Price
Sale
Share this trip with a friend
From
From IntroductoryTo Challenging
Wind your way from the elegant city of Vienna along the Danube Cycle Path. Crossing the Austria - Slovak border the cycle route passes vineyards on the slopes of the Little Carpathian Mountains into the capital, Bratislava. Using quiet country roads this itinerary continues into Hungary where you will pedal through numerous delightful towns. Explore the Baroque city of Györ and visit the unusual artist village of Szentendre and its outlying island before heading to Budapest.
Read 34 reviews
More info about grading system
24kg of CO2-e PP per day
(165kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
Expand all | Collapse all
Day 1
Arrive Vienna
Make your way to the hotel in Vienna where you will receive your travel pack. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy. Take a stroll through the grand imperial streets, uncovering hidden courtyards and cosy cafés, or head to a local Heurigen – a rustic wine tavern – to sample regional wines and traditional bites. Whether it’s art, music or food, the City of Waltz has something unforgettable around every corner.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Cycle along the Danube to Bad Deutsch Altenburg (42km/26mi)
This morning you’ll meet our local representative to collect your bike. Leaving Vienna, you follow the Danube Cycle Path into the heart of the Donau-Auen National Park – a protected haven of wetlands teeming with plant and birdlife. Along the way, cycle past the elegant castles of Orth and Eckartsau, before arriving in the historic spa town of Bad Deutsch Altenburg. Just nearby, you can explore the Roman ruins of Petronell-Carnuntum, once a thriving hub of the Roman Empire. Overnight in Bad Deutsch Altenburg or nearby.
Meals: B
Day 3
Continue to Bratislava (26km/16mi)
Tucked between the hills of Hainburg and the edge of the Carpathian Mountains, today’s ride leads you to Bratislava, Slovakia’s captivating capital. Explore its charming old town, full of winding laneways and pastel facades, alongside striking modern architecture that adds a bold contrast to this riverside gem.
Day 4
Cycle via the lowlands of Szigetköz to Györ (82km/51mi) or shorten with train
Today’s ride takes you into the lush, marshy landscapes of the Szigetköz region – a haven for birdlife and freshwater fish. This untouched wilderness, dotted with over 500 small islands, is criss-crossed by a maze of Danube creeks and hidden canals, with quiet farming villages tucked throughout the lowlands. Your journey ends in the riverside city of Gyor, where the Danube, Rába and Rábca Rivers meet. With its cobbled streets and beautifully restored baroque old town, it’s a city that invites you to slow down and explore. Option to shorten the cycling: take the train from Mosonmagyarovar to Györ. Tickets are available at ticket machines at the train station and cost approx. € 1,- per ride. This shortens the cycling stage to approx. 44 km/27mi
Day 5
Stroll through the national stud of Babolna, cycle to Komarno/surrounds (57km/35.6mi)
Leaving Gyor, you’ll need to stay focused as you navigate your way out of the city. Soon, the route opens up into the peaceful countryside of western Transdanubia, where quiet roads guide you through rural landscapes. Your destination is Komárom (Komárno), a historic town that straddles the Hungarian–Slovak border and was once a favourite of King Matthias.
Day 6
Cycle through quaint villages to Esztergom and the Danube Bend (52km/32.5mi)
Today’s ride follows the Slovakian side of the Danube, along quiet, low-traffic roads that weave through charming local villages. Along the way, pass the ruins of Kelemantia, a former Roman fort, before continuing to Esztergom – often called the ‘Rome of Hungary’. Once the capital of medieval Hungary, Esztergom is home to the country’s largest Catholic church – the majestic Basilica – which towers over the Danube and offers sweeping views of the region.
Day 7
Cycle the Danube Bend, continue by boat or train to Budapest (62km/38.5mi)
You’ll cycle through the picturesque hills of the Danube Bend, where the river splits to form Szentendre Island. A short ferry ride takes you and your bike across to explore this peaceful slice of countryside, passing through traditional Hungarian villages along quiet rural roads. Arriving in the artistic town of Szentendre, take time to browse its handicraft boutiques or visit the renowned Skanzen Open-Air Museum, a showcase of Hungary’s rural heritage. From here, continue towards Budapest, with sweeping views of the capital’s iconic skyline as you approach. Note: A scenic boat ride is included at the start or end of today’s stage (a train ticket is provided when boats aren't operating).
Day 8
Trip concludes
The trip concludes in Budapest after breakfast. We can arrange extra nights for you in Budapest if you wish to extend your stay in this fabulous city.
What's included
What's not included
The accommodations on this trip consist of a mix of 3-star and 4-star hotels. In Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest, travellers will stay in premium 4-star properties, while the remaining nights will feature comfortable 3-star hotels and inns. These accommodations are thoughtfully chosen for their convenience to the cycling route and their welcoming atmosphere. Each property offers en-suite facilities, ensuring a restful and enjoyable stay after a day of exploring the Danube Cycle Path.
During the trip you will be provided with a 21 speed bike with handbrakes. You will also receive a pannier, along with a handlebar bag, bike computer, lock and repair kit (per room). In the case of a puncture the assumption is that you can repair. You will be given a proper puncture repair kit, which will enable you to solve the problem.
A limited number of electric bikes are available for an additional supplement. These must be requested at the time of booking or in advance. These are 8-speed KTM or Flyer models that increase your pedalling power and allows cyclists of different athletic conditions to book a bike tour together. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Note: Frame sizes 43/45/50cm - minimum height 153cm. E-bikes are not fitted with odometers.
The route is mostly flat, sometimes with rolling hills. The Austrian section is on well marked dedicated bike paths whilst in Hungary you will cycle on country roads and side roads, sometimes unpaved (after wet weather these can be muddy or with loose sand therefore caution is required).
GRADE 3 - Daily rides between 26 and 62km (16–38.5mi), with optional shorter distances available on select days. The cycling is mostly on flat or gently rolling terrain, with occasional hills. In Austria, you'll follow well-marked, dedicated bike paths that make for easy navigation. Once you enter Hungary, you’ll encounter quiet country lanes and some unsealed surfaces — these may be muddy or sandy after rain, so a little extra care is needed. Navigation in Hungary requires more attention, especially in rural areas. While signage is less frequent, detailed route notes and maps are provided. Riding in and out of larger towns such as Gyor and Esztergom may involve light traffic, but it’s manageable with basic road awareness. This grade is ideal if you enjoy a relaxed pace with time to take in the surroundings, stop for photos, or explore local highlights along the way. A reasonable level of fitness is required, and older children confident on a bike may enjoy the journey too. If you’re new to self-guided cycling or prefer a gentler experience, you might consider our Blue Danube Cycle, which follows an easier path and is better suited to families and first-time riders.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|
We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.
Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.
With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love.
8Days
Introductory to Moderate
Moderate to Challenging
14Days
Moderate