SAVE ON 2026 ESCAPES

Save $85 on this holiday when you book before 10 November 2025. Enter promo code BN26 when you book and your discount will be applied after your booking is confirmed. Ts and Cs apply.

Austria, Slovakia and Hungary

Vienna to Budapest

Self-Guided Family Bike Tour

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

8 days

Prices from

$1,750 P.P.
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Following the Danube, your trip starts in the world’s city of charm, Vienna. One of Europe’s most classic and picturesque cities, it’s the perfect spot to spend a few hours exploring and discovering the capital’s sights.
In the morning your trip really begins and you’ll find yourself cycling along mostly flat pastures, down cycle paths and country roads, towards Bratislava, where you will be able to get some shopping done in the scenic old part of town.
Souvenirs packed up and transferred with your luggage, your journey continues through the infinite widths of the Hungarian lowlands. Meandering your way through typical Hungarian villages and rolling hills you’ll soon find yourself heading towards the Hungarian capital, Budapest.
The crowning conclusion of your journey, known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’ and the ‘Paris of the East’. With 2000 years of history, you can explore the city at your leisure, Budapest has something for everyone – a dramatic history, amazing architecture, friendly locals, delicious food, healing thermal waters and a cracking night life.
An absolute gem of a cycling journey, this route is perfect for those looking for a gentle trip along the Danube, along mostly flat terrain with the occasional cheeky climb.
Contact us with your preferred dates and let Skedaddle show you the best way to enjoy a cycling journey. 
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Highlights

  • Spending your first evening in the iconic city of Vienna
  • The amazing views as you approach the Danube Bend
  • Exploring Bratislava
  • The imposing cathedral of Esztergom in Hungary
  • The sense of accomplishment as you finish the journey from Vienna to Budapest
  • Taking a thermal bath in beautiful Budapest

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive into Vienna

After you have made your way to your hotel in Vienna, you will be able to make yourself at home and unpack. Flight times permitting, there may be time for you to see the sights of Vienna, one of Europe’s most classic and picturesque capitals, at your leisure. Full of romance and history, it’s a wonderful city to explore!

You’ll be met by one of our local representatives, who will provide your hire bikes (if hiring), as well as your route notes and maps for your upcoming trip.

Day 2 Vienna to Hainburg (or surrounding area)

29 Miles / 47 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 150 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 150 Metres Approx.

You’ll leave the lively streets of Vienna behind and hop in the saddle for your first day on the bikes. Today’s route winds its way into the heart of the Donau-Auen National Park. This stunning nature reserve is one of the last wild floodplains of the Danube, stretching over 90 square kilometres and bursting with life. Expect peaceful riverside paths and shady woodlands.

It’s a real joyride for nature lovers, keep your eyes peeled for storks in the reeds, deer in the meadows, and maybe even the odd beaver by the water’s edge!

En route to the riverside town of Hainburg, your home for the night, there’s time to stop and explore a bit of local history. First up is Orth Castle, an impressive fortress dating back to 1140 (perfect for a photo stop), and the charming village of Eckertsau.

All in all, it’s a laid-back day in the saddle with plenty of nature, a touch of culture, and a whole lot of fresh air. Just the way we like it.

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Day 3 Hainburg (or surrounding area) to Bratislava

23 Miles / 37 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 130 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 130 Metres Approx.

Start your day with a pedal back through time. If you‘re up for a little detour, hop on the Roman bike trail to visit Carnuntum, an extraordinary open-air museum where ancient Roman life has been brilliantly brought back to life. It’s one of Austria’s top archaeological sites, complete with reconstructed buildings, costumed interpreters, and loads to spark the imagination, especially for the younger riders in your group.

After soaking up some history, it’s back on the bikes as you roll eastward towards Slovakia. The landscape gently shifts as you near the border, and before long you’ll be crossing into your second country of the trip.

From here, it’s just a short spin into the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. With a shorter route today, you’ll have plenty of time to wander the cobbled streets of the old town, grab a coffee and soak up the laid-back charm of this lovely city.

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Day 4 Bratislava to Mosonmagyaróvár

23 Miles / 37 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 80 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 80 Metres Approx.

You’ll begin the day with a gentle spin through the last stretch of Slovakia, a lovely warm-up before rolling across the border into Hungary at Rajká. That’s country number three of your trip!

You’ll be treated to quiet country roads, peaceful farmland, and picture-perfect villages that feel a world away from the bustle of city life. It’s nature at its best, with the route weaving through the Szigetköz region, a dreamy island plain laced with a maze of Danube tributaries.

Your destination for the evening is Mosonmagyaróvár, a bit of a mouthful, but a town full of charm. Translating to “Ancient Hungarian Castle,” it’s affectionately known as the City of 17 Bridges, thanks to the many waterways criss-crossing its centre. Another border crossed, another brilliant ride ticked off, with plenty more to come.

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Day 5 Mosonmagyaróvár to Györ

25 Miles / 40 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 90 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 90 Metres Approx.

