Can't bike so now what?

Graz ? Plenty of "cool" in the high country of Slovakia, Budapest is a 2.5 hour train ride from Vienna.

I tore my hamstring so I hope to be able hike, but biking is highly unlikely.

So sorry!!!! That definitely sounds both painful and limiting.

To some degree, I'm sort of in the "play it by ear" camp (having never torn a hamstring), as I feel like we all heal at different rates and injuries have a range of their degree of damage. So, my first instinct would be to see how you are doing over the next few weeks. I wouldn't give up on cycling, but would definitely consider an ebike instead. The ride from Passau to Vienna - assuming following the Danube - is relatively flat with a slight downhill. There looks like there's a small section of climbing - shortish up and down - around Schlögen to Aschach an der Donau where the likely route would take you away from the river for a bit. With an ebike at "moderate" assist for most of the ride, and jacking up to "maximum" assist for that stretch, I'd think an ebike would work well for you even with the hamstring injury.

So, I'd look into the ebike option, and also make alternate plans if you feel that you might need to jump on reservations or rearrange hotels stays, etc.. I'd opt for "refundable" sorts of things if possible. I also think hiking with a bad hamstring might also be tough, so a lot of this comes back to how well you start recovering in general.

Good luck!

Thank you, Mr. E, for your suggestion. Any thoughts on somewhere closer to Passau or midway between Passau and Vienna? We will be leaving from Passau so that’s why the transport is far from there.

Tom, thanks for your ideas. We do have E bikes already reserved, and I’m actually nursing a very old injury and then I tore it again in January. So it’s been a long healing process. Right now I’m hoping to have the ability to sit on an airplane and arrive with the ability to walk. I’ve got just a few weeks to figure it out. I might have to call off the whole trip, or if I can do more land-based with some hiking, I will do that. I do have all hotels that I can cancel.

In the last couple weeks, I have made a lot of progress so I’m still hopeful.

Passau, Germany, not Passau, Austria, correct?

I have never been, but Cesky Krumlov is supposed to be very nice and sort of on the way, about 3 hours by train and bus from Germany.

Or buy a used motor scooter in Germany, ride with your friends and sell it when you get to Vienna.

I like the "buy a scooter" suggestion. Add to that a Ebike.

But if you just want to get away and see the Alps, with scenic hiking, head for the Otztal, in Tyrol. Go up to Hochgurgl. In the winter it's a ski village nobody's heard of. In the summer it's beautiful.

Komoot is always a good source to find and plan hikes.

Be aware that for motor scooters and also some e-bikes a valid driving permission is necessary. Article with details in German language. DeepL helps translating. And driving permission can mean more than a in Germany valid driving license.

MarkK, good to hear riding an electric bike requires a drivers license, well done Germany.

On the German E-Bike thing (in English).... Pedelecs support the rider's pedal power up to a speed of 25 km/h and are legally considered bicycles, which means that they do not require registration, insurance or a driver's license. S-Pedelecs, on the other hand, which can reach speeds of up to 45 km/h, require registration, must be equipped with an insurance license plate and the driver must have a suitable driver's license. The Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) also stipulate technical requirements that e-bikes must meet in order to be allowed to be used on public roads. But this is kinda a big deal, so dont trust the forum, I would contact the rental place in advance to get the details.

More, including Austria: https://engwe.com/blogs/news/e-bike-laws-across-europe

But I dont know what you can do? Can you sit on a scooter or a bike and the ebike is "easier" but you still pedal. Someone mentioned Cesky Krumlov. I love the place, but lots of up and down hills to walk. Of course the region you are going is up and down hills. Maybe scrap everything and head (discount airline) to a flat beach or a less expensive location where getting around is easier and cheaper.

Or go rafting or kayaking or sea fishing or river fishing or paragliding or ..... I know those sorts of places but not in Germany or Austria.

