Austria. Cycling along Danube. Passau to Vienna
Individual tour
Category: bike tour, train, ship
Duration: 7 days
Offer: 2021
Meals: breakfasts
Accomodations: hotels and pensions, rooms with bathroom
Difficulty: easy
Cycling distance: about 310 km
Price: from 333 EUR
The bike tour along Danube, from Passau to Vienna is a classic, and a very interesting one in terms of landscape as well. Thanks to cycling along the river valley elevations are limited, the roads often lead downhill, making the trip suitable for any cyclist, also those beginning their adventure with such way to spend their vacation. We will be passing atmospheric Austrian towns and popular tourist destinations such as Passau, Linz and Vienna. Each day, we will admire different landscapes. We will be passing numerous castles, monasteries and palaces, as well as many restaurants, cafes and winehouses, great for making a pause for a meal, making the distances easier to manage.
Vienna
From 100 contestants, Vienna has won the ranking of „10 greenest cities in 2020”. It is a beautiful city. Magnificent baroque and XIXth century landmarks are located in proximity of Rinstrasse, not to mention the imperial architectural jewels. Many famous, UNESCO listed landmarks are located in the city centre, such as the Schoenbrunn palace, St. Ruprecht’s church, baroque church of St. Peter.
Passau
Passau lies on the German border and is one of the most beautiful Bavarian cities, located between three rivers. It’s three parts are connected by fifteen bridges: the Old Town between Dunau and Inn, and the districts upon Inn: Innstadt and upon Ilz: Ilzstadt. Magnificent landmarks make the city beautiful and it’s southern atmosphere, visible in it’s art and architecture, resembles Italy.
Linz
In Linz, art and technique diffuse magically. In the area of culture, Linz follows the way of independence, creating an innovative artistic sphere and an important location on Europe’s cultural map. The Old Town allures with it’s narrow streets, historical architecture and the largest european central market in the region. Exploring Linz is a true adventure, especially on board the Linz City Express, the most steep rail cart, built in 1898, which can take you to the top of Poestligberg, or during a cruise on Danube.
Short summary:
Day 1. Passau – arrival
Day 2. Passau – Wesenufer
Day 3. Wesenufer – Schlögen – Linz
Day 4. Linz – Enns – Marbach
Day 5. Marbach – Krems
Day 6. Krems – Vienna
Day 7. Vienna – departure
Day 1. Passau arrival
Arrival to Passau. After checking in the hotel, we receive are tour documents. We meet the company’s representative in the scheduled location, who will pass the bikes and proivde all the necessary information. We recommend a short tour of the town, to familiarize ourselves with the bikes and to get to know the city. The historical Old Town is located at the bank of Danube and Inn. It’s dominated by the baroque cathedral of St. Stephen, known for it’s large organs. From May to October, there are daily concerts held. Accommodation in a hotel in Passau.
Day 2. Passau – Wesenufer
Distance: about 35 km
Elevations: 405 -487 m
After breakfast, we begin the first day of the tour. Cycling along the Danube we leave the city. On the way, we admire Donau and surrounding hills. We will also be boarding the special bike ferry. We will be passing castles on the hills on the way, and atmospheric, small towns. A few kilometres before today’s accommodations is a trappist monastery Engelszell, where delicious liqueurs are produced. Accommodation in a pension in Wesenufer.
Day 3. Wesenufer – Schlögen – Linz
Distance: about 60 km
Elevations: 225 m – 253 m
Leaving the town and cycling further along Danube we will reach the Schlögener Schlinge. Here we recommend a short break to climb the Schlögen viewing point, where a breathtaking view of Danube is to be found. It is worth to take some photos here. Today, we will also be passing atmospheric Austrian towns on the banks of Danube. It is worth to see the Wilhering palace on the way. Eventually, we will reach Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, where we are accommodated in one of the hotels.
Day 4. Linz–Enns – Marbach
Distance: about 70 km by bike, about 22 km by train
Elevations: 57 -74 m
In the morning, we board the train with our bikes and head 22 km to Enns, Austria’s oldest town. Here we start today’s bike trip. Along the shore of Danube we enter Machland region, which is the wildest section of the Danube, with numerous forests and glades. We will be passing the Celtic village of Mitterkirchen, where we can see the exhibiton of the life over 2700 years ago. Cycling further we will reach Marbach, a cahrming town with many atmospheric, local resturants. Accommodation in a pension.
