Cycling holiday Vienna to Budapest

Vienna to Budapest

The Danube cycle path, through 3 countries

Starting at € 799,-
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Summary
  • 8 Days
  • 48 km average per day
  • Arrival Vienna Vienna airport
  • Departure Budapest Budapest airport
Highlights
  • 3 countries, 3 capitals
  • National park Donauauen
  • Danube bend
  • Szentendre artist town
Characteristics
  • Self-Guided Tour
  • Individual Tour
  • Bike & Hotel
  • Cycling level 2

Danube cycle path

On this classic cycle tour you will experience the combination of nature along the scenic riverbanks of the Danube as well as the unique opportunity to visit the most important metropolies that lay alongside the Danube.

Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest have an overwhelming history with genuine notions of the yesteryear. Nostalgia is combined with a deeply intriguing history along the ever-changing riverbanks of the Danube. Just to scratch the surface of this tour; it takes you to The Castle of Eckartsau, which happens to be the place where Austrian Emperor Karl the 1st and his wife Zita met their fate. In Bratislava, where the coronation of Hungarian Kings took place and the famous empress Maria Theresia acquired much of her fame, prestige and honour. In Esztergom, the first Hungarian king, King Stephan was born and accepted his coronation. Empress Sissi of Austria was crowned Queen of Hungary in Budapest.

Daily Program

  • Day 1 Vienna

    Individual arrival in Vienna. (Tip: use low-cost carriers to Vienna/Bratislava) Tonight, the evening belongs to you! How about a spectacular stroll through the imperial city or visit a typical Viennese tavern with local foods and goodies “Heurigen”? Possibilities are endless in the “City of Waltz”.

  • Day 2 Vienna - Bad Deutsch Altenburg, 42 km

    Not far from Vienna begins an untouched alluvial landscape and a Nature Reserve with stunning and diverse Flora and Fauna. Get away from it all and enjoy the wonderful peace and silence, only interrupted by the twittering chirps of birds. The ancient Romans have left their print and also have relaxed in the nice warm water of Bad Deutsch Altenburg. The Archaeological Park of Carnuntum will invite you into an exciting journey to the past.

  • Day 3 Bad Deutsch Altenburg - Bratislava, 26 km

    Nestled between the hills of Hainburg and the Carpathian Mountains, cycle on to Europe’s youngest capital, Bratislava. The Slovak capital has an enchanting, sleepy old town in addition to magnificent modern buildings.

  • Day 4 Bratislava - Györ, 50 km

    The marshy landscape of the Szigetköz is an ideal environment and paradise for birds and fish alike. In the midst of these wild and untouched lowlands with more than 500 tiny islands, you will find quaint farming villages and a labyrinth of countless Danube canals and creeks. After a relaxing and short train ride you reach the day’s final destination, Györ with its gorgeous Baroque-style old town squares.

  • Day 5 Györ - Komarno, 57 km

    The National Stud of Babolna is world famous for its Arabian horse breeding and is definitely worth a stroll through. While you are visiting the Studs and the Stud Museum you can catch a glimpse of some secret Hungarian horse breeding techniques and methods. After cycling through the lush rolling hills into the village of Komarom, the favourite village of renowned King Matthias.

  • Day 6 Komarno - Danube Bend, 52 km

    Today you cycle along the banks of the Slovakian Danube on small low-traffic roads through quaint and quintessential villages. On your way to the “Town of Bishops and Kings”, Esztergom, also known as the „Hungarian Rome“ or “Royal City”, you pass the Roman fort of Kelemantia. The Basilica of Esztergom, the largest Catholic Church in Hungary is another highlight and glamorous part of the overall tour.

  • Day 7 Danube Bend - Budapest, 62 km

    Amidst the hilly landscape, the river Danube divides itself into parts creating the Szentendre-island. You cycle through typical Hungarian villages on this island. Szentendre is famous for its numerous handicraft boutiques and the Open-air Museum Skanzen. A few particular highlights include some of the most famous attractions in Budapest. During your boat ride to Budapest you´ll enjoy the beautiful view of Budapest´s most popular sights.

  • Day 8 Budapest

    Enjoy this day in the metropolis Budapest. If you want you can go back to Vienna by bus, departures by scheduled bus every 2 hours on a daily basis. The bus has to be booked prior to the guests´ arrival. Duration of trip approx. 3 hours. On request the bus is also stopping at Vienna International Airport.

Cycling in Austria

Vienna to Budapest

Tour profile
Level 1-2; the tour is mostly flat and sometimes slightly hilly. The Austrian section follows well-maintained and equipped cycle paths, in Hungary you will sometimes cycle on country back and side roads. Upon entering and leaving cities there is traffic that must be closely observed.

Bratislava
Budapest
Devin
Hundertvasser
Hofburg
Hungarian horses
Esterhazy
Capital of Hungary
Carnuntum

What else do you need to know?

Per person in a 2-person room in 2024

Supplements:
Reservation costs € 25,- per booking
Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person (Insolvency Protection)

In Season 1 arrival on Saturdays only.
In Season 2 + 3 arrival every Saturday and Sunday.

