Passau-vienna

A wonderful and easy trip on the Donau-Radweg, a well-marked cycle path that runs along both sides of the river. It's the old towpaths, "treppelwege", where horse drawn barges and boats were pulled upstream on the river. Back in the 80's, these "treppelwege" were made into good, wide cycle paths with a network of bridges and small, cosy bike ferries connecting both river banks.

You should look forward to the beautiful Wachau area, known for its production of "Marillen" liqueur (apricots and grapes), but it's also here that you'll find some of Austria's best white wines such as Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
This is the classic route with the beautiful mountains in the background, gentle meadows, lush green vineyards and idyllic villages with old, winding streets.

You'll stay at good and cosy hotels and gasthäuser (guesthouses) in category 3*.
You can upgrade to 4* hotels at an additional cost.
All rooms are with private bath and toilet, and with breakfast included.

Easy terrain without hills, and along good cycle paths which mostly follows closely to the river. The entire route is well signposted and goes mostly downhill. A total of 330 km of cycling, split into day stages of 37-70 km. The length of the stages depends a bit on whether you choose 3* or 4* hotels.
You will be sent a hotel list and practical information. Upon arrival at the first hotel, you will get both detailed cycling maps and route description in English/German.

* We note that the map is indicative and therefore does not contain precise route information.

Day 1. Arrival in Passau
Passau is a really nice and cosy town, so come early so that you have a bit of time to enjoy this beautiful town.
Overnight stay in Passau e.g. at the 4* IBB Hotel Passau City Center or the 3* IBB Hotel Passau Sud.

Day 2. To Schlögener Schlinge/Surroundings, approx. 50 km
From Passau, where the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz meet, you'll cycle through the Mühlviertel mountains, which fall steeply down towards the banks of the Danube River and form a beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend at Schlögener Schlinge, one of the most beautiful places on the whole Danube route. A stop in Stift Engelszell, known for its monastery liqueur, is obviously recommended on today's stage.
Overnight stay e.g. at the 4* Hotel Donauschlinge or the 3* Hotel Kocher.

Day 3. To Linz/Surroundings, approx. 50-60 km 
Along the southern or northern bank, through a varied landscape where you pass a bird sanctuary, the cosy villages of Aschach and Ottensheim and several hydropower plants. Linz is an incredibly beautiful city with an interesting city centre.
Overnigt stay e.g. at the 4* Arcotel Nike or the 3* Hotel Prielmayerhof. 

Day 4. To Grein/Bad Kreuzzen, approx. 60 km
A day where the route goes by the well-kept St. Florian Monastery, and with possible sightseeing in Austria's oldest town Enns on the south bank.
Overnight stay e.g. at the 4* Wellness-Oase-Aumühle or the 3* Hotel-Gasthof Zugbrücke. 

Day 5. To Melk (4* hotels) approx. 50 km; or the Wachau area (3* hotels) approx. 70 km 
Through Nibelungengau with corn fields, woodlands and small, cosy villages. A day of legends, fortresses, castles and beautiful landscapes, and where the impressive Benedictine Monastery in Melk deserves a visit.
Overnight stay e.g. at the 4* Hotel Wachau or the 3* Hotel Wachauerhof. 

Day 6. To Krems (4* hotel) approx. 64 km; or the Traismauer area (3* hotel) approx. 40 km 
One of the most beautiful areas in which you can't help but feel like you're going through the scenery from the movie "The Sound of Music". Everywhere in the small villages, such as Dürnstein and Krems, you can buy a glass of "heurigen" (young white wine) for almost no money.
Overnight stay e.g. at the 4* Hotel Arte or the 3* Hotel Niebelungenhof.

Day 7. To Vienna, approx. 40-60 km 
From Tulln, known as the City of Flowers, the landscape flattens around the river. The last stretch of your cycling holiday goes through beautiful scenery and past Klosterneuburg. After arriving in Vienna and returning the bikes, you can enjoy a nice evening in the beautiful capital. 
Overnight stay e.g. at the 4* Arcotel Kaiserwasser or the 3* Hotel Messe.

Day 8. Departure Day
By train or bus back to Passau, unless you have booked extra nights in Vienna.

The route may vary slightly depending on the hotels location and category.

You can choose between a 21-gear bike with hand brake or one of the new electric bikes. Women's bikes are unisex with low entry. Men's bikes have a men's frame.

All bikes are equipped with gel saddle and luggage rack.

One bicycle per room will be equipped with a set of rear rack bags, bar bag or map holder, lock, pump and repair kit.

It's also possible to rent children's bikes and trailer for children.

As a rule, you must arrange your own transport to Passau in Southern Germany.

By plane
Munich is the nearest airport. Transport onwards from Munich by bus and train to Passau, approx. 2 hours travel time.
Alternatively, you can fly to Vienna, from where there is approx. 3 hours travel time to Passau.

A summary of flight options can be found here: Momondo 

Ruby Rejser can assist in booking airfares for on-the-day-price plus a handling fee of 300 DKK per ticket. The ticket must be paid together with the deposit and will be purchased only upon registration of payment. The price quoted is therefore subject to change until the ticket is purchased. 

By train
Check the times and prices on Deutsche Bahn's website. Note that the cheapest ticket prices are continuously adjusted according to the demand.

By car
Find driving directions at Google Maps.
Before departure, it's possible to book parking spaces in Passau. For further information, see 'Parking' further down the page.