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Germany & Austria: The Danube River

Satisfy your adventurous spirit on a Danube River bike tour. This stunning ride follows the banks of the famous Danube, taking you from Passau on the border of Germany to the celebrated Wachau Valley in Austria. En route, you’ll snake your way past fairytale countryside and imposing castles, spend a delightful day in the Alps, and cruise down gentle slopes of the Ybbs Valley Cycle Trail to the majestic Danube River. We’ll explore famous sites, such as Engelhartszell, Schlögener Schlinge, and the royal Melk Abbey, and pause to relax in the lush, wine-tasting region of Wachau. Your memorable accommodations on this Danube River bike tour include cozy riverside lodges and quaint, historic hotels.

Tour Highlights

  • Discover the historic old town of Passau at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers.
  • Stay at luxury lodges with spectacular river views and hotels brimming with history
  • Ride along one of Austria’s most famous bike paths, the Ybbs Valley Cycle Trail (Ybbstalradweg), which in olden days was a rail bed connecting the Alps with the Danube
  • Bike on one of Europe’s most well-known bike paths, the EuroVelo 6, along the banks of the Danube combining easy terrain with fabulous views from both sides of the river
  • Taste the famous white wines of the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley whose vineyards date back to the medieval Roman settlements.

What to Expect

This tour offers easy, riverside terrain. Riding is primarily on paved bike paths with some road riding through both urban and rural areas. For the Ybbs Valley Cycle Trail, you will be transported to Lunz am See for a splendid ride with a gradual descent. Please verify your bike selection for this tour as it is not always possible to change bikes once you arrive. Travel with your friends and family—we can accommodate multiple guests on this self-guided vacation. Our 24/7 support system is available as needed.

  • Daily Mileage: 5 - 63 miles|
  • Biking: 1 - 6 hours
Activity Easy Easy
Cycling
Bar Graph Beginner - Experienced
Cyclists
24/7 Support System 24/7 Support
System

Average High /
Low Temperature (°F):

Apr59º/41º

May68º/46º

Jun73º/52º

Jul77º/54º

Aug75º/55º

Sep77º/58º

Oct73º/55º

Average
Precipitation:

Apr2.75 in

May3.30 in

Jun3.8 in

Jul3.95 in

Aug3.6 in

Sep1.2 in

Oct3.37 in

Air Package

Tour Only

Roundtrip international airfare Check
Detailed information for your independent travel to/from arrival and departure airports Check
One night in Passau and one night in Vienna in conveniently located hotels with breakfasts included Check
Transportation from the last hotel in Weissenkirchen to your hotel in Vienna (one-hour drive) Check
Transportation from Ottensheim to Ybbs an der Donau (one-hour drive) Check Check
Transportation from Ybbs an der Donau to the top of the mountain at Lunz am See (45-minute drive) Check Check
6 nights in town center boutique hotels and countryside spa hotels Check Check
6 meals: 6 breakfasts Check Check
Puncture-Protected Tires Check Check

Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle

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Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle

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Road Bicycle (Aluminum alloy frame)

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Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)

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Self-Guided Biking Packages Include:

Custom VBT bike with puncture-protected tires

Welcome orientation and bike fitting

Luggage transportation

Ride with GPS and daily route notes

VBT Road Book with destination information

24/7 emergency support from local host

Helmet, bike bag, and tool kit

Your choice of VBT branded gear for your adventure

Itinerary

Sat, May 6 to Mon, May 15 - 2023

Show Itinerary:

Depart home for Germany. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary.

Upon arrival at the Munich Airport, make your own independent travel arrangements to your centrally located hotel in the city of Passau. For suggestions, please refer to your VBT Handbook.

The rest of the day is yours to explore Passau at your leisure, using the VBT city information as your guide.

After breakfast, the morning is yours for independent exploration. Meet your VBT Local host and any other VBT guests arriving on the same day after lunch, at 1:00 p.m. in the hotel lobby. Your host will be carrying a VBT sign and/or wearing a VBT garment. Please be dressed and ready for cycling.

Today’s Ride Choices

Warm-up ride along the Inn River — 8.7 km (5.5 miles)

What to Expect:

Warm-up ride along the Inn River

Designed for you to get comfortable with your bike and let you move your legs after your flight, this easy short loop starts at your hotel and goes through the town of Passau, heading south on a bike path along the Inn River.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, follow the popular EuroVelo 6 bike trail, a flat, paved path along the Danube River. Upon entering Austria continue on the right bank of the river towards Engelhartszell. Once in town, plan a visit to the famous Engelszell Abbey, where you’ll find Trappist beer (the only Trappist monastery in Austria!) and a stunning church dating back to the mid-1700s. You will arrive at Schlögener Schlinge in the afternoon, spending the night at a hotel overlooking a scenic bend in the river. For additional relaxation, you may want to book a massage at the hotel’s wellness facility.

