The Danube from Passau to Vienna, in standard hotels

2/5 easy to moderate
40 to 70km per day of cycling approximately (80km if you cycle to Vienna on the last day). No particular technical difficulty. 98% of the route is on cycle paths. There is the possibility, each day, to shorten the stage by taking either the train or a boat, making it an easy itinerary. At the same time as your travel file, we provide you with information about this.

You only carry a small bag with the picnic and your belongings for the day. You will find your luggage in the evening (6:30 PM maximum) at the hotel: your baggage is transported by the hotelier or by taxi.15 to 20kg maximum. If your baggage is heavier, it is possible to have a second bag transported at no additional cost. We advise you to pack spare clothing in your saddlebags, as in rare and unforeseen cases, for example: traffic congestion, your baggage may be delivered with a delay.

Registration is possible from 2 people; registration of a single person is possible but entails a single room supplement.

Departure dates and operating periods are subject to confirmation when reservations reopen.

8 days / 7 nights / 6 days of cycling

This is a self-guided stay. There is no guide. We provide you with a digital travel file that includes a list of your accommodations and a practical guide with all the information about your stay. You will find these documents in printed version as well as your roadbook, maps, and exchange vouchers on site, at your first hotel.
This is a self-guided stay, without a guide, so you travel in complete independence throughout your stay.
There is no information meeting at the beginning of the stay.

In 3*** hotels, in 2 rooms with bathroom/WC; single room possible with supplement.

Hotel Innsento Health Campus in Passau

Hotel Courtyard by Marriott in Linz

Note: Hotel photos are non-contractual. Accommodations may be subject to change. Depending on availability, we may book other hotels of equivalent comfort and standard.

See our stay The Danube from Passau to Vienna in Comfort category for higher-category accommodations:
“Comfort” category or “category A”: in 3*** and 4**** hotels or equivalent.

In 2 rooms with bathroom/WC; single room possible with supplement.

The main difference between the two categories is linked to accommodation classification and location: in the “Comfort” category, you will systematically be in the city centre and in immediate proximity to the Danube cycle route. In “Standard”, you may be accommodated outside the main towns, up to 7 or 8km maximum (only on certain stages. In the largest cities such as Passau, Linz and Vienna, depending on availability, we prioritise accommodation in the centre or in immediate proximity).

In the “Standard” category, outside of Passau, Schlögen, Linz and Vienna, you will be in hotels or “Gasthof” (inns), establishments generally run by a family and which have existed for several generations; they will often be more typical.

In the 2 categories, you may be accommodated in larger structures in the major cities: Passau, Linz and Vienna.

Our German and Austrian neighbours generally don’t know “double beds” (a single large mattress) and rarely rooms with 2 twin beds. Generally, there is a single base and two 90cm mattresses; each person has their own duvet. Rooms for 3: this is generally a small bed added or a sofa bed. Recommended if the third person in the room is a child. In the case of 3 adults, for comfort reasons, we recommend booking 1 double room & 1 single room.

Hotel classification

More and more hotels refuse any classification, even establishments that were still classified a year or two ago. These establishments don’t lose quality in the process, far from it. If we indicate, for example, a comfort level “3* or equivalent”: this means that the establishment is not necessarily classified, but has comfort corresponding to that of a 3* hotel.

Breakfast included. Dinners and lunches are not included. You can take half board (4 evenings: D2, D3, D5 and D7) as an option (meals with 3 courses, in the hotel restaurant or outside). Please note! Our German and Austrian neighbours often dine early. Remember to respect service times.

