The Danube Cycle Path
The classical tour along the Danube
Passau – Wachau – Vienna
- Schlögen Loop, Baroque Stift Abbey, UNESCO World Heritage Site Wachau, Vienna
- Daily routes ●●●○○, altitude profile ●○○○○
- Bestseller!
Days
8
Ø km per day
55
The cycle path between Passau and Vienna is one of the most popular sections of the Danube Cycle Route. The level route and well signposted paths make it perfect for families and beginners. There is a lot to discover along the way, so you will proceed slowly to take in the impressive abbey Melk and the Schlögener Schlinge (a river loop), where you might be inclined to think the Danube flows backwards. And these are just examples of a very small section of the route. The rural beauty of Wachau is best enjoyed in one of the many small wine taverns. The Danube Cycle Route finally brings you to the heart of the metropolis of Vienna, where artists, emperors and composers have defined Europe for many hundreds of years.
Itinerary
- Booking code
OE-DOPW7 - Accommodation level
Category B: national 2* / 3* level (OE-DOPW7b)
– Arrival Schärding
Category A: national 3* / 4* level (OE-DOPW7a)
– Arrival Schärding or Passau - Duration
8 days / 7 nights - Arrival days
daily - Travel documents Languages
German, English, French - Print version PDF
Examples of hotels incl. - Notes
In category B (OE-DOPW7b) no changes are possible. On this tour, you can only arrive in Schärding. Additional nights are only possible in Schärding or Vienna.
In Austria, helmets are mandatory for children up to 12 years. - Parking information
Category A: Parking garage in Passau, approx. 45 € / week
Category B: Travel to Schärding or Wernstein, free parking near the bike path
No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen - Return to Passau / Schärding
Optional by minibus (daily), duration approx. 3.5 – 4 hours, pick-up approx. 2 p.m. directly at the hotel, must be specified when booking.
If you do not want to continue your journey directly after the transfer, you can book additional nights in Passau. You can also book the transfer from Vienna to Passau before the bike tour. This way you can continue your tour from Vienna right after the tour. Please write your booking request in the online booking form in the blank text field.
Alternatively on your own by train, connections several times an hour, duration approx. 3 hours, 1 train change
Day 1: Individual arrival in Passau (Cat. A), individual arrival in Schärding (Cat. B)
Once you’ve arrived, why not saunter through the tranquil alleys of this seemingly Mediterranean city where Danube, Inn and Ilz meet. It has loads to offer for everyone interested in culture and history. We recommend you visit the Dome of St. Stephen which thoroughly dominates the cityscape, or the pilgrimage church of Mariahilf. Or, you could instead opt for a leisurely cup of coffee in the historic centre.
Day 2: Passau - Schlögen / Donauschlinge, approx. 40 - 50 km + ferry ride (Cat. A), Schärding - Schlögen / Schlögen region, approx. 55 km (Cat. B)
You set off along the Danube Cycle Path. Via Obernzell, its castle and the ceramics museum, which are well worth a visit, you get to Engelhartszell and its famous Trappist monastery. From there you soon reach the Schlögener Schlinge. Here the Danube winds narrowly around a huge incline of granite, which is topped by the romantic Haichenbach ruins.
Day 3: Schlögen - Linz, approx. 55 km
Cycling through the bird paradise of Eferdinger Becken, the Danube Cycle Path takes you to Ottensheim. The Rococo church and Cistercian Abbey in Wilhering are definitely worth a visit. Today's destination is Linz, the capital of the state of Upper Austria and cultural capital of Europe 2009. We recommend to take the Linz City Express to conveniently visit all the most important sights.
Day 4: Linz - Grein region, approx. 55 km
The Danube Cycle Path leads you through the cultural and historically significant Marchland, home to Enns ‒ Austria’s oldest settlement. The baroque St. Florian Monastery, which requires you to take a slight detour, is worth visiting. The town of Strudengau is surrounded by legend: this is where the Danube narrows to a strong eddy, once feared by skippers. The picturesque town of Grein is also known as Pearl of the Studengau.
Day 5: Grein - Wachau, approx. 50 - 60 km
Settled in your saddle, continue through Wachau Cultural Landscape, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. The region is known for its vineyards and orchards. You can taste wine at many of the traditional wine taverns, home-produced by the local wine-growers. The highlight of this section in terms of cultural history is the Benedictine Monastery of Melk, which you will be able to see from afar.
Day 6: Wachau - Traismauer, approx. 40 - 60 km
Your route takes you on through Wachau, passing the wine-growing villages of Spitz and Dürnstein. Take in the views in Dürnstein of the blue church tower. You arrive in Krems, which was first mentioned in documents as early as 995. What follows is totally different in terms of landscape: the expanse of the Tullner region opens up before you. Along the way we recommend visiting Göttweig Abbey with its wonderful imperial staircases and chamber of arts.
Day 7: Traismauer - Vienna, approx. 40 - 75 km or approx. 45 km + train ride
Cycling through the outskirts of Vienna Woods, you reach the charming metropolis of Vienna on the Danube. You can accelerate this section by local train (Tulln – Vienna), which runs every 30 minutes (not included). Schönbrunn Castle, the Spanish Riding School, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the big wheel are just some of the sights. Demel, the Court Confectionary Bakery is perfect for souvenirs. If you want more time for Vienna, you can shorten the route from Tulln by train (not included). Your stage will be shortened by about 45 km.
Dates / Prices / Services
Category B
Category A
Services
- 7 nights incl. breakfast, national 2* / 3* level,
Category B (OE-DOPW7b) - 7 nights incl. breakfast, national 3* / 4* level,
Category A (OE-DOPW7a) - Ferry ride Au – Schlögen incl. bike (only category A)
- Wine tasting in the Wachau (only category A)
- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Vienna, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
- Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
- Service hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
For our younger cyclists
discount-icon discount-icon-baby |
From 0 to 5 years |
-100% |
discount-icon discount-icon-lego |
From 6 to 11 years |
-50% |
discount-icon discount-icon-football |
From 12 to 14 years |
-25% |
discount-icon discount-icon-joystick |
From 15 to 17 years |
-10% |
Additional services
Additional bookable services
Category B
|
Category A
|
|
---|---|---|
Additional fee single room |
239 € |
309 € |
Return transfer incl. own bike, Vienna – Passau |
119 € |
|
Return transfer excl. own bike, Vienna – Passau |
79 € |
|
Return transfer incl. own bike, Wien – Passau |
119 € |
|
Return transfer excl. own bike, Wien – Passau |
79 € |
Additional nights
Room
|
Breakfast
|
Category B
|
Category A
|
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Vienna
|
DBL |
|
69 € |
89 € |
SGL |
|
119 € |
139 € |
Rental bikes
Rental Bikes
7- / 21-gear rental bike |
99 € |
E-bike / pedelec |
259 € |
Brief info
- Start / Destination
Schärding or Passau / Vienna - Length
approx. 310 – 325 km
Daily routes ●●●○○
between 40 and 80 km, Ø 55 km
Altitude profile ●○○○○ - Trail conditions
Along the Danube, flat or slightly downhill, almost continuously on a well-developed cycle path without motorized traffic. Only very short sections are on side roads. - Tour operated by
Local cooperation partner - Mobility note
The trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility.