Krakow to Budapest Bike Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
2026: Jun, Sep
A Cycling Adventure Through Poland, Slovakia & Hungary
Poland’s grand Pieniny Mountains. Slovakia’s sleepy woods and castles. Hungary’s Tokay wine country, spread over volcanic hills. String them together with stellar cycling for a three-course Central European delight.
Highlights
- The beaten path isn’t anywhere in sight from these scenic destinations which are icons to their respective countries, but unknowns abroad
- Breathe in the sparkling-clean alpine air of Poland’s Pieniny National Park and take the waters in the Old World resort town of Szczawnica
- Our rural rides follow riverside bike paths, converted rail trails and a working railway line through a mossy forest
- From pierogi at a village tavern to a beer tasting in a castle, this region greets you with its unique brand of hearty hospitality
- Connect Kraków and Budapest, two of Central Europe’s most dynamic and fascinating gateway cities

StartKraków, Poland
EndBudapest, Hungary
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary

Day 1
Our inaugural ride coasts over sweeping fields of wheat as the rocky peaks of the Tatra Mountains crowd the distant horizon • Pedal along the car-free wonderland of the Dunajec River bike path • Get to know your fellow travelers over traditional treats at a local tavern • Tour the impressive hilltop ruins of Czorsztyn Castle • Cycle through Pieniny National Park to arrive in Szczawnica, a charming spa town whose alkaline springs were once just what the 19th-century doctor ordered.





Night 1
Cozy modern touches and an Old World Polish twist on mountain-lodge architecture live up to this resort’s motto of “slow life.” Slow it down even more at the indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling window views and a relishable series of saunas. (pool, spa)

Days 2-3
Cross the border to bike Slovakian roads past haystacks, cottages and roadside crosses • Why not end your ride with a cold Slovak beer in the shadow of towering Spiš Castle? • Relax at our nature-centric spa retreat tucked in the forest • Check out the baroque frescoes at a World Heritage monastery • Cycle atop a lofty ridge surrounded by grand views • Wander the colorful cobbled streets of Košice.





Nights 2-3
Natural wellness and serenity are the endgame at this forest getaway where every aspect of the guest experience is lovingly crafted, especially the exquisite locavore cuisine. (pool, spa)

Days 4-6
Say dovidenia to Slovakia and szia to Hungary • Pedal along a roller coaster of backcountry roads between the rugged green slopes of the Tokaj Mountains • Follow a lonely railroad track through a mossy forest • More castles crown each hilltop as you spin down from the mountains into Tokay wine country • Bike through vineyards and stroll the streets of a charming wine country town • Deep in the volcanic rock, tour the cave cellars where Tokay has been aged for time immemorial • Raise a glass to toast to our colorful three-country journey • End your journey in gilded Budapest, a city so marvelous you’ll forget your post-trip blues.





Nights 4-5
You’ll know you’re in wine country as soon as you lay eyes on this languid pied-à-terre. Brick terrace dotted with umbrellas: check. Pool deck with views of vineyards and ancient walls: check and check. The colonnaded bathhouse complex which would make a Roman green with envy—that’s just a bonus. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
The slower pace and down-to-earth outlook on life that characterize the cultures of Central Europe are part of the region’s charms. So is the relative scarcity of international tourists; because of this, the hospitality in the areas we visit on this trip tends to be oriented toward locals. Service can sometimes lack a sense of polish and urgency when compared with the service found in other parts of Europe.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.





Night 1
Premiere Hotel
Cozy modern touches and an Old World Polish twist on mountain-lodge architecture live up to this resort’s motto of “slow life.” Slow it down even more at the indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling window views and a relishable series of saunas. (pool, spa)










Nights 2-3
Premiere Hotel
Natural wellness and serenity are the endgame at this forest getaway where every aspect of the guest experience is lovingly crafted, especially the exquisite locavore cuisine. (pool, spa)










Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
You’ll know you’re in wine country as soon as you lay eyes on this languid pied-à-terre. Brick terrace dotted with umbrellas: check. Pool deck with views of vineyards and ancient walls: check and check. The colonnaded bathhouse complex which would make a Roman green with envy—that’s just a bonus. (pool, spa)






Gallery












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Bikes

Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Redesigned for 2024
- Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only

Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

- $400 rental fee
- Hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed Cro-Moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train
- Custom upgraded wheelset
- Best for riders with some tandem experience.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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