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A bike stands in front of many vines, wooded hills in the background

Danube Cycle Path shortened, Schärding/Passau – Vienna

From Passau to Vienna

6 Days / 5 Nights
Easy
152  kg
CO₂-Emissions are offset
152  kg
CO₂-Emissions are offset
A bike stands in front of many vines, wooded hills in the background

The essentials at a glance

This self-guided cycle tour follows the Danube from Schärding/Passau to Vienna over 6 days. The route is easy, mostly flat or slightly downhill on well-built bike paths. Highlights include Passau's old town with the world's largest church organ, the Schlögener Schlinge river bend, Linz, Melk Abbey, wine tasting in the Wachau region, and the ruins of Dürnstein. Daily distances range from 70-85 km. Accommodation includes breakfast, luggage transfer, and a ferry ride.

You can either start your trip in the baroque town of Schärding or in Passau, the town of three rivers. You will cycle through various districts of Upper and Lower Austria and finally to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. You will love the breath-taking natural beauty of the Danube valley and the Schlögen bend or perhaps you will fall in love with the landscapes along the Danube such as the Machland, the Strudengau, or the famous Wachau. In the rural areas, to accompany these wonderful impressions, you can enjoy many traditional Austrian delicacies. Your physical wellbeing will be wellcatered for, from savoury dumpling specialities and light and sweet cider all the way to the wines of the Buschenschenken taverns in the Wachau region.

Cyclists on the Danube cycle path look at a passing ship
Ferry on the Danube
Cyclists take a break by the vines
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Manuel Gangl
Manuel Gangl
+43 6219 60866 147
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You can either start your trip in the baroque town of Schärding or in Passau, the town of three rivers. You will cycle through various districts of Upper and Lower Austria and finally to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. You will love the breath-taking natural beauty of the Danube valley and the Schlögen bend or perhaps you will fall in love with the landscapes along the Danube such as the Machland, the Strudengau, or the famous Wachau. In the rural areas, to accompany these wonderful impressions, you can enjoy many traditional Austrian delicacies. Your physical wellbeing will be wellcatered for, from savoury dumpling specialities and light and sweet cider all the way to the wines of the Buschenschenken taverns in the Wachau region.

  • The magnificent old town of Passau: Starting from the "Neuen Mitte", stroll through the pedestrian zone and you will fall under the spell of this city. Whether it's the cathedral, the town hall or the Wittelsbach fountain - with every metre it becomes a little more Mediterranean and historic. After all, Passau is considered the "Bavarian Venice". See for yourself!
  • The Schlögener Schlinge natural spectacle: No path is always straight - the Danube had to accept this when it literally hit granite on its way to Schlögen. All the better, because the result is truly unique.
  • The Wachau wine towns of Spitz and Dürnstein: This region represents a single highlight in its entirety and is therefore considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through the alleys in Spitz or venture up to the ruins of Dürnstein Castle. Afterwards, you will have earned a stop at a wine tavern!
  • The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel: The most bizarre ride on this Viennese landmark was probably taken by a circus director for a film in 1914. And she did it on a horse on the roof of one of the wagons. Please don't copy her!

The tour from Passau to Vienna covers around 330 mostly flat kilometres. The Danube Cycle Path runs along well-maintained cycle paths and only rarely along side roads. With our detailed travel documents you will fly towards your destination.

Cyclists on the Danube cycle path look at a passing ship
Ferry on the Danube
Cyclists take a break by the vines

Itinerary at a glance

Dare to take a look at history in the old town of Passau, at the Nibelungengau or at Melk Abbey, in the Wachau enjoy a glass of wine or climb the ruins of Dürnstein. Arriving in Vienna, the Prater invites you to have fun.

Stroll through the pretty little baroque town of Schärding and marvel at the famous Silberzeile lane or take a walk through the “New Centre” of Passau, the three rivers town , which has been completely redesigned as a pedestrian, car-free area.

