View our latest offers and deals on our offers page! See all offers
Back to overview
Germany

Danube: Passau to Budapest and back

Waltzing along the Danube
Passau Round tour.
From €999 p.p.
Quickly jump to
Danube: Passau to Budapest and back

Highlights of this tour

By bike and boat from the “Bavarian Venice“ directly into the heart of the famous and glamorous former K+K monarchy Austria/Hungary. Look forward visiting three of Europe’s most charming capitals: Vienna, the metropolis of Waltz, Bratislava, the capital of coronation and Budapest, the „Paris of the East“. The bike tours lead you to the romantic „Great Loop“ (Schlögener Donauschlinge), the picturesque Danube Bend with Hungary’s largest cathedral and the legendary Wachau valley, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage with its small villages, beautiful palaces and castles. Highlights Passau […]

Cities of Vienna, Bratislava, & Budapest

Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary

Around 220 km / 135 miles

Ship with max. 170 passengers

Guidance
  • Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
  • Independent cycling: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
guidance Independent cycling Guided cycling
Difficulty
  • Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
  • Level 2: quite easy tours, mostly flat terrain
  • Level 3: requires a higher level of exertion, medium hilly terrain
  • Level 4: for experienced cyclists, hilly terrain with climbs
Difficulty level 1 Difficulty level 1
Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch.
8 days

About this tour

By bike and boat from the “Bavarian Venice“ directly into the heart of the famous and glamorous former K+K monarchy Austria/Hungary. Look forward visiting three of Europe’s most charming capitals: Vienna, the metropolis of Waltz, Bratislava, the capital of coronation and Budapest, the „Paris of the East“. The bike tours lead you to the romantic „Great Loop“ (Schlögener Donauschlinge), the picturesque Danube Bend with Hungary’s largest cathedral and the legendary Wachau valley, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage with its small villages, beautiful palaces and castles.

Highlights

  • Passau at the intersection of three rivers
  • the “Great Loop” Schlögener Donauschlinge
  • UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site Wachau
  • Hungarian Danube Bend
  • the metropolises of Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest

 

On board of one of our comfortable cruise ships you enjoy an exclusive atmosphere – in the spacious, convenient cabins as well as in the stylish outdoor area. Experience the fantastic view to breath-taking landscapes – on the bike, from the pool on the sun deck, in the comfy seats of the panorama-lounge, and even during your amazing meals in the first class restaurant. This exciting bike trip will make your holiday unforgettable.

Individual bicycle tour: You´ll receive a detailed roadbook with maps and information to the routing on board. You do not cycle in a group – you cycle individually in your own tempo and are therefor able to time your day to your needs. Only the schedule gives you a time frame.
Guided tours: possible on some dates, a supplement is charged.

The ship – Your sailing hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own if you mention it when booking.

Prepare yourself for this tour with our Travel Prep-tips

Preparation is half the fun, so why not start straight away?
See all tips

Day to day program

Parts that are printed in italics parts will be covered by the ship.

All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours.
The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.

Day 1: Passau | Passau – Engelhartszell

Boarding time from 4.00-5.00 p.m. Located at the confluence of Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau has numerous interesting sites to visit. Use your free time and stroll through the cobblestoned old town center, listen to the bells of Passau’s Gothic Town Hall or have a look at the world’s largest Catholic Church organ in the Passau Cathedral. At 6.00 p.m. we cast off! Slowly, the dreamlike backdrop of Passau’s old town disappears on the horizon.

Day 2: Great Loop | Engelhartszell – Aschach, approx. 42 km / 25.3 mi.

Your first day’s tour begins with a ride through the classic scenery of the ‘Great Loop’ Donauschlinge – one of the most beautiful sections of the Danube. Along the way you will encounter tiny villages and cozy cider taverns. In Austria’s only Trappist monastery at Engelhartszell you can taste their delicious liquors and cheese. The famous ‘Schlogener View’ provides a wonderful panorama of the surrounding Austrian countryside. The boat welcomes all cyclists back on board in the charming market town of Aschach.

Day 3: Devin – Bratislava, approx. 43 km/25.8 mi.

You pedal along the former ‘Iron Curtain’, cross the green line and reach the imposing Imperial Schlosshof Palace with its beautifully terraced gardens. Follow the bike path through Austria’s ‘vegetable garden’ to the coronation town Bratislava and the slopes of the Little Carpathians and discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava on an optional city tour.

Day 4: Budapest | Excursion to Szentendre, approx. 54 km/32.4 mi. (or day of rest)

The entrance to Budapest, Hungary’s capital is stunning. Savor the beauty of Budapest during a coach tour or a guided bike tour (optional) to discover many of the highlights of this beautiful city. You can also choose to cycle to the charming town of Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene. 2023: You will get a very close experience of Hungarian culture at an evening Folklore show with traditional music, local appetizers and dance (optional). 2024: In the evening it is definitely worth visiting the Jewish Quarter.

