From Passau or Schärding to Vienna - A Danube Cycling Holiday

This tour has an eight day, seven night itinerary.

For Itinerary of Passau or Scharding to Vienna with Charm Please Click Here

Day 1 - Individual arrival in the Baroque city of Scharding or the "City of Three Rivers", Passau. MS Arlene II remains in Passau on embarkation’s day. First Cycle tours starts directly from Passau to Obermühl.

Day 2 - Scharding/Passau - Danube loop/surroundings, Danube valley.
Set out along river Inn to Passau. Take a short city tour here where you will visit the Dome (St Stephen's Cathedral) which accommodates the biggest cathedral organ in the world. Continue along the Danube via Obernzell to the Engelhartszell monastery. The Danube is the second longest river in Europe and here it has a 180degrees bend, the "Danube Loop". During the ferry crossing to the other bank of the river where you will find your hotel, you have plenty of time to admire this phenomenon.

Approx. 40 - 55km / 25 - 34 miles.

Day 3 - Danube loop/surroundings - Linz, Danube loop. Continue cycling along the river via Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering to the beautiful town of Linz. Known as 'the capital of upper Austria', here you can stroll along Donaulande or take in the wonderful views from Postlingsberg mountain. In the evening you can explore the historic old town with its many restaurants.

Approx. 50km / 31 miles.

Day 4 - Linz - Grein/surroundings, through Marchland. Today you leave the Danube to cycle to St. Florian abbey and then onto Enns. Whilst here you can visit the market square with its 60m tower and the archaeological collection in the Lauriacum museum. On leaving Enns you again follow the river to reach the wonderful baroque city of Grein. Explore the town and visit the oldest city theatre in Austria, the navy museum and Greinburg castle. 

Approx. 55km /. 34 miles.

Day 5 - Grein/surroundings - Wachau, Strudengau and Nibelungengau. This part of the Danube was dreaded in former times as it was hard to pass by boat, this is in stark contrast to the relaxed cycle ride you will have as you head to Maria Taferl. Maria Taferl is the most important pilgrimage site in Lower Austria. With its sacrificial alter and church, thousands of pilgrims visit here every year.

Approx. 50 - 60 km / 31 - 37 miles.

Day 6 - Wachau - Krems / Tulln, Wachau. Today's ride takes you to Melk, the gateway to Wachau, where you should plan to stop to visit the Benedictine Abbey. One of the highlights of the Danube trail is the Wachau region. Here you see the beauty of the fruit orchards and vineyards. Continue pedalling to Spitz, Weibenkirchen and the Durnstein ruin until you reach the thousand year old city of Krems and Tulln. Of course you have to taste some local wines, so we have organised a wine tasting for you.

Approx. 40 - 60 km / 25 - 37 miles.

Day 7 - Krems / Tulln - Vienna, Viennese forest. Today you reach the Danube metropolis, Vienna. Enjoy the amenities of this great city. Visit a typical Viennese cafe and try a piece of Sachertorte. Stroll through Vienna's shopping street Mariahilfer Strasse, visit Stephan dome or enjoy the most important places of interest by taking a ride by cab.

Approx. 45 - 65km / 28 - 40 miles.

Day 8 - Individual Departure or extra nights.

Key Details:

• Eight day, seven night itinerary.
• This tour will start in Passau or Schärding and ends in Vienna.
• The total distance of this cycling tour is approximately 342km /  213 miles.

Essential Information:

• Schärding and Passau train station Munich and Vienna airport Schärding: 
• Free public car park on our partner premises in Schärding directly on the Cycle Path.
• Passau: Public car park approx. €35 per week, no reservation possible/necessary 
• Return transfer with van from Vienna, daily in the afternoon. Costs € 65 per person, bike included. Reservation necessary, payable at the time. 
• Please note Where visitor’s tax is due, it is not included in the tour price! 
• When booking, please inform us about where you wish to arrive.
• Weather warranty/Spring and autumn special: Tour bookings within season 1 can be re-booked free of charge up to 5 working days prior to arrival if the weather forecast announces bad weather.

There are lots of attractions and places to explore during your cycling holiday in Germany and Austria including:

• Passau’s lush old town  
• The Schlögener Schlinge, a natural spectacle 
• The Grüne Veltliner in Wachau, 
• A World Cultural Heritage site
• Vienna’s St. Stephan’s cathedral

Getting to Germany:

By Rail – Schärding and Passau train station. There are good train connections from Vienna to Passau and Schärding

Here is the trainline website

This site can be very helpful with train travel across Europe

By Bus – There are buses from London to Passau and Vienna.  This site can help you plan your journey.

By Car –  Schärding and Passau can be reached by car ferry or Eurotunnel and well-maintained motorways. In Schärding there is a free car park on our partners premises directly on the Cycle Path. In Passau there is a Public car park which costs approx. €35 per week, no reservation possible or necessary.  There are good train connections between Vienna and Schärding/Passau

By Air – Munich and Vienna airports are the closest.

Here is the Skyscanner website

For more information on getting to Germany please visit the German Tourism website.