After a wet ride into Bratislava, the following day felt much brighter. The clouds had cleared, and the sun was back, bringing a warm but comfortable temperature for cycling. Leaving the city was simple, with well-marked paths leading out along the Danube.
The route stayed mostly flat, following the river through wide open landscapes. Much of the day was spent riding on quiet paths beside fields, with long stretches where the river flowed calmly on one side. Small villages offered places to stop for water or a short break, and the sunshine made it easier to enjoy the ride after the previous day’s rain.
After a night at the Nest Hotel in Győr, I set out on a lovely summer morning. The accommodation itself had been a highlight — historic in style, with beautifully decorated rooms that gave the place a sense of character and comfort. It was a relaxing stop that set the tone well for the next stage of the journey.
The ride from Győr to Komárom continues to follow the Danube on mostly flat ground, making it another manageable stage. Leaving Győr, the path soon moves into open countryside, with long straight sections through farmland and smaller villages.
Reaching Komárom, the route crossed the Danube bridge into Slovakia. The crossing was smooth, and it felt like a small but noticeable shift—moving from Hungary to Slovakia in just a few minutes of pedalling. On the far side, Komárno greeted me with its central square and a different atmosphere, shaped by its mixed history along the border.
This stage wasn’t difficult, but the border crossing gave it a sense of transition. It was a straightforward day on the bike, ending with the change from one country to another, while still following the steady line of the Danube.
I arrived around lunchtime, and the timing worked out well. A stop in the central square meant a chance to sit outside and enjoy a good meal while watching the pace of local life. After the wet weather a couple of days earlier, sitting in the sun with food and a drink felt like a welcome break.
The day began in Komárno, and almost immediately the route crossed the Danube back into Hungary. The bridge on the south side of Komárom made the transition smooth, and within minutes I was cycling once again on Hungarian soil, following the Danube downstream toward Esztergom.
The path stayed mostly flat and easy to follow, running through farmland, open fields, and small settlements. Early in the ride, I passed through a village marked by a striking feature — a network of large, overhead pipes stretching across roads and rooftops. They gave the place a more industrial feel than most along the route, and I suspect they carried water to factories operating along the riverbank.
The rest of the day was quiet and steady, with the Danube often close by and occasional shaded stretches offering relief from the sun. Villages along the way provided spots to pause and refill water before continuing the journey.
The final stage from Esztergom to Budapest began under clear skies, with a warm, sunny day ahead. Leaving Esztergom, the route followed the Danube downstream, weaving through quiet stretches of countryside and small riverside towns. The riding was mostly flat and easy, with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and the steady flow of the river alongside the path.
By midday I reached Szentendre, a lively riverside town known for its cobbled streets and colourful buildings. It was a natural place to pause, and I stopped at a small café for lunch. Sitting outside with food and a cold drink was a welcome break after the morning’s ride, and it offered a chance to watch the pace of local life before continuing on.
From Szentendre, rather than cycling the final section into the city, I boarded the water ferry for the journey into central Budapest. Gliding along the Danube offered a completely different perspective, with the skyline slowly unfolding ahead. As the ferry approached the heart of the city, the views were striking — bridges spanning the river, grand buildings lining the banks, and the Parliament rising above it all.
It was a memorable way to finish the ride, combining a peaceful day on the bike with a scenic arrival by water. The combination of sunny weather, a relaxed stop in Szentendre, and the approach to Budapest from the Danube made this stage a fitting conclusion to the journey.
Budapest City Tour
It was a warm, sunny morning in Budapest — a perfect day to explore the city. I walked across town to join a Segway tour, stopping along the way for breakfast at one of the city’s outdoor cafés. Sitting outside with coffee and fresh pastries as the city slowly came to life was a relaxed and enjoyable way to start the day.
Before setting off, the tour began with a short demonstration and practice session on how to use the Segways. They were surprisingly easy to control, and within a few minutes everyone felt confident and ready to go.
We started on the Pest side, gliding through wide boulevards lined with elegant historic buildings and stopping at several landmarks as our guide shared their stories. Crossing the Danube to the Buda side brought a change in scenery, with gentle climbs up toward Castle Hill offering new perspectives over the city.
There were many highlights throughout the morning, but two moments stood out the most. One was the view of Budapest from near St. Stephen’s Basilica, where the rooftops, bridges, and river stretched out beneath the bright sky. The other was visiting the moving memorial to the Holocaust victims along the riverbank, a quiet and powerful place that invited reflection.
The tour lasted a few hours and provided a great introduction to both Buda and Pest. Combining a relaxed breakfast, easy riding, and a mix of history and views made for a memorable and enjoyable morning exploring Budapest.
Passau to Budapest, Hungary - 2025 