My Danube Cycle Path Journey
With its approximately 2850 kilometers, the Danube is the proud second-longest river in Europe! It has now been accompanied by the Danube Cycle Route for around 40 years. The cycle path was one of the first long-distance cycle routes to attract tourists from home and abroad. And to this day, the route is considered the most popular in all of Europe.
Hi there — and welcome! I’m sharing my adventure as I cycle the beautiful Danube Cycle Path from Passau to Budapest. It’s something I’ve dreamed about for a long time — following the river through stunning landscapes, discovering little villages, soaking up history, and of course, enjoying plenty of coffee and strudels along the way.
I’ll be sharing my experiences as they happen — the good days, the wobbly moments, the beautiful surprises, and the occasional wrong turn. Along the way, I’ll include practical tips, daily routes, where I stayed, what I ate, and anything else that might help if you’re planning your own trip.
The journey begins on 15 July with an early Qantas flight from Wellington to Sydney. Then after a 4 hour cafe break a British Airways direct flight to London arriving at 5.30am. A short stop then catch another 2 hour flight to Munich to stop in this wonderful city for a couple of days to recover. It’s 40hours of economy seating all the way so a challenging trip to start this 6 week odyssey cycling around European canals.
The Route at a Glance
- Total distance: ~630 km (390 miles)
- Countries crossed: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
- My daily pace: I aimed for 45–60 km per day, which allowed time for sightseeing, coffee breaks, and photo stops.
The route closely follows the Danube River, which means: almost entirely flat! There are a few gentle hills now and then (the Wachau vineyards come to mind), but overall this is one of the most accessible long-distance cycling routes in Europe.
Scenic Highlights Along the Way
Passau (Germany)
My starting point: the beautiful “City of Three Rivers” where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz meet. A perfect place to stock up on supplies, explore the old town, and get a feel for the journey ahead.
Schlögener Schlinge
One of the most photogenic spots on the whole route — a dramatic U-shaped bend in the Danube surrounded by forested hills. There’s a great viewpoint if you fancy a short hike.
Linz (Austria)
A lively city with a nice riverside promenade, excellent bakeries, and plenty of art and history. Perfect for an overnight stay and a bit of city energy.
The Wachau Valley (Austria)
This stretch was one of my absolute favourites: endless vineyards, tiny villages, castle ruins, and the spectacular Melk Abbey. I took my time here — highly recommended!
Vienna (Austria)
You can’t ride past Vienna without spending at least a day or two. Coffeehouses, palaces, museums, and cycle-friendly streets made it one of the highlights of the trip.
Bratislava (Slovakia)
Much smaller than Vienna, but equally charming. The old town is very walkable, and the castle gives great views over the city and river.
Budapest (Hungary)
The grand finale. After days of peaceful river scenery, arriving in Budapest was both exhilarating and a little surreal. Thermal baths, grand architecture, bridges, and a well-earned celebratory meal — the perfect way to finish.
Cycle Itinerary (Passau to Budapest)
18 July: Passau → Schlögen – 42 km
19 July: Schlögen → Linz – 50 km
20 July: Linz → Grein (via Mauthausen) – 54 km
21 July: Grein → Melk – 50 km
22 July: Melk → Krems – 37 km
23 July: Krems → Vienna – 83 km
24 July: Rest day in Vienna
25 July: Vienna → Altenburg – 49 km
26 July: Altenburg → Bratislava – 32 km
27 July: Bratislava → Győr – 85 km
28 July: Győr → Komárom – 55 km
29 July: Komárom → Esztergom – 55 km
30 July: Esztergom → Budapest – 55 km
31 July: Rest day in Budapest
Passau to Budapest, Hungary - 2025 