Day 5: Danube bend – Esztergom, approx. 43 km/25.8 mi.

Situated in the middle of the Danube River the idyllic isle of Szentendre exudes silent Puszta romance. History, folklore and Hungarian way of life will accompany you on your way to Esztergom where the gorgeous basilica – Hungary’s largest Catholic Church – impresses its guests.

Day 6: Vienna (day of rest)

Discover Vienna’s most beautiful attractions. During a city tour by bike or bus (optional) you will experience Vienna’s most famous examples of architecture: the imperial Hofburg, St. Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous ‘Ring’-boulevard and the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall, and of course the colorful “Hundertwasserhaus”. Take time to relax in one or more of Vienna’s famous cafés, while the evening ends impressively at a classical concert (optional) at a famous Viennese Palace.

Day 7: Wachau | Krems – Melk, approx. 39 km/23.4 mi.

Your last biking day is a special highlight! A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein, while the blue spire of the monastery church is a landmark of the renowned Wachau Valley. Amidst dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everybody who visits … you will be biking on cloud nine! In Weißenkirchen (2024: In Spitz) (possibility for wine-tasting – optional) you will find comfortable wine taverns along the bike path.

Day 8: Passau

As you cruise back up the Danube enjoy the early morning sunshine as you wind your way to Passau, where you’ll disembark at approx. 11.00 a.m. Connecting travel should be booked for 12.00 a.m. onwards.

Good to know
  • Cycling route distances in the travel program are approximate.
  • On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.
  • Tour profile, level 1: The cycle route is completely flat with only slightly gradients, ideal for cyclists with less experience and children. Do not feel like cycling? Without effort you will also reach your destination by ship.
  • Individual bicycle tours: You´ll receive detailed travel documents, GPS tracks and information to the routing on board. You do not cycle in a group – you cycle individually in your own tempo and are therefor able to time your day to your needs. Only the schedule gives you a time frame. The cruise director explains the evening before the next cycling path in the daily briefings and inform you about the specifics and gives tips about sightseeing, possibilities to take a rest and specialties.
  • If you do not want to cycle, just stay on board and enjoy the passing landscape on the sun deck or relax in the infrared cabin. The crew is trying to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
  • In the event of extremely high or low water, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge stages by bus or even to cancel the trip at short notive without any legal claim arising therefrom (water levels are force majeure). The same applies for officially decreed repairs to locks or bridges, not announced in advance, or in the event of motor or propulsion damage to the ship without attributed fault.
    One the one hand, a riverboat is a “holiday hotel”, while on the other, it is also a means of transport that moves with motor power and must always be operated, even at night (partially with lock and bridge passages and the retractions and extensions of the structures caused as a result). Mistakes can happen with lock passages. This is the case for all Danube journeys and cannot be avoided.
    Please bear in mind that riverboats are restricted (bridge passages, locks) in size (length, height, width) and therefore cannot be compared with cruise liners in the sea. The cabins are limited in space but are nevertheless comfortable and furnished.

Prices & availability

To view the availability of this tour and/or book online please click on the button below. A new screen will open.


Prices & information

Pricing overview - 2024
Cabin type For Season 1 Season 2 Season 3
Standard Twin cabin lower deck 2 pers. € 999 € 1099 € 1199 Comfort Twin cabin middle deck 2 pers. € 1319 € 1419 € 1519 Superior Twin cabin middle deck (Vivienne) 2 pers. € 1519 € 1619 € 1719 Superior Twin cabin upper deck 2 pers. € 1519 € 1619 € 1719 Junior-suite upper deck (Vivienne) 2 pers. € 1819 € 1919 € 2019 Master-Suite (Vivienne) 2 pers. € 2019 € 2119 € 2219
Included in this tour
  • 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air conditioning
  • Port Charges
  • Program according to itinerary from/to Passau
  • Captain‘s greeting and welcome cocktail
  • Daily cabin cleaning, towels and bed linen
  • Full board: breakfast buffet, lunch onboard (non-cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists), afternoon coffee break, dinner (2/3 dishes to choose), late night snack
  • Gala dinner and farewell cocktail
  • Board Musician
  • Cruise director onboard (does not cycle with the group)
  • Daily information meeting
  • Detailed travel documents, GPS Tracks + cycling tour app per cabin

 

 

Excluded in this tour
  • Transfers to/from the ship
  • Other transfers
  • Rental bicycle / E-Bike
  • Rental Helmet
  • Entrance fees & excursions
  • Parking fee
  • Drinks on board
  • Personal (travel) insurances
  • Gratuities (at your discretion)
  • Wifi
  • SGR Insolvency protection
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person - will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)
Bicycles/E-Bikes

21-/24-speed-tourbike:

Our bicycles are modern and high standard quality of KTM. We offer 28-Zoll-Unisex-tourbikes with deep comfort-entrance. The bikes are equipped with either 21 or 24-derailleur-gear (depending on ship) with override, caliper brakes and robust wheels. Our bicycles are mostly not older than 3 years. During the journey, you are liable for any damage, loss or theft. A corresponding bike insurance can be completed on board.