Today’s Ride Choices

Passau to Schlögener Schlinge — 40.9 km (25.4 miles)

What to Expect:

Passau to Schlögener Schlinge:
Today’s route starts directly from the hotel in Passau city center and follows the Danube. You will spend the day cycling on a dedicated bike path with minor elevation changes. Your hotel is located right in the middle of Austria’s famous river bend, a natural wonder known as the Schlögener Schlinge.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Before getting on your bike, we suggest walking up to a viewpoint which provides a scenic vista of the 180-degree river bend for which the area is known. You’ll cycle through a beautiful forest toward Aschach, where you may want to stop for coffee and cake or visit a museum devoted to shipwrights, shipping, and fishing on the Danube. The ride concludes in Ottensheim which is renowned for its hilltop castle. Enjoy a late lunch while waiting for your transport which will take you to your next hotel in Ybbs an der Donau.

Today’s Ride Choices

Schlögener Schlinge to Ottensheim — 46.2 km (28.6 miles)

What to Expect:

Schlögener Schlinge to Ottensheim:
The route departs from the hotel and follows the well-paved bike path on the right bank of the Danube. With only slight elevation changes, it hugs the coastline through scenic forests. After leaving Aschach, the bike path will be completely flat.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Travel by shuttle to the shores of Lunzer See, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Eastern Alps, and where you’ll begin today’s downhill ride. With the Ybbs River always nearby, you’ll follow the old railroad bed once known as the Sheep’s Cheese Express enjoying splendid views of arch bridges, crystal-clear waters, and a scenic gorge. Stop to take pictures and perhaps a dip in the water. We offer a shuttle about half-way through your ride, at Waidhofen an der Ybbs, or cycle the entire length and become a member of the 100+ kilometer club.

Today’s Ride Choices

Lunz am See to Waidhofen an der Ybbs — 55.0 km (34.1 miles) | Waidhofen an der Ybbs to Ybbs an der Donau — 48.9 km (30.3 miles)

What to Expect:

Descend gradually from the top of the mountain to the river valley. The major part of the ride is on a dedicated bike path, part of which is separated from the road and part of which takes a path almost completely away from motorized traffic.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today’s route will travel along the Danube towards the Wachau Valley. You may want to stop in Melk to visit the world-famous abbey which was founded in 1089 and have a delicious lunch in one of the traditional restaurants in the Old Town. After lunch, you’ll cross the river and ride through scenic landscapes with vineyards and fertile farmland, through the town of Aggsbach where the small statue known as the Venus of Willendorf was discovered. You’ll spend the next two nights in Weissenkirchen at Hotel Kirchenwirt.

Today’s Ride Choices

Ybbs an der Donau to Weissenkirchen — 52.2 km (32.4 miles)

What to Expect:

Ybbs an der Donau to Weissenkirchen

Continue along EuroVelo 6, a long-distance bicycle route, on the right bank of the Danube River until the town of Melk. After an optional stop, cross the bridge and continue biking on the left bank through Aggsbach, Willendorf to Weissenkirchen.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today you will get to explore both sides of the river. After a few miles of pedaling downstream along the left bank, you’ll arrive in Dürnstein. Take time to explore this charming village. You may want to visit the ruins of the 12th century castle on the top of the hill or try the famous local white wine (Grün Velteliner) in one of the wine shops. Afterwards, you cycle towards the lovely town of Krems. Feel free to stop for coffee and cake, to stroll in the historic old town, and have a lunch in one of Krems’ local restaurants. After crossing the river, continue pedaling upstream and enjoy a breathtaking view of Dürnstein on the other side. From here, it’s just a few more miles to the ferry crossing to Weissenkirchen (€4.00 per person with bike) to finish your loop and end your biking adventure in Germany and Austria. You can close your Danube River bike tour with a nice dinner in one of Weissenkirchen’s cozy restaurants.

You can also choose to take a shorter loop, allowing yourself more quality time in Dürnstein.

