Germany & Austria: The Danube River

7 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Discover the enchantment of the Danube River Valley and the splendor of the Alps on this unique self-guided cycling vacation. In the German city of Passau, you’ll meet your VBT Local host, who brings a well-maintained bike, fitted just for you. Then, you’re free to cycle and explore at leisure—with 24/7 support from your local VBT friend should you need it. S...
From$3,045
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Discover the historic old town of Passau at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers.
    • Stay at comfortable 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), formerly a railroad 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's this trip about?

    Discover the enchantment of the Danube River Valley and the splendor of the Alps on this unique self-guided cycling vacation. In the German city of Passau, you’ll meet your VBT Local host, who brings a well-maintained bike, fitted just for you. Then, you’re free to cycle and explore at leisure—with 24/7 support from your local VBT friend should you need it. Spin along the storied Danube River and discover the Eastern Alps as you pedal a gentle downhill trail from the shores of Lunzer See. Your detailed navigation app provides audio prompts to keep you on track—plus fantastic suggestions for lunch spots, photo ops, and medieval castles to explore along the way. If you’ve been dreaming about a Danube cycling vacation with independence and support, this is a perfect fit!

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeIndependent
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityPassau
End CityVienna

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Photography

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • History
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Self-Guided & Independent

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Trip includes

    • Transportation from Ottensheim to Ybbs an der Donau (one-hour drive)
    • Transportation from Ybbs an der Donau to the top of the mountain at Lunz am See (45-minute drive)
    • Puncture-protected tires
    • Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
    • Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
    • Support Vehicle
    • Luggage Transportation
    • Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
    • Welcome Reception
    • Facilitated Cultural Experiences
    • Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: VBT Self-Guided Bicycle Vacation begins / Passau warm-up ride

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 2...

DAY 2: Passau to Schlögener Schlinge / Move on Day

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 Tra...

DAY 3: Schlögener Schlinge to Ottensheim / Move on Day

Before getting on your bike, we suggest walking up to a viewpoint that 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 m...

DAY 4: Ybbs Valley Cycle Trail / Stay Put Day

Travel by shuttle to the shores of Lunzer See, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Eastern Alps, 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 splend...

DAY 5: Ybbs an der Donau to Weissenkirchen / Move on Day

Today’s route will travel along the Danube toward 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 ...

DAY 6: Wachau Valley loop / Stay Put Day

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 hi...

DAY 7: Vienna / VBT Self-Guided Bicycle Vacation ends

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 ai...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,045
Price per day$435
Last Updated: 5/3/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
579
Great
42
Average
11
Disappointing
4
Terrible
3
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Absolutely stunning scenery with relatively easy cycling.

This tour was one of our favorites. The tour leaders (Claudio and Tiziana) were great. The Dolomites and Italian Alps were breathtaking and the bike paths and towns ...

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Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

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Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

6 nights in town center boutique hotels and countryside spa hotels

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

6 meals: 6 breakfasts

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

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

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-GeAu

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