Susan, I’m so sorry to hear about your injury. I know how much you’ve been looking forward to this trip. I think you would really enjoy Cesky Krumlov and it could keep you busy for a couple of days. I’ll be home on Sunday so maybe we can get together next week and we could talk about the possibilities.

Thanks to all who have replied. I have yet to get on a bike since my PT has me waiting, so we will see what that will bring. UGH!! My tear is at my sit bone so sitting is a big problem, hence not wanting a long train ride, and the scooter idea is still sitting. I will also be flying CA to Zurich for a week prior the the bike ride, and I have no idea what that will do to me. Actually, the whole trip is really on the line, not just biking, but I will try to remain optimistic, and make a plan B. The bike will be the most difficult for me, so if I have to scrap it I hope to do Switzerland and an alternative to biking.

We thought maybe we could meet up with friends in Melk and follow them to Vienna from there (Melk, Durstein, Tulln). That would give us 5 nights between Passau and Melk. I'm not sure what to do with that?

But, maybe going to Budapest is a good idea and just dealing with the train length, and then just going back to Vienna from there and not going to Melk to Vienna? That would give us a week in Budapest and a shorter train ride back to Vienna. We really aren't big city people but we could do that. I hear Budapest is wonderful.

Well the majority of what to see in Budapest is on flat land, so walking is easy. If you dont want to walk and cant sit, stand on the trams (I do cause if I sit down some elderly person or young lady will board and I end up standing anyway).

If you do come this way, check the train prices with OBB and with MAV. The seats are a bit more comfortable in first, but even in second, get up and walk. I just pulled up a 11 June at random and the 9:40 train cause its a reasonable hour to travel. MAV was 17 euro for 2nd and 27 euro for 1st class. OBB was 19.20 euro and 47.80 euro for the same train. Down load the app from which ever company you use and present your tickets on the app when on the train. Just easier.

WAIT, second idea ... RegioJet. They have a reputation for really comfortable trains. Their 10:27 train (the earlier one is at 07:30) stops at Deli Station in Budapest. A tad outside of the center, but connected with a metro line. Very slightly longer or more involved than comeing from one of the city center stations. They have seats that rival aircraft.

The "Relax 2nd Class" is 18.90 euro

The Relax comfort class truly means relax. You can book a particular
seat in the open-space car with comfortable leather seats,
entertainment portal and Wi-Fi. Stewards provide services throughout
the journey; Illy coffee and Rajec water are provided for free, as are
newspapers and magazines. The on-board menu includes a variety of
snacks and beverages for affordable prices.

Business (1st) Class is 24.90 euro (but almost sold out on the June date I picked)

The Business comfort class means premium service and maximum comfort.
Above-standard features with leather seats, entertainment portal,
Wi-Fi and priority service by our staff. Rajec water, Illy coffee,
juice or Bohemia Sekt Brut sparkling wine are provided free of charge,
as are newspapers and magazines. Our on-board menu with a variety of
snacks and beverages is available. The comfort of the Business class
is the best option for everyone who wants to work or relax during
their journey with above-standard service.

If it were me, I'd volunteer to be the sag wagon and enjoy the hell out of those towns along the Danube. It's wine country, after all.

If you go to Budapest, and I think you would enjoy it, Monte can ride the public transportation for free. Be sure to go to a bath one day.

How about taking a river cruise which allows you on a daily base to decide how much you want to do?

Thank you again for all the help. I am reading and considering all the suggestions.

If we went to Budapest it looks like it is a 5 1/2 hour train ride from Passau, and then a 3:40 ride back to Melk. Then we would stay in Melk, Durstein, Tulln and then onto Vienna with our friends. The transport between those towns looks longish for being so close to one another. Ugh! I want to bike ride. I wonder if we are pushing a plan B? Maybe better to cancel the whole trip, I don't know.

Question: Is Budapest worth 4 nights when considering the time it will take to get there and back?

Or would it be wise to rent a car?

