Cycling the Scenic Route from Salzburg to Vienna
Austria Bike Tours
Explore Austria’s past along riverside trails
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€973 Rates
Overview
Austria, situated in central Europe, blends rich history, stunning scenery, and lively urban centers. From the awe-inspiring Alps to quaint villages and cultural cities, it's a fusion of old-world charm and modern energy.
Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, boasts magnificent baroque architecture and a musical legacy, while Vienna, the capital city, showcases grand palaces and vibrant cultural scenes.
Cycling from Salzburg to Vienna unveils Austria's landscapes and traditions. The route winds through charming towns, idyllic countryside, and riverside paths along the Danube. It's a wonderful mix of historic landmarks, beautiful views, and well-maintained bike routes, promising an enriching adventure.
Highlights
- Salzburg- the birthplace of Mozart and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Vienna- City of imperial grandeur and rich cultural heritage
- Bad Ischl- former summer retreat for the imperial family
- The Wachau Valley- orchards, vineyards, and local wines
- Melk Abbey
- Picturesque lakes
- Scenic paths along the Danube
- Alpine vistas
Don't forget to check out all our bike tours in Austria!
Itinerary
Day 1: Salzburg
Day 2: Salzburg - Lake Wolfgang - St. Gilgen, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 3: St. Gilgen - Lake Traunsee - Gmunden, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 4: Gmunden - Wels - Linz, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Linz - Ardagger / Grein, 34 mi. - 37 mi. (55 km - 60 km)
Day 6: Ardagger / Grein - Spitz / Weißenkirchen, 40 mi. (65 km)
Day 7: Spitz / Weißenkirchen - Krems - Tulln - Vienna, 34 mi. - 37 mi. (55 km - 60 km)
Day 8: ViennaDistances are approximate and the itinerary is subject to changes due to uncontrollable factors such as weather conditions or provisions from local authorities. Temporary route deviations may occur, such as detours for roadwork or unforeseen circumstances not reflected in maps.
Day 1: Salzburg
Salzburg, the start of your active vacation, is a city steeped in musical history and cultural treasures. The enchanting Old Town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved medieval and baroque architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and the strong influence of the city's most famous resident, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. You will find your bikes waiting and ready at the first hotel.
Sample Accommodations- Category A: Arcotel Hotel Castellani
- Category B: Hotel Ganslhof
Day 2: Salzburg - Lake Wolgang - St. Gilgen, 28 mi. (45 km)
The cycling begins directly from Salzburg, passing through the towns of Eugendorf and Thalgau in the beautiful Salzburger Flachgau region. En route a picturesque detour to Mondsee is possible, recognized as the setting for the iconic wedding scene from "The Sound of Music". What follows is a stunning ride along the shore of Lake Wolfgang to arrive at St. Gilgen, famous as the birthplace of Anna Maria Pertl, Mozart's mother. Picturesque with the lake and surrounding mountains, St. Gilgen is characterized by its charming streets, historic buildings, and tranquil ambiance.Sample Accommodations
- Category A: Hotel Zur Post
- Category B: Hotel Schernthaner
Day 3: St. Gilgen - Lake Traunsee - Gmunden, 37 mi. (60 km)
The route continues along the shores of Lake Wolfgang (Wolfgangsee) and passes through Bad Ischl, a beloved summer getaway for the imperial family. It is also home to the renowned Café Zauner, celebrated for its delectable pastries. In addition, Bad Ischl was named one of Europe's 3 "European Capitals of Culture" for 2024! You pedal along the Ischler Ache River to Ebensee, located on the southern edge of Lake Traunsee, the deepest lake in Austria. The day concludes in Gmunden, famous for its dramatic cliffside Ort Castle. Alternatively, for an additional fee, you may use the boat service linking Lake Traunsee's south shore (Ebensee) to the north shore at Gmunden, reducing the route by about 10 km (tickets can be purchased on site). In the evening, admire the Gmundner ceramics, renowned for their distinctive designs and craftsmanship. You can also stroll along the historical streets or the lakeside promenade, or consider taking a boat trip on Lake Traunsee.Sample Accommodations
