. 

Top Places You'll See

From natural wonders to authentic local culture, the route is packed with memorable sights—these are our absolute favorites.

Historic Centre of Vienna image 1

Historic Centre of Vienna

The Austrian capital blends imperial grandeur with modern life. Cyclists riding into Vienna pass landmarks like the Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Ringstrasse boulevard. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vienna is also a city of music, home to Mozart, Beethoven, and the world-renowned opera.

Vienna image 1

Vienna

Austria’s capital has been named the “World’s Most Livable City” multiple years running in 2023 by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). It blends grandeur and green spaces. You’ll cycle past imperial palaces, elegant coffeehouses, and along the wide banks of the Danube. With bike-friendly infrastructure and countless cultural stops, Vienna is both a highlight in itself and a comfortable starting point for many tours.

Wachau Valley image 1

Wachau Valley

A UNESCO-listed stretch of the Danube, the Wachau is famous for terraced vineyards, medieval castles, and riverside abbeys. Gentle paths guide you through villages where wine taverns invite a pause, and autumn brings the golden glow of harvest. This is cycling Austria at its most relaxing—rich culture, natural beauty, and easy distances combined into one unforgettable ride.

Melk Abbey image 1

Melk Abbey

This baroque masterpiece dominates the western entrance to the Wachau with its golden halls and riverside terraces. Inside, highlights include the vast library and frescoed church, while outside the gardens overlook the valley. Cyclists often pause here as a cultural starting point before following the Danube eastward.

Dürnstein Castle Ruins image 1

Dürnstein Castle Ruins

The ruins of Dürnstein Castle are best known as the prison of Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century. A short but steep climb leads to a panoramic view of the Danube, vineyards, and tiled rooftops below. The village itself, with its blue abbey tower, is one of the most photographed stops on the route.

Our Bikes

To ensure the best possible experience on your cycling adventure, we offer top-quality bikes for rent. Our fleet features the latest models, meticulously maintained for both performance and comfort.

To match each rider with the right equipment, our team will also assist you in selecting the most suitable bike based on your physical profile, personal preferences, and the technical requirements of the tour.

Road Bikes image 1

Road Bikes

Best for: Paved routes, longer distances, and climbs


Our road bikes are lightweight, fast, and built for endurance. They typically feature carbon or high-quality aluminium frames, smooth gearing, and reliable components—often Shimano 105 or similar. Well-suited for long days in the saddle, they’re perfect for climbs, steady cruising, and covering serious distance on tarmac.


Trekking Bikes image 1

Trekking Bikes

Best for: Multi-day touring, relaxed pace, and varied surfaces


These high-quality trekking bikes are built for comfort over multiple days. They feature a relaxed riding position, smooth-rolling wheels, and often come with practical additions like an adjustable stem, rear rack, or mudguards. They're not necessarily built for speed, but more for enjoying the ride.

Touring E-Bikes image 1

Touring E-Bikes

Best for: Comfortable trekking, touring, longer distances, and hilly routes


These pedal-assist electric bikes are designed to make riding easier and more enjoyable—especially on longer or hillier routes. They come with powerful mid-drive motors, long-lasting batteries, and comfortable riding geometry for smooth support across varied terrain. With intuitive controls and quality components, they’re a great choice for riders who want extra assistance without giving up the feel of a real ride.


Frequently Asked Questions

We offer road cycling, trekking cycling and mountain biking holidays.


Our road cycling holidays are suitable for avid road cycling enthusiasts whose endurance is high enough to withstand multiple long cycling days in a row.


Our trekking cycling holidays are suitable for anyone, as the stages are short enough for most people, and the terrain is not technical — mostly tarmac and gravel. They will still be enjoyed most by people who cycle occasionally and feel comfortable with multiple days in a row on the saddle and some moderate climbing. For those looking for more leisurely cycling holidays, we offer an e-bike option.


