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Germany & Austria: The Danube River

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! 

Tour 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.

Positive Impact

VBT is proud to support Wine to Water with a donation on behalf of each guest on this tour. Wine to Water is an international organization providing access to clean drinking water and emergency supplies in water-challenged regions. We believe in giving back to the places that have enriched the lives of our guests. We’re committed to identifying and supporting sustainable initiatives in a variety of areas including education, world health, economic equality, safe drinking water, the environment, and the preservation of cultural traditions.

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|
Activity Easy Easy
Bar Graph Beginner - Experienced
Cyclists
24/7 Support System 24/7 Support
System
Activity Easy
Easy

Ideal for recreational cyclists and first-time VBT travelers.

  • Average Daily Mileage: 8-22 mi.
  • Average Daily Cycling Time: Up to 3hrs.
  • Average Daily Elevation gain: Up to 1000 feet.

Average High /
Low Temperature (°F):

Apr57º/39º

May67º/49º

Jun72º/55º

Jul77º/59º

Aug77º/59º

Sep69º/53º

Oct57º/43º

Average
Precipitation:

Apr2.2 in

May2.4 in

Jun2.9 in

Jul2.5 in

Aug2.3 in

Sep1.8 in

Oct1.6 in

Air Package

Tour Only

Roundtrip international airfare

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Detailed information for your independent travel to/from arrival and departure airports

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One night in Passau and one night in Vienna in conveniently located hotels with breakfasts included

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Transportation from the last hotel in Weissenkirchen to your hotel in Vienna (one-hour drive)

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Transportation from Ottensheim to Ybbs an der Donau (one-hour drive)

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Transportation from Ybbs an der Donau to the top of the mountain at Lunz am See (45-minute drive)

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6 nights in town center boutique hotels and countryside spa hotels

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6 meals: 6 breakfasts

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Puncture-protected tires

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2025

Step-Through Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)

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Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)

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Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle

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Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle

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Self-Guided Biking Packages Include:

Custom VBT bike with puncture-protected tires

Welcome orientation and bike fitting

Luggage transportation

Ride with GPS and daily route notes

VBT Road Book with destination information

24/7 emergency support from local host

Helmet, bike bag, and tool kit

Your choice of VBT branded gear for your adventure

Itinerary

Sat, May 3 to Mon, May 12, 2025

Show Itinerary:

Depart home for Germany. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary.

Upon arrival at Munich Airport, make your own travel arrangements to your centrally located hotel in the city of Passau. For suggestions, please refer to your VBT Vacation Preparation Handbook.

The rest of the day is yours to explore Passau at your leisure, using the VBT city information as your guide.

After breakfast, the morning is yours for independent exploration. Meet your VBT Local host and any other VBT guests arriving on the same day after lunch, at 1:00 p.m. in the hotel lobby. Your host will be carrying a VBT sign and/or wearing a VBT garment. Please be dressed and ready for cycling.

Today's Ride Choices

Warm-up ride along the Inn River — 8.7 km (5.5 miles)

What to Expect:

Warm-up ride along the Inn River

Designed for you to get comfortable with your bike and let you move your legs after your flight, this easy short loop starts at your hotel and goes through the town of Passau, heading south on a bike path along the Inn River.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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 Trappist beer (the only Trappist monastery in Austria!) and a stunning church dating back to the mid-1700s. You will arrive at Schlögener Schlinge in the afternoon, spending the night at a hotel overlooking a scenic bend in the river. For additional relaxation, you may want to book a massage at the hotel’s wellness facility.

Today's Ride Choices

Passau to Schlögener Schlinge — 40.9 km (25.4 miles)

What to Expect:

Today’s route starts directly from the hotel in Passau city center and follows the Danube. You will spend the day cycling on a dedicated bike path with minor elevation changes. Your hotel is located right in the middle of Austria’s famous river bend, a natural wonder known as the Schlögener Schlinge.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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 museum devoted to shipwrights, shipping, and fishing on the Danube. The ride concludes in Ottensheim which is renowned for its hilltop castle. Enjoy a late lunch while waiting for your transport which will take you to your next hotel in Ybbs an der Donau.