E-Bike (freewheel, available from 160 cm/ 5’3″):

Our electric bicycles are designed to complement your pedaling, not to replace it. They are equipped with a torque sensor that measures how hard you push on the pedals. You set a power level—from low assistance to high—and the bike gives you power in proportion to your pedaling, allowing you to ride further, faster and with greater ease and enjoyment. Torque-sensed pedal assist has been described by customers as “like magic,” a “superman (or wonder woman) sensation,” as well as “the best antidepressant ever invented”.

Own bikes: Own weight when loading and unloading max. 23 kg [without battery -> are (dis)assembled on land]. Batteries cannot be charged directly on the bike.

Additional options & information - 2024
  • Rental bicycle (21/24-speed trekking bike with handbrakes): € 89 per week/person
  • Rental E-Bike: € 189 per week/person (only on request, limited number of e-bikes available, early bookings strongly recommended
  • Rental helmet: € 15, (pre-booking required)
  • Own bike: If you want to bring your own bike you have to pay €29
  • Own E-bike: If you want to bring your own E-bike you have to pay €39
  • Save on the way, helmet required in Slovakia: We advise you wear a bike helmet (in Austria children till 12 yrs are obligated to wear a bike helmet, in Slovakia all bikers are obligated to wear a helmet (except in built-up areas). Please bring your own helmet . You can also buy a helmet on board. (limited stock).

 

Additional: Guided Tour: € 299 p.p. Departure dates: VIVIENNE: May 5 and 26; June 16; July 14; August 4; September 1 and 22. Personal attention from a dedicated guide you cycle in a small group where you explore a lot of local cultures, discover hidden sites and secret places and enjoy some delicious
appetizers. Included in the Guided tour price:

  • Cycling tour guide
  • Ferry crossings
  • Tasting of homemade cider at a cider producer in the Upper-Danube-Valley
  • Wine tasting with a local wine grower
  • 2x city tour: Vienna by bike, Budapest by bus
  • Bike helmet rental (only adults)
    Minimum number of participants: 10. Maximum 18 participants (has to be reached 4 weeks prior to departure date).

 

Excursion program
Optional excursions (not included in the price of your tour) can be booked individually or as a package at a discount on board only.

  • Bratislava: City tour with scenic train and walking tour
  • Budapest: City tour by bike or HOP ON HOP OFF bus / 2023: Budapest by night folklore show at a traditional Hungarian Csarda
  • Vienna: City tour by bike or by bus / Classical waltz & operetta concert in one of Vienna’s famous palaces
  • Wachau: Wine tasting with a local wine grower in Wachau Valley

 

Parking Passau
incl. shuttle transfer to/from pier
– outdoor area € 78
– Parking garage € 92
(registration form in the travel documents or online, payable locally)

Minimum of participants
ship: 90 people / guided tour: 10 people (max. 18 pers.) (has to be reached 4 weeks prior cruise start)

Legal notice: Boat Bike Tours is not the operator of this tour; this is a so called ‘partner tour’. Tour operator is: Rad & Reisen, Vienna (A). The tour operator is entitled to cancel the tour if the minimum number of participants has not been reached. If the tour will not take place, all deposits/payments will be fully refunded.



Reviews

based on 43 reviews on
29 Oct 2023

Gail Trent

Great tour director!! The crew were friendly and helpful! The boat and rooms were clean. The itinerary beautiful! The food great and plenty! The bikes were kept in wonderful condition! Totally enjoyed this adventure!

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 2 Nov 2023

We are happy that you liked your trip with us! Thank you for your feedback about our team, accommodations, itinerary, and amenities. We hope to have you back for another adventure in the future. Thank you for choosing us! Best regards, Boat Bike Tours

20 Oct 2023

Livia Dominci

It was a lovely week and one of mybest vacations. Beautiful places , nice bikes and great weather. The only “negative “ point is that we have to share tables with other guests. It is good but it doesn’t need to be in all meals.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 27 Oct 2023

We're delighted to hear about your lovely experience. Your feedback is noted and we appreciate your input. We hope to welcome you back on board. Best Regards, Boat Bike Tours

