Self-Guided Danube Cycling – Vienna to Budapest

Over View

On this self-guided holiday cycle through Austria, Slovakia and Hungary following the Danube on Europe's most famous cycle path. This wonderful cycling trip from Vienna to Budapest combines unspoilt nature, hidden artistic treasures, charming monuments and peaceful cycling.

Easy scenic cycling – Along the Danube between Vienna and Budapest

Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest – Discover three impressive capital cities

Viennese culinary specialties – Try sweet treats like Sachertorte (type of chocolate cake)

Itinerary

Day 1 Trip starts in Vienna

Your holiday starts in Austria’s capital, Vienna. After checking in to the hotel head to the city centre and explore the baroque Schonbrunn palace, winding cobbled lanes, elegant Kaffeehauser (coffee houses) and taste a slice of the world-famous Sachertorte. Vienna is steeped in history; there is much to explore if you arrive early today.

Day 2 Cycle paths from one capital to the next, Vienna to Bratislava

This morning your bike will be delivered and you will be required to sign an agreement of care upon receipt of the bike. The hotel is just 100 meters from the cycle path, once you have left the hotel start cycling in the metropolis of Vienna but not for long, soon you will find yourself in the greenness of the Donauauen National Park. Pass the Schonau and Orth castles then cycle on to the Habsburg Castle in Eckartsau. We recommend a detour to castle Hof, a magnificent castle which was built at the behest of the Austrian empress Maria Theresia; its impressive park and the gorgeous architectural monuments are definitely worth a visit. Continue cycling via Hainburg to the Slovakian capital, Bratislava.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 68km

Day 3 Explore Bratislava on foot, cycle to Mosonmagyarovar

Spend the morning in Bratislava, wander through cobbled streets, and admire the Baroque architecture. Today’s ride starts by leading you away from the capital along a cycling path and soon cross the Slovakian Hungarian border near Kunovo; via Dunasziget a village which was once located on an island in the middle of the Danube. Reach the small town of Mosonmagyarovar where you spend the night.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 43km

Day 4 Country lanes and cycle paths to Gyor

Start by cycling across two of Mosonmagyarovars seventeen bridges on your way out of the town. Soon you pick up signs for the Eurovelo Route 6 and follow excellent cycle paths and quite country roads for most of the day. You will see yellow rapeseed fields bordered with deciduous trees. Stop to visit the village of Hedervar and its castle which has been converted to a hotel. Further on, partly along the idyllic Danube you arrive to Gyor, the ‘metropolis’ of west-Hungary, a dynamically developing city with a Baroque city centre. Once you have checked in to your hotel and left the bikes we suggest you visit the town hall which used to have a prison in the basement, the Diocesan Treasury to view its medieval manuscripts or try out one of the town’s thermal baths.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 42.5km

Day 5 Abandoned railway line, border village and baroque Cicov

Not far out of Gyor follow an abandoned railway line for a while and then more country lanes past farmhouses and through forested land. Back on country roads you cross the Hungarian Slovakian border by cycling over a bridge on the Danube to the border village of Medvedov. Follow the beautiful Slovakian bank to the baroque city Cicov and further via Zlatna to the Slovakian/Hungarian city of Komarno/Komarom situated on both sides of the Danube connected by the Elisabeth Bridge.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 56km

Day 6 Cycle past farming villages and take the ferry to Visegrad

This morning you take the bridge back to the Hungarian part of the city; passing the Roman fort Kelemantia and isolated farming villages. Cross the well-known Gisela Bridge to Esztergom, you may wish to stop here and visit the cathedral. Follow the right bank of the Danube through more villages then cycle paths following signs to the ferry, cross the Danube then continue cycling on the right bank of the Danube to Nagymaros from where you catch the ferry to Visegrad.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 52km

Day 7 Cycle to Budapest and explore by bike or on foot

Explore by bike Szentendre-Island situated in a bend on the Danube and some 31km long. Continue by ferry to Szentendre-City which is about 20km from Budapest. Soon the Budapest skyline starts to come into view, and your ride that started in Vienna is nearing its end. Once you arrive to the Hungarian capital you are free to sightsee by bike or on foot. The city consists of two parts: Buda and Pest. Buda is the older, more graceful part, with cobbled streets and medieval buildings, whilst the latter is the modern business centre. We recommend visiting the Basilica of Saint Stephen and the Parliament buildings before crossing the Chain Bridge to the Castle District and Watertown. Here lie Buda’s most ancient gems – Castle Hill with the Old Town, Fisherman’s Bastion and the Royal Palace.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 64.5km

Day 8 Trip ends Budapest

After breakfast, the organised part of your holiday ends.

We are able to pre-book train tickets back to Vienna for you if you have booked flights returning from Vienna. Please contact your self-guided team for further information.