It’s another great day in the saddle as you pedal through the peaceful landscapes of the small Rye Island.

Midway through the ride, you’ll arrive in the quiet village of Hédervár, the perfect spot to stretch your legs and enjoy a leisurely lunch. If you fancy a bit of exploring, there’s a castle tucked away in the middle of a protected park, a lovely place for a wander before hopping back on the bikes.

From here, the route continues on towards Gyõr, your stop for the night. It’s the district capital, but don’t let that fool you, it’s all charming alleyways, riverside walks, and has a beautifully preserved historic centre. With its Baroque buildings and relaxed vibe, Gyõr is definitely worth a bit of extra time off the bike to explore.

A perfect balance of rural riding, scenic stop-offs and just the right amount of city buzz to finish your day.

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Day 6 Györ to Komárom (by train) - Komárom to Esztergom (by bike)

35 Miles / 57 Kms (Plus Train Ride)
Ascent: 155 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 155 Metres Approx.

Today’s all about riverside riding, ancient ruins, and a cathedral fit for a king. Your day kicks off with a short and scenic train ride to Komárom, where your wheels hit the ground once more for a great ride along the mighty Danube.

The route keeps things nice and relaxed as you follow quiet paths through the flat Danube valley, perfect for settling into a rhythm and soaking up the riverside views. You’ll pass through a patchwork of peaceful villages, with rolling vineyards never far from sight. It’s the kind of riding that makes you slow down, breathe in, and enjoy every turn of the pedals.

History buffs can also take a break to explore the Roman ruins at Kelemantia, before the final stretch into Esztergom, a city steeped in grandeur. Known as the Hungarian Rome, it’s home to the country’s largest church, a jaw-dropping basilica that dominates the skyline and makes a truly impressive end to the day.

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Day 7 Esztergom to Szentendre (by bike) - River Boat Cruise into Budapest

40 Miles / 65 Kms Approx. (Plus Boat Ride)
Ascent: 250 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 250 Metres Approx.

Your final day in the saddle is a real showstopper. You’ll start by pedalling through the Donauknie (or Danube Bend), one of the most picturesque stretches of the entire Danube bike trail. With the river winding its way between forested hills and charming riverside towns, it’s a route that delivers beauty in spades.

Along the way, you’ll pass the impressive Royal Palace and castle of Visegrád, perched high above the river, as well as the open-air museum at Szentendre, a Baroque gem packed with cobbled streets, quirky galleries, and plenty of spots for a mid-ride treat.

From here, it’s time to trade pedals for a bit of river flair, you’ll hop aboard a riverboat for a scenic cruise into Budapest, gliding into the Hungarian capital in true style with the city’s grand buildings lining the banks as you arrive.

Once docked, it’s a short ride to your hotel and then the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore. Whether it’s soaking in a thermal bath, strolling through the old town, or simply toasting the end of a brilliant journey with a local brew, Budapest is the perfect place to celebrate.

(Note: If the boats aren’t running on your travel dates, don’t worry — a scenic train journey will get you to Budapest just as comfortably!)

Day 8 Departure from Budapest

  • Meals: Breakfast

Time to say goodbye to this wonderful city and depart for your journey home.

Please let us know if you’d like us to book you any extra nights, we’d be delighted to help!

Understanding Profiles

Use these profiles to see:

  • Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
  • Ascent / Descent in metres (vertical axis)

Click 'see gradient' to see:

  • Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
  • % Gradient (vertical axis)

White vertical lines indicate unpaved sections or slightly rougher terrain.

Please check the scales on both graphs, and both axes as they both may differ from day to day.

GPS units and navigation softwares produce different statistical information based on a number of different factors, so please keep in mind the information we’re providing here is meant to be an indicative guide only.

Gradients in particular can be difficult to measure consistently, and sometimes steepness shown can vary as much as 5-10% from what’s signposted on the ground.

Using both graphs, alongside the grading and terrain information provided, should however give you a good idea of how flat, bumpy or steep the climbing on your particular tour is going to be.

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Still Thinking It Over?

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The Cycling

Terrain

Much of the route will see you riding on flat, well-maintained cycle paths. You will however find some gentle climbs and descents dotted throughout, taking you along country lanes and secondary roads.

Approx. 25% of the route is shared with traffic, with some busier sections when riding in and out of cities. 75% of the route however is traffic-free.

Some short sections of the route are on slightly rougher terrain, including some gravel/dirt roads and some farm tracks. We therefore recommend a hybrid bike for this tour (not suitable for road bikes).

It is possible to use an E-Bike for this holiday. For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here

Please note – e-bikes are generally much heavier than hybrid bikes and we’d ask that you consider this when lifting or maneuvering the bike. There may be steps at the train stations and / or you may need to carry the bikes on / off boats so please take care!

If you‘re travelling with your family, we’d really recommend that all members of the group are comfortable riding the daily distances, or the adults are confident riding with a trailer / tag-along for the stated distances. There is however sometimes the option of catching a ferry up and down the river with your bikes, if you ever do need a little boost.