  • Season 1: April 27 - May 03 + October 05 - October 12 € 799,- 
  • Season 2: May 04  - June 28 + September 14 - October 04 € 899,-
  • Season 3: June 29 -  September 13 € 969,-

Extra options:
Single room, surcharge € 340,-
7 x dinner, surcharge € 239-

Extra night in Vienna (incl. Breakfast)
Per person in a 2-person room
April - October € 76,-
Single room € 110,-

Extra night in Budapest (incl. Breakfast)
Per person in a 2-person room
April - October € 76,-
Single room € 129,-

Rental bikes:

  • Hybrid € 99,-
  • E-bike € 219,-
  • Bike helmet € 40,- (must be reserved at time of booking; payable locally)
  • Rental bike disclaimer € 19,- per hybrid bike/ € 45,- per e-bike (In case of loss or damage to the rental bike, when properly used and secured, no financial responsibility must be paid. Excluded are only lost keys, batteries and chargers of e-bikes, as well as damage due to intent or gross negligence)

Included

  • 7 nights in rooms with private facilities in selected 4**** comfortable hotels in all cities
  • Breakfast or 7x dinner (if ordered)
  • Daily luggage transport Vienna-Budapest (max. 2 pieces of luggage (max. 20kg/piece) with max. 30 kg/Person)
  • 1x ship or train transfer in Danube Bend area
  • Service-helpdesk (also accessible on weekends)
  • Handlebar bag with route book, maps and information material incl. tour app + GPS data per room

Not Included

  • Reservation costs
  • Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund (Insolvency Protection)
  • Lunches and refreshments
  • Excursions (entrance fee for museums/gardens/parks)
  • Helmet
  • Return bus Budapest - Vienna, surcharge on request
  • Local tax payable on spot (approx. € 1,- / € 2,50 per person per night)
  • Personal insurance

Special details

  • This tour is operated by local partner
  • Please take good notice of our Terms & Conditions
  • Program is subject to change without notice

Arrival by Plane

Airport: Vienna (VIE), Bratislava (BTS)

Bus airport Vienna – arrival hotel: Vienna Airportlines or taxi

Arrival by Train

Train station: Vienna central station, underground U 1 to start hotel

(Please note that the hotels listed are only examples and are subject to change. You will find your final hotel in the hotel list, which you will receive before departure)

  • Vienna, Austria

    The hotel Kaiserwasser is a 10-minute ride from the city center. Rooms offers views of the modern skyline. The hotel features a modern gym with views of the Danube, a sauna and a steam bath. The restaurant serves Austrian specialties. There is also an inviting bar on site.

  • Bad Deutsch Altenburg

    This hotel Altes Kloster occupies a 17th-century monastery in the historic Old Town of Hainburg. A wellness area is included. The rooms feature cable TV, a mini-bar, and a bathroom. The restaurant serves Austrian and international cuisine and a daily breakfast buffet.

  • Bratislava

    The Park Inn Danube by Radisson Bratislava hotel is located in the heart of the historical city center close to the Bratislava castle and next to the Danube river. Guests are invited to dine at the on-site restaurant that serves culinary delicacies.

  • Györ

    All rooms at Hotel Famulus come with satellite TV, air conditioning and a minibar. The Podium Restaurant serves lunches and dinners with international dishes. Guests can play racquetball and go bowling.

  • Komárno

    The Hotel Peklo in the center of Komárno offers you air-conditioned rooms and suites, a wellness area, an elegant restaurant and mini-bar.The wellness area includes a sauna and a hot tub and invites you to relax after a day of sightseeing.

  • Esztergom

    Portobello Hotel has a bar, spa and wellness center and a terrace. This property also welcomes guests with a restaurant, an indoor and an outdoor pool. Continental and buffet breakfast options are available every morning at the accommodation.

  • Budapest

    Novotel Budapest Danube offers a bar and a 24-hour restaurant with views of the river and the Hungarian Parliament Building. Each room has air conditioning. A fitness center and a sauna can also be found on the premises.

Rental bikes & equipment

All rental bikes are equipped with a pannier (saddle bag) and an odometer.
In Austria it is mandatory for children under 12 yrs to wear a helmet when on a bike.
In Slovakia you have to wear a helmet by law outside of city limits!
In Hungary you have to wear a safety vest at night and by poor vision outside of cities/villages.

By this tour you can rent the following bikes:

  • Rental bike Danube Hotel

    21-speed (ladies/gents) touring bikes with an aluminium frame and kitted with responsive brakes and gears. Plus: mudguards, trip computers, comfort gel saddles, flat-palmed grips, Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyres.

  • Rental E-bike Danube Hotel

    Our modern e-bikes (pedelecs) are quality branded bikes with hub gear, freewheel, powerful electric motor and gradually selectable pedal assistance. Only for experienced cyclists with a very good sense of balance. 

General information

  • All bike tours are unescorted.
  • The mileages and distances are approximations of the recommended routes.
  • Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen and proper sport shoes.
  • Arrival and departure to and from Vienna is a personal obligation not included in tour price.
  • In Hungary you have to wear a safety vest at night and by poor vision outside of cities/villages.
  • This cycling tour is not suitable for people with limited mobility. Individual requests are in special cases possible (e.g. handicapped accessible room).