Plane

You can:
Arrive at Munich Airport:
Munich Airport (178km from Passau).
From the airport, terminal 2, you should allow just under 2 hours 30 minutes to reach Passau, with a change in Freising (no need to go into Munich city centre).
If you wish to go through the centre: S1 and S8 trains connect the airport to the main station, Marienplatz or Ostbahnhof. Ticket sales in the central area (level 03) and in terminal 2 (level 03). For more information, consult the websites: www.s-bahn-muenchen.de; www.mvv-muenchen.de; www.bahn.com/fr
And the airport website: https://www.munich-airport.com/

Arrive at Vienna Airport
ÖBB train from the airport to Passau: approximately 2 hours 45 minutes direct journey or 3 hours with a change in Linz or Vienna city centre.
Consult www.oebb.at/en/ or www.bahn.com/fr

Going
Approximately 9-10 hours by train from Paris.

Return to Passau (on request)

• Return bus transfer every Saturday (April to October) from your Vienna hotel to the information point/car park of our local partner in Passau; arrival in Passau around 1:30 PM.

• Or return train transfer to Passau on other weekdays (2 hours without change, in 2 class, free choice of train time during the day, transfer to the station by your own means)

• Return transfer of your personal bikes from Vienna to Passau\* (subject to availability, to be booked at the time of registration):

• By bus with you on Saturdays (April to October).

• Or by separate transfer on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays if you book the return train transfer: you must hand over your bike at the hotel the day before your departure (before 5 PM) and it will be returned to you the next day in Passau around 12 PM (supplement, see § options, supplements)

\* the width of your tyres must be less than 5 cm

Warning: returning by train with your personal bikes is possible but not recommended (you must transport your luggage and bikes on the trains, with 1 change in Linz). A train ticket reservation for your bike is mandatory on certain trains (to be purchased locally) and places may be limited. We do not organize transfers from the hotel to the station. Taking your bikes is possible but is your responsibility alone. We accept no responsibility in the event of damage to personal bikes.

Consult your itinerary on https://www.viamichelin.fr/ 3 hours
Approximately 10 hours driving from Paris or Lyon.

Parking your car

Possibility to park in an unguarded car park on the outskirts of the city and next to the bike drop-off point (enclosed property): subject to availability and payable on site.

Or

Possibility of underground public parking ‘Güterbahnhof’ (near the station) - to be paid on site (rate payable on site).

NB: the access information above is provided for guidance only, subject to availability; to be checked before your departure.

Bike rental

These are quality German bikes from manufacturers ‘Kalkhoff’ or ‘Schauff’, or equivalent, which will ensure a bike tour with no breakdowns. 2 saddlebags per bike are included. Helmets are NOT provided.

Hybrid bike without back-pedal brakes, with free wheel, 21/24 gears: this is the model we reserve for you by default, as French people are not accustomed to back-pedal brakes.

Hybrid bike with back-pedal brakes: 7 gears with hub shifter, back-pedal brake + 2 standard brakes on the handlebars. Please let us know if you want this model.

Women’s bikes

Women’s frame, 26-inch wheels with 24 gears (for size under 1,62m) or 28-inch wheels with 21 gears (for size 1,60m to 1,85m), without back-pedal brakes:

Women’s frame, 26-inch wheels (for size under 1,62m) or 28-inch wheels (for size 1,60m to 1,85m), with back-pedal brakes 7 gears:

Men’s bikes

Men’s frame, 28 inches, without back-pedal brakes 21 gears (size 1,61 to 1,90m) and 24 gears (size over 1,91m):

Men’s frame, wheel 28 inches, with back-pedal brakes 7 gears, standard size (1,61m to 1,90m) or large size (over 1,91m):

E-bike:

Electric-assisted bike: ideal if you don’t have complete confidence in yourself, or if your small group has different fitness levels (size 1,61 to 1,90m).

Unisex Model Male model, 21kg, range 70km, 7 or 8 speeds, without back-pedal braking, 28'', battery 621 Wh.

Children’s bikes

Child’s bike, wheel 16 inches, for child aged 4 to 5 years, size 1m to 1,14m. Child’s bike, wheel 18 inches, 3 speeds, for child between 1,10m and 1,20m. Child’s bike, wheel 20 inches with 14 speeds, for child between 1,20m and 1,30m. Child’s bike, wheel 24 inches with 21 speeds, for child between 1,30m to 1,40m.