20 Sep 2023

Nadine Carr

I felt that the trip was a bit disorganized. When we arrived at the boat the staff did not greet us and tell us what to do with our luggage. Later after the information meeting we were told that if you had an e-bike to go up on deck and find your bike and get your battery to charge it in your room. It was pitch black on the top deck and I fell on some dark wicker furniture and really hurt myself. In fact it’s been a week and a half and my hip still hurts. The tour guide was there and did help me and I also got some ice from reception. The top deck should have had the lights on OR the battery should have been left in the room like the charger was. I felt that the instructions for each day was lacking. They did not tell us any points of interest or any good restaurants etc. I also felt that the days were very time restricted. We had to be back on the boat at a certain time and this meant we really didn’t have anytime to explore. Maybe that is why no points of interest was mentioned. The food was adequate but I think the lunch was very boring. A meat and cheese sandwich every day! Other than the tour guides the staff were awesome! The boat was very clean as well.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 29 Sep 2023

Hi Nadine, Thank you for sharing your feedback on your recent trip. We truly appreciate your input, as it helps us improve our services and provide a better experience for our guests. We apologize for the disorganized start to your trip. It's crucial that our staff ensures a smooth beginning for all our passengers. We'll review our procedures to ensure better communication upon arrival and during the information meeting. Regarding the lighting issue on the top deck, we understand the importance of safety, and we're sorry to hear about your fall. We will work on improving the lighting situation to prevent such accidents in the future. Your comments about the lack of information about points of interest and restaurants are valid. We'll work on enhancing the daily instructions to provide more details on local attractions and dining options to enhance your exploration experience. We're glad to hear that you found our staff to be awesome and the boat clean. We'll make sure to pass on your compliments to our team. As for the lunch options, we appreciate your feedback and will consider offering a more diverse menu in the future to cater to different preferences. Your input is invaluable to us, and we'll take these suggestions seriously to improve our services and make your future experiences with us even better. Thank you for choosing our tour, and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future. If you have any further comments or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. Warm regards, Romy

15 Sep 2023

Lester Wright

Great service & a great experience.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 4 Oct 2023

Thank you for your kind review! We are delighted that you enjoyed our tour. Hopefully, we can welcome you on board again soon. Best wishes, Boat Bike Tours.


Available ships for this tour

Premium Experience the higher levels of comfort, smaller groups and extra’s.
The Swiss Crown
Motor ship Swiss Crown Danube

Whirlpool/Sauna

Library

Spacious cabins

Individually controlled air conditioning

max. 135 passengers
68 cabins
3 tours available with this ship
Premium Experience the higher levels of comfort, smaller groups and extra’s.
Vivienne
Premium ship Vivienne Danube

New spacious modern cabins

Library

High-quality ambience

Individually controlled air conditioning

max. 152 passengers
76 cabins
1 tours available with this ship

Related tours

Passau Round tour.
From Passau to Vienna and back Meander along the Great Loop

Plenty of sights in Vienna

the “Great loop”and UNESCO Site Wachau

Around 200 km / 147 miles

Ships with max. 150 passengers

Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch. 8 days
4 stars
12 Reviews
Guidance
  • Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
  • Independent cycling: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
guidance Independent cycling Guided cycling
Difficulty
  • Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
  • Level 2: quite easy tours, mostly flat terrain
  • Level 3: requires a higher level of exertion, medium hilly terrain
  • Level 4: for experienced cyclists, hilly terrain with climbs
Difficulty level 1 Difficulty level 1
Passau Round tour.
Iron Gates Travel through 6 countries

Travel through 6 countries in 15 days

Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, & Belgrade

Almost 400 km/ 250 miles

Ship with max. 150 passengers

Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch. 15 days
5 stars
3 Reviews
Guidance
  • Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
  • Independent cycling: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
guidance Independent cycling Guided cycling
Difficulty
  • Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
  • Level 2: quite easy tours, mostly flat terrain
  • Level 3: requires a higher level of exertion, medium hilly terrain
  • Level 4: for experienced cyclists, hilly terrain with climbs
Difficulty level 1 Difficulty level 1
Passau Round tour.
Passau - Budapest - Passau Highlights of 4 Danube countries

Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary

Day of rest & exploration in Budapest

Around 200 km / 147 miles

Ships with max. 150 passengers

Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch. 8 days
4 stars
68 Reviews
Guidance
  • Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
  • Independent cycling: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
guidance Independent cycling
Difficulty
  • Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
  • Level 2: quite easy tours, mostly flat terrain
  • Level 3: requires a higher level of exertion, medium hilly terrain
  • Level 4: for experienced cyclists, hilly terrain with climbs
Difficulty level 1 Difficulty level 1

Your selected tour:

Danube: Passau to Budapest and back

Request a quote

  • Please enter a number from 1 to 150.
  • Month (March until October) and year
  • Your data

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.