Cycling Holidays - Danube Cycle Path - Passau to Vienna

Danube Cycle Path - Passau to Vienna

Explore the paths along the blue Danube River just as the Romans, and the legendary Nibelungs did before you. You will get to know the beauty and historical significance of this ancient military and trading route.

Never far from the clear waters and serenity of the Danube, you will enjoy one of Europe’s most stunning and ever popular cycle routes. You can start your trip either in the baroque town of Schärding, or up the river in Passau, known as the town of three rivers. You will cycle through a wonderful variety of landscapes in Lower Austria, before finally reaching the Danube metropolis of Vienna.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Schärding/Passau

Your tour will either start in the baroque town of Schärding, where you can marvel at the famous Silberzeile lane, or in Paasau where you should take a walk through the “New Centre” of the town, which has been completely redesigned as a pedestrian, car-free area.

Day 2: Schärding/Passau – bend of the Danube/surroundings approx. 40 - 55 km

As you ride along the river Inn from Scharding you will come to Passau, the town of three rivers. We recommend that you take a guided tour of the town, and visit the cathedral, while you are here. You can enjoy the sounds of the largest church organ in the world (except Sundays and public holidays). When you continue along the Danube, you will first pass Obernzell, before finally arriving in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria).

Later, you will ride through the nature reserve Donauleiten, which will lead you to the Schlögen Bend to the north. This is where granite changed the course of the Danube by a full 180 degrees. A ferry will take you across the river to your hotel, and the crossing will give you the perfect opportunity to look at this natural phenomenon.

Day 3: Danube bend/surroundings– Linz approx. 50 km

Today you will cycle through the green Eferdinger basin, passing through, on your journey, the market towns of Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering. You will ride all the way to the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. The historical Old Town of Linz is home to plenty of pubs and eateries that you can discover. Other highlights of the city, named European Capital of Culture 2009, include the magnificent views from Pöstlingberg mountain and taking a stroll through the Donaulände park.

Day 4: Linz – Grein/surroundings approx. 55 km

The ride today will take you on a little detour, away from the course of the Danube, to St. Florian (Augustinian monastery) and to Enns. The town square in Inns features a 60 metre town tower, a landmark of the oldest town in Austria. Alternatively, you can visit the archaeological collection in the municipal museum Lauriacum.

Later, you will return to the river, arriving first at the beautiful, baroque town of Grein. Here, you have the opportunity to visit the oldest municipal theatre in Austria that is still operational. Other options include, the maritime museum or Greinburg castle.

Day 5: Grein/surroundings – Wachau approx. 50 – 60 km

The Strudengau section of the Danube was once feared by sailors, but now you can cycle along it. Where they used to fight against strong river currents, you can now enjoy a leisurely ride. In Maria Taferl, high above the Danube, you will find a magnificent church, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.

Day 6: Wachau – Krems / Traismauer / Tulln approx. 40 - 60 km

Make time today for a short stop in Melk. Remember to look up or you will risk missing sight of the beautiful Stift Melk monastery that overlooks the Danube. Once you leave the town you will reach the picturesque Wachau region. Here, you are sure to enjoy the charming atmosphere in the region’s typical orchards and vineyards.

You will pass through the wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen, before cycling past the impressive ruin of Dürnstein Castle. Your journey, for the day, will finish either in the 1000-year old town of Krems or in Tulln. During a stay in the Wachau region, we strongly recommend that you take part in a wine tasting session, which we have organised for you.

Day 7: Krems / Traismauer / Tulln – Vienna approx. 45 - 65 km

The ride of your tour will be a relaxed trip to the Austrian capital, Vienna. As soon as you arrive, get checked into your room, and then you can spend the rest of the day enjoying this bright and varied city. Treat yourself to a Viennese-style Americano coffee and a piece of the famous Sachertorte cake in one of Vienna’s typical coffee houses.

Vienna’s Parade shopping street is a must see destination, after which you could stroll along Mariahilfer Strasse, visit the St Stephen’s Cathedral or take a trip in one of the famous Fiaker cabs.

Day 8: Departure

Route Overview

Cycle along the River Danube on a flat or slightly descending route, almost 100% on dedicated cycle paths without any motor traffic. Only very short sections are on quiet minor roads.

Total distance cycled: 345 km

Starting point of the cycling holiday: Passau

Route Map (For guidance only):

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.

