Passau to Vienna Cycling

Mr Whitehurst, 19/09/2022

We enjoyed the holiday. The cycling alongside the River Danube often on the old tow path was excellent, along well maintained, clearly signposted routes with lovely scenery. There were often lovely river boats and barges on the river and we often crossed the river on dams or small boat ferries. We decided to have E-bikes although tended to only need a bit of input from the batteries towards the end of the longer 50Km plus cycling days. The standard of our hotels was generally good although evening meal options in some places were limited. The Zur Post hotel in Melk and the Wolfinger in Linz were very central and very comfortable. Our two evening meals in the Zur Post were excellent. After a long day’s cycle there was often limited time to explore some of the towns and cities E.g Linz. It was wonderful to be able to cycle the final leg from Tulln to our central hotel in the beautiful historical part of Vienna and we stayed for two nights to explore the city.

Mrs Clark, 14/10/2019

Easy cycling, wonderful sightseeing and a great way to explore the Danube and Austria. We love cycling holidays and this was was very enjoyable. Headwater holidays aren't cheap, but they are very well organised, totally reliable and always great fun.

Dr Miller, 07/10/2019

The Danube bike path from Passau is scenic and the majority is on a fine paved dedicated bicycle path. The riding is easy and the distances are moderate. There are quite a few points of historical interest e.g. the monastery in Melk, the Mauthausen concentration camp memorial.

The hotels are a mixture of (very) small family-run hotels and one large chain (Steigenberger). All were very clean and the staff were welcoming. I spent three nights in the Hotel Austria. I was quite skeptical of Headwater's choice of this hotel, but upon arrival I was very warmly greeted, the room was fine, if not luxurious, breakfast very good and the room was very clean. After three days, it actually had begin to feel very "homey" due to the friendly staff.

This is the second time I had done this trip. Both were booked through Headwater, but this trip was actually contracted out to an Austrian company, and I do not feel they provided the level of service and communication that Headwater has provided for on my seven prior trips booked with them.

Mr Stephens, 28/09/2019

Very enjoyable holiday, leisurely cycling, good time of year to go (September), good accommodation. Route notes generally good but need review in a couple of locations (subject of separate email), much to see on the non-cycling days (Linz, Melk, Krems).

Mr Harrison, 09/09/2019

Overall a very enjoyable holiday with excellent accommodation and bicycles (ebikes). The cycle paths are easy to follow and well maintained. A lovely cycling trail which can be done by any age group. Many young families were following the route. Perfect also for those of a more advancing age! (We are both in our mid seventies.). Cannot but recommend this holiday very highly to all. Cycling into the centre of Vienna was so easy. The Austrian’s do look after their cyclists. Only criticism would be the lack of a designated contact person for the holiday but the cycling back up service was good and luggage transfer excellent.

Mr Maffei, 23/08/2019

THE TRIP WAS EXCELLENT. CYCLING BESIDES THE DANUBE RIVER WAS VERY NICE AND RELAXING. VERY EASY RIDE. EVERY DAY WE HAD DIFFERENT SURPRISES: BEATIFUL SCENARY, LAKE TO SWIN, CASTLE TO VISIT, GOOD WINES, MUSEUMS, ETC. THE WACHAU VALLEY IS WONDERFUL.

Ms Campbell, 03/08/2019

An excellent holiday, well organised with fantastic food (and range of options). The sights are beautiful and varied. This holiday has something to offer everyone and I would recommend it as a way to explore the towns and villages along this part of the Danube. The cycling is easy and relaxed; there is flexibility and so this holiday will suit the majority of people, including families.

Mrs Marlow, 25/07/2019

From our initial arrival in Passau to the spectacular cycling of the Danube Island into Vienna, this was an adventure not to be missed. From concert halls, wall graffiti and art museums to medieval towns, meandering rivers, mountain trams and jaw-dropping monasteries, Austria never ceased to amaze. We do recommend taking the short journey into Linz on the train and definitely recommend cycling into Vienna on the traffic-free Danube Island.