Today’s Ride Choices

Wachau loop — 32.0 km (19.8 miles) | Wachau loop Long option — 47.6 km (29.5 miles)

What to Expect:

Flat, paved bike path along the river with some urban riding in Krems.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at 9:00 a.m., transportation will be provided to your hotel in Vienna, roughly an hour away, together with any other VBT Self-Guided guests. You have the remainder of the day to discover the cultural and historic treasures of the fascinating Austrian capital. See your VBT city information for specific recommendations about how to spend your time.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After an included breakfast* this morning, allow yourself a minimum of three hours prior to your flight departure to get to Vienna’s International Airport. This timeframe includes a maximum of one hour of travel and around two hours of recommended pre-flight check-in time. For suggestions on getting to the Vienna International Airport, please refer to your VBT Handbook.

*For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the front desk to verify the time that breakfast is served.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Germany & Austria: The Danube River

Download PDF Itinerary:

Air Package (PDF) Tour Only (PDF)

Mon, May 8 to Sun, May 14 - 2023

Show Itinerary:

We suggest arriving in Germany at least one day prior to the tour start date as your tour begins at 1:00 p.m. Meet your VBT Local host and any other VBT guests arriving on the same day after lunch, at 1:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Altstadt Hotel in Passau (Bräugasse 23-29, tel. +49 851 3370).

Today’s Ride Choices

Warm-up ride along the Inn River — 8.7 km (5.5 miles)

What to Expect:

Warm-up ride along the Inn River:
Designed for you to get comfortable with your bike and let you move your legs after your flight, this easy short loop starts at your hotel and goes through the town of Passau, heading south on a bike path along the Inn River.

After breakfast, follow the popular EuroVelo 6 bike trail, a flat, paved path along the Danube River. Upon entering Austria continue on the right bank of the river towards Engelhartszell. Once in town, plan a visit to the famous Engelszell Abbey, where you’ll find Trappist beer (the only Trappist monastery in Austria!) and a stunning church dating back to the mid-1700s. You will arrive at Schlögener Schlinge in the afternoon, spending the night at a hotel overlooking a scenic bend in the river. For additional relaxation, you may want to book a massage at the hotel’s wellness facility.

Today’s Ride Choices

Passau to Schlögener Schlinge — 40.9 km (25.4 miles)

What to Expect:

Passau to Schlögener Schlinge:
Today’s route starts directly from the hotel in Passau city center and follows the Danube. You will spend the day cycling on a dedicated bike path with minor elevation changes. Your hotel is located right in the middle of Austria’s famous river bend, a natural wonder known as the Schlögener Schlinge.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Before getting on your bike, we suggest walking up to a viewpoint which provides a scenic vista of the 180-degree river bend for which the area is known. You’ll cycle through a beautiful forest toward Aschach, where you may want to stop for coffee and cake or visit a museum devoted to shipwrights, shipping, and fishing on the Danube. The ride concludes in Ottensheim which is renowned for its hilltop castle. Enjoy a late lunch while waiting for your transport which will take you to your next hotel in Ybbs an der Donau.

Today’s Ride Choices

Schlögener Schlinge to Ottensheim — 46.2 km (28.6 miles)

What to Expect:

Schlögener Schlinge to Ottensheim:
The route departs from the hotel and follows the well-paved bike path on the right bank of the Danube. With only slight elevation changes, it hugs the coastline through scenic forests. After leaving Aschach, the bike path will be completely flat.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Travel by shuttle to the shores of Lunzer See, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Eastern Alps, and where you’ll begin today’s downhill ride. With the Ybbs River always nearby, you’ll follow the old railroad bed once known as the Sheep’s Cheese Express enjoying splendid views of arch bridges, crystal-clear waters, and a scenic gorge. Stop to take pictures and perhaps a dip in the water. We offer a shuttle about half-way through your ride, at Waidhofen an der Ybbs, or cycle the entire length and become a member of the 100+ kilometer club.

Today’s Ride Choices

Lunz am See to Waidhofen an der Ybbs — 55.0 km (34.1 miles) | Waidhofen an der Ybbs to Ybbs an der Donau — 48.9 km (30.3 miles)

What to Expect:

Descend gradually from the top of the mountain to the river valley. The major part of the ride is on a dedicated bike path, part of which is separated from the road and part of which takes a path almost completely away from motorized traffic.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today’s route will travel along the Danube towards the Wachau Valley. You may want to stop in Melk to visit the world-famous abbey which was founded in 1089 and have a delicious lunch in one of the traditional restaurants in the Old Town. After lunch, you’ll cross the river and ride through scenic landscapes with vineyards and fertile farmland, through the town of Aggsbach where the small statue known as the Venus of Willendorf was discovered. You’ll spend the next two nights in Weissenkirchen at Hotel Kirchenwirt.