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Family Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 2 - 3: Gentle/ Moderate

Aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 trips

Suitable for those looking for some cycle friendly routes

Some modest climbs

Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc).

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Trips that are graded as a 2-3, will have aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays. These tours are still suitable for those perhaps who have recently got into cycling, and offer an array of accessible, cycle friendly routes, cycle paths and quiet roads, however there will be some days / sections where you may have to tackle some ups and downs, the occasional steeper climb and perhaps some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc). Suitable for those with a decent level of physical fitness, looking for some leisurely rides with occasional (achievable!) challenges along the way.  

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

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Dates & Prices

The season prices below are per person, and are applicable for all start dates between and inclusive of the stated dates.

2026 28 Mar – 10 Oct

Season 1 28 Mar – 09 Apr and 01 Oct – 10 Oct

$1,710 – Sat Arrivals

$1,895 – Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sun Arrivals

Season 2 10 Apr – 28 May and 04 – 30 Sep

$1,895 – Fri, Sat and Sun Arrivals

$2,095 – Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu Arrivals

Season 3 29 May – 03 Sep

$1,995 – Daily Arrivals

The following children’s discounts are available off the land-only price:

0 – 5 – Free

6 – 11 – 50%

12 – 14 – 25%

15 – 17 – 10%.

Available if sharing a room with 2 fully-paying passengers / dependent on availability.

SAVE ON 2026 ESCAPES

Save $85 on this holiday when you book before 10 November 2025. Enter promo code BN26 when you book and your discount will be applied after your booking is confirmed. Ts and Cs apply.

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit

Book now with a $375 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.

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Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
Return Date
--/--/----
Duration
8 days
Price
$1,750.00

Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) in good quality 4* hotels

B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) Local representative (with welcome meeting)

D) Detailed tour documents (1 pack per room)

E) Luggage transfers

F) Train ticket from Györ to Komárom (including bike)

G) Boat ticket from Szentendre to Budapest (including bike)

(Note: will be replaced with train tickets if boat not running on chosen dates)

H) GPX files on request

I) Financial Protection through ABTOT

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike rental (available if required)

B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)

C) Personal clothing and equipment

D) Meals not stated in the itinerary

F) Travel insurance

G) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.

H) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions

I) Tourist taxes (to be paid directly to the hotel where applicable)

J) Travel arrangements to first night’s hotel

K) Travel arrangements to departure airport

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The Essentials

Travel Options

We ask that you make your own way to your hotel in Vienna on arrival and onwards from Budapest at the end of the trip. The most convenient airports are Vienna (VIE) on arrival and returning from Budapest (BUD).

Most flights from North America require overnight travel, and a stop over in an intermediary airport.

Please note that flying from North America may involve multiple travel days.

Alternatively you can book a return flight to Vienna airport. To get back to Vienna from Budapest you can either take the train, or we can provide a transfer; please request this at time of booking and we can provide you with a quote (additional charges applies if bringing own bikes). The transfer is generally available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in season 1 and 2, and daily in season 3, departure at approx. 15.00, duration: approx. 3.5 hours.

Please check with Skedaddle before booking any flights so that we can ensure they fit in with the trip schedule.

Accommodation

Accommodation for this trip will be in shared double en suite rooms in good quality 4 star hotels.

If your preference is for a twin room, we can request this for you, however please note most twin rooms will be a typical Austrian Twin, which comprises two mattresses and two sets of bedding in the same large bed frame; it may not be possible to separate the mattresses.

Subject to availability, there may be triple and adjoining rooms available for you and your family. Please contact us with your preferred rooming arrangements and we can check availability for you.

Single rooms are also available at a supplementary cost – this could be a mixture of smaller single rooms and double rooms for single occupancy, and can differ from hotel to hotel.

Contact us for full details on the accommodation for this trip

Bike Hire

If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have bikes available to rent. Our standard bikes are VELOdeVILLE hybrids (with a unisex frame – shown in the photo above) equipped with high quality components, with 27 speed Shimano Deore XT, front suspension and Magura rim brakes.

We also have e-bikes available on request. These are generally Maxx hybrid step through models with a comfortable riding position, hydraulic disc brakes, suspension fork, an 8 speed belt drive and battery suitable for the daily distances.

Bikes come equipped with a removable back pannier and handlebar bag, a phone holder, a tool kit, a puncture repair kit, a pump and a combination lock. We recommend bringing along your own helmets, but please let us know if you’d prefer to rent one.

It is possible to bring along your own saddle and / or pedals, but we ask that you bring along your own tools as you will need to fit them yourselves.

(Please note: water bottles are not provided.)

For your family we have a selection of child trailers (up to 5 years approx), baby and child seats (up to 3 years), follow-me attachments (4 – 9 years) and children’s bikes (8 – 11 years approx – height dependent).

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Find out how Jess got on sampling her first ever cycling holiday in the heart of Europe...

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