“Follow-Me” for child (on request)

Ideal for children from around 6 years old, who are too tall for a child seat, but also too small for safe riding. The child’s bike can be attached and detached without tools to quickly respond to changes in situation (road, child’s fatigue…). The “follow me” equipment is fitted with a safety chain, mudguard, adjustable saddle and handlebars. Available only with an adult rental bike, requires good balance from the adult.

Child trailer

Small trailer to pull 1, or even 2 children (max. 40kg, for children between 0,5m and 1m13). Quality German product, with 3 point attachment belt and padded seats. Please note, in Austria, wearing a helmet is mandatory for children in a trailer.

Child seat (on request) FREE! For child between 0,5m to 1,13m, not compatible with e-bike rental

A number of our trips lend themselves to swimming, during a stage or at the end of the day. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this. However, we emphasise that you are the sole judges of the advisability of swimming; these swims are therefore at your own responsibility and risk.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

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

Present on the board of directors since 2018, we actively contribute to evolving sector practices towards greater purpose. Concretely, we ensure:

• Transparency in our practices and fees
• Respect for our partners and local populations
• Environmental protection on each of our stays

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to adopt simple gestures to protect the places visited and foster beautiful encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has been recognized as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices in terms of environment, ethics, and sustainable management, both within our company and with our partners and in the organization of our trips.

This label, the second level of a demanding international certification, attests to our concrete actions in favour of responsible tourism. We actively continue our progress towards the higher level, Travelife Certified, in accordance with our sustainable development policy

For the bike

• Short or long cycling shorts depending on the season
• Cycling gloves
• A helmet (not mandatory but strongly recommended)
• Sunglasses (against the sun, air, midges)
• A windbreaker
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys
• A handlebar map holder
• A smartphone holder to attach to the handlebars and an external battery
• A water bottle

Note: technical synthetic clothing is very effective. New merino wool clothes have also appeared; they are very effective and pleasant to wear, and have the advantage of not developing perspiration odours (Icebreaker, Ruka brands, etc…!). In general, avoid cotton, which cools down when wet.

For the midday picnic

• Plastic bowl or plate
• Cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)

Against sun and rain

• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Hat, cap or bob (helmet)
• A windbreaker
• A rain cape or a “Gore-tex”

After the effort

• A pullover or polar fleece
• Comfortable trousers for walking
• A pair of shorts
• A tracksuit or change of clothes
• A light cotton shirt with long sleeves
• A pair of jogging-style trainers for the evening
• Change of clothes and personal items
• Toiletries
• A mini first-aid kit: personal medications, plasters, bio gauze or “2 skin”, gauze, disinfectant, arnica pellets and aspirin in case of minor injuries… (quite a list! but rest assured, the first-aid kit often comes back intact from your week of cycling)

To carry your belongings

• If you don’t have a pannier on your bike, take a comfortable small 40-litre backpack with waist belt to carry your personal items and picnic during the day. If you have a luggage rack, you can attach your bag to it using bungee cords. Rental bikes are provided with a pannier where you can put your belongings. Still equip yourself with a small backpack; this allows you to easily carry your items when you go sightseeing along the way.

• A follow-up bag: a backpack, a suitcase or a travel bag in good condition

Travellers, including minors, must have a national identity card or passport (EU nationals).

Obtain a European health insurance card, to be requested from your health insurance fund at least 15 days before departure. Health conditions are similar to those in France.

• Telephone code to call France if you are abroad: 0033
• Telephone code to call Germany: 0049
• Telephone code to call Austria: 0043

No time difference. GMT +1

Your boat, the MS Kaiserin Elisabeth
Average speed: 30km/h; 57m x 10,63m; capacity of 600 people max; 3 decks; crew of 20 people; fresh cuisine prepared on board; bar, 2 restaurants, vast free spaces on the decks; deck chairs; air conditioning.