Route Overview (For guidance only):

Stage	Kilometres	Special notes regarding the route
Schärding/Passau – Schlögen/surrounding	40 – 55 km	Very flat or slightly downhill Schärding - Engelhartszell along the south bank Engelhartszell - Schlögen along the north bank
Schlögen/surrounding – Linz	50 km	Very flat or slightly downhill Schlögen – Aschach along the south bank Aschach – Linz along the north bank
Linz – Grein/surrounding	55 km	Very flat or slightly downhill Nordufer Linz – Wallsee Nord- und Südufer Wallsee – ca. Grein
Grein/surrounding – Wachau	50 – 60 km	Very flat or slightly downhill Linz – Wallsee along the north bank Wallsee – approx. Grein north and south bank
Wachau – Krems/Traismauer/Tulln	40 – 60 km	Very flat or slightly downhill Melk – Krems along the north bank Krems – Traismauer north and south bank
Krems/Traismauer/Tulln – Vienna	45 – 65 km	Very flat or slightly downhill Traismauer – Tulln along the south bank Tulln – Vienna north and south bank

Getting There

Getting There

We recommend flying to Munich, Nuremberg, Linz or Salzburg airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.

Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.

By train:
Train station Passau:
Hotel Residenz: approx. 1,5 km away
Hotel Passauer Wolf: approx. 1 km away
Hotel Dormero: approx. 2,5 km away
Hotel Spitzberg: approx.500 m away
IBB Hotel City Center: next to the train station
IBB Hotel Süd: approx. 2 km away
Taxis are available at the train station (costs: from € 5)

By plane:
Munich Franz-Josef Strauß
By train to Passau, change trains once (Freising). Costs approx. € 50,- per person.

Airport: Vienna
By train to Passau, change trains once (Vienna main train station – Linz/Innsbruck – Passau). Costs approx. € 55,- per person. Approx 3.5 – 4 hours.

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

The Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- Accommodation in your selected category
- Breakfast
- Welcome briefing
- Luggage transfers between hotels
- Detailed information (route/overview maps, route description/notes)
- 1x ferry ride (Au-Schlögen) incl. bike
- 1x wine tasting in the Wachau region
- Danube Card in upper Austria
- Service hotline
Not Included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike hire (optional supplements, with rental bike insurance included)
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
Additional Information
- For a stress-free start to your travel, arriving at the start point by early evening the day before is recommended. The individual return journey takes place on the last day of travel.
- For any costs incurred locally (children, local taxes, dogs etc.), as well as excluded transport and services, please refer to the itinerary or the section “Services/Things to note”.
- If a minimum number of participants is necessary for the trip to take place, this is defined under “Arrival dates”. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the tour by the time specified under the heading “Arrival dates” before the planned travel date. We recommend organising your arrival and departure only after this deadline has passed.
- The distance travelled is approximate and may differ from the actual distance.
- The language in which the listed services are provided, as far as this is relevant for the provision of services, can be found under the heading “Services”.
- If special passport or visa requirements are needed for EU citizens, this is indicated under “Arrival/Parking/Departure”.
- This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
- Travel cancellation insurance, including travel interruption insurance is recommended.
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

About the Rental Bikes

This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes. Quality Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres are among the components that will ensure you have an enjoyable cycle tour.

You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation while. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.

Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)

Rental Bike PLUS

E - Bike (Colour may vary)

Accessories

If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided. Please ensure you bring any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.

All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.

You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.

Gearing information available on request.

Frame Sizing

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided, and you will need to bring your own to use.

We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!

Bike Hire Insurance

This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel, and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.

Electric Bike Hire

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging, and assistance up to 25 km/h. They have a range of around 120 km for each full charge.

E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
Hotels

Hotels

This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.

We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.

You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by calling 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.

or email us on info@freewheelholidays.co.uk

2022 Cycling Holiday Dates & Prices:

Season	Date	Prices per person	Arrival Day
Season 1:	02.04. – 15.04. \| 01.10. – 08.10.	£595	Daily
Season 2:	16.04. – 06.05. \| 10.09. – 30.09.	£660	Daily
Season 3:	07.05. – 09.09	£710	Daily
Single Room Supplement:	All	£205
Half Board Supplement:	All	£148

Bike Hire per person:

Bike Type	Price
Rental Bike:	£85
Rental Bike PLUS:	£135
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£190

EXTRA NIGHT PER PERSON PER NIGHT PRICES (YOU WILL STAY IN THE SAME HOTEL AS PER THE CYCLE TOUR):

Location	Price DBL/BB	Single Room Price SGL/BB
Passau/Scharding	£56	£84
Vienna:	£62	£105

Reference: EB22

Date From	Date To
02 April 2022	08 October 2022

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