Original
Cycling
Cycle the Danube
8 Days | Pedal beside the iconic Danube River, passing castles, forests and villages
4.8
Excellent
76 reviews
8 days
Start
Vienna, Austria
Finish
Budapest, Hungary
Trip Code
ZMXD
Min Age
14
Trip Size
1 - null
Physical Rating
Meals
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Transport
Bicycle, Support vehicle, Ferry, (e-bike option available, subject to availability)
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), guesthouse (1 night)
From £1,524(8 days)
Trip Informations
Retrace the steps of the Roman, Ottoman and Habsburg Empires on this cycling adventure along the mighty Danube River. Over eight days, you’ll ride through small villages, lowland forests and lush farmland as you cycle from Vienna to Budapest, passing through Slovakia. Discover the Baroque style at the Schonbrunn Palace or get lost in the cobbled laneways of Komarom – a spa city with one foot in Hungary and the other in Slovakia. Visit the architectural jewel of the Danube River – the Esztergom Basilica – and pass by the white-hued Bratislava Castle. Celebrate a day in the saddle with a luxurious soak in one of Budapest's steaming baths, then maybe spend the night at the iconic ruin bars. If you’re seeking an active adventure – cycling is the best way to experience the cosmopolitan cities along the Danube.
Why you’ll love this trip
Follow the Danube downstream, passing romantic castles, small villages and lowland forests – the best way to see Eastern Europe is on two wheels!
Cycle leafy paths away from the traffic of main roads and cities, from vibrant Vienna to cosmopolitan Bratislava and bohemian Budapest. Away from the tourists, you’ll have a better chance of connecting with local cultures!
Spend some time at the domed Basilica of Esztergom – the biggest church in Hungary – and see how it’s reflected in the still waters of the Danube Bend. Then, make your way into Budapest and indulge in one of the steaming public baths.
See the Roman remains at Carnuntum – one of Austria's most important archaeological sites. Wander the ruins and reconstructions and then hop back on your bike to the Slovak border.
Straddle the borders of Hungary and Slovakia in the historic spa town of Komarom and soothe your sore muscles during one of the optional spa visits.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Tuuur Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.
Is this trip right for you?
To complete this trip, it’s important that you’re both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.
On this trip, we have a single leader who rides with the group and another who drives the support vehicle (acting as a back marker where needed). Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a back marker.
While the cycling distances are relatively long – sometimes up to 75 km – the terrain of the Danube as it flows downstream is naturally flat, so you’ll only need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the trip. But remember, we will always have the support vehicle on hand if you need to take a break for an hour or a day.
As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same sex. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. If you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge.
This trip is part of a longer itinerary. You might be joining travellers who have already spent some time together. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out Cycle Central Europe & the Danube trip.
Itinerary
Inclusions
Meals
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Transport
Bicycle, Support vehicle, Ferry, (e-bike option available, subject to availability)
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), guesthouse (1 night)
Activities
Vienna Guided Cycling
6 Days included bike hire
Carnuntum entrance
Vienna to Bratislava Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
Bratislava to Gyor Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
Gyor to Komarom Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
Esztergom Basilica entrance
Komarom to Esztergom Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
Budapest - Szechenyi Baths
Esztergom to Budapest Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Important notes
1. It is very important that you provide your height at time of booking so we can ensure that you have the appropriate sized bicycle when your trip starts. If you do not provide your height ahead of arrival we cannot guarantee a suitably sized bike for you.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Komarom) where you will be in a twin-share room, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. We are unable to hire bike helmets locally so please ensure you bring your own bike helmet from home.
4. On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back marker where needed). Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a back marker.
5. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available and they are an 'on request' basis only. A request does not guarantee an e-bike, only a confirmed booking. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking.
Reviews (72)
5 stars
58
4 stars
11
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
Laura
Oct 13, 2024
Great tour for a cycling beginner, great balance of activities, cycling and group interaction. Real local experience with a professional, super friendly and knowledgeable leading duo.
Andrew
Sep 18, 2024
Happy for Intrepid to use some of my comments as listed above.
Karn
Aug 24, 2024
My first Intrepid trip and couldn't be more happy. Excellent leader, new places I would never have seen if I'd gone alone and with new people I would never have shared the fun and adventure with unless on this trip. Already thinking about which Intrepid adventure to do next!
Mahalakshmi
Aug 14, 2024
Excellent trip. Very highly recommended. While the terrain is mostly flat, there are quite a few inclines to climb. Unless you're an avid biker, opting for an ebike will make your trip much more enjoyable. There are 3 days of 50+ miles to bike and it can get to be a lot. Plan well and carry your own seat cushions, padded shorts etc. Biking gloves are a must. Plan for inclement weather even if the forecast doesn't show anything.
Katie
Jul 28, 2024
Cycle the Danube from Vienna to Budapest was an amazing experience for my husband and I. The group of 10 cycled for 5 days through beautiful Eastern European countryside on super cycle paths and saw impressive sights along the way. An absolute must!
Shelley
Jul 21, 2024
The Danube cycling trip was amazing. Igor and Andro were a great tour leader team. They made the trip fun and interesting. They were very knowledgeable, helpful and patient with our many needs and requests along the way. We had a small group of participants which felt like a family by the time we were done the trip. Some days were long distances but manageable due to the flatness of the paths/terrain. A wonderful way to see places in Europe away from the main stream attractions.
Kevin
Jul 21, 2024
The cycle Danube trip is highly recommended. This was the first time I’ve taken a bicycle trip, and I have not been considered an avid Cyclist. They worked well with all levels and skills in a positive atmosphere. a great way to see the back roads of Europe that you would most likely not take unless she went on a tour of this kind. They were a few days we cycled 80+ kilometres and it was quite hot so if we were able to do shorter days and more time to explore the areas we are at that may be helpful. I will definitely consider taking another cycle trip with intrepid.
David
Jul 21, 2024
Route, Hotels, Overnight stops all well planned and excellent. Leader and driver - both friendly and professional - thoroughly enjoyed the trip
Keith
Jul 13, 2024
The bike ride with Intrepid from Vienna to Budapest was one we will look back on for many years with a great deal of satisfaction. The leader Sasa and driver Andro both went out of their way to attend to every request any of us made to make the trip better.
Barbara
Jun 12, 2024
Cycling the Danube was fantastic! The paved bike trails along the river made for a peaceful and beautiful ride. Our new friends in the group were lots of fun. The food and hotels were great. We had excellent orientation to the culture and historic sites. Thank you Intrepid for another great adventure!
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