If we went to Budapest it looks like it is a 5 1/2 hour train ride
from Passau, and then a 3:40 ride back to Melk.

The 3:40 ride to Melk has a 6-minute change along the way. Now, our local train gurus say that’s wonderful. As often as trains are late, just not what I would do on holiday.

Or would it be wise to rent a car?

Some do that very well and enjoy it. I probably have close to 5 years total time in Europe now and I have never driven. And on holiday not what I would like to mess with. Just renting and returning it will take hours.

I did rent one in South Africa back when the World Cup was there … a total disaster.

In your case you will have a second country drop off fee, gas, tolls, tickets, bail money to deal with plus the cost of the rental.

Maybe think of Daytrip.com. I looked, its 295 euro which maybe isnt much more if any than the rental. They have some interesting stops they will make along the way. Ive use them in the past. Always worked well. OR, I know a driver service, but don’t know that you could price: http://www.silverwings.hu/ Ive known Laszlo for going on 15 years. Good guy, good service.

Ugh! I want to bike ride. I wonder if we are pushing a plan B? Maybe
better to cancel the whole trip, I don't know.

No suggestions on that one. But do understand.

Question: Is Budapest worth 4 nights when considering the time it will
take to get there and back?

Despite my obvious bias for the city I don’t think there are any that will question 4 nights being a good stay in Budapest. So that much is okay. As for the time there vs 8 hours total transportation time …. Again …. Sort of a personal preference but its rare to get between any two meaningful destinations in Europe in under 5 hours door to door.

I think I sent you a link to my notes and videos. Look and if it seems interesting …. You will probably be glad you went. But if it doesn’t light your fire keep looking.

I am not sure if +1,000 km traveling is meaningful with your described health status. There are a lot of closer and somehow comparable options.

If you can or not is up to you. But you are lucky, cause Northern CA is beautiful in June.

If you do get this way and need work arounds based on limitations, just ask. I am an old fart and getting good at discovering workarounds.

I feel the pressure because our friends have already purchased flights and they don't want to travel alone. However, they are not putting any pressure on me and tell me not to worry about canceling or postponing. As we are getting older, and I do have MS, which could lead to more difficulties in the future, we kind of feel we better go while we can. That being said, maybe it is just too much for my body. It is so hard to gauge. I may get a cortisone shot on Tuesday (which I have been avoiding) so I guess I'll see how that goes. But, you are right, lots of wonderful sites in my own backyard so if we cancel there are many other things to do.

BTW, we usually rent cars in Europe with no problems driving. On this trip we have rented a car from our house to SFO, another one in Zurich for our Swiss portion, another one in Munich to pick up and drive our friends to Passau ( we thought a good idea to make them comfortable after their flight) so we really don 't want to rent a forth one for the plan B! I'm beginning to think we are crazy!!!

Some people do great with cars on holiday. I'm not one of them. One of my many weaknesses. Fortunatelly I have enjoyed Eastern Europe so much that 9 time out of 10 thats the direction I head and with prices so low in Eastern Europe I can hire out and sit and look out the window.

Again, if you do come this way and you have any medical needs I have a good support network here. Had to build one with a bum ticker and a half dozen other things breaking and falling off.

If your plan was go to Melk, and Budapest is the extra journey then think about it as a total of 5 hours round trip and about 600km more. But if renting a car is in the thinking, then break up the drive and stop in Gyor or Sopron on the way down or the way back. Actually, look at the Daytrip.com stops buecause they made good sense and you can do them on your own.

Or just drive around central Austria for four nights.

Ive got this sciatic thing that get pinched passing through my hip bone that makes my right leg go numb and then I fall over. Fortunately I live a 2 minute walk (hobble) to a good massage establishment who has learned how to open things up a bit but that comes with some pretty real pain ..... so its off the bath house afterwards. Maybe 4 nights in a spa hotel with morning trips to a bath house might be good thearapy, better than driving all day... dont know. Just thinking out loud.