- Category A: Seehotel Schwan
- Category B: Gasthof Engelhof
Day 4: Gmunden - Wels - Linz, 31 mi. (50 km)
Today you will follow the scenic path of the Traun River with breathtaking views as you travel from the mountains to the plains. You pass through Ohlsdorf and Laakirchen, offering glimpses of local life amidst the Alps' foothills, before reaching Lambach. Here you can visit the impressive Benedictine monastery, Stift Lambach, which dates back to the 11th century. Once you arrive in Wels, you can catch a train to Linz, a city situated along the Danube River that blends historical charm and modern innovation with riverside landscapes.Sample Accommodations
- Category A: Hotel Schwarzer Bär
- Category B: Courtyard by Marriott Hotel
Day 5: Linz - Ardagger / Grein, 34 mi. - 37 mi. (55 km - 60 km)
You have cycled along beautiful lake shores and a lovely river path and today you meet the mighty Danube River and experience the wonderful Danube Cycling Path. You pass through historical locations such as Mauthausen, tragically the site of the World War II Mauthausen concentration camp. The town has memorials and a museum dedicated to honoring the victims and preserving the memory of the tragic events that occurred there. From here you'll continue to Mitterkirchen, showcasing an ancient Celtic village and offering a hands-on experience of life 2,700 years ago. It provides insights into ancient Celtic culture, showcasing reconstructed dwellings and artifacts from that era. Your overnight destination is Grein, a baroque town with Austria's oldest operational municipal theater, Greinburg Castle hosting a historical museum, and a maritime museum highlighting the region's ties to the Danube River.Sample Accommodations
- Category A: Wellnesshotel Aumühle (Grein)
- Category B: Hotel Schiffsmeisterhaus (Ardagger)
Day 6: Ardagger / Grein - Spitz / Weißenkirchen, 40 mi. (65 km)
As the morning unfolds, the cycling route traverses the 'Strudengau,' once a challenging segment along the Danube for boatmen who grappled with formidable currents. Today, it has transformed into a leisurely cycling path, revealing breathtaking landscapes. Maria Taferl is home to a magnificent pilgrimage church overlooks the Danube, drawing pilgrims annually. The awe-inspiring Melk Abbey stands tall over the river, and as you continue through the Wachau, orchards, and vineyards pass by, leading to an evening of sampling local wines.Sample Accommodations
- Category A: Hotel Kirchenwirt (Weißenkirchen)
- Category B: Gasthof Goldenes Schiff (Spitz)
Day 7: Spitz / Weißenkirchen - Krems - Tulln - Vienna, 34 mi. - 37 mi. (55 km - 60 km)
The path passes through wine villages like Spitz and Weißenkirchen, past the ruins of Dürnstein Castle and concludes at the ancient city of Krems. A train ride from Krems leads to Tulln, home to the noteworthy Egon Schiele Museum. The final leg of your bike tour offers a relaxed journey to Vienna with plenty of time to savor the city's delights. Indulge in a Viennese Americano and Sachertorte cake at a traditional coffee house. EMariahilfer Strasse and St. Stephen's Cathedral are worth a visit.Sample Accommodations
- Category A: Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Vienna Prater/Messe
- Category B: Roomz Hotel Prater Vienna
Day 8: Vienna
Your wonderful cycling tour officially ends today. We advise adding additional nights in Vienna to continue exploring this vibrant cultural center. Just ask us!Map
Hotels & Bikes
You will be accommodated in carefully selected 3-star guest houses during your stay (Category B). For an additional fee and level of comfort, you may choose to stay in more distinctive 4-star hotels and guest houses (Category A). Each day’s itinerary includes sample names of accommodations in each category. If the indicated lodging is fully booked or unavailable, an establishment of similar quality will be offered as an alternative.
Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights
- Breakfasts
- 7 or 21-gear touring bike with insurance
- Luggage transfers
- Wine tasting in Wachau Valley
- Train ticket from Wels to Linz
- Train ticket from Krems to Tulln
- Detailed travel documents
- GPS tracks
What’s Not Included
- Airport transfers
- Lunches & dinners
- Boat from Ebensee to Gmunden
- Local taxes
- Entrance fees
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily departures
April 13 - October 12, 2024
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Category A Category B Low season
April 13 - April 19 & October 5 - October 12$ 2008 £ 1060 $ 1,816 € 1208 kr 185325 ₪ 4951 ¥ 206901 Mex$ 22286 NZ$ 2206 NOK 14401 zł 5306 S$ 1799 kr 14428 $ 1,328 $ 1617 £ 854 $ 1,463 € 973 kr 149273 ₪ 3988 ¥ 166651 Mex$ 17951 NZ$ 1777 NOK 11599 zł 4274 S$ 1449 kr 11622 $ 1,070 Regular season
April 20 - May 3 & September 28 - October 4$ 2166 £ 1144 $ 1,959 € 1303 kr 199900 ₪ 5340 ¥ 223172 Mex$ 24039 NZ$ 2380 NOK 15533 zł 5724 S$ 1941 kr 15563 $ 1,433 $ 1775 £ 937 $ 1,606 € 1068 kr 163847 ₪ 4377 ¥ 182922 Mex$ 19703 NZ$ 1951 NOK 12732 zł 4691 S$ 1591 kr 12756 $ 1,174 High season
May 4 - May 31 & September 14 - September 27$ 2291 £ 1209 $ 2,072 € 1378 kr 211406 ₪ 5648 ¥ 236017 Mex$ 25423 NZ$ 2517 NOK 16427 zł 6053 S$ 2053 kr 16459 $ 1,515 $ 1900 £ 1003 $ 1,719 € 1143 kr 175353 ₪ 4684 ¥ 195768 Mex$ 21087 NZ$ 2088 NOK 13626 zł 5021 S$ 1703 kr 13652 $ 1,257 Summer season
June 1 - September 13$ 2415 £ 1275 $ 2,185 € 1453 kr 222912 ₪ 5955 ¥ 248863 Mex$ 26806 NZ$ 2654 NOK 17321 zł 6383 S$ 2164 kr 17355 $ 1,597 $ 2025 £ 1069 $ 1,831 € 1218 kr 186860 ₪ 4992 ¥ 208613 Mex$ 22471 NZ$ 2225 NOK 14520 zł 5350 S$ 1814 kr 14548 $ 1,339 Single supplement $ 613 £ 324 $ 555 € 369 kr 56610 ₪ 1512 ¥ 63201 Mex$ 6808 NZ$ 674 NOK 4399 zł 1621 S$ 550 kr 4407 $ 406 $ 381 £ 201 $ 344 € 229 kr 35132 ₪ 939 ¥ 39222 Mex$ 4225 NZ$ 418 NOK 2730 zł 1006 S$ 341 kr 2735 $ 252 Extra Options
2024
Bikes
Premium bike $ 116 £ 61 $ 105 € 70 kr 10739 ₪ 287 ¥ 11989 Mex$ 1291 NZ$ 128 NOK 834 zł 307 S$ 104 kr 836 $ 77 E-bike $ 266 £ 140 $ 241 € 160 kr 24546 ₪ 656 ¥ 27404 Mex$ 2952 NZ$ 292 NOK 1907 zł 703 S$ 238 kr 1911 $ 176 Extra nights
Salzburg Category A Category B Twin/Double $ 181 £ 96 $ 164 € 109 kr 16722 ₪ 447 ¥ 18669 Mex$ 2011 NZ$ 199 NOK 1299 zł 479 S$ 162 kr 1302 $ 120 $ 148 £ 78 $ 134 € 89 kr 13654 ₪ 365 ¥ 15244 Mex$ 1642 NZ$ 163 NOK 1061 zł 391 S$ 133 kr 1063 $ 98 Single room $ 274 £ 145 $ 248 € 165 kr 25313 ₪ 676 ¥ 28260 Mex$ 3044 NZ$ 301 NOK 1967 zł 725 S$ 246 kr 1971 $ 181 $ 191 £ 101 $ 173 € 115 kr 17643 ₪ 471 ¥ 19697 Mex$ 2122 NZ$ 210 NOK 1371 zł 505 S$ 171 kr 1374 $ 126 Linz Category A Category B Twin/Double $ 156 £ 83 $ 141 € 94 kr 14421 ₪ 385 ¥ 16100 Mex$ 1734 NZ$ 172 NOK 1121 zł 413 S$ 140 kr 1123 $ 103 $ 125 £ 66 $ 113 € 75 kr 11506 ₪ 307 ¥ 12846 Mex$ 1384 NZ$ 137 NOK 894 zł 329 S$ 112 kr 896 $ 82 Single room $ 264 £ 140 $ 239 € 159 kr 24393 ₪ 652 ¥ 27233 Mex$ 2933 NZ$ 290 NOK 1895 zł 698 S$ 237 kr 1899 $ 175 $ 214 £ 113 $ 194 € 129 kr 19791 ₪ 529 ¥ 22095 Mex$ 2380 NZ$ 236 NOK 1538 zł 567 S$ 192 kr 1541 $ 142 Vienna Category A Category B Twin/Double $ 148 £ 78 $ 134 € 89 kr 13654 ₪ 365 ¥ 15244 Mex$ 1642 NZ$ 163 NOK 1061 zł 391 S$ 133 kr 1063 $ 98 $ 125 £ 66 $ 113 € 75 kr 11506 ₪ 307 ¥ 12846 Mex$ 1384 NZ$ 137 NOK 894 zł 329 S$ 112 kr 896 $ 82 Single room $ 264 £ 140 $ 239 € 159 kr 24393 ₪ 652 ¥ 27233 Mex$ 2933 NZ$ 290 NOK 1895 zł 698 S$ 237 kr 1899 $ 175 $ 198 £ 104 $ 179 € 119 kr 18256 ₪ 488 ¥ 20382 Mex$ 2195 NZ$ 217 NOK 1419 zł 523 S$ 177 kr 1421 $ 131 Meal Package
