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Austria: The Danube

Cycling from Vienna to Budapest

Trip code: C07VB

Average customer rating 4.6 / 5(72 verified reviews)

Self-Guided Cycling
7 nights hotel-to-hotel
Steady
Flights available
Exodus trip
CO₂ rating 1/5
Agent supplied app

Trip highlights

Cycle 3 countries in one week

Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest

Storybook towns, lush nature reserves, the mighty river Danube

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Trip details

This is a classic self-guided cycle ride linking three historic cities. Your journey starts in Vienna, which requires little introduction, with its abundance of famous sites, entertainment and culture. The River Danube serves as the spine of the cycling route as you meander back and forth away from the river through woodland, farmland, avenues of walnut trees, wide flat landscapes and shady hills. A night is spent in the pretty city of Bratislava and in the lovely town of Gyor, as we head towards the Danube Bend at Esztergom. The end point for the trip is the city of Budapest with time to soak up the wonderful atmosphere and enjoy the stunning architecture.

What a fantastic way to explore Europe! This journey through Austria, Slovakia and Hungary combines scenic cycling with cultural discovery. Highlights include the grandeur of Vienna, the picturesque villages of Slovakia and the magnificent city of Budapest, with a mix of countryside, riverside scenery and historic towns along the way.
Sara Burton — Customer Support Executive

What's included

Included

  • 7 nights in 4-star accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Navigation app
  • Bike hire included
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Boat ticket from Szentendre to Budapest including bikes (by train in early/late season or if the boat isn't running)
  • Train ticket including bike from Mosonmagyaróvár to Györ

Not included

  • Flights
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Travel insurance

Your bike

Hand-picked for the route, hire included

KTM, Custom Made or equivalent. Your bike hire is included in the price of your holiday and comes equipped with the relevant essentials, plus rear pannier and handlebar bag.

Travel options

Flights

Our air prices include standard flights and transfers.

Itinerary

Route map, with each night's stop marked
The full route, night by night. Select the map to view it full screen.

Day 1 · —Arrive Vienna

Arrive Vienna

Make your own way to the hotel. The rest of the day is left free to explore Vienna at your leisure. It is a metropolis with unique charm, vibrancy and flair. It boasts outstanding infrastructure, is clean and safe, and has all of the culture, architecture and inspiration that you could wish for in this wonderful part of Europe. Highlights that you may consider include visits to the grand Schonbrunn Palace, Sigmund Freud Museum and a tour in the Vienna State Opera House. Don’t miss a visit to one of the many wonderful coffee shops to enjoy the typical cake Sachertorte!

You stay at Hotels

Bedroom at the Hotel Devin, Bratislava
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Hotels

Vienna to Budapest

On this trip we use a selection of well appointed and comfortable 4-star hotels, many of which are family owned.

All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration.

Day 2 · 47km/29.2miVienna - Hainburg

Vienna - Hainburg

On leaving Vienna the route takes you through the Donau-Auen National Park, an area of extensive flood plains, which have turned into small ponds offering a rich habitat to countless species of birds, animals and insects. From here, pass Orth Castle and the pretty village of Eckertsau before arriving in Hainburg.

Elevation

Vienna - Hainburg elevation profile

Day 3 · 37km/23.0miHainburg - Bratislava

Hainburg - Bratislava

Follow the Roman bike trail to one of Austria’s most important archaeological sites, the Roman remains at Petronell-Carnuntum. End your day in the Gothic old town of Bratislava, Slovakia’s pretty capital city that exudes old world charm.

Elevation

Hainburg - Bratislava elevation profile

Day 4 · 42km/26.1miBratislava to Mosonmagyarovar/ Gyor

Bratislava to  Mosonmagyarovar/ Gyor

After a short cycle through Slovakia, you cross the Hungarian border into Rajka. Cycle past storybook villages, where you can still find traditional thatched-roofed farm houses. Your route guides you through the Szigetkoz (a small Rye island) towards Mosonmagyarovar; the charming old ‘city of 17 bridges’. After exploring the town centre, take the train to the colourful town of Gyor, with its ancient trading streets and breathtaking historic centre.

Elevation

Bratislava to  Mosonmagyarovar/ Gyor elevation profile

Day 5 · 40km/24.9mi or 59km/36.7miGyor to Komarom

Gyor to Komarom

Follow a new cycle path as it takes you past open farmland, lush fields and woods to today’s destination, Komarom. Sitting on the banks of the Danube, the town straggles two countries, with one foot in Hungary, the other in Slovakia and the mighty Danube flowing inbetween. On arrival visit the 19th century Fort Monostor, one of the largest fortresses in central Europe, or unwind in the town’s thermal baths. The longer, alternative route takes you across the river for a wonderfully tranquil ride through the Dunajske luhy protected landscape, with intermittent views of the Danube herself.