Today's Ride Choices

Schlögener Schlinge to Ottensheim — 46.2 km (28.6 miles)

What to Expect:

The route departs from the hotel and follows the well-paved bike path on the right bank of the Danube. With only slight elevation changes, it hugs the coastline through scenic forests. After leaving Aschach, the bike path will be completely flat.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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 splendid views of arch bridges, crystal-clear waters, and a scenic gorge. Stop to take pictures and perhaps a dip into the water. We offer a shuttle about halfway through your ride, at Waidhofen an der Ybbs, or cycle the entire length and become a member of the 100+ kilometer club.

Today's Ride Choices

Lunz am See to Waidhofen an der Ybbs — 55.0 km (34.1 miles) | Waidhofen an der Ybbs to Ybbs an der Donau — 48.9 km (30.3 miles)

What to Expect:

Descend gradually from the top of the mountain to the river valley. The major part of the ride is on a dedicated bike path, part of which is separated from the road and part of which takes a path almost completely away from motorized traffic.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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 river and ride through scenic landscapes with vineyards and fertile farmland, through the town of Aggsbach where the small statue known as the Venus of Willendorf was discovered. You’ll spend the next two nights in Weissenkirchen at Hotel Kirchenwirt.

Today's Ride Choices

Ybbs an der Donau to Weissenkirchen — 52.2 km (32.4 miles)

What to Expect:

Continue along EuroVelo 6, a long-distance bicycle route, on the right bank of the Danube River until the town of Melk. After an optional stop, cross the bridge and continue biking on the left bank through Aggsbach, Willendorf to Weissenkirchen.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today you will get to explore both sides of the river. Start your day with crossing the Danube on the historic ferry to the right bank of the river. Enjoy a breathtaking view of Dürnstein on the other side, as you pedal downstream. You may pause for a lunch and stroll in the historic old town of Krems. Afterward, you cycle towards the lovely town of 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 hill or try the famous local white wine (Grün Velteliner) in one of the wine shops. From here, it’s just a few more miles back to Weissenkirchen to finish your loop and end your biking adventure in Germany and Austria. You can close your Danube River bike tour with a nice dinner in one of Weissenkirchen’s cozy restaurants.

You can also choose to take a shorter loop, allowing yourself more quality time in Krems and Dürnstein.

Today's Ride Choices

Wachau loop — 32.0 km (19.8 miles) | Wachau loop Long option — 47.6 km (29.5 miles)

What to Expect:

Flat, paved bike path along the river with some urban riding in Krems.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at 9:00 a.m., transportation will be provided to your hotel in Vienna, roughly an hour away, together with any other VBT Self-Guided guests. You have the remainder of the day to discover the cultural and historic treasures of the fascinating Austrian capital. See your VBT city information for specific recommendations about how to spend your time.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After an included breakfast this morning, allow yourself a minimum of three hours prior to your flight departure to get to Vienna’s International Airport. This timeframe includes a maximum of one hour of travel and around two hours of recommended pre-flight check-in time. For suggestions on getting to the Vienna International Airport, please refer to your VBT Vacation Preparation Handbook.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Germany & Austria: The Danube River

Download Sample Itinerary:

Air Package (PDF) Tour Only (PDF)

Mon, May 5 to Sun, May 11, 2025

Show Itinerary:

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.

Today's Ride Choices

Warm-up ride along the Inn River — 8.7 km (5.5 miles)

What to Expect:

Designed for you to get comfortable with your bike and let you move your legs after your flight, this easy short loop starts at your hotel and goes through the town of Passau, heading south on a bike path along the Inn River.

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 Trappist beer (the only Trappist monastery in Austria!) and a stunning church dating back to the mid-1700s. You will arrive at Schlögener Schlinge in the afternoon, spending the night at a hotel overlooking a scenic bend in the river. For additional relaxation, you may want to book a massage at the hotel’s wellness facility.

Today's Ride Choices

Passau to Schlögener Schlinge — 40.9 km (25.4 miles)

What to Expect:

Today’s route starts directly from the hotel in Passau city center and follows the Danube. You will spend the day cycling on a dedicated bike path with minor elevation changes. Your hotel is located right in the middle of Austria’s famous river bend, a natural wonder known as the Schlögener Schlinge.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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 museum devoted to shipwrights, shipping, and fishing on the Danube. The ride concludes in Ottensheim which is renowned for its hilltop castle. Enjoy a late lunch while waiting for your transport which will take you to your next hotel in Ybbs an der Donau.

