Cycling Holidays - Danube Cycle Path - Passau to Vienna

Danube Cycle Path - Passau to Vienna

Austria

From £549 P/P

Explore the paths along the blue Danube River just like the Romans, the legendary Nibelungs, and even Europe’s powerful kings and emperors did before you. You will get to know the beauty and historical significance of this ancient military and trading route.

Never far away from the cool, clear water of the Danube, you will enjoy one of Europe’s most beautiful and popular cycle routes. You can either start your trip in the baroque town of Schärding or 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.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Schärding/Passau

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 town of three rivers, which has been completely redesigned as a pedestrian, car-free area.

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

Along the river Inn 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 where you can enjoy the sounds of the largest church organ in the world (except Sundays and public holidays). Then you will continue along the Danube, first passing Obernzell and finally arriving in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria).

You will then cycle through the nature reserve Donauleiten, from where you will reach the Schlögen Bend to the north. This is where granite proved to be too much of an opponent and forced the Danube to change directions by 180 degrees. While a ferry takes you to the other side of the river to your hotel you have time to look at this natural phenomenon.

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

Today you will cycle through the green Eferdinger basin via the market towns of Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering and all the way to the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. The historical Old Town of Linz has many pubs and eateries for you to discover. Other highlights of the European Capital of Culture 2009 include the magnificent views from Pöstlingberg mountain and a stroll through the Donaulände park.

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

On the fourth day you will take a little detour away from the course of the Danube to St. Florian (Augustinian monastery) and to Enns. In Enns you can go to the town square with its 60 metre town tower, the landmark of the oldest town in Austria, or you visit the archaeological collection in the municipal museum Lauriacum.

Afterwards, you will return to the river, first reaching the beautiful little baroque town of Grein. Here you have the opportunity to visit the oldest municipal theatre in Austria that is still being used. Or you can visit the maritime museum or Greinburg castle.

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

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

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

You should make a little stop in Melk and look up or you will miss the beautiful Stift Melk monastery that overlooks the Danube. As soon as you leave the town you will get into the picturesque Wachau region, where you can enjoy the charming atmosphere of the region’s typical orchards and vineyards.

You will pass through the little wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen, cycle past the Dürnstein Castle ruin and finish your journey in the 1000-year old town of Krems or in Tulln. A stay in the Wachau region means that you simply have to take part in a wine tasting, which we have organised for you.

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

The final kilometres of your bike tour will be a relaxed trip to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. According to the variant part of the stage is covered by train. As soon as you arrive you can occupy your room and then enjoy all the amenities of the city for the rest of the day. Treat yourself to a Viennese-style Americano coffee and a piece of the famous Sachertorte cake in one of Vienna’s typical coffee houses.

Take a stroll along Vienna’s Parade shopping street, along Mariahilfer Strasse, visit the St Stephen’s Cathedral or see the main sights and take a trip in one of the famous Fiaker cabs.

Day 8: Departure or extra nights

Route Overview

Danube Cycle Path (Passau to Vienna) from Freewheel Holidays on Vimeo.

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

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 Profile

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 www.munich-airport.de
By train to Passau, change trains once (Freising). Costs approx. € 50,- per person.
Possibility for a transfer www.flughafentransfer.at/ Prices on request.

Airport Vienna www.viennaairport.com:
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 Voyages SNCF 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 0800 755 5385 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
- Bike hire
- 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
- Rental bike insurance
- 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 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 based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.

You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. 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)

Men's Bike (Colour may vary)

Electric 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 and please make sure that you bring along with you 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.

Gears

7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).

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 with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.

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 +44 (0) 800 7555385.

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 +44 (0) 800 7555385 for more information.

Please note that the hotel list is subject to change and should be used as a guide only.
We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.

Danube Cycle Path	Category A	Category B	Category C
Schärding	Stadthotel ****	Biedermeier-Hof ***	Hotel Stiegenwirt ***
	www.stadthotel-schaerding.at	www.biedermeierhof.at	www.stiegenwirt-schaerding.at
Passau	Hotel Passauer Wolf ****	IBB Hotel ***	Hotel Dormero ****
	www.hotel-passauer-wolf.de	www.ibbhotelpassau.de	www.dormero.de/hotel-passau
Schlögen	Hotel Donauschlinge ****	Hotel Revita Kocher****	Freizeitanlage Schlögen ***
	www.donauschlinge.at	www.kocher.at	www.freizeitanlage-schloegen.at
Linz	Arcotel Nike ****	Hotel Park Inn ****	Hotel Donauwelle ****
	www.arcotelhotels.com	www.parkinn.com/hotel-linz	http://www.linz.twhotels.at/
Grein/surrounding	Hotel Goldenes Kreuz ****	Hotel Aumühle ***	Gasthof Zur Donaubrücke
	www.hotel-in-grein.at	www.aumuehle.at	www.gasthof-froschauer.at
Wachau	Donauhof Emmersdorf ****	Hotel Wachauerhof Melk ***	Hotel Wachauerhof Melk ***
	www.pichler-wachau.at	www.wauchauerhof.eu	www.wauchauerhof.eu
Krems/Traismauer/Tulln	Hotel Zum Schwan ***	Hotel Zum Schwan ***	Gasthof Nibelungenhof ***
	www.hotel-schwan.at	www.hotel-schwan.at	www.nibelungenhof.at
Vienna	Arcotel Kaiserwasser ****	Arcotel Kaiserwasser ****	Park Inn ****
	www.arcotelhotels.com	www.arcotelhotels.com	www.parkinn.com

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 completing a Contact Form or call 0800 755 5385 to speak to one of the team.

2019 Cycling Holiday Prices:

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season 1:	06.04.– 26.04.2019 \| 28.09. – 12.10.2019	Daily
Season 2:	27.04. – 24.05.2019 \| 07.09. – 27.09.2019	Daily
Season 3:	25.05. – 07.09.2019	Daily

Category A Information:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£709
Season 2:	£749
Season 3:	£809
Single Room Supplement:	£209
Half Board Supplement:	£159
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£99

Category B Information:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£609
Season 2:	£659
Season 3:	£719
Single Room Supplement:	£169
Half Board Supplement:	£149
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£99

Category C Information:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£549
Season 2:	£589
Season 3:	£639
Single Room Supplement:	£149
Half Board Supplement:	£149
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£99

Hotel Category Descriptions:

Category Type	Accommodation Overview
Category A:	4* hotels
Category B:	3/4* hotels
Category C:	3* hotels

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 (Cat A):	£69	£89
Passau/Scharding (Cat B+C):	£59	£89
Vienna (Cat A):	£69	£99
Vienna (Cat B+C):	£69	£99

Reference:AT-DORPW-08 (A/B/C)

Date From	Date To
06 April 2019	12 October 2019

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Cycling Holidays - Danube Cycle Path - Passau to Vienna

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Latest News

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