Prague to Vienna

Overview

Prague and Vienna are the highlights of this bike tour in Austria and the Czech Republic! Prague was the center of power for the Czech aristocracy for centuries, and the parliament is still housed in the fortress from which the Czechs were ruled for centuries. Vienna is magnificent, as it housed the powerful Habsburg family for centuries. This is a city where almost every period in the last 800 years is represented. The cycling route on this bike tour in Austria and the Czech Republic offers variety as it takes you over hills, through valleys, along patches of farmland, over bridges, and through forests. This day is yours to explore the “Paris of Central Europe,” unwind, or enjoy a Prague-by-Bike tour guided by locals who know the city intimately. The ride ends with a mug of Czech beer in a carefully chosen spot. If time allows, consider adding extra nights to fully experience Prague’s charm and hidden corners. Your first cycling day begins with a relaxed ride along the Vltava River on scenic bike trails. After 20 km of flat riding, the route lifts into the Posázaví Highlands, where each climb rewards you with beautiful countryside views. Visit the castle ruins of Zbořený Kostelec and continue to Týnec nad Sázavou with its Gothic stronghold and Romanesque rotunda. The stage ends at Konopiště Castle, the former residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d'Este. Start with a short walk along Tábor’s ramparts before cycling south into the peaceful countryside of South Bohemia. Visit the romantic Červená Lhota water castle en route. You finish in Jindřichův Hradec, home to the third-largest historical complex in the Czech Republic. Once a major medieval center, today it is known for its quiet charm and the legend of the “White Lady.” Enter the Bohemian–Moravian Highlands on the way to Telč, a Renaissance masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site considered among Europe’s most beautiful towns. Ride past ponds and lakes, and in Strmilov visit a weaving workshop where wool and linen fabrics have been made for centuries. Cycle toward Dačice, birthplace of the world’s first sugar cube. Enjoy open views, gentle highlands, and quiet villages along the Czech–Austrian border. Visit preserved WWII fortifications, the château of Písečná, and the romantic castle of Uherčice. Before reaching your accommodation, descend to the Vranov Dam for striking views of Bítov Castle. Depending on your overnight location, you may also explore the Cornštejn ruins. Today, you explore the untouched beauty of Podyjí National Park. From Nový Hrádek’s ruins and the Hardegg viewpoint, admire sweeping river meanders carved by the Dyje River. A preserved Iron Curtain memorial recalls the region’s more recent history. The trail leads along the quiet border of the park, completely free of car traffic. Descend through the world-renowned Šobes vineyard, one of the top 10 vineyards on the planet, and pause for a glass of white wine if you wish. Continue to Šatov, where you may visit a Cold War bunker, a painted wine cave, cozy cellar streets, and educational vineyard paths featuring old local grape varieties. Your day concludes in Znojmo, the former seat of the Moravian Přemyslid dynasty. Leave Znojmo along the river and cycle through open fields and vineyards toward the Austrian border. Visit the Renaissance château in Jaroslavice before crossing into Austria to explore the Galgenberg wine region. Follow a peaceful new bike trail back into the Czech Republic and arrive in Mikulov, famous for its Baroque castle, wine museum, historic synagogue, and its enormous wine cask. Your final cycling day in the Czech Republic follows the Iron Curtain Trail, with storyboards retelling the region’s Cold War history. Enter the UNESCO Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape, shaped for centuries by the Lichtenstein family. Explore Lednice Château and gardens, or continue to Jan’s Castle, the Three Graces, the Rendezvous monument, and the Baroque château in Valtice. A visit to the National Wine Center here is an excellent farewell to Moravia. Cross into Austria and ride through Herrnbaumgarten and Poysdorf, where you can stroll the atmospheric cellar lane. From Poysdorf, enjoy your included transfer to Vienna or cycle the full distance if you prefer. This day is yours to unwind in the “Paris of Central Europe,” explore freely, or join a Prague-by-Bike tour guided by locals who love revealing corners beyond any guidebook. The tour ends with a Czech beer in a carefully chosen spot. Ask us if you’d like to add this extra ride — it’s a guest favorite. If time allows, consider adding extra nights to enjoy Prague’s architecture, cafés, and riverside charm. Your first cycling day follows the Vltava River upstream on peaceful bike paths. After 20 km of flat riding, the route rises gently into the Posázaví Highlands, with climbs rewarded by sweeping countryside views. Pause for a short walk to the ruins of Zbořený Kostelec, then continue to Týnec nad Sázavou with its Gothic stronghold and Romanesque rotunda. You end the day at Konopiště Castle, the former summer residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este. Today’s route follows quiet backroads through a region affectionately called Czech Meran for its rolling terrain, or Czech Siberia for the crisp morning chill often found in the valleys. Expect steady climbs, generous viewpoints, and enjoyable descents. The stage ends in Tábor, a never-conquered Hussite stronghold from the 15th century, offering a rich atmosphere and a rewarding end to the day. Begin with a short stroll along Tábor’s ramparts before cycling into the peaceful landscapes of South Bohemia. Visit the romantic water castle of Červená Lhota along the way. You finish in Jindřichův Hradec, home to the third-largest historical complex in the Czech Republic. Though serene today, it was once one of Bohemia’s most important medieval centers and is associated with the legend of the “White Lady.” Ride into the Bohemian–Moravian Highlands toward Telč, a Renaissance jewel and UNESCO World Heritage Site often considered the most beautiful Renaissance town in Europe. The route winds through a landscape dotted with ponds and lakes. In Strmilov, you may visit a traditional weaving workshop dedicated to centuries-old textile craft. Cycle toward Dačice, birthplace of the first sugar cube. This quiet, scenic stretch offers expansive views and charming villages near the Austrian border. Continue past preserved WWII fortifications, the Renaissance castle of Písečná, and the fairytale-like castle of Uherčice. Before reaching your accommodation, descend toward the Vranov Dam for dramatic views of Bítov Castle. Depending on your overnight location, you may also enjoy the viewpoint at Cornštejn. Explore Podyjí National Park, shaped by the winding Dyje River. From Nový Hrádek’s ruins and the Hardegg viewpoint, admire deep river meanders and forested cliffs. Visit a preserved Iron Curtain memorial, cycle along quiet, car-free paths, and descend through the world-renowned Šobes vineyard — one of the top 10 vineyards globally. Continue toward Šatov for optional visits to a Cold War bunker, a painted wine cave, cellar-lined lanes, and vineyards with old local grape varieties. Finish in Znojmo, ancient seat of the Moravian Přemyslids. Ride across fields and vineyards toward the Austrian border with a stop at the Renaissance château in Jaroslavice. Cross briefly into Austria to explore the Galgenberg wine region, then follow a scenic trail back into the Czech Republic. Arrive in Mikulov, known for its baroque castle, wine museum, historic synagogue, and its famous oversized wine cask. Your last Czech cycling day follows the Iron Curtain Trail, sharing stories of those who once attempted to escape the Eastern Bloc. Ride through the Lednice–Valtice UNESCO landscape once more, with opportunities to visit Lednice Château, its gardens, romantic follies, and the Baroque château in Valtice, home to the National Wine Center, an ideal goodbye to the Czech Republic. Enter Austria and continue through Herrnbaumgarten (famous for its whimsical “Nonseum”), then to Poysdorf and Wilfersdorf before reaching Polysdorf. The final stage follows rolling terrain with wind turbines dotting the horizon. Ride along the EuroVelo 6 route, partly using former steam railway lines, before arriving in Vienna, the imperial city of waltz, opera, and grand boulevards. This day is yours to explore the “Paris of Central Europe,” relax, or join our Prague-by-Bike tour guided by locals who know the city more deeply than any guidebook. The ride is safe and scenic and ends with a mug of Czech beer in a carefully chosen spot. If time allows, we recommend extending your stay to discover more of Prague’s beauty and hidden corners. Today is a flexible day. In the morning, you transfer from your Prague hotel to Český Krumlov by van, a 2- to 2.5-hour drive. Upon arrival, you receive your welcome briefing. The rest of the day is free for your own exploration of this fairy tale town. In the evening, we enjoy our first dinner together. The ride begins with a climb out of the Vltava River valley and passes by the beautiful Zlatá Koruna Monastery once more. After this initial effort, the terrain becomes gentler, winding through small villages and peaceful rural scenery. You then reach the Třeboň pond region, a unique landscape shaped over centuries and filled with thousands of ponds, including the vast Svět and Rožmberk. Třeboň, once a residence of the powerful Rosenberg family and today a charming spa town, is the perfect place to enjoy local carp. A longer but rewarding day takes you across the border region. There is less climbing than the day before, and the route leads between many ponds created during the Rosenberg era. You briefly touch the Austrian border and enjoy the quiet nature area known as Czech Canada. Eventually, you turn north toward Telč. This UNESCO-listed Renaissance town offers one of the most picturesque main squares in Europe. Ride south again and enjoy the rolling rhythm of the highlands. Passing through Dačice, you may visit the site where the first sugar cube in the world was invented. Continue along the Austrian border and admire the pre-World War II