Mr Ellis, 23/07/2019

Great holiday and wonderful experience.

Mr Daking, 30/06/2019

An enjoyable holiday on really excellent cycle paths on both sides of the river for the most part. We had a bit of an problem transferring from Munich airport to the station as the main line was closed for part of it's length and we had to detour onto another line and the description provided by Headwater for this transfer is minimal. The hotels were generally very good. The Steigenberger Hotel in Klems is having a large extension built which means the indoor pool and spar are out of action, have obviously been for a considerable time and are likely to be for some time. Given that the hotel is quite a walk from the town, is up a steep hill and the pool/spa are major features we would have preferred to have stayed in the alternative hotel used by Headwater, much closer to town. One point regarding the initial briefing, take pen and paper and make lots of notes as our agent, Martin was very informative but describes the whole trip and suggests alternative routes to that in the Headwater documents. We had forgotten what he had said before we reached many of the alternatives he suggested.

Mr Whalley, 12/10/2018

Well organised and stress free holiday

Mrs Mccormick, 30/09/2018

On paper the distances seem a bit daunting but in reality lovely gentle cycling with some spectacular scenery.

Mr Browne, 06/09/2018

Varied, interesting holiday. Easy cycling, but bikes a little heavy and saddles not as comfortable as usual. You can catch an earlier train from Munich than the one stated on the ticket, although Headwater advised otherwise. We did check with a guard before travelling. All the breakfasts were great. Typical Austrian fare is a little heavy, especially the dumplings! An extra night in Passau meant that we could enjoy the organ music at midday and we thoroughly enjoyed our extra nights, two, in Vienna.

Mr Ryan, 01/09/2018

Enjoyable, comfortable rides easily achieve by two 70 year olds. Accommodation very good although food somewhat variable.

Mrs Day, 21/08/2018

From Passau to Vienna is an unforgettable experience. Impossibly beautiful countryside, vineyards and medieval villages are only some of the highlights you enjoy on level cycling paths and quiet streets. If history, art or music is your thing, there are also countless opportunities to indulge during stays at Linz, Milk and of course, Vienna. Our only question mark came at the end of the trip, when we felt that more time should have been scheduled in this incredible city and less time apportioned to Krems and Tullin.

Mrs Lazzarotto, 04/07/2018

We were very satisfied with the care and attention Headwater provided at every point of contact from booking through to during our holiday. As far as the trip experience we were somewhat disappointed with the route as many stretches were just an easy pleasant pedal but with not much to see or do along the way. It wasn’t until after Melk that the route charmed us all in all though headwater is great at creating just the right mix for an active holiday

Mr Sinclair, 28/06/2018

A lovely trip. Easy cycling, attractive scenery, good bikes and excellent accommodation. All this plus good weather and wonderful companionship made this my best-ever Headwater experience.

Mr Snodgrass, 21/06/2018

Wonderful experience.We are both now in our 70s and wondered whether this was still for us.The Danube route is easy to follow and passes through ever changing scenery.The hotels were a great in themselves and we had some very good food..breakfast was always exceptional.The transfer of our luggage was exceptionally well handled

Mr Potter, 09/06/2018

Good organisation, bikes excellent, hotels well chosen, guidance and maps very clear. Steady and easy cycling between 25 and 35 miles each day. We didn't use the train but carried on cycling right into Vienna - magic. We really enjoyed our non-cycling days too, all in well-chosen places. A great holiday.

Mr Gornall, 17/10/2017

Headwaters holidays came highly recommended. We could find no fault with the trip. Our scoring of the recommended hotels was 'excellent' but where we marked 'good' it was usually because the other hotels (breakfast) were exceptional.

It would have been a good idea (on our last day of cycling,Tulln-Vienna) to suggest cycling on the south bank & visiting Klosterneuberg then crossing on the small ferry (we noticed) to the North bank to join the Donauinsel. It is not a criticism by any means. We didn't opt for any of the train/ferry alternatives suggested although they were very useful options.

