Cycling Holidays in Austria Danube Cycle Path, Wachau Valley & Vienna bike tours
Austria is home to Europe's most famous cycling route: the Danube Cycle Path. Flat, scenic, and superbly organised — it's the gold standard of river cycling. From the baroque towers of Passau to the coffeehouse culture of Vienna, every kilometre rewards. 12 tours available.
Why Cycle in Austria?
Austria's cycling infrastructure is exceptional. The country has invested heavily in dedicated cycling paths — particularly along the Danube — resulting in a network where you rarely share space with cars. The Danube Cycle Path (Donauradweg) through Austria is EuroVelo's most popular single section, attracting over 100,000 cyclists per year.
Beyond the Danube, Austria offers remarkable variety: Alpine foothills in the west, the gentle hills of the wine country around Vienna, and the flat plains of Burgenland on the Hungarian border. Most Austrian routes are suitable for beginners and casual cyclists — flat riverside paths with luggage transfer, where you never need to carry more than a day bag. For cyclists who want to cover more ground or tackle occasional hillier sections, an e-bike upgrade transforms the experience.
Best Cycling Routes in Austria
The Danube is the spine — four ways to cycle it, each with its own character.
Passau – Vienna
Europe's most popular cycle route. Follows the Danube from the German border through the Wachau UNESCO landscape to Vienna. Almost entirely flat and paved. Suitable for all fitness levels.
See toursWachau Valley (Melk – Krems)
The crown jewel of Austrian cycling. UNESCO World Heritage vineyards, medieval castles and apricot orchards on a gentle flat path. Ideal as a highlight of the Passau–Vienna route.
See toursVienna – Budapest
Continue downstream from Vienna through Slovakia and into Hungary. Flat plains, rural landscapes, and one of Europe's great capital-to-capital cycling routes.
See toursPrague – Vienna (via Vltava & Danube)
Start in Prague and arrive in Vienna — one of the great European cycling journeys. Combines the Vltava through South Bohemia with the Danube through Austria.
See toursWho Are Austrian Cycling Holidays For?
Complete beginners
The Danube path is flat, well-signposted and impossible to get lost on. If you can ride a bike, you can do this tour.
Wine & culture lovers
Wachau wine, Viennese coffee houses, baroque monasteries, medieval castles. The cultural density is extraordinary.
Families
Flat paths, dedicated cycling infrastructure, and excellent family hotels make Austria one of the top family cycling destinations.
E-bike cyclists
E-bikes are widely available and transform even the hillier Alpine sections into manageable day rides.
Austria Cycling Tours (12)
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Prague - Vienna Greenway
Czech Republic → Austria
One of the top routes Discover the beauty of one of the most magnificent bicycle tours in Europe! You will visit the pearls of both the Czech Republic and Austria – during the bike tour Prague - Vienn…
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Alpe Adria cycle path
Austria → Italy
Get ready for an unforgettable cycling tour through the picturesque Alpine landscapes and historic towns of Austria and Italy. This eight-day adventure begins in the charming city of Salzburg and foll…
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Wine & Iron Curtain Trails
Czech Republic → Austria
If you love wine, history, and beautiful landscapes, than this bike tour in Austria and the Czech Republic is the perfect choice! You will visit ancient wine regions steeped in two thousand years of w…
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Prague - Vienna Easy
Czech Republic → Austria
Come with us and visit the best of the Czech Republic. Over 7 (9) days, explore striking towns on the UNESCO World-heritage list; discover culinary specialities like Bohemian beer, Moravian wine, loca…
Passau - Vienna
Germany → Austria
Passau is a cycling paradise at three rivers. Passau and Vienna – these are the highlights of one of the most beautiful long-distance cycle paths. The Danube Cycle Path promises an unforgettable holid…
Prague - Linz
Czech Republic → Austria
The Prague-Passau trade road has always been one of the major communication arteries between the Czech kingdom and the German empire. On this bike tour we will visit UNESCO World-heritage sites Prague…
Prague - Vienna UNESCO Tour
Czech Republic → Austria
Come and enjoy the route of two rivers. The tour offers two options – all way biking combining mostly flat landscape along the Elbe and Morava rivers with some little more demanding bits in between. T…
Prague - Vienna Family tour
Czech Republic → Austria
Starting the tour in Prague, possibly by guided City bike tour makes a great entree to the whole week. First day after leaving Prague is done by short transfer to the romantic Sázava river valley and …
From Cortina to Sillian XC-SKI HOLIDAY
Italy → Austria
Two countries, a breathtaking winter wonderland, and impeccably groomed trails come together in this unforgettable cross-border cross-country skiing adventure. The route takes you from the glamorous w…
Vienna – Trieste
Austria → Italy
The cycling route from Vienna to Trieste takes you through five historic cities connected by a shared past. Once part of the Habsburg Monarchy, Vienna, Graz, Maribor, Ljubljana, and Trieste offer a un…
Villach – Trieste
Austria → Italy
This gravel tour begins in Villach, a lively town at the meeting point of the Drau and Gail rivers on the edge of the Klagenfurt basin. Shortly after the start, you leave Austria behind and continue y…
Prague - Č. Krumlov - Vienna
Czech Republic → Austria
We start by a transfer to the South to reach Cesky Krumlov, no doubt the real fairytale town! After exploring this renesaince and medieval gem we bike east through the Trebon pond area where we can ta…
Planning Your Austrian Cycling Holiday
Best Time to Visit
May–June: Perfect temperatures, everything green.
July–August: Warmest — the Wachau is busy but beautiful.
September: Harvest season — wine tasting along the route.
Getting There
Vienna Airport is one of Europe's best connected. Most routes start in Passau (Germany) or Prague (Czech Republic) and end in Vienna — easy to fly in and train back, or vice versa.
Typical Tour Cost
Self-guided 7-day Danube tour: €1,000–€1,500 per person, including hotels, luggage transfer, and route maps. Austria tends to be slightly pricier than Czech Republic — accommodation quality is correspondingly higher.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Danube cycle path easy?
Yes — the Danube Cycle Path through Austria is one of the easiest long-distance cycling routes in Europe. Almost entirely flat, well-paved, and clearly signposted. The Passau to Vienna section takes 7–9 days at 40–60 km per day.
What is the most scenic cycling route in Austria?
The Wachau Valley between Melk and Krems is the highlight. UNESCO World Heritage vineyards, medieval castles, and apricot orchards along a flat riverside path — consistently rated one of the most beautiful cycling sections in Europe.
How long is the Passau to Vienna bike tour?
Passau to Vienna is approximately 320 km — 7–9 days at a comfortable pace of 40–60 km per day. One of Europe's best-organised cycling routes with accommodation and luggage transfer throughout.