Elevation

Gyor to Komarom elevation profile

Day 6 · 58km/36.0miKomarom to Esztergom

Komarom to Esztergom

Pedal along the riverbanks of the flat Danube Valley, passing quaint villages and lush vineyards. Fitter cyclists can choose a route over Tata, but be aware this is more strenuous and there are no shops and restaurants along the way. Those interested in the history of the area should plan some time for the Roman archaelogical site of Kelemantia, where a military camp stood from the 2nd to the 4th Century. The absolute highlight of the day however, is Esztergom (also known as Hungarian Rome), with the largest basilica in the country.

Elevation

Komarom to Esztergom elevation profile

Day 7 · 65km/40.4miEsztergom to Budapest

Esztergom to Budapest

Head to the Danube Bend, probably one of the most attractive sections of the Danube bike trail. Here, the river winds its way through the Visegrad Mountains and makes a sharp turn towards the south. Explore the old Baroque town of Szentendre, before taking a leisurely boat ride into the centre of Budapest and appreciate its stunning architecture.

Elevation

Esztergom to Budapest elevation profile

Day 8 · —End Budapest

End Budapest

End your trip in Budapest. There is much to see in this iconic city and we are pleased to book additional nights for you if you wish. Hungary’s capital is bisected by the River Danube, and the 19th Century Chain Bridge connects its hilly Buda district with the flat Pest. The city is easy to explore on foot; don’t miss the chance to visit one of the city’s famous thermal baths or walk up to the dome of St Stephen’s Basilica for a fantastic panoramic view!

What our travellers say

A really interesting and scenic journey but with some challenging surfaces on loose gravel along dykes[with alternative routes on/alongside main roads]and some quite long distances especially on the 1st day.
Lovely places en route such as Bratislava,Gyor,Visegrad and of course Vienna and Budapest.
We felt that the itinerary didn’t allow adequate time for exploring the places we visited and we would suggest in future offering more flexibility i.e. some days off between cycling/taking us by car/train where the route is not so interesting or alongside main roads[something that Headwater have done on other holidays].
The written notes were on the whole good but the verbal briefing on arrival was non existent-I think that the bike company had staffing problems :this needs addressing and communication needs improving.
The bikes were fine and we had no problems with them.
We were very happy with all the hotels but especially liked Hotel Honti in Visegrad and Hotel Lajta Park at Mosonmagyarovar[smaller and a more relaxed friendly atmosphere].
Overall we would recommend the trip but with the provisos already expressed.

Mrs Allen

To be able to cycle on the level from Vienna to Budapest, taking in some interesting towns and countryside en route, is a great experience.

Mr Bacon

We had a fantastic holiday overall. Megan was very professional and helpful during the booking process and we were delighted with our choice of route. The bikes were brilliant, some hotels were absolutely excellent (in Gyor and Bratislava specifically) and all personnel were amazing. The distances of the routes were just right for us (despite the blazing hot sunshine!) and we loved the cities and towns we visited throughout.

Mrs Martin

This was an excellent trip, made particularly memorable by the excellent (but very warm) weather. The itinerary is first class, but be aware that there are long stretches (full days in some cases) where you won’t see the Danube. So, it is definitely not a cycle along the river bank. The route is mainly flat and there are stages where you cycle along man made ‘dams’ which are pretty boring at times. It is worth using the maps supplied to vary the route and explore other areas/routes.

The hotels were excellent and of 4 star quality. Our luggage always made it to the next hotel before us and we had no issues checking in.

The bikes are robust and ‘industrial’ and were in very good condition – we had no issues.

Overall, a great way to explore the 3 countries. I would definitely recommend it.

Mr Hamilton

Easy cycling, mostly adjacent to the Danube with some forays inland, with ample opportunites for refreshing dips in the river and cafe stops along the way. Perfect for a heatwave!

Mr Moncrief

Very well organised holiday staying in comfortable hotels. We experienced more of the country than we expected and really enjoyed the experience.

Mrs BURKE

As ‘first timers’ on a cycling holiday, we all enjoyed every moment of the trip. Visited amazing places and a great way for a group of friends to catch up and have fun. Already arguing about the destination of next years cycling holiday !

Mr FULCHER

We had an amazing holiday and have recommended to lots of our friends. Everything was managed really well, staff were friendly and the route was pretty easy to follow. Some of the instructions were a little tricky to follow at times but we got better at interpreting them as the holiday went on. The hotels are quite basic we had all 4 star but i would compare most of them to a UK premier inn standard – clean and comfy but standard and basic. However we would 100% go on another

Ms King

Really enjoyed the trip and would explore more of Euro Velo 6 but hotels did not live up to 4 star expectations

Mrs Higham

The self- guided holiday model requires excellent equipment and extremely clear route notes. We spent a lot of time stopping and pondering which way to go and sometimes having to retrace our steps. Only a smallish portion of the ride from Vienna to Budapest actually borders the Danube.

Mrs Allerhand
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Positive impact

Carbon score for this trip

13.0

Kg CO₂e

per person, per night

Relative to other Headwater trips

We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more

From the journal

From£1,239per person