Cycling into Vienna on the Donauinsel was a joy, imagine cycling into the heart of a big city on a traffic free (20km) island, on the Danube, it was truly amazing! Thank you.

Mr Mitchell, 21/09/2017

Distances appear long, but cycling is really easy and distance is not an issue. All on dedicated tarmac cycle paths.

Mrs Ryan, 16/09/2017

A Headwater cycling holiday is by no means a cheap option. . Given the quality of the bikes, the route notes and suggestions for 'rest' days, however, we rate these holidays highly and feel safe and supported throughout. The fact that we have just completed our 5th holiday with the company must surely indicate our overall level of satisfaction! Keep up the good work, Headwater. Nothing quite compares to the freedom of travelling by bike. It's liberating and quite intoxicating!

Mr Reynolds, 12/09/2017

There was a weakness in the bus and train transfer information!

Mr Fenton, 03/08/2017

A very enjoyable holiday which surpassed expectations. Bikes, Information, Logistics, Food and Accommodation were all very good. The price is on the high side and we booked extra nights and travel ourselves as the additional charges from Headwater were too steep. Would recommend to friends.

Mr Stansbury, 29/07/2017

Exactly as it said it would be. Well organised. Efficient. comfortable.

Mrs Dietz, 08/07/2017

A gentle cycling experience along the Danube and through the Wachau vineyards, with options to shorten the day's cycling by using boat, train or minibus if desired.

Mrs Gorton, 22/06/2017

We had a fab holiday. Everything went perfectly. The trail was so pretty and interesting and not as difficult as either of us expected. Austria was lovely. We left Passau and saw the different waters of the rivers Danube and Inn merge. Soon afterwards we were in the countryside, cycling by the Danube and along verges and meadows of wild flowers - scabious, chicory, vipers bugloss, clover etc. It was fascinating to see the scenery, the agriculture and the Danube change as we progressed. The villages were picture-book pretty, each with their own history. The towns we stayed in were all delightful - Linz, Melk, Krems and Tulln. Schlogen was quite lovely on a meander of the Danube, we watched the light change on the water and cargo boats go up and down river.

Mr Burch, 06/10/2016

Good pre-booked accommodation, excellent notes and seamless baggage transfer between locations meant that we could focus on enjoying our cycle ride along the Danube. We would have no hesitation in recommending this holiday to potential future travellers.

Mrs Steele, 21/09/2016

The cycling from Passau to Vienna was a wonderful experience. We were sorry when we had to hand back the bikes as we enjoyed the cycling so much. The holiday was well planned with two day stops so that we had time to explore the beautiful towns en route. Everything was well organised and supported.

Mrs Bampfylde, 05/08/2016

Avoid the hotel at Tulln until they have finished rebuilding it! On the Krems to Tulln day there was no cafe in the village specified in the notes but an excellent cafe was found later on right next to a power station. We thought the cycle into Vienna along Danube island was brilliant and should be encouraged. The local rep persuaded us to ignore the advice to take the train from Ottenshein into Linz so we cycled it and it was awful!

Headwater response:
Dear Mrs Bampfylde,
Thank you for taking the time to complete your post-holiday feedback. We are sorry if you were inconvenienced by the building work taking place at Hotel Nibelungenhof, please be assured, we monitored these works closely and would have changed hotels had we felt this was necessary. However, whilst the outside works were visible, we did not feel this affected the overall stay for our customers, I am however pleased to advise that this work was completed over the summer . We were also sorry to hear you felt the local agent gave you poor advice and you found the route awful. We have asked that they do not make this recommendation for future customers. We have received no further constructive feedback in either of these areas.
In closing, we hope that despite these disappointments you had an enjoyable holiday overall. We would like to thank you for choosing to travel with Headwater and look forward to welcoming you on another of our holidays in the future.
Kind regards,
Headwater Customer Service team

Mrs Acheson, 25/07/2016

Overall we found the holiday a great break for us. The route, notes, hotel locations, things to do etc all added to the enjoyment. Everything was well explained and set out for us.

Dr Leiper, 11/06/2016

Great cycle holiday on easy cycle paths with quality bikes and excellent hotels.