Category A Category B Dinners (6 x 3-course) $ 364 £ 192 $ 329 € 219 kr 33598 ₪ 898 ¥ 37509 Mex$ 4040 NZ$ 400 NOK 2611 zł 962 S$ 326 kr 2616 $ 241 $ 331 £ 175 $ 299 € 199 kr 30530 ₪ 816 ¥ 34084 Mex$ 3671 NZ$ 363 NOK 2372 zł 874 S$ 296 kr 2377 $ 219 Sharing a room with 2 adults (ages 18+):
Children up to 5 years old: 100% discount.
Children from 6 to 11 years old: 50% discount.
Children from 12-14 years old: 25% discount.
Children from 15-17 years old: 10% discountExtra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
In the Salzkammergut area, the path is mostly flat beside the lakes, interspersed with occasional hills. It predominantly follows bike paths and quiet side roads, minimizing encounters with heavy traffic. Along the Danube, the terrain remains mostly level or gently sloping, traversing a consistently well-maintained cycle path, free from motorized vehicles.
Airport Info
For arrival in Salzburg, the nearest airport is Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart (SZG), located around 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) from the city center. Alternatively, you can arrive via Munich Airport (MUC) or Vienna (VIE) and then transfer to Salzburg by car, bus, or train.
For departures from Vienna, the closest airport is Vienna International Airport (VIE), situated approximately 11 miles (18 kilometers) from the city center.
Local Travel
Upon arriving in Salzburg, you can opt for a 20-minute bus or taxi ride from the Salzburg Airport to the city center. If arriving by train from Munich or Vienna, choices include a bus, taxi, or local train to reach the city center. Alternatively, a pleasant 15-20-minute walk allows you to enjoy the surroundings.
When departing from Vienna’s city center, transport options to Vienna International Airport include a train, bus, or taxi, taking approximately 20-30 minutes.
Day of Rest
This tour can be customized! Consider adding nights in the locations of your choice to spend more time exploring or to simply spend the day relaxing.
Important to know
Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
Beginning in 2024, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is expected to be fully operational. This will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. The application only takes only about 10 minutes and requires a €7 fee. Once your application is approved, this will be valid for 3 years or until the validity of your passport/travel documents. Approval of your application should only take a few minutes, however we do not recommend waiting until the last minute to complete your application.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Radreisefreunde.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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