Overview
What to expect
Cycle beside the blue waters of the Danube River as it passes through Austria, Slovakia and Hungary from Vienna to Budapest. The cycle terrain is mainly flat and takes you along picturesque towpaths and quiet country roads, so you can fall in line with the gentle pace of river life and take in the backdrop of rolling green hills and distant mountains while you look ahead to the next inspiring river city.
The tranquility of the Danube’s bird-filled wetlands, quaint farming villages and wild island reserves seem a world away from its splendid towns and cities but in a single day’s cycling you’ll experience both. Hungary’s largest catholic church, Bratislava’s hilltop castle and the birthplace of the first Hungarian king are highlights but, at the end of the tour, the captivating architecture and vibrant atmosphere of Budapest are hard to beat.
At a glance
- Ever changing riverbank scenery from wild islands to sparkling cities
- Tranquility of reedy nature reserves and scattered river islands
- Esteemed cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest
- Leisurely cycling along flat riverside paths and minor roads
The Trip
Route
Itinerary
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Day 1:
Arrive in Vienna
Make your way to Vienna, which sits on the banks of the River Danube, and discover how history sits side by side with colourful contemporary culture in this stunning city.
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Day 2:
Vienna - Bad Deutsch Altenburg
26 miles (42 km)
Enter untouched fluvial landscapes and cycle past a diverse nature reserve as you tour beside the Danube to the sound of birdsong and splashing water. Stop off at the Roman spa village of Bad Deutsch Altenburg and take a tour around the Archaeological Park of Carnuntum.
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Day 3:
Bad Deutsch Altenburg - Bratislava
16 miles (26 km)
Nesteled between the Hainburg Hills and Carpathian Mountains you take the cycle path to Europe’s youngest capital – discover Bratislava’s sleepy old town, magnificent modern buildings and legendary hilltop castle.
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Day 4:
Bratislava - Györ
31 miles (50 km) + train
Experience the marshy landscape of the Szigetköz, a natural sanctuary for birds and fish, cycling past more than 500 tiny river islands in these wild and untouched lowlands. Discover quaint farming villages and a labyrinth of canals and creeks before hopping on a train for a short ride to the Baroque-style town square of Györ.
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Day 5:
Györ – Komarno
35 miles (57km)
Discover the secrets of Hungary’s approach to horse breeding at the National Stud of Babolna, home to elegant Arabian horses and an intriguing Stud Museum. Cycle through rolling hills to Komarom – a city split by the Danube into Hungarian and Slovakian halves.
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Day 6:
Komarom - Danube Bend
32 miles (52 km)
Pedal beside the banks of the Slovakian Danube along quiet roads through enchanting villages to Esztergom, capital of Hungary until the 13th century and birthplace of the first Hungarian king. Take your time here to visit the largest catholic church in Hungary and wander around the waterside district of pastel town houses, churches and museums.
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Day 7:
Danube Bend - Budapest
39 miles (62 km) + boat ride
Cross the bridge to Szentendre island and cycle through typical Hungarian villages. Stop off to browse at the handicraft boutiques and visit Skanzen open air museum where architecture from Hungary’s eight historic regions has been replicated before boarding the boat onto Budapest.
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Day 8:
Depart from Budapest
Check out after breakfast or extend your stay to explore Budapest.
Accommodation
Category A
We use a pool of 4* hotels to maximise our availability for this tour, so regardless of the time of year we do our best to secure your dates of choice. The accommodation often has a lovely local flair, with a chance to experience local life with an authentic flavour of your destination.
- 7 nights in 4* hotels
- Breakfast included, half board available
- Secure bike storage
- Luggage transferred each day
Category B
We use a pool of 3 & 4* hotels and inns to maximise our availability for this tour, so regardless of the time of year we do our best to secure your dates of choice. The accommodation often has a lovely local flair, with a chance to experience local life with an authentic flavour of your destination.
- 4* hotels in Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest & 3* hotels and inns in all other destinations
- Breakfast included, half board available
- Secure bike storage
- Luggage transferred each day
Dates & Prices
Please choose your hotel category, then click on a departure date for price options at a glance
Price includes
- 7 nights accommodation in the category of your choice: 4 star hotels (Cat A) or 4 and 3 star hotels and inns (Cat B), twin rooms may be 'Austrian twin beds'
- Board basis: Bed and breakfast
- Luggage transportation
- Maps and route information (GPS tracks available on request)
- Bike handover
- Local contact number for assistance
- 1 x train Mosonmagyarovar - Gyor including bike
- 1 x ship or train transfer Szentende - Budapest, depending on date
Price excludes
- Flights and transfers
Child reductions (triple/quad room)
- Reduction for child (0-6yrs) sharing with 2 full paying adults (Free)
- Reduction for child (7-11yrs) sharing with 2 adults (50%)
- Reduction for child (12-14yrs) sharing with 2 adults (25%)
- Reduction for 3rd adult sharing with 2 full paying adults (10%)
Bike hire
- Cycle helmets (from €25 Euro, payable locally)
Bike Hire & Extras
Bike hire
Bikes are provided with a pannier, pump, lock and repair kit (hybrid bikes also have an odometer). Per room you will also receive a handlebar bag.
21 gears
Extras
You can add these when you price your trip
Board upgrade (B&B included)
Transfers
Extra nights
How to Get There
Getting there
Fly to Vienna, Bratislava or Budapest
Take the train (CAT) from Vienna airport to the centre. If flying to a different destination, take the train from Bratislava (Slovak Lines) or Budapest (ÖBB) to Vienna.
Getting back
Take the train (CAT) or a taxi to Vienna airport. If flying from a different destination, take the train to Bratislava (Slovak Lines) or Budapest (ÖBB).
Fly from Vienna, Bratislava or Budapest
News, Reviews & FAQs
FAQs
Simply click on a question to reveal the answers
Why are the hotels not listed in the itinerary?
We use a pool of hotels to maximise availability for you.
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What other customers have said
Been on this tour? Add your review!
Three beautiful European cities to explore; surprising and interesting ancient towns along the way with plenty to enjoy. On and off and over the mighty river Danube through arable fields, past nature reserves, wild flowers and butterflies dancing around us all the way - plus an unexpected swim in the clearest lake I've ever seen - THANK YOU FREEDOM TREKS, what a fabulous holiday!
Jeanette Martin, UK, June 2018This is a really enjoyable (and almost entirely flat) tour, completed by 14 friends of mixed cycling abilities and experience. A lot of the riding is on beautiful cycle paths alongside the Danube, but be aware there is also some off-road riding on gravel tracks and other unmade surfaces. My advice would be not to rely on the map book provided (which provides multiple opportunities for wrong turns!) but to get the route files and load them onto a GPS unit. The places visited are all interesting, and include one or two (Gyor, for example) which are gems we would never otherwise have visited. Note also that on cycling days 3 and 6, there are useful options regarding route lengths - on day 3, for example, some of our party cycled 28 miles and then caught a train, while the rest of us did the full 55 miles.
Angus Porter , UK, June 2018