Mrs Stillwell, 31/05/2016

Adventure before dementure!

Mrs McBroom, 30/09/2015

Excellent accommodation. Confidence with the equipment and support. Good maps and route details very comprehensive. Cycling down the Danube is great as the Danube cycleway is either a dedicated path or where it runs along side a road it is separate and safe. An added advantage is that it is flat and well surfaced.

Dr Miller, 29/09/2015

This was my fifth cycle holiday with Headwater, and it was the most enjoyable. The cycling is very easy, and the route is very clearly marked, so there is absolutely no navigation skill required. Unlike some of the tours in rural Italy or Spain, there were numerous, widely-varied eating establishments with long opening hours right along the cycle path.

The cycling path is flat, but it passes through some varied and hilly terrain. There are opportunities to make short (and possibly hilly) detours to see some pretty villages and interesting sights along the way. One very moving side trip is to do the short day trip (about 50 km round trip from the hotel at Linz) to the memorial at the former Mauthausen concentration camp.

The high point of the tour is when it passes through the Wachau Valley, which is one of the loveliest wine growing regions I have cycled through.

I did the entire ride, even covering the short stretch from Linz to Grein, which the normal tour bypasses by shuttle van due to its being thought too industrial. Also, the tour guide recommends taking a train into the heart of Vienna in order to by-pass a slightly grimy and graffiti-covered stretch of the outskirts of the city. I did not find this stretch particularly objectionable, and there is a certain satisfaction to completing the entire cycle path from Passau to the heart of Vienna.

This would be a perfect ride for someone who is uncertain about committing to a bicycle tour. There are river boats and trains that allow one to skip cycling portions when the weather is bad or one is too fatigued. The cycling could not be any easier, and the maps and signs along the way make it all quite fool-proof.

Note that Headwater will supply participants with a spiral bound book that contains high resolution maps for the entire route. This book is easily ignored as the usual Headwater instructions are so well done, but the book does contain some historical tidbits and also suggestions for interesting detours, so it is worth a read.

A note in closing; the Passau-Vienna path is said to be very busy in the summer. I did my tour in late September and the path was wide open. Only the Wachau Valley section had any significant bicycle traffic.

Mr Pritchard, 26/09/2015

Very easy and enjoyable cycling through lovely scenery with excellent accommodation and many places of interest to visit.

Ms Nott, 15/09/2015

Excellent holiday overall.

It might have been better to have an extra day in Vienna at the end of the trip instead of a free day in Krems which was not as exciting as Vienna.

The weather could have been better too!!

Mrs O'Gorman, 16/08/2015

A fantastic holiday for a family with teenagers. Easy but very enjoyable cycling in stunning countryside.

Mrs Kimber, 21/07/2015

The arrangements were very good and instructions easy to follow. However, we found the bikes to be very heavy, and the crossbar on the ladies' bike was far too high, to the extent that my husband had to help me on and off the bike as I could not tilt it far enough towards me to get my leg over the crossbar without it falling on me (as it did on one occasion, resulting on me banging my head (thank goodness for my cycle helmet) and skinning my elbow!

Mr Oldham, 05/07/2015

Very easy and relaxed cycling with virtually no need for the notes as the Donauweg is so well sign-posted. Lots to do on the stay put days.

Mr Emms, 04/07/2015

Delightful easy cycling (totally flat with excellent largely traffic free trails) in scenic countryside. Lots of opportunities to stop for coffe, cake, drinks etc

Mrs Gittins, 28/06/2015

Cycling easy even for us oldies,nice hotels,beautiful scenery and relaxed pace.

Mr Brown, 25/06/2015

Every day was different. The bikes were excellent as was the luggage transfer. The mix of cycling and non cycling days was a bonus and allowed one to explore the local towns. Following a river downstream provided continuity and progression as it made its way down stream.

