Quick answer
The best 10-day bike tour in Central Europe is Passau to Budapest along the Danube Cycle Path — approximately 620 km over 8 riding days with 2 rest days (Vienna and Budapest). It covers the route's finest Austrian sections, passes through three national capitals, and ends in one of Europe's most celebrated cities. A moderately fit cyclist averages 60–70 km per riding day.
Who is this for
Ten days is ideal for cyclists who want a proper long-distance touring experience — the satisfaction of watching a landscape slowly transform over a week of riding, arriving in a major city at the end feeling genuinely accomplished. This guide covers three 10-day options at different levels, from an accessible river route to a more ambitious cross-country journey.
Option 1 — The Classic: Passau to Budapest (10 days)
The complete Central European Danube experience in a single trip. Three countries, three capitals, the Wachau, and the Danube Bend.
| Day | Route | Distance | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Passau | — | Three-rivers city |
| 2 | Passau → Engelhartszell | ~50 km | First Austrian gorges |
| 3 | Engelhartszell → Linz | ~65 km | Schlögener Schlinge |
| 4 | Linz → Ybbs | ~70 km | Strudengau, Grein castle |
| 5 | Ybbs → Melk | ~40 km | Melk Abbey arrival |
| 6 | Melk → Krems | ~35 km | Wachau Valley — best day |
| 7 | Krems → Vienna | ~80 km | Vienna arrival |
| 8 | Vienna rest day | — | Ringstrasse, Schönbrunn, coffee houses |
| 9 | Vienna → Bratislava | ~60 km | Slovakia, Hainburg gate city |
| 10 | Bratislava → Štúrovo | ~100 km | Žitný ostrov |
| 11 | Štúrovo → Budapest | ~130 km OR split | Danube Bend, Esztergom, Visegrád, Szentendre |
Day 11 covers 130 km if done in one stage — consider splitting across Days 10–11 by stopping at Esztergom and finishing Budapest on Day 11, making this an 11-day tour. Alternatively, skip the Bratislava rest day to keep it at 10 days.
Total riding distance: ~630 km over 8 riding days
Average daily distance: ~79 km
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Best for: Cyclists wanting the definitive Danube experience
Option 2 — Prague to Vienna (10 days)
Starting in Prague adds Czech character, South Bohemian landscapes, and Moravian wine country to the journey.
| Day | Route | Distance | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Prague | — | Prague castle, Charles Bridge |
| 2 | Prague → Mělník | ~45 km | Vltava confluence |
| 3 | Mělník → Litoměřice | ~55 km | Bohemian wine region |
| 4 | Litoměřice → Ústí nad Labem | ~35 km | Short day, explore Ústí |
| 5 | Ústí → Telč (via train to Jihlava) | mixed | UNESCO-listed Telč town square |
| 6 | Telč → Znojmo | ~90 km | Moravian countryside |
| 7 | Znojmo rest day | — | Underground wine cellars, castle |
| 8 | Znojmo → Retz | ~50 km | Austrian border, Weinviertel |
| 9 | Retz → Krems | ~75 km | Weinviertel wine hills |
| 10 | Krems → Vienna | ~80 km | Vienna arrival |
Total riding distance: ~430 km over 8 riding days
Average daily distance: ~54 km
Difficulty: Moderate (mixed surfaces, some hills)
Best for: Culture seekers, wine lovers, Czech travel enthusiasts
Option 3 — Prague to Dresden to Prague loop (10 days)
A circular tour for those flying in and out of Prague, combining the Elbe north to Dresden with a return via a different route.
| Day | Route | Distance | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Prague | — | City exploration |
| 2 | Prague → Mělník | ~45 km | Vltava to Elbe confluence |
| 3 | Mělník → Ústí nad Labem | ~70 km | North Bohemia |
| 4 | Ústí → Hřensko | ~35 km | Bohemian Switzerland begins |
| 5 | Hřensko → Bad Schandau → Dresden | ~60 km | Saxon Switzerland, rock formations |
| 6 | Dresden rest day | — | Frauenkirche, Zwinger, Semperoper |
| 7 | Train Dresden → Cheb, cycle start | ~40 km | West Bohemia entry |
| 8 | Cheb region → Karlovy Vary | ~55 km | Famous spa town |
| 9 | Karlovy Vary → Beroun area | ~80 km | Central Bohemian landscape |
| 10 | Beroun → Prague | ~40 km | Křivoklát castle, return to Prague |
Total riding distance: ~425 km over 8 riding days
Average daily distance: ~53 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Best for: Cyclists with Prague as a hub who want to explore both the Elbe gorge and West Bohemia
How to choose your 10-day tour
| Priority | Best option |
|---|---|
| Maximum scenery, iconic route | Passau to Budapest |
| Czech culture and wine country | Prague to Vienna |
| Flying in/out of Prague | Prague–Dresden–Prague loop |
| Flattest, easiest terrain | Passau to Budapest |
| Most variety of landscapes | Prague to Vienna or Passau to Budapest |
Making the most of rest days
Two rest days in a 10-day tour transform the experience. Rather than using rest days to recover, plan them in cities worth their own day of exploration:
- Vienna: Schönbrunn Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Naschmarkt food market, a Heuriger wine tavern in Grinzing
- Budapest: The thermal baths (Széchenyi or Gellért), the Great Market Hall, the ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter, a night cruise on the Danube
- Dresden: The Zwinger, the Frauenkirche, the Semperoper opera house, the Altmarkt
- Znojmo: The underground wine cellar tour, the castle, a winery visit in the surrounding countryside
When to go
May–June and September are the optimal months. May delivers long days, fresh landscapes, and the Wachau apricot blossoms. September brings harvest atmosphere to the wine regions and slightly cooler riding weather. July–August are peak season — busier, hotter, and more expensive, but all accommodation is fully open and evenings are warm and long.
Practical tips
- 10 days gives you genuine buffer for weather delays, mechanical issues, or a village you don't want to leave
- For the Passau–Budapest option, book the Wachau section's accommodation at least 3 months ahead in summer
- The Bratislava to Štúrovo section is long (100 km) — start early and carry extra food and water
- A rest day in Vienna after 7 days of cycling feels earned and genuinely restorative
- For Option 2, the gravel sections in South Moravia require 35mm+ tyres
Recommended tours
All three 10-day itineraries are available as self-guided packages with luggage transfer and pre-booked accommodation. Browse our 10-day tour listings to find the option that matches your starting point, fitness level, and interests.
