Quick answer
Vienna to Budapest by bike takes 4–6 days along the Danube Cycle Path. The terrain is flat, the route is well-signed, and the endpoint — Budapest — is one of Europe's finest capitals. This is an excellent choice for cyclists who want a rewarding multi-day tour without serious climbs, combining world-class cities with peaceful river scenery.
Who is this for
This route is ideal for: cyclists who've done the Passau–Vienna section and want to continue; travellers who want a manageable first multi-day tour with an impressive destination at the end; anyone who wants to experience three Central European capitals by bike. The flat terrain makes it accessible for a wide fitness range, including couples where one person is a stronger cyclist than the other.
Route overview
The route follows the Danube Cycle Path (EuroVelo 6) east from Vienna. The Danube crosses from Austria into Slovakia almost immediately east of Vienna, passing through or near Bratislava before entering Hungary. The final approach to Budapest follows the Hungarian bank of the Danube southward into the city. Total distance is approximately 300 km by the most direct route; some sections can be varied by crossing to the opposite bank.
Stage by stage
Day 1 — Vienna to Bratislava (~60 km)
The route leaves Vienna through the Prater park and along the Danube cycle path east. The transition from urban Austria to open countryside happens quickly — within 20 km you're on a flat dyke path with the river to one side and floodplain woodland on the other. Hainburg an der Donau is the last Austrian town — a well-preserved medieval gateway city with a ruined hilltop castle visible from the path. The border crossing into Slovakia is seamless (both are Schengen). Bratislava arrives after a flat 60 km day — a compact, walkable capital with an extraordinary old town perched on a hill above the Danube and a castle offering panoramic views over three countries. Budget at least one evening and morning to explore.
Day 2 — Bratislava to Komárno (~100 km)
East of Bratislava the route enters the Žitný ostrov (Rye Island / Great Rye Island) — the largest river island in Europe, formed by two branches of the Danube. The cycling here is on flat dyke paths through a landscape of poplar groves, fields, and quiet villages. This section is distinctly less touristy than the Austrian Danube — you'll see fewer other cyclists and more local farming life. Komárno, at the Hungarian border, is a divided city — the Hungarian twin city of Komárom lies directly across the river, connected by a bridge. The old fortress is worth a short detour.
Day 3 — Komárno to Esztergom (~70 km)
Crossing into Hungary, the landscape opens into the Danube Bend (Dunakanyar) — a section where the river makes a dramatic ninety-degree turn and squeezes through a narrow gorge between forested hills. This is the most scenically dramatic part of the Hungarian Danube and a tourist area in its own right. Esztergom is the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church — its enormous Basilica (the largest church in Hungary) sits on a promontory high above the river with Slovakia visible just across the water. It's one of the most dramatic arrival moments of the entire route.
Day 4 — Esztergom to Budapest (~65 km)
The final day follows the western bank of the Danube through the Danube Bend's charming riverside towns: Visegrád, dominated by a medieval citadel on a hillside above the river, and Szentendre, a Serbian-influenced artists' town with an extraordinary density of galleries, craft shops, and café terraces along its cobblestone lanes. The approach to Budapest through the northern suburbs is signposted, and the arrival at the Chain Bridge with the Parliament on one bank and Buda Castle on the other is one of the most memorable urban cycling arrivals in Europe.
Terrain and difficulty
This is one of the flattest multi-day cycle routes in Central Europe. Total elevation gain Vienna to Budapest is typically under 500 metres across 300 km — less climbing than a single Alpine foothills day. The one exception is a short optional climb at Visegrád to the citadel viewpoint (not on the main route). Wind is a more significant factor than hills — the open sections across Rye Island and along the Hungarian plain can produce headwinds that slow progress.
Three capitals in one ride
A unique feature of this route is that it passes through three national capitals: Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia), and Budapest (Hungary) — all within 300 km of each other, making this the only cycle route in the world where three capitals are reachable in a single multi-day trip. Vienna to Bratislava is only 60 km, the closest capital-to-capital distance in Europe.
Distances and suggested stages
| Day | From | To | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vienna | Bratislava | ~60 km | Rest day in Bratislava recommended |
| 2 | Bratislava | Komárno | ~100 km | Long day — can split at Štúrovo |
| 3 | Komárno | Esztergom | ~70 km | Border crossing into Hungary |
| 4 | Esztergom | Visegrád | ~35 km | Short day — explore Visegrád citadel |
| 5 | Visegrád | Budapest | ~65 km | Via Szentendre — allow time to stop |
Currency note
The route crosses three currency zones: Euro (Austria and Slovakia), Hungarian forint (Hungary). Carry some forints from the time you cross into Hungary — not all rural establishments accept card payments, and ATMs are sparse between towns.
When to go
May–June and September are ideal. Hungarian summers can be genuinely hot (35°C+) on the exposed Danube plain sections — if you're going in July or August, start early in the morning and be at your accommodation by early afternoon. Spring can bring brief flooding in Slovakia. October is possible but autumn comes quickly in Hungary and some riverside accommodation closes after mid-month.
Practical tips
- The Slovak section (Žitný ostrov) has sparse services — carry food and water for long stretches
- Book Bratislava accommodation in advance — the city has become very popular for short breaks and weekend trips
- Hungarian forints: exchange a reasonable amount before crossing the border, or withdraw from ATMs in Esztergom
- The Danube Bend (Dunakanyar) is Hungary's premier domestic tourist region — busy in summer, book ahead
- Szentendre is best visited on a weekday — weekends bring crowds from Budapest
- The ferry from Visegrád to Nagymaros links the two banks and is a worthwhile crossing if time allows
- Budapest is large — have a clear plan for where to stay relative to the Danube path arrival point
Recommended tours
We offer self-guided and guided Vienna–Budapest tours with pre-booked accommodation, luggage transfer, and daily route notes. The tour can also be extended to a full Passau–Budapest journey. Browse our listings to find the format and pace that suits you.