Mrs Watkinson, 22/06/2015

Our cycling holiday was just the BEST! I am a non-cycling person, afraid in traffic, and not especially into sport and fitness. My husband is Mr Fit, and cycles quite a bit. This holiday was so much fun for both of us. Well within my capabilities, and although not very demanding, the cycling was enough to keep my husband happy. Can't wait to book another Headwater holiday.

Mr McIlraith, 18/06/2015

This was an easy ride for us and I would say ideal for less experienced cyclists. Everyone we met in hotels and restaurants was friendly and helpful.

Mr Owen, 15/06/2015

An exceptionally well designed tour, which includes valuable 2 night stops at the en-route hotels in Linz, Melk and Krems, the first two of which are really interesting to explore. The daily distances were will within the capabilities of these two 68-71 year old occasional cyclists. The Danube routes were well signed and easy to follow.

Mrs Harkness, 10/06/2015

The cycle route along the Danube from Paschau to Vienna was excellent - easy cycling, well signposted and extremely beautiful. We passed pretty wild flower meadows, dense forested slopes and wide terraced vineyards. The route took in many delightful towns and villages, with their pretty squares, narrow cobbled streets, castles, cathedrals and monasteries. Vienna is amazing and definitely worth staying on for a few extra days! The hotels were in great locations and the meals were very good. Headwater and their local representatives arranged a great trip for us - their customer service and attention to detail was excellent. Thank you!

Mrs Devine, 25/05/2015

Lovely flat (mostly) easy cycling. Very clean hotel rooms, most with a nice view. Good food.

Mrs Hood, 10/10/2014

Well organised.

Mr Wilson, 23/09/2014

Hugely enjoyable, a great adventure on an achievable scale.

Mr Beeby, 21/09/2014

A very easy, relaxing and stimulating holiday. At times we would have liked to ride slightly longer distances, but accept that the intermediate hotels were all, in their different ways good.

Mr Turnbull, 18/09/2014

Another great cycling holiday. Thoroughly enjoyed our trip along the Danube. Cycling just at the right level of effort. Food grew, people great. Best organised cycling holiday so far.

Mrs McIlhinney, 22/07/2014

We enjoyed the holiday, and the hotels and their service were generally very good or excellent, apart from at the Hotel Donauschlinge, where the staff were not as friendly and we felt they hurried our evening meal, bringing the second course before we had finished the first! In our view, the Hotel Zur Post in Melk was by far the most efficient, with the most helpful staff. The Steigenberger in Krems, although a very nice hotel, had less character (much more a standard 'chain' hotel) and our table in the dining room was tucked away in a rather gloomy corner, rather than the main restaurant – unfortunately the weather was not good enough for us to have a table on the terrace. We were impressed by Greenways Travel, who were very efficient and prompt about delivering our bikes, transporting us from Linz to Grein and then collecting the bikes at the end. They also provided a mobile phone for us to contact them if we needed to. We were unprepared for quite how flat the ride would be, and with hindsight should perhaps have opted for something a little more challenging. I think we expected it to be more like the Moselle ride, which we did with Headwater a few years ago and which rolled up and down a little – our 'best bit' on this holiday was therefore the ride from Melk to Krems through the Wachau, which was not totally flat.

Mr English, 07/07/2014

The rep, Erhard, was the best we have ever had and produced lots of good information and even mobile phones for emergency use (not needed).

The Schlogen hotel has the most dramatic location on a bend in the river that you can imagine, and it is worth the tough climb up the hill behind to view it from the top.

Vienna is a big city in every sense with lots of grand buildings to see, and the trams make them very accessible, which we discovered thanks to the superb staff on the hotel recepion who know their town well.

The route down the Danube is beautiful and ever changing and full of interest.

Mr Lloyd, 07/07/2014

Outstanding experience in terms of cycling, locations chosen, landscapes and scenery, cultural activities and overall enjoyment.

