The Danube with the Family from Linz to Vienna

1/5: Easy
Short stages, little elevation gain and a smooth, easy-to-ride path away from motor traffic. 98% of the route follows cycle paths: a real pleasure!

You carry only a small bag with your picnic lunch and everything you need for the day. Your luggage will be waiting for you at the hotel in the evening: it is transported by the hotelier or by taxi, with a limit of one bag per person, weighing no more than 15 kg. Adults are provided with a pannier for their bike (including personal bikes). We recommend packing a change of clothes in your panniers, as rare, unforeseen circumstances, such as traffic jams, can sometimes delay luggage delivery. Luggage may arrive as late as 18:00.

8 days / 7 nights / 6 days of cycling

This is a self-guided trip. There is no guide accompanying you. You will receive a digital travel information pack before departure. You will also receive access to a travel app to guide you throughout your trip. Printed travel documents are available on request for an additional charge.

Bookings are possible for 2 people or more; solo travellers can also book, but a single-room supplement applies.

In 3* and 4 * hotels or Gasthöfe (traditional inns), or equivalent accommodation. Rooms for two with a private bathroom / toilet; single rooms are available for an additional charge.

In Germany and Austria, double beds with a single large mattress are generally uncommon, as are rooms with 2 separate twin beds. Usually, there is one bed base with two 90 cm mattresses, and each person has their own duvet. Rooms for 3 people usually have an extra bed added; however, the rooms are generally spacious.

Breakfast is included. Lunches and dinners are not included. You can choose the optional half-board package, which includes 6 dinners at restaurants near the hotels. Dinner in Vienna is not included in this option. Please note that people in Germany and Austria often eat dinner early. Make sure you keep to the meal service times. Children’s menus are available at almost all hotels. Please tell us about any food allergies or special dietary requirements when booking; we will do our best to adapt your meals.

Day 1 in the afternoon in Linz

Day 8 in Vienna

You may find it more convenient to arrive in and depart from Vienna. In that case, we recommend the following arrangements:
Day 0: Arrive in Vienna and stay overnight in Vienna (not included; book as an extra night)
Day 1: Train from Vienna to Linz (not included; book independently)
Days 2 to 7: Standard cycling itinerary
Day 8: The trip ends in Vienna after breakfast.

Arrival in Vienna
You leave your hire bikes either in Tulln or at your hotel in Vienna: you can return your bikes in Tulln and continue to Vienna by train (check current fares and bike-carriage rules with the operator), or cycle all the way to Vienna (+40km from Tulln to Vienna). You can also take your bikes on the train and return them in Vienna.

Return to Linz (on request)
A return transfer by train or bus can be requested as an option; check the available service, ticket conditions, bike-carriage rules and current price with our team before booking. Trains depart from Vienna’s main railway station (“Hauptbahnhof”).

Please note: The transfer from your hotel to the central station is not included.
You may bring your own bikes, but you do so entirely at your own risk.
If you bring your own bikes, you must arrange their return by train yourself (a bike ticket must be booked on some trains and paid for locally). We do not necessarily recommend returning by train with your own bikes, as carrying both your luggage and your bikes can sometimes be cumbersome.
We accept no liability for damage to your own bikes.

The route starts in Linz and ends in Vienna. Arrange travel from your own departure city. Check current rail connections with ÖBB or Deutsche Bahn and current flights to Vienna or other suitable airports.

By plane

Vienna Airport has rail and bus connections to the city; check current routes, times and fares with the operators.

By train

Linz has a railway station. Check current connections for your departure location.

By car

Confirm route conditions and current parking availability and charges in Linz before travelling.

Parking your car

Ask your hotel about parking or use a public car park after checking current rates.

No departure is currently bookable for 2027. Ask our team for the next operating dates.

These are quality German bikes from KTM or an equivalent manufacturer, designed for a comfortable cycling trip. Although we favour conventional handlebar-operated brakes without coaster braking, please let us know when booking if this is what you would like.

Standard bike: unisex bike with 21 gears (without coaster braking, frame height 56/51/46/43 cm) or 7 gears (with coaster braking, frame height 56/51/46 cm), hub gears and a wide saddle.

