The Danube from Passau to Vienna

Austria from west to east

"Beautiful blue Danube"

It is a journey through time from Upper to Lower Austria that we offer.

The tribute made by the famous composer Johann Strauss to the Danube measures up to this river. At the same time calm and animated, it offers a beautiful “cyclist waltz”!

Your journey will take you to the Austrian shores of Schärding, on the Bavarian border, to Vienna, the magical metropolis and capital of the country. Danube translates to Donau locally.

The vineyards run on the hills that surround you! The route is generally flat and allows you to enjoy its villages and beautiful baroque churches or abbeys. The bike path is paved and marked out, offering security and comfort.

You will be in the footsteps of the Romans, the lords of the Nibelungen and the Empresses. Their castles and palaces, their singular style, also offer beautiful cultural breaks.
The busiest bike lane in Europe will bring you to:

  • the blue river at Schlögen meanderings
  • in the valleys of Machland, Strudengau
  • in the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Melk and his incredible abbey

By way of refueling, traditional cuisine is deeply rooted and delicious, accompanied by sumptuous wines.

Majestic, slow and surprising, a journey of beauty!

Carte séjour Le Danube à vélo 1 - de Passau à Vienne
Niveau LeisureLeisure
Day 1

SCHARDING

Arrival on your own at Schärding and check-in at the hotel. Discover Schärding, the pretty little town with Baroque architecture. Stroll through its historic center.

Meeting with our local guide

Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.

Day 2

From SCHARDING to SCHLOGEN 57km 100m Niveau Loisir

You leave Schärding riding along the Inn to Passau. A visit to the city is a must and offers a cultural break. Your cycling route follows the Danube, and leads you through the Engelhartszell Trappist Abbey to Schlögen and the famous Danube loop. At Schlögen a ferry takes you across the river to reach your hotel on the other bank in the Donauschlinge region.

Day 3

From SCHLOGEN to LINZ 57km 90m Niveau Loisir

After the Schlögen loop, the stream of the Danube narrows and forms a bottleneck. Through the verdant Eferdinger Beckens region you reach Linz the regional capital.

Day 4

From LINZ to GREIN 63km 320m Niveau Loisir

You cross Machland and its treasures. You leave the banks of the Danube momentarily to visit the St. Florian Abbey and then the city of Enns, the oldest city in Austria. Its central square is dominated by its imposing tower 60m high, the emblem of city. After Enns you find the banks of the blue river that take you to the beautiful Baroque town of Grein.

Day 5

From GREIN to LA REGION DE WACHAU 60km 270m Niveau Loisir

The “Nibelungen” passage, once part of the Danube, so feared by the sailors is part of your program today. But for cyclists should not fear, the beauty of the scenery is pure joy!

Day 6

From LA REGION DE WACHAU to TULLN 70km 100m Niveau Loisir

You take the road again to quickly reach Melk. The opportunity to admire the beautiful church that sits high above the Danube. The Wachau is the name of one of the many valleys of the Danube. It produces apricots and grapes that are used in wines and liqueurs of the region. You cross many wine villages with such authentic charms, Spitz, Weissenkirchen and the ruins of Burgstein Castle (where Richard Coeur de Lion was imprisoned), to finish your stage in Tulln near Krems. Wachau was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 for its architectural and agricultural heritage.

Day 7

From TULLN to VIENNE 45km 80m Niveau Loisir

Through the “Wienerwald”, mountain and forest massif, you continue your wandering along the Danube. The last kilometers are a breeze. Depending on the shape you’re in and your desire you can even finish by train to enjoy more of the city. After your arrival at the hotel, Vienna is yours! A cab ride, a piece of chocolate cake in the famous Café Sacher … Vienna is an open-air museum palaces, cathedrals, exhibitions … You enjoy the “winstubs”, the Viennese cafes to celebrate the journey!

Day 8

VIENNE

Essential Range

You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.


Starting from 800€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Comfort Range

Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.


Starting from 900€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Privilege Range

Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.


