Classic Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna

This tour is graded easy. Each cycling day covers between 40-60km along dedicated cyclepaths and through the towns and villages along Europe's most famous waterway. Predominantly traffice free means this trip is perfect for beginners, those that love to explore by bike or a group with mixed abilites. With plenty of opportunities to sample local dishes and admire centuries old towns, every pedal stroke is completed in your own time.

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 in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle 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.

Please note that for the Danube, exact accommodation cannot be confirmed until 2-4 weeks prior departure.

Our Classic Danube Cycle Path trip includes accommodation in standard ensuite double/twin rooms in traditional hotels and authentic inns, which are normally 3 and 4-star standard.

We work with a number of accommodations along the cycle path, so all distances are an approximation of the recommended routes. You may be accommodated 5-10km away in the surrounding area, which may add or reduce the distance you cycle each day.

If you're traveling with friends or family but prefer your own room, single rooms are subject to availability and a supplementary payment. This trip is also available to solo cyclists and is perfect as the route is popular, so there are plenty of people to chat with every day.

Twin room requests - in Austria 95% of all hotel rooms are double rooms (one large bed frame with separate bedding). Twin with separate beds are more than unusual and quite often these rooms will have 1 double bed alongside a sofa bed instead.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning. Packed lunches are not included but are in most cases available at your accommodation (please order the night before!) or you can stop on the way for a traditional "wurst" or bowl of "goulash". Travelling through several regions means your tastebuds are also on an incredible journey! You will find suggestions of where to dine in your route notes. Your accommodation hosts are also happy to advise of the local places to eat.

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 Germany, close to the Austrian border. It doesn't have an airport but it easily accessible by rail from nearby cities such as Munich, Linz, Salzburg, and Vienna.

By Air

Passau has direct train connections to Linz (1h30), Salzburg (2h45), Munich (2h30) and Vienna (3h30), which are the most convenient airports. 

By Train

If you are arriving at Vienna Airport, you can take a taxi or one of the airport express services into Vienna (the CAT train or the VAL bus). A train ticket is included from Vienna train station to Passau with you tour. The train to Passau takes approx. 3 hrs. Once you have your ticket (a week from departure), seats can be reserved in advance on the DB Bahn or OBB websites. 

You may also wish to try Rail Europe for European rail tickets and passes.

By Car

Parking is available in Passau from between €30 and €60 per week. Contact us for details.

Vienna Airport has extensive connections to most major international cities. The airport is only a 20-minute bus journey from the center and has regular airport shuttle buses leaving every 20 minutes from central Vienna.

If you would like to return to Passau this is possible. We can arrange a train ticket for you (or bus, depending on the season) which is included in the price of your trip. Central Vienna train station has several services throughout the day to Passau. This is only valid on trains from OEBB or DB; not valid on trains from Westbahn. Seat reservation is recommended via the ÖBB website. Bikes are not included.

Journey time is around 2hrs 45mins to 3hrs. For full information on fares and times please click here. Train transfers from either Passau to Vienna or Vienna to Passau must be confirmed prior to travel. 

Daily door to door baggage transfer is included in the price of your trip. We ask you to keep your baggage to a maximum of 1 bag per person (maximum weight 23kg).