Standard hire bike

Men’s model: 21 gears (without coaster braking, frame height 64/60/56 cm)

Men’s hire bike

PLUS bike: With superior quality components (e.g. Magura HS 11 hydraulic brakes, Shimano Deore XT), the difference is clear. The PLUS bike offers a sportier riding position, 27 gears and front fork suspension. High-quality components.

PLUS bike

Gravel bike:

A quality bike from MAXX, with a lightweight aluminium frame and tyres that offer optimal grip and comfort on a wide range of surfaces.

12 gears, hydraulic disc brakes, Schwalbe G-One Gravel tyres (suitable for riding on asphalt, unpaved roads or off-road), 11.5 kg, bottle cage

Electric-assist bike: KTM, 23kg, 28 inches, 8 gears, 25 km/h up to 180 km

Electric-assist hire bike

The bikes come with:

• A pannier bag (even if you bring your own bikes)
• A map holder
• One safety kit per room
• A pump
• One bike lock per room (large enough for 2 bikes)

Please note: if you cannot bring your own helmet, you have two options:

• you can request a loan helmet when booking (additional charge of 25 €);

• or request a new helmet in advance (currently listed at 55 € in the connected catalogue, payable locally).

We cannot guarantee that helmets will be available on arrival, so it is important to request one when booking.

Choose comfortable cycling gear that suits your route and the weather. For cycling:

• Cycling shorts or tights, depending on the season
• Cycling gloves
• A helmet
• Sunglasses (to protect against the sun, wind and small insects)
• A windproof jacket
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys
• A handlebar-mounted map holder and/or smartphone mount (+ power bank)
• A bottle cage and water bottle
• Rear panniers to carry your belongings for the day and a bike lock; or a backpack with a small handlebar bag

Please note: synthetic technical clothing performs very well. New merino wool clothing is also available; it performs very well, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of not developing sweat odours. As a general rule, avoid cotton, which makes you cold when wet.

• A jumper or fleece
• Comfortable trousers for walking
• A pair of shorts
• A tracksuit or a change of clothes
• A lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirt
• A pair of running-style trainers for the evening
• Spare clothes and underwear
• A toiletry bag
• Swimwear
• A small first-aid kit: personal medication, Elastoplast, Biogaze or “2nd skin”, gauze, antiseptic, arnica pellets and aspirin for minor ailments…

If your bike does not have a pannier, bring a comfortable small backpack with a capacity of 40 L and a waist belt to carry your personal belongings and picnic during the day. If you have a luggage rack, you can secure your bag to it with bungee cords. Rental bikes come with a pannier for your belongings. Bring a small backpack as well; it will make it easy to carry your belongings when you stop to visit somewhere along the way.

A bag for luggage transfers: a backpack, suitcase or travel bag in good condition.

Find advice in our article What should you pack in your panniers for a cycling trip?

Austria
Capital: Vienna

Check the travel documents and healthcare arrangements that apply to your nationality and country of residence before departure.

Austria country code: +43.

Austria is one hour ahead of Ireland throughout the year.

Linzer Torte recipe
Prepare the tart one or two days before serving, as it tastes much better that way! Some people even leave it to rest for more than three days!

This recipe with redcurrant jam is typically Austrian. In Alsace, it can be made with raspberry jam.

1. Mix 250g of flour, 1 sachet of baking powder, 150g of sugar and 250g of ground almonds. Add a pinch of ground cloves and 1 level teaspoon of cinnamon
2. Add the 250g of butter in small pieces along with the 2 egg yolks. Mix until a shortcrust dough forms and leave to rest for one hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 175° and grease the tart tin
4. Roll out two-thirds of the dough to line the tin and spread the redcurrant jam over it.
5. Cut or twist the remaining third of the dough into thin strips to form a lattice over the tart
6. Brush the dough and edges with egg yolk (optional)
7. Bake for 45 minutes, making sure the top does not brown.
8. Leave to cool, remove from the tin if possible and keep in a cool place for one or two days before serving.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike and on snow – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

With a seat on the board of directors since 2018, we actively help the sector move towards more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we focus on:

• Transparency in our practices and prices
• Respect for our partners and local communities
• Protecting the environment on every trip

We also share the values of the Traveller’s Ethical Charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and foster rewarding encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has held Travelife Partner status, an international label that certifies our responsible environmental, ethical and sustainable management practices, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.

This label, the second level of a rigorous international certification scheme, recognises our practical efforts to support responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainable development policy