Today’s Ride Choices

Ybbs an der Donau to Weissenkirchen — 52.2 km (32.4 miles)

What to Expect:

Ybbs an der Donau to Weissenkirchen

Continue along EuroVelo 6, a long-distance bicycle route, on the right bank of the Danube River until the town of Melk. After an optional stop, cross the bridge and continue biking on the left bank through Aggsbach, Willendorf to Weissenkirchen.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today you will get to explore both sides of the river. After a few miles of pedaling downstream along the left bank, you’ll arrive in Dürnstein. Take time to explore this charming village. You may want to visit the ruins of the 12th century castle on the top of the hill or try the famous local white wine (Grün Velteliner) in one of the wine shops. Afterwards, you cycle towards the lovely town of Krems. Feel free to stop for coffee and cake, to stroll in the historic old town, and have a lunch in one of Krems’ local restaurants. After crossing the river, continue pedaling upstream and enjoy a breathtaking view of Dürnstein on the other side. From here, it’s just a few more miles to the ferry crossing to Weissenkirchen (€4.00 per person with bike) to finish your loop and end your biking adventure in Germany and Austria. You can close your Danube River bike tour with a nice dinner in one of Weissenkirchen’s cozy restaurants.

You can also choose to take a shorter loop, allowing yourself more quality time in Dürnstein.

Today’s Ride Choices

Wachau loop — 32.0 km (19.8 miles) | Wachau loop Long option — 47.6 km (29.5 miles)

What to Expect:

Flat, paved bike path along the river with some urban riding in Krems.

Included Meals: Breakfast

The tour ends at your hotel in Weissenkirchen. From here you may continue with your independent travel. For details, refer to your VBT Handbook. Depending upon your destination, it may not be possible to depart for the U.S. on the last day of the tour. Please check airline schedules carefully. If you plan to schedule return flights immediately following the tour’s conclusion, please call your airline directly for specific check-in requirements.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Germany & Austria: The Danube River

Download PDF Itinerary:

Air Package (PDF) Tour Only (PDF)

Accommodations (Please Note: Days are based on the Air Package Itinerary. Accommodations may vary depending on departure date. )

Reviews
4 out of 7 (57%)
4.9 out of 5 stars.
Read More Reviews

Absolutely incredible experience. I loved the great elements of the tour but the ability to round out my experience with great exploration and meals!

GDL65, Cape Coral FL

Germany & Austria: The Danube River

We are always thrilled with our trips that we have taken with VBT.

KLHogue,

Germany & Austria: The Danube River

Dates & Prices

Departing Airport :

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Air Package

10 days, includes round-trip international airfare and additional hotel nights with included breakfast.

Single Supplement: From $345

Sat, May 6 - Mon, May 15, 2023

Air included Air Included

From
$3,845

Per person, double occupancy

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Sat, May 20 - Mon, May 29, 2023

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$3,945

Per person, double occupancy

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Sat, Jun 3 - Mon, Jun 12, 2023

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$3,945

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Sat, Aug 5 - Mon, Aug 14, 2023

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$4,095

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Sat, Aug 19 - Mon, Aug 28, 2023

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$4,095

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Limited Spaces Left

Sat, Sep 2 - Mon, Sep 11, 2023

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Currently Full

Sat, Sep 9 - Mon, Sep 18, 2023

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From
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Currently Full

Sat, Sep 16 - Mon, Sep 25, 2023

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Sat, Sep 23 - Mon, Oct 2, 2023

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From
$3,945

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Tour Only

7 Days. Includes Self-Guided bike vacation only.

Single Supplement: From $195

Mon, May 8 - Sun, May 14, 2023

From
$2,845

Per person, double occupancy

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Limited Spaces Left

Mon, May 22 - Sun, May 28, 2023

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Mon, Jun 5 - Sun, Jun 11, 2023

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Per person, double occupancy

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Limited Spaces Left

Mon, Aug 7 - Sun, Aug 13, 2023

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Per person, double occupancy

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Mon, Aug 21 - Sun, Aug 27, 2023

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Per person, double occupancy

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Limited Spaces Left

Mon, Sep 4 - Sun, Sep 10, 2023

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Currently Full

Mon, Sep 11 - Sun, Sep 17, 2023

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Currently Full

Mon, Sep 18 - Sun, Sep 24, 2023

From
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Mon, Sep 25 - Sun, Oct 1, 2023

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For more information, call: 800-245-3868

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