bunkers that were once meant to defend the country. The day ends with a beautiful descent into the Dyje River canyon, where you can admire the impressive castles of Cornštejn and Bítov. A short but very scenic day awaits. Cycle through Podyjí National Park, one of the most preserved natural areas in the country. Enjoy panoramic views of the Dyje Valley, including the viewpoint overlooking Hardegg. Ride along remnants of the former Iron Curtain and then descend to the river for a tasting at the renowned Šobes vineyard, considered one of the finest in the world. The day ends in the royal town of Znojmo, known for its history and wine culture. Follow the Czech and Austrian border eastward. Leaving Znojmo, the route continues through farmland and vineyards toward Jaroslavice, known for its château. With mostly flat terrain today, you can relax and enjoy the local wine atmosphere before joining the popular cycling route that leads directly to Mikulov. This beautiful town features a grand hilltop castle, a strong Jewish heritage, a rich wine tradition, and an ideal location near both Vienna and Brno. On your final day of cycling, cross the border into Austria and continue through vineyard towns, including Poysdorf, which is home to an extensive wine market. Follow the Zaya Creek and pass through Wilfersdorf, once a seat of the Lichtenstein family, before reaching Mistelbach, where the cycling portion of your journey ends. From here, you transfer to Vienna. Guests who prefer to complete the entire distance may continue biking all the way to Vienna, a total of 96 km. Your tour concludes with breakfast in Vienna. There are two levels of accommodations offered on this tour: Standard and premium. Premium Accommodations: You will stay in old restored historical houses of local aristocrats or rich merchants or chateaus of at least 4-star quality level or, if not available, the very best accommodations in town. Standard Accommodations: 2-star and 3-star hotels or B&Bs. A sample hotel list is provided in the day-to-day itinerary, keeping in mind all accommodations are based on availability. Air conditioning cannot be guaranteed in each hotel like in some smaller towns or towns in historical areas that are prohibited from having AC. Accommodations in booked category according to length of tour. Breakfasts. Pre-tour meeting on the first cycling day. Luggage transportation (weight limit: 15 kg per piece; maximum of 2 pcs per person). 24-gear bicycle with helmet, handlebar bag, pannier, water bottle, mudguards, and lock. Route descriptions and maps. Emergency service. Remaining meals (dinners can be included for a supplement, ask us!). Airport transfers. Entrance fees and excursions. Tourist taxes. Bicycle protection. Travel Insurance. This European cycling tour is a moderate bike tour on designated bike paths and quiet roads with rolling hills. Some sections are challenging. Average daily distances between 25 and 39 miles (40 - 62 km). Fly to Václav Havel Prague Airport, located on the northwest edge of Prague, around 20 kilometers from the city. The journey from the airport to the city center takes around 25-30 minutes by taxi or up to one hour by public transportation. There is no train or metro to /from the airport. Public bus service links are available to underground stations on two different lines. The approximate time from the airport to the nearest metro (Nádraží Veleslavín, line A) is around 25 minutes. The most convenient way to arrive to your first hotel from the airport is by taxi. However, please be aware that taxi drivers in Prague can be fraudulent. Please refer to the below link for some good information for taxi and service from the airport. http://www.pragueairport.co.uk/taxi-from-to-prague-airport/ Please check local conditions prior to arrival. The Czech Republic lies in the temperate climate zone, which is characterized by mild, humid summers with occasional hot spells, and cold, cloudy and humid winters. Average high/low temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit: April 54/36º, May 64/45º, June 69/51º, July 72/54º, August 73/53º, September 65/48º, and October 54/39º. Extra night in Prague before the tour start. We can book this if required. Please note: If you decide to book your own hotel, an additional €20 per booking administration fee will apply. We recommend using one of our standard partner hotels as our route description, GPS files, maps, etc. starts from there. Otherwise, we require a hotel with 24/7 reception + bike storage room. We do not accept Air B&B accommodation and it will be your responsibility on Day 1 to find your way by bike to the route starting point. This tour can be tailor made to your desires. Please ask us about a customized tour! Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our our Canadian clients, please visit Canadian Travel and Tourism information, Australian clients: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and for those from New Zealand: New Zealand Safe Travel. This tour is run by EBT. 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?

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included