Hotel (example) Schärding / Passau:

Cat. A: Stadhotel Schärding / Passauer Wolf
Cat. B: Stiegenwirt / Hotel Innsento
Cat. C: Landhotel St.Florian / Hotel Atrium

 

You will cycle along the river Inn to the city of three rivers, Passau. Here, we recommend a short city tour or a visit to the cathedral, where you can listen to the largest church organ in the world (not on Sundays or bank holidays). Then, you will continue your journey along the Danube via Obernzell to Engelhartszell where you will find the only Trappist monastery in Austria. You will cycle through the nature reserve Donauleiten and reach the Schlögener Schlinge (river bend) on its northern side. Here, the granite stone was too hard an opponent and the Danube had to make a 180° degrees turn. You will have time to watch this natural phenomenon during a ferry ride to the other side of the river, where you will find your hotel.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A and Cat.B: Gasthof Sonne
Cat. C: Webinger

 

Today you cycle through the green part of the Eferdinger Becken (basin) via Aschach, Ottensheim, and Wilhering to the Upper Austrian capital Linz. Following the motto, “In Linz beginnt’s” (“It starts in Linz”) you can begin your city tour in one of the many restaurants in the historic old town. Further highlights of the European culture capital of 2009 are the magnificent views from the Pöstlingberg or a stroll along the Danube. Later, you will continue your trip towards Strudengau and Nibelungengau to Grein and its surroundings.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Landgasthof Winter
Cat. B: Pension Martha
Cat. C: Gasthof zur Donaubrücke

 

From the Baroque town of Grein, with the oldest city theatre in Austria, you will ride your bike down the river. In Melk, you should make sure that you stop briefly to have a look up. Otherwise you may miss the beautiful Melk abbey, which towers above the Danube. Then, you will cycle via the wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen and past the ruins of the castle Dürnstein to your hotel in Krems. Today, we will organise wine tasting for you, which is a must during a visit to the Wachau region!

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Arte Hotel
Cat. B: Hotel unter den Linden
Cat. C: Gasthof Klinglhuber

 

From the 1,000-year-old city Krems, you will cycle via Traismauer and visit the Roman town of Tulln. Here, you can enjoy the tranquility and culture (e.g. with a visit to the Egon Schiele museum) of the rural area again before you get to the Danube's metropolis, Vienna. Enjoy a cup of “Verlängerter” coffee and a piece of the famous cake Sachertorte in one of the typical Viennese coffee houses. Another suggestion is to visit the main attractions of the city by taking a ride with one of the famous “Fiaker” (horse-drawn carriages).

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: MAXX by Steigenberger
Cat. B: Roomz Prater
Cat. C: Simm's Hotel

 

Day
06

Departure or extension

Other variants of this tour

Cycling group in the Wachau
Danube Cycle Path, Wachau valley
5 Days
Cycling group in the small village of Schwallenbach in Wachau
Danube Cycle Path sporty, Schärding/Passau – Vienna
5 Days
Cycling group leaving the bicycle ferry, in the background the departing ferry and the village of Engelhartszell.
Danube Cycle Path highlights
7 Days
A cyclist takes a break next to the well-maintained cycle path in the vineyards of the Wachau and studies the further course of the tour on a map
Danube Cycle Path, Schärding/Passau – Vienna
8 Days
View of Grein from the banks of the Danube, with a small wooden boat in the foreground
Danube Cycle Path, Schärding – Vienna
8 Days
Cyclist taking a break sitting on an upturned boat on the bank of the Danube
Danube Cycle Path with Charm
8 Days
Cycle break of two cyclists between vines, in the foreground a pink blossoming rose bush, in the background the church of Schwallenbach
Danube Cycle Path - the easy going tour
10 Days
Cycling stop on a bridge with a view of the Danube and Passau
Danube Cycle Path - the easy going tour
12 Days
Castle ruins in Dürnstein
Selfie at the viewpoint on the Danube loop
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Cyclist in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral
Cyclist on Danube cycle path
Cycling group in the Wachau

Difficulty level

Easy

Flat or slightly downhill along the Danube. Well-built bike path that is off-road almost all of the time. Minor roads make up only very short sections of the route – the Danube cycle path is a perfect bike path.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Our rental bikes

Eurobike unisex rental bike with 21/24 gears
Unisex bike 21/24-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry

Body size approx. 148 cm - 190 cm

43 cm |
46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm
Eurobike Men's Rental Bike with 21 gears
Men's bike 21-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High-quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame

Body size approx. 165 cm - 205 cm

56-51 "sloping" cm |
60 cm |
64 cm
Eurobike Rental Bike PLUS
Rental Bike PLUS 20/27-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

