Cycle the Danube

8 Days | Pedal beside the iconic Danube River, passing castles, forests and villages

4.8 out of 5 based on 74 reviews submitted.
Cycling
From
GBP £1,630
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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.

Trip overview

Map of Cycle The Danube including Austria, Hungary and Slovakia
Start
Vienna, Austria
Finish
Budapest, Hungary
Theme
Cycling
Destinations
Slovakia, Hungary, Austria
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 14
Group size
Min 1 - Max 15
Trip code
ZMXD
This trip generates 23 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

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 Intrepid 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

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2026.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Cycle The Danube including Austria, Hungary and Slovakia

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
Add on activities
  • Vienna - Prater Ferris Wheel - EUR14
  • Vienna - Belvedere Gallery (Lower Gallery) - EUR15
  • Vienna - Leopold Museum - EUR15
  • Vienna - Albertina Museum - EUR19
  • Vienna - Schoenbrunn Palace - EUR22
  • Vienna - Hofburg Palace & Sisi Museum - EUR16
  • The Slavin War Memorial - Free
  • Bratislava - Kamzik TV Tower - Free
  • Bratislava - Blue Church Bratislava - Free
  • Fort Monostor - HUF1600
  • Bálint Balassi Museum - HUF100
  • Esztergom Castle Museum - HUF1800
  • Budapest - Hungarian State Opera House Tour - HUF7000
  • Budapest - Danube Boat Trip - EUR15

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. 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.
2. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price. Please advise your height at time of booking so awe can ensure a suitable sized bike is arranged.
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.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 74 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Andrew · Traveled September 2024
Happy for Intrepid to use some of my comments as listed above.
Review submitted 18 Sep 2024

Karn · Traveled August 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!
Review submitted 24 Aug 2024

Jocelyn · Traveled August 2024
I have just completed the 2 wk Prague to Vienna to Budapest trip. The group leaders were fantastic, very informative, available. Great having our gear delivered to the hotel foyer each night. Don't expect 5 star accomodation but it was 3 star adequate. Terrific scenery along the Danube & passing through 4 countries in one trip is amazing.
Review submitted 24 Aug 2024

Mahalakshmi · Traveled August 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.
Review submitted 14 Aug 2024

Katie · Traveled July 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!
Review submitted 28 Jul 2024
Cycle the Danube
From
GBP £1,630