Our e-MTB holidays are suitable for most people comfortable on a mountain bike who are fine with some rougher gravel roads and steeper hills, made easier with electric assistance. However, the single trails MTB holidays are suitable mostly for avid mountain bikers, as they tackle technical trails and fast descents, but are very adjustable to your skills and style of riding.

On our guided tours, you will have professional local guides. Our guides will make sure that you will have expert guidance combined with great fun and a memorable experience.

We are always looking for the perfect fit for you. We use a few different accommodation providers that fit our standards but they are subjected to availability, especially in the high season. We can also adjust the holiday, keeping in mind your preferences and budget and can always find a more suitable solution for your taste.

We recommend booking as early as possible. Most of our tours run through very touristy places where accommodation is limited. Most of the great places start getting booked for summer before spring.

It really depends on the level of your restriction. Vegetarian options are fairly easy to find in Europe, but vegan dishes, on the other hand, are extremely hard to come by in rural areas and in smaller towns. Please note that the places where we stop for lunch are often traditional and may have difficulties accommodating you outside of their standard menu. We suggest you keep this in mind.

If you want to, sure! We are well aware that some people love to stay in groups while others prefer some more alone time on their trip. We wanted to give you the opportunity to do things your way. It is your holiday, after all! As long as you respect the group timings and locations designated by your guide, please feel free to customize your itinerary and create your own adventure!

Most of the tours can be done even in light rain, as long as you dress accordingly. It is not unusual in the summer that there are afternoon thunderstorms, so early starts are advisable. If the weather looks really bad, we will try to adjust the tour or skip a stage with a shuttle.

The best time for cycling in Europe varies depending on your preferences and the region you’re targeting. Spring offers moderate temperatures and scenic blooms in Southern Europe, while early summer is ideal for enjoying the mild climate and extended daylight in Northern Europe. Late summer to early fall in Central Europe is perfect for those who prefer cooler temperatures but still want to enjoy plenty of daylight. For winter escapes, consider warmer regions like the Canary Islands or Tenerife.

Ratings & Reviews

Google Reviews

5.0 average rating

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Abby Walker

Verified customer · 8 days ago

We loved the routes provided to us for the self-guided tour!! Hotels varied a bit in quality with the 3 and 4 star hotels but the breakfasts were all great!

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Ian Panting

Verified customer · 19 days ago

Just back from enjoying a long weekend cycling in Slovenia, the company arranged transfers to and from the airport, hotels, bikes, bike routes, including what to see and where, and even transportation of bags between hotels. The only thing we needed to worry about was where to eat; the whole trip was painless, and I would highly recommend them.

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John Hahn

Verified customer · 25 days ago

Wow! What an awesome tour! We did a self-guided cycling tour on gravel bikes and it could not have been more enjoyable! Such a beautiful country and such an intimate travel experience. We biked through mountain valleys, over mountain passes, along rivers, through small villages, through wooded hills, through vineyards, and along the Adriatic coast. Kudos to everyone that put this trip together! The hotel accommodations were perfect and the bikes we rented were high quality! Thank you!

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Alan Wright

Verified customer · about 1 month ago

The trip was seamlessly organised.The accomodation was outstanding. The cycles were challenging and very satisfying to complete. The support was very good. The only criticism would be that on a few sections you are required to ride thru tunnels which are pitch black and very disorienting. Better bike lighting would have been helpful.

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Julie Bledsoe

Verified customer · about 2 months ago

Trip was Awesome, every day was a new experience with Landscape and things to do and see. We loved everyday. Slovenia is a beautiful, clean country.

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Paul McConnell

Verified customer · 3 months ago

From the very beginning, the Cycling Holidays Austria team have been amazing. They provided a flexible service that met our specific needs and journey itinerary, which a good number of other providers would not entertain. The speed of reply was excellent and the use of the Trip Plans and Cycle with GPS apps just made our journey so easy. The quality of the rental bikes was excellent and they easily met the demands of the cycle track. Overall, excellent friendly service that we will definitely use again next year as we plan our continued trip along the stunning Danube River. Huge thanks to the team.

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