Sportier, lighter and more precise premium rental bike with diamond frame

Body size approx. 155 cm - 205 cm

46 cm |
50 cm |
51 cm |
55 cm |
60 cm |
63 cm
Eurobike e-bike rental from KTM
Unisex Electric Bike 8-speed
Hub gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry

Body size approx. 148 cm - 195 cm

46 cm "xs" |
46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in category A in 4****-hotels and hotels on a 4**** level, in category B in 3***- and 4****-hotels and in category C in 3***-hotels and inns, in Vienna in a 4****-hotel
  • Breakfast
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Luggage transfer
  • EUROBIKE developed route
  • Detailed travel information 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • 1 ferry ride (Au-Schlögen) incl. bike
  • 1 wine tasting in the Wachau region
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
  • Return transfer by minibus to Passau or Schärding, every day in the afternoon, costs EUR 85 per person, EUR 39 extra for your own bike, reservation necessary, to be paid for in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Schärding or Passau train station
  • Munich or Vienna airport
  • Parking in Schärding: free private parking lots on the Eurobike premises.
  • Parking in Passau: Public parking spaces, costs approx. EUR 5 per day
  • Good train connections from Vienna to Passau/Schärding

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Detailed information

  • When booking, please inform us about where you wish to arrive
  • Weather warranty/Spring and autumn special: Tour bookings with arrival within season 1 can be rebooked free of charge up to 5 working days prior to arrival in case of bad weather
  • Due to the late arrival of the return transfer in Schärding or Passau, we recommend booking an extra night.

Any emissions caused are calculated using the internationally recognized "Carmacal" CO2 calculator and offset as part of our climate projects. Detailed emission values for transportation, accommodation, activities and meals for each tour can be found on our website. Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of EUR 20 per room.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in category A in 4****-hotels and hotels on a 4**** level, in category B in 3***- and 4****-hotels and in category C in 3***-hotels and inns, in Vienna in a 4****-hotel
  • Breakfast
  • Welcome briefing
  • Luggage transfer
  • Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
  • 1 ferry ride (Au-Schlögen) incl. bike
  • 1 wine tasting in the Wachau region
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Printed route book, per room EUR 20
  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
  • Return transfer from Vienna to Passau or Schärding, every day in the afternoon, costs EUR 95 per person, EUR 45 extra for your own bike, reservation necessary, to be paid for in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Arrival by train to Passau or Schärding
  • Linz, Vienna or Munich airport
  • Parking in Schärding: Free private parking lots on the Eurobike premises
  • Parking in Passau: Public Garage, costs approx. € 5 per day
  • Departure by train from Vienna to Passau or Schärdung, duration approx. 3 hours with 1 change in Linz/Passau

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

 

Detailed information

  • When booking, please inform us about where you wish to arrive
  • Weather warranty/Spring and autumn special: Tour bookings with arrival within season 1 can be rebooked free of charge up to 5 working days prior to arrival in case of bad weather
  • Due to the late arrival of the return transfer in Schärding or Passau, we recommend booking an extra night.
Manuel Gangl

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Manuel Gangl
Travel Specialist
One call to vacation bliss
+43 6219 60866 147
Monday - Thursday: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM
Friday: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
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Sustainably on the go

Our contribution to climate protection

152 kg
CO₂-Emissions are offset
With a cycling holiday, you are opting for an extremely climate-friendly form of travel. We are aware that even this generates a certain amount of CO2 emissions, even if this is low compared to other forms of travel. The emissions caused are calculated per travel and person using the internationally recognised ‘Carmacal’ CO2 calculator and offset by supporting carefully selected climate protection projects. A detailed overview of emissions in the areas of transport, accommodation, activities and on-site catering can be found here.
152 kg
CO₂-Emissions are offset
With a cycling holiday, you are opting for an extremely climate-friendly form of travel. We are aware that even this generates a certain amount of CO2 emissions, even if this is low compared to other forms of travel. The emissions caused are calculated per travel and person using the internationally recognised ‘Carmacal’ CO2 calculator and offset by supporting carefully selected climate protection projects. A detailed overview of emissions in the areas of transport, accommodation, activities and on-site catering can be found here.

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