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Get active on an eight-day European cycling adventure from Prague to Vienna

Get your wheels moving on a cycling adventure through the Central European countryside, all the way from picturesque Prague to classic Vienna. This eight-day active trip meanders its way past medieval villages perched on the hillside and hugs the mighty Danube River. With delicious regional food, great wine, and a knowledgeable leader to guide you along the way, you’ll be seeing the best of the region with the wind blowing through your hair.

Start
Prague, Czech Republic
Finish
Vienna, Austria
Destinations
Austria, Czech Republic
Style
Original
Theme
Active Adventures, Cycling
Code
ZMXP
Physical rating
Ages
Min 14
Group size
Min 1, Max 15

Why you'll love this trip

  • Take an active adventure through Central Europe, cycling leafy paths from the bohemian centre of Prague to the classical vibe of Vienna.

  • Ride alongside the mighty Danube River downstream, passing by romantic riverside castles, picturesque villages and lowland forests surrounding the banks.

  • Take the opportunity to head on an optional brewery tour at the original home of Budweiser: Ceske Budejovice.

  • Marvel at the spires and dome of Melk Abbey, perched on a rocky outcrop high above the waters of the Danube.

  • The perfect mix of cosmopolitan cities, picture postcard towns and traffic-free cycling paths await, with local knowledge to get the best out of each European destination.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Just as a heads up before you book: this trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

  • To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.

  • 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.

  • As our riding is done mostly on sealed roads and – along the Danube River – dedicated bike paths with the occasional gravel section, there are no technical cycling skills required.

  • There’s the possibility of a few hiccups along the way – a puncture here and there maybe – but there’s no doubt this is an incredibly rewarding adventure.

  • As there are potholes and cobblestones in many European cities, it's recommended that you leave any wheelie bags/cases at home and bring a backpack instead. As this is an eight-day trip, a large backpack should be enough to carry all of your belongings.

  • As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, solo travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. Please note that a single supplement is available on this trip. Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. In some cases, bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite.

Map of Cycle Prague to Vienna including Austria and Czech Republic
Taking a break from the saddle in Tuscany

Itinerary
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Dobry den! Welcome to Prague. There is an important welcome meeting scheduled for 6 pm this evening, where you will meet your group leader and fellow travellers. With not much time spent in Prague, we recommend you spend at least a day or two to get to know this wonderful Bohemian city. With its Baroque buildings, cobblestoned streets and beer – oh so much beer – there’s something for every explorer. If you want to spend more time in Prague, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). After your important meeting, how about get a group of you together and head to one of the beer halls to get acquainted?

Ride distance: No included riding today
Optional Activities
  • Town Hall Clock Tower - CZK250
  • Kafka Museum - CZK200
  • Urban Adventure - Bohemian Tastes and Neighborhoods - EUR58
  • Urban Adventure - Prague Beer and Czech Tapas Tour - EUR68
  • Urban Adventure - Food by foot - Prague - EUR89
  • Prague - Castle Entrance - CZK350
  • John Lennon Wall - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning take a leader-led orientation walk around Prague. You’ll learn about the history of the city, plus have time to take in the Old Town square, looking up at the surrounding spires – there are a lot of spires. In the early afternoon, head to Ceske Budejovice by local transport (either vehicle or train depending on group size), taking around 2.5 hours. Once arrived, have a bike fitting and take a short ride (approximately 30 kilometres) around Ceske and surrounds, getting ready for the real cycling journey to begin tomorrow. If you have time, there’s the option to head on a brewery tour, as Cesky Budejovice (or Budweis in German) is the home of Budweiser! Learn the beer’s history and have the perfectly drawn brew in the onsite bar. Otherwise, head into the city and visit the imposing Black Tower – one of the most dominating features of Ceske.

Ride distance: approx. 30kms/19 miles, mostly flat, approx. 200m/650ft of elevation gain.
Optional Activities
  • Budweiser Brewery Tour - CZK150
  • Black Tower - CZK30
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today is an early morning start, as you’ll ride through the South Bohemian countryside from Ceske to Cesky – that is, Cesky Krumlov! Through picture-perfect rolling hills and weaving in and out of forest, you’ll cover around 35 kilometres cycling, with some undulations at points. Once arrived, you’ve got the rest of the afternoon at your leisure in this small medieval town. Take your bike or head on a hike up to see Krizova Hora, visit the State Castle, or just simply explore the weaving laneways of the town, all perched on the side of the Vlata River. If you want to check out the river more, why not book in on a canoe trip? Seeing the Czech countryside from the water gives you stunning views of the surrounding valleys.