Mr Hawkins, 16/06/2014

We travelled to Passau via Munich Airport followed by an over 3-hour journey by bus to Freising station, train to Passau and taxi to the hotel. We purchased on-line a Bayern-Ticket for 27 Euros for 2 people which included both the bus and train journeys. We are both in our late sixties and found the cycling easy, although adjustments had to be made for the weather. It rained on the first day but after that the weather was hot and sunny necessitating early starts. The cycle paths were clearly signed so it was easy to follow the route and German and Austrian drivers are courteous to cyclists so cycling in towns was not a problem. The hotels were varied and well chosen and near the main attractions, the only exception being the one in Krems which was up a steep hill, but the hotel's facilities make the climb worthwhile. The instructions suggested going by train from Ottensheim to Linz but the cycle path was well separated from the busy road so cycling to Linz was not a problem. Similarly, the instructions suggest travelling by train in to Vienna but the cycle route was easy and the graffiti no worse than you find on the outskirts of most cities and it cheered up the drab concrete walls even though most of it was not up to the standard of Banksy. The food provided by the hotels was generally good and the hotels were near to restaurants when evening meals were not provided.

Mr Poultney, 16/06/2014

Easy cycling - with options to reduce length every day (only used once when one person unwell) - hotels in interesting or beautiful locations with plenty to see - good white wine area with everywhere having choice of wines by the glass (125ml) at reasonable prices.

Mrs Barr, 20/09/2013

This was the best Headwater Holiday so far . Almost the entire route was on flat dedicated cycle paths or through quiet country lanes with little or no other traffic. Each day's cycling was easy and on average only about 25 miles. ( my wife and I are OAPs and we managed each day with no problem). The real bonus with this holiday is reaching Vienna at the end of the journey. I would recommend an extra night in Vienna before returning home..

Mr Haines, 20/09/2013

An excellent holiday cycling 285 KM from Passau to Vienna along flat safe routes. The Tulln hotel was a bit basic and the train journey to Stein was a pain but probably necessary. We followed the reps advice and went into Vienna using the island route which avoided the train route suggested. Overall the holiday ticked all the boxes as is usually the case with Headwater. Thanks, we will be back next September with our friends for another adventure!

Mr Lachowski, 16/09/2013

This was an excellent, well designed, well organised holiday with very good back-up from Greenways Travel.

Mr Nichols, 12/09/2013

After having many successful holidays without problem with Headwater Booking we were surprised to have difficulties getting: the rail return details confirmed; the invoice correct; the correct Reginal booklet sent through (3 tries); and the return transfer was still incorrectly notified to the local representative. Having said that your agents, Greenways' organisation was excellent leading to a successful holiday.

Mr Davis, 16/08/2013

A virtually hill-free ride through pleasant countryside neighbouring the River Danube, punctuated by stays in excellent hotels in historic towns and cities.

No shortage of shops, castles, palaces, museums, and last but not least - coffee and cake shops. The challenge is to not gain weight!

Mrs Bond, 29/07/2013

Wonderful scenery, cycling and wholly relaxing. We really enjoyed the whole experience.

Mr McGinn, 27/07/2013

We had a thoroughly enjoyable trip along the Danube.

Mrs Cockrill, 25/07/2013

Our first cycling holiday and generally it was a really good experience with an interesting variety of hotels. Beware of eating half board as in some hotels we felt we were treated like 2nd class citizens.

Mrs Laing, 08/07/2013

Passau to Vienna cycling was an easy cycle ride ,staying at superb hotels amid beautiful towns and country-side .

Mr Fussey, 17/06/2013

Cycling very easy! Level or downhill on tarmac.

Hotel in Tulln is not 4 star! Although it was OK and had superb position, compared to the ratings of the other hotels on the trip it should be nearer to a 2 star.

Mr Bellion, 06/06/2013

An excellent route - distances well judged for the terrain (easy) and, because the tracks are so well signed, the route notes are almost unnecessary. Very well presented and maintained bikes. Hotels are obviously selected for location and in some cases there is little choice. All were clean and reasonably comfortable and, where evening meals were included, they were excellent - and some were outstanding. The only thing that Headwater couldn't do anything about was the weather - we cycled just a couple of days before the dreadful flooding that swamped the entire route.

Mr Whittaker, 04/06/2013

Every thing went smoothly, pity about the weather!