Germany & Austria: The Danube River

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 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.

Accommodation: Hotel Altstadt, Passau
Included Meals: None

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 Choice

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

What to Expect: 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.

Accommodation: Altstadt Hotel, Passau
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 Choice

Passau to Schlögener Schlinge – 40.9 km (25.4 miles)

What to Expect: 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.

Accommodation: Hotel Donauschlinge, Haibach ob der Donau
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 Choice

Schlögener Schlinge to Ottensheim – 46.2 km (28.6 miles)

What to Expect: 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.

Accommodation: Donau Lodge, Ybbs an der Donau
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 Choice

Lunz am See to Waidhofen an der Ybbs – 55 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.

Accommodation: Donau Lodge, Ybbs an der Donau
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 Choice

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

What to Expect: 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 o Weissenkirchen.

Accommodation: Hotel Kirchenwirt, Weissenkirchen
Included Meals: Breakfast

Today you will get to explore both sides of the river. Begin your day with a ferry ride across the river (€2.60 per person with bike). After a few miles of pedaling downstream along the right bank, you’ll see the breathtaking view of Dürnstein. As you cycle towards Krems, you’ll cross the river and continue your loop upstream. Feel free to stop for coffee and cake and to stroll in the historic old town of Krems. Continue pedaling towards Dürnstein and take time to explore this charming village. Take a break 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 with a late lunch. From there, it’s just a few more miles to Weissenkirchen 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 – 32.6 km (20.2 miles) | Wachau loop with Krems – 47.8 km (29.6 miles)

What to Expect: Flat, paved bike path along the river with some urban riding in Krems.

Accommodation: Hotel Kirchenwirt, Weissenkirchen
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.

Accommodation: Hotel Stefanie, Vienna
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

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 Choice

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

What to Expect: 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.

Accommodation: Altstadt Hotel, Passau
Included Meals: None

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 brewery 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 Choice

Passau to Schlögener Schlinge – 40.9 km (25.4 miles)

What to Expect: 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.

Accommodation: Hotel Donauschlinge, Haibach ob der Donau
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 Choice

Schlögener Schlinge to Ottensheim – 46.2 km (28.6 miles)

What to Expect: 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.

Accommodation: Donau Lodge, Ybbs an der Donau
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 Choice

Lunz am See to Waidhofen an der Ybbs – 55 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.

Accommodation: Donau Lodge, Ybbs an der Donau
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 Choice

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

What to Expect: 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 o Weissenkirchen.

Accommodation: Hotel Kirchenwirt, Weissenkirchen
Included Meals: Breakfast

Today you will get to explore both sides of the river. Begin your day with a ferry ride across the river (€2.60 per person with bike). After a few miles of pedaling downstream along the right bank, you’ll see the breathtaking view of Dürnstein. As you cycle towards Krems, you’ll cross the river and continue your loop upstream. Feel free to stop for coffee and cake and to stroll in the historic old town of Krems. Continue pedaling towards Dürnstein and take time to explore this charming village. Take a break 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 with a late lunch. From there, it’s just a few more miles to Weissenkirchen 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 – 32.6 km (20.2 miles) | Wachau loop with Krems – 47.8 km (29.6 miles)

What to Expect: Flat, paved bike path along the river with some urban riding in Krems.

Accommodation: Hotel Kirchenwirt, Weissenkirchen
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