Vienna to Budapest - Hungarian Rhapsody

8-days / 7 nights - 6 biking days

Self-guided individual tour

Length 355 km / 210 miles

Grade of difficulty: Easy-Moderate
The tour is mostly flat and sometimes slightly hilly. The Austrian section follows well-maintained and equipped cycling paths, in Hungary you will often cycle on country back and side roads.

General Information

The cycling tour from Vienna to Budapest is a very diverse adventure with extensive majestical highlights. Your tour starts in Vienna, the world’s “City of Music and Charm”. The Slovakian capital Bratislava invites you for shopping and sightseeing tours in the picturesque old-town.
Hungary’s metropolis and capital city of Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and it is the crowning conclusion to your extraordinary journey. This tour offers a natural and cultural expedition that is mostly set away from touristic centres and is “off the beaten path”.
Untouched nature and unknown artistic treasures and cultural monuments can be found along the route between Vienna and Budapest. You cycle along the seemingly infinite and vast widths of the Hungarian lowlands and you can also visit the famous Arabian National Stud in Babolna where you explore the secrets and techniques of traditional horse breeding. The basilica in Esztergom is the largest Catholic cathedral in Hungary and it is home to many artistic treasures and historical jewels. Enjoy the friendly people and the welcoming Hungarian hospitality.

TRAVEL DATES in 2012

Arrivals into VIENNA every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
In Season 1 arrival possible on Saturdays only!
When booking an extra night in Bratislava, arrival is possible on Fridays and Saturdays only!
Season 1: April 14 – May 03 + September 24 – October 06 2012
Season 2: May 04 – June 28 + August 24 – September 23 2012
Season 3: June 29 – August 26 2012  excluded Formula 1 Grand Prix in Budapest,

Accommodation Categories:
Category A: 3 & 4-star comfort hotels, in Vienna/Budapest 4-star
Category B: 5x typical inns/B&B´s, in Vienna/Budapest 4-star

PRICES 2012

INCLUDED SERVICES
- 7 nights in rooms of the chosen category with private facilities
- Breakfast or 6 x half board (in Vienna breakfast only)
- Daily luggage transport up to hotel in Budapest (1 suitcase/max. 20 kg/person)
- Return transfer by public bus from Budapest to Vienna, departure at 3.30 p.m.
- Service-hotline (also accessible on weekends)
- Handlebar bag with travel book, maps and informational material per room

Extra night – Price per person

OPTIONAL SERVICES

RENTAL BIKES & EQUIPMENT on this tour
7-gear-UNISEX-touring bike with coaster brake (back pedal) or 21-gear-UNISEX-touring bike
Electric bikes, children’s bikes and other specialized equipment for children upon request.
All rental bikes are equipped with a pannier (saddle bag) and an odometer.

General information:

In Slovakia you have to wear a helmet by law outside of city limits!
In Hungary you have to wear a safety vest at night and by poor vision outside of cities/villages.
In Austria it is mandatory for children under 12 yrs to wear a helmet when on a bike.

Standard Tour Programme

1. Day: Vienna
Individual arrival in Vienna. (Tip: use low-cost transportation to and from Vienna/Bratislava)
Tonight, the evening belongs to you! How about a spectacular stroll through the Imperial City
or visit one of the typical Viennese cafés/taverns with local food and goodies “Heurigen”?
Possibilities are endless in the “City of Waltz”.

2. Day: Vienna – Region Bad-Deutsch Altenburg, approx. 45 km
The Danube Cycling Path guides you along quiet trails through the “Donauauen“ National Park,
passes by the castles of Orth and Eckartsau, reaches the former Roman city Petronell
Carnuntum (Roman excavations/ruins) and continues on to the health spa and resort in Bad
Deutsch Altenburg.

3. Day: Region Bad D. Altenburg – Bratislava – Mosonmag/Halaszi, approx. 60 km
Follow the Danube Cycling Path to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. A quaint old city centre with
numerous sights, lovely pedestrian zones and countless restaurants/cafes will persuade you
into an extended stroll among the depths of this historically important city. After visiting
Bratislava, you cycle to the "Little Alföld" which will surely enchant you with its unique and
outstanding character. This stretch can be extended an extra night in BRATISLAVA.

4. Day: Mosonmagyarovar/Halaszi – Györ, approx. 45 km
Today you will bike through the charming and ideal landscape of the “Little Alföld” to Györ.
Györ is one of the most important cities in the Hungarian lowlands with a glamorous and
historical city centre. A pleasant walk through the narrow lanes, cathedrals and palaces of this
Baroque city centre are very appealing and alluring.

5. Day: Györ – Tata, approx. 60 km
Through a landscape of gently rolling hills, you will cycle to the town of Tata, the “City of
Lakes”, is located at the foothills of the Gerecse Mountain Range. Don’t forget to visit the
Arabian National Stud in Babolna, a historical place of Equesterian culture and secret
techniques of renowned Hungarian horse breeding.

6. Day: Tata – Region Esztergom, approx. 55 km
Through the lush and mystical forests, you will cycle to the Gerecse Mountains. If you prefer to
take it easy, feel free to use the local regional train (not incl.) on your way to the
geographically divided city of Komarom (a boarder-town between Hungary and Slovakia).
Along the Slovakian Danube, cycle through small and quaint farm-villages in a floodplain basin
region to Esztergom where you can admire the impressive and largest Catholic cathedral in
Hungary.

7. Day: Region Esztergom - Szentendre – Budapest, approx. 58 km
Steep mountain slopes frame the stunning landscape of the Danube Bend all the way up to
Szentendre Island. You can learn more about Hungarian architecture in a nearby open-air
museum. Travelling by bike or boat to Budapest (not incl.) is your choice. The view from the
sun deck of the boat is astonishing and overwhelming. Something you just have to experience
on your own.

8. Day: Budapest
Today is at your leisure to enjoy the Hungarian capital. Departure from Budapest by dailyscheduled
buses at 3.30 p.m. (11.30 a.m. possible upon request, pre-reservation needed at
time of booking, later changes or cancellation only possible until 10 days before arrival);
Arrival in Vienna at approx. 6.30 p.m. A comfortable return trip by speedboat is also possible
upon request (extra charge). Schedules are subject to change!

Suggestion: If you have more time you can start cycling from Prague or Passau to Vienna and then continue to Budapest.

AVE reserves the right to change the daily programs and places of accommodation according to hotel capacities and the size of the group. Visits to the sites above and outlined daily bike routes are guaranteed.