Today's Ride Choices

Schlögener Schlinge to Ottensheim — 46.2 km (28.6 miles)

What to Expect:

The route departs from the hotel and follows the well-paved bike path on the right bank of the Danube. With only slight elevation changes, it hugs the coastline through scenic forests. After leaving Aschach, the bike path will be completely flat.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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 splendid views of arch bridges, crystal-clear waters, and a scenic gorge. Stop to take pictures and perhaps a dip into the water. We offer a shuttle about halfway through your ride, at Waidhofen an der Ybbs, or cycle the entire length and become a member of the 100+ kilometer club.

Today's Ride Choices

Lunz am See to Waidhofen an der Ybbs — 55.0 km (34.1 miles) | Waidhofen an der Ybbs to Ybbs an der Donau — 48.9 km (30.3 miles)

What to Expect:

Descend gradually from the top of the mountain to the river valley. The major part of the ride is on a dedicated bike path, part of which is separated from the road and part of which takes a path almost completely away from motorized traffic.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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 river and ride through scenic landscapes with vineyards and fertile farmland, through the town of Aggsbach where the small statue known as the Venus of Willendorf was discovered. You’ll spend the next two nights in Weissenkirchen at Hotel Kirchenwirt.

Today's Ride Choices

Ybbs an der Donau to Weissenkirchen — 52.2 km (32.4 miles)

What to Expect:

Continue along EuroVelo 6, a long-distance bicycle route, on the right bank of the Danube River until the town of Melk. After an optional stop, cross the bridge and continue biking on the left bank through Aggsbach, Willendorf to Weissenkirchen.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today you will get to explore both sides of the river. Start your day with crossing the Danube on the historic ferry to the right bank of the river. Enjoy a breathtaking view of Dürnstein on the other side, as you pedal downstream. You may pause for a lunch and stroll in the historic old town of Krems. Afterward, you cycle towards the lovely town of 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 hill or try the famous local white wine (Grün Velteliner) in one of the wine shops. From here, it’s just a few more miles back to Weissenkirchen to finish your loop and end your biking adventure in Germany and Austria. You can close your Danube River bike tour with a nice dinner in one of Weissenkirchen’s cozy restaurants.

You can also choose to take a shorter loop, allowing yourself more quality time in Krems and Dürnstein.

Today's Ride Choices

Wachau loop — 32.0 km (19.8 miles) | Wachau loop Long option — 47.6 km (29.5 miles)

What to Expect:

Flat, paved bike path along the river with some urban riding in Krems.

Included Meals: Breakfast

The tour ends at your hotel in Weissenkirchen. From here you may continue with your independent travel. For details, refer to your VBT Vacation Preparation Handbook. Depending upon your destination, it may not be possible to depart for the U.S. on the last day of the tour.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Germany & Austria: The Danube River

Download Sample Itinerary:

Air Package (PDF) Tour Only (PDF)

Accommodations (Please Note: Days are based on the Air Package Itinerary. Accommodations may vary depending on departure date. )

Reviews
7 out of 7 (100%)
4.9 out of 5 stars.
Read More Reviews

Excellent experience overall. We’ve taken as many as ten VBT European tours, all guided. This was our first self-guided, and we loved the flexibility and freedom. Don’t get me wrong, Jan, our Guide met us and set us up for the ride, installing our pedals and saddles. He also checked in on us every day with a text. It was great to know he cared. Excellent trip overall, with excellent views and hotels. Highly recommended!

DenisDH, North Andover, MA

First self-directed tour, but not last!

The self-guided tour was wonderful and well paced - it went through beautiful and interesting country, the people I met were kind and the food was terrific! I had some trouble, though, with the Ride With GPS app. It functioned poorly with frequent messages that the GPS signal was weak. I had to seek out directions, several times, from people in towns or on the trail.

Beth Z,

Danube Tour - June 3 - 12

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