Ride distance: approx. 35kms/22 miles, mostly flat for the first 8kms then undulating, approx. 600m/1970ft of elevation gain.
Optional Activities
  • Brewery tour - CZK130
  • Cesky Krumlov - Canoe Trip - CZK700
  • Egon Schiele Art Centrum - CZK160
  • Guided castle tour - CZK250
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Rise and shine, as it’s off for another day of cycling, leaving nice and early. Ride along the Vlata River from Cesky Krumlov through the countryside then over the plateau and down to the wooded shores of the beautiful Lipno Lake near the Czech-Austrian border. You’ll arrive at the small town of Lipno nad Vitavou on the southern banks of the lake.

After some time to look around, drive approximately 140 kilometres to Ardagger, right on the banks of the Danube. After two days in the saddle you deserve a relax at this small riverside town. Why not get your group together and organise somewhere for dinner – your group leader will know of a place to go.

Ride distance: approx. 42kms/32 miles, mostly flat for the first 15kms then one long (but gradual) climb for 10kms before flattening out alonside the lake, approx. 680m/2200ft of elevation gain.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Get back on your bike and cycle alongside the mighty Danube River on a mostly flat course from Ardagger to Melk (approximately 53 kilometres). You know you're getting close when you can see the towers and dome of the famed Melk Abbey high above the town. Once arrived, you could head on an optional tour of Melk Abbey, where you’ll discover the colourful Baroque structure perched on top of a rock overlooking the Danube, plus its parks and bastions.

Ride distance: approx. 53kms/33 miles, mostly flat, approx. 150m/500ft of elevation gain.
Optional Activities
  • Melk Abbey - EUR12
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

From Melk, cycle along the northern banks of the Danube – mostly on dedicated cycle paths – past small riverside towns and villages (and the occasional sand beach), and to the UNESCO-listed terraces of the Wachau vineyards, where wine has been produced since the Middle Ages. Riding up the steep hillsides is definitely a challenge, but there’s some stunning scenery to see along the way. Your final destination for today is Krems an der Donau – just a few kilometres from Wachau, and best of all, it’s downhill to get there!

Ride distance: approx. 43kms/27 miles, mostly flat, approx. 220m/720ft of elevation gain.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel for around 1 hour to charming Tulln and hop on your bike to ride along the Danube cycle path to Vienna, skirting the river’s southern banks. Today is again around 40 kilometres and is mostly slightly downhill. When you arrive in Vienna, be sure to relax and perhaps tuck into a well-earned coffee and sacher torte. Vienna is a classical hub of arts, culture and food, and a perfect place to hop off the bike and explore on foot. If you haven’t discussed it already, why not organise dinner in Vienna with your group tonight – it’s definitely cause for celebration.

Ride distance: approx. 40kms/25 miles, mostly flat/slightly downhill, approx. 100m/330ft of elevation gain.
Included Activities
  • Orientation walk - Vienna
Optional Activities
  • Belvedere Gallery - Combined - EUR20
  • Hofburg Palace and Sisi Museum - EUR14
  • Vienna - Prater Ferris Wheel - EUR10
  • Urban Adventures - Vienna Food, Coffee and Market Tour - EUR78
  • Vienna - Schoenbrunn Palace - EUR14
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Vienna is a large place and full of interesting sights, so it is highly recommended that you spend another day or two in the city. If you wish to spend more time in Vienna, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Ride distance: No included riding today
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
If this trip interests you, why not think about a longer cycling experience by embarking on Cycle the Danube afterwards, taking you all the way to Budapest. Search trip code ‘ZMXD’ on the Intrepid website for more information.

Meals

6 breakfasts

Transport

Bicycle, Support Vehicle, Train (e-bike option available, subject to availability)

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Orientation walk - Vienna

Dates & availability

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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available on this trip.
2. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price. Please advise your height at time of booking so as we can organise a suitable sized bike.
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 bookiing. 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.

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