Starting from 1010€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Price includes

  • Accommodation: 7 nights in a Double room
  • 7 breakfasts
  • Luggage transfer
  • Phone assistance 24/7
  • Application fee
  • A Transfert by boat (to Schlögen)
  • The« Donaucard » wich allowed access at preferential prices in some sites of the of the High Austria
  • A tasting of wine in the Wachau
  • Full Documents of Travelling ( maps, a detailed descriptive day by day, informations on Cultureand visits, importants phone numbers…)

 

 

 

  • Additional services included:
    • Day 1 : A greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to do a bikefitting and receive your travel documents.
  • Price does not include

    • bike rental (see option)
    • Breakfast on day 1
    • Lunches
    • Dinners not included in "Price includes"
    • Drinks, visits & other personal expenses

    A “homemade” tour by a local partner, specialist in Austria:
    • Routes picked with the Abicyclette team for their tourist & cycling interests, completely identified, removed from trafic
    • Accommodation chosen for the quality of their welcome, atmosphere, services and gastronomy
    • A great flexibility of organization which adapts to your needs and desires: you leave on the date of your choice! We check the availability of accommodation to ensure your departure.

    Assistance close at hand :
    • A personalized reception on the first day of your trip by a local guide that will provide you travel documents (reception in English or German , documents and presentation film in French to be sure everything is understood)
    • 24-hour telephone assistance from the ABICYCLE team
    • Local telephone assistance from 8h t 20h
    • Luggage transfer service

    Simple route tracking:
    • A logbook to find all useful addresses and tourist information, maps and a description of the circuit km by km.
    • A route marked by our local team

    And also:
    • Confortable bike rental, ideal for this route on the banks of the Danube.
    • The option to subscribe to a cancellation & multi-risk insurance covering you in case of problems or the unexpected

    We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.


    Touring bike classic

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • Saddle bag (waterproof)
    • Handlebar bag (waterproof)
    • 1 repair kit (patches, tube, tire lever)
    • Pump
    • Combination lock

    Helmet not provided for our trips in Austria.

    vélo location Autriche avec sacoches

    Ebike

    With an autonomy of almost 120km and a maximum speed of 25km/h, cycling has never been so easy!

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • Saddle bag (waterproof)
    • Handlebar bag (waterproof)
    • 1 repair kit (patches, tube, tire lever)
    • Pump
    • Combination lock

    Helmet not provided for our trips in Austria.

    Trekking bike +

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • Saddle bag (waterproof)
    • Handlebar bag (waterproof)
    • 1 repair kit (patches, tube, tire lever)
    • Pump
    • Combination lock

    Helmet not provided for our trips in Austria.

    Getting here

    Departure city : SCHARDING

    Coming by car

    • at 9h from PARIS
    • at 14h from BORDEAUX
    • at 9h from LYON

    Arrival city : VIENNE

    Coming by car

    • at 4h45 from PARIS
    • at 5h45 from BORDEAUX
    • at 0h30 from LYON

    Coming by train

    • Vienne train station - 2h45 from Paris

    Coming by plane

    • Lyon Saint Exupéry airport

    *Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.

    * Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.

    How to get back to the starting point

    • By train from Vienne to Schärding in 2h30
    • Return by car in 3h00 to your starting point
    • Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us

    Recommended equipment

    Bike

    • Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
    • 18 to 30-speed transmission
    • 26- to 29-inch wheels
    • Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
    • Disc brakes recommended
    • 2 bottle cages
    • Bell
    • Front and rear lighting

    Clothing and equipment

    • Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
    • 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
    • Suitable cycling clothing:
      • bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
      • Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
      • Breathable windbreaker
    • Thermal or fleece jacket
    • Waterproof jacket
    • 1 pair of sunglasses
    • 1 pair of cycling shoes
    • 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
    • 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
    • 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
    • Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
      • 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
      • Padded bib (chamois)
      • High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
      • Neck warmer and cap

    Bike maintenance

    • Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
    • Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads

    Other

    • A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
    • Street clothes
    • 1 pair of evening shoes
    • Fleece jacket for the evening
    • Toiletry bag
    • Telephone and charger

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