Day 5. Marbach – Krems
Distance: about 70 km
Elevations: 115 m – 165 m
Today is, in our opinion, the most beautiful day of the tour. We will be passing hills covered in vinegrapes and picturesque villages. Halfway, we will be passing the Aggstein castle ruins from XIIth century, located on a hill on the right bank of the river. We recommend a pause in Weissenkirchen or Duernstein in one of the local taverns for local food and wine from neighbouring vineyards. Finally, we will reach Krems with a picturesque Old Town, where we recommend to take a walk. Accommodation in a local hotel or pension.
Day 6. Krems – Vienna
Distance: about 75 km
Elevetions: minor
Today is the last day of the trip. We will be cycling through the Vienna Forest, a UNESCO Biosphere Park since 2005 – a title granted for unique natural habitat. Over 2000 plan, 150 bird and many endangered species are to be found here. If you have the time, we recommend a stop in Klostenburg and touring the monastery, with art treasures in a private museum. Further along Danube we reach Vienna, where it is strongly recommended to tour the historical part of the city. Accommodation in one of the hotels.
Day 7. Vienna – departure
Today is the last day of the trip. After brekfast you can have a short walk in the city. Departure – by plance, or by train to Passau to collect your parked car.
Price includes:
- 6 accommodations with breakfasts in local hotels/pensions, good standard with bathrooms included
- Baggage transfer between accommodations
- 2 ferry transfers with bikes
- Train transfer between Linz and Enns
- Technical assistance during the trip
- Bike pannier, one per room
- Turist’s package: detailed description of the route, along with the information required for reaching the destination by bike. 1 per room.
- GPS Tracks
- Handing out and picking up of the bike at the appointed location
Price does not include:
- cost of arrival at the starting location
- cost of return from the finishing location
- Bike rental
- Car parking cost during the trip, which is paid separately at the hotel – about 4€/day
- Local taxes at the hotel, about 1-2,5€/person/night
- Meals other than breakfasts
- Additional accomodations
- Additional private expenses during the trip
- Tickets to castles and tourists attractions
- Additional accommodation in Passau: from 49 EUR/person
- Additional accommodation in Vienna: from 64 EUR/person
- Cost of parking in Passau: from 4 EUR/day
- Insurance for the rented bike: 15 EUR/bike, 35 EUR/electric bike
- Return train ticket Vienna – Passau: 39 EUR/person without bike
- Return bus ticket Vienna – Passau in season 3: 59 EUR/person with bike
- HP surcharge (dinners): 109 EUR/person
Price per person:
Price/person in a double room
Season 1 (09.10 – 23.10.2021): 333 EUR
Season 2 (03.04.-30.04.2021 i 25.09-08.10.2021): 429 EUR
Season 3 (01.05 -24.09.2021): 449 EUR
Single room surcharge:: 140 EUR
Additional discounts:
- Child 0-6 years ( without an additional bed) – free
- Children 7-11 years – 50%, extra bed (with 2 fully paying adults)
- Children 12-14 years on extra bed – 25% (with 2 fully paying adults)
- Over 15 lat or adult sleeping on an extra bed – 10% (with 2 fully paying adults)
Cost of bike rental:
Trekking bike – 75 EUR/person
Electric bike – 169 EUR/person
Children’s trailer – 75 EUR/each
Dates
Tours begin daily from 03.04.2021 to 23.10.2021
Since Austria lies in the Schengen zone, EU citizens may enter it’s boarders with valid ID. Non-EU citizens are submitted to the same rules of entry as when entering any other EU country.
Arrival:
By plane – we recommend a flight to Vienna or Munich, and from there – a train ride to Passau, where the tour starts
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Hotel Białowieski
Our ***Hotel "Białowieski" Conference, Wellness & SPA offers You wide variety of spending free time in Białowieża Forest. From active bike and hiking tourism to relaxing in our swimming pool and spa complex.