Independent cycling: No tour leader, the shipsβ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
Independent
Accompanied by a cruise ship you cycle along Europeβs second largest river Danube from the charming Bavarian βthree river cityβ of Passau (or Engelhartszell) straight into the heart of the once glorious Imperial and Royal Monarchy. Enjoy three of the most enchanting European capitals: the lively Vienna, the Slovak coronation city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and Budapest, the βHungarian Danube Queenβ! By bicycle you discover the stunning natural spectacle of the SchlΓΆgener Donauschlinge (βGreat Loopβ), the legendary Wachau with romantic towns and mighty castles amidst lovely vineyards, the untouched alluvial forests of the Danube National Park, as well as the baroque town of VΓ‘c with its colourful 18th century houses. The highlights of the tour: Passau, the City of 3 β¦
Accompanied by a cruise ship you cycle along Europeβs second largest river Danube from the charming Bavarian βthree river cityβ of Passau (or Engelhartszell) straight into the heart of the once glorious Imperial and Royal Monarchy.
Enjoy three of the most enchanting European capitals: the lively Vienna, the Slovak coronation city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and Budapest, the βHungarian Danube Queenβ! By bicycle you discover the stunning natural spectacle of the SchlΓΆgener Donauschlinge (βGreat Loopβ), the legendary Wachau with romantic towns and mighty castles amidst lovely vineyards, the untouched alluvial forests of the Danube National Park, as well as the baroque town of VΓ‘c with its colourful 18th century houses.
The highlights of the tour: Passau, the City of 3 rivers, the Schloegen Danube Loop, the Hungarian Danube Bend, the World Heritage Site Wachau, the metropolis of Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna.
The ship β 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. Youβll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. Itβs 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.
PLEASE NOTE: As from 2026, the Prinzessin Katharina start/ends in Engelhartszell.
Individual journey to Engelhartszell, known for its Trappist monastery and scenic natural surroundings, approx. 30 km/18,64 miles from Passau. Embarkation will be around 4:00 pm. Overnight in Engelhartszell.
Day 2 Engelhartszell β Great Loop β Aschach β Vienna-Nussdorf
40km24 mi or 46km28 mi
The day starts in Engelhartszell, where we head towards the βGreat Loopβ β one of the most beautiful and original sectors of the Danube. Your cycling will encounter small villages and cosy must-see taverns. Youβll board again in Aschach. Then, you βsail into the nightβ towards Vienna-Nussdorf.
Day 3 Vienna-Nussdorf (day of rest)
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the St. Stephens Cathedral, the Hofburg, the gorgeous boulevard βRingstraΞ²eβ with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House or the town hall that takes you back to the past. In the night shipping to Budapest.
Day 4 Budapest (day of rest) or round trip to Szentendre | Budapest β Visegrad
47km29 mi
In the morning, you enjoy the panoramic view of the Danubeβs gorgeous landscape on the sundeck. The gateway to Budapest is overwhelming, as many of the famous tourist features are situated directly next to the river bank. In the afternoon you can explore the numerous attractions of the city. Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for a small bike tour or the charming town of Szentendre with Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art life. In the night shipping to Visegrad.
Day 5 Danube Bend | Visegrad β VΓ‘c β Visegrad | Visegrad
36km22 mi
The Danube bend is definitely a delightful part and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Todayβs bike leg starts at Visegrad with its famous fortress and the ruins of the former palace. You cycle through the picturesque countryside via the Szentendre Peninsula to the baroque village of VΓ‘c, which has been influenced by the architects of the Austrian empress Maria Theresia. Via small Hungarian villages you return to Visegrad. In the afternoon shipping to Bratislava.
Day 6 Bratislava (day of rest) | Bratislava β Rossatz or DΓΌrnstein
Arrival at Bratislava in the morning. Today discover the small lively capital of Slovakia. Tip: Enjoy a magnificent panoramic view from the castle and take a ride on a mini train through the enchanting old town. Alternatively, explore the city during a guided bike tour. In the night shipping to Rossatz or DΓΌrnstein (Wachau).
Your last biking day is a special highlight! Amidst small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins, this gentle hilly landscape enchants everybody. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of DΓΌrnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. In the small village of PΓΆchlarn you will board again. After the farewell gala dinner, you start βsailingβ back to Engelhartszell.
Day 8 Departure from Engelhartszell
Every journey draws to an end. Once again you enjoy on deck the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take a last sight at the SchlΓΆgener Schlinge (βGreat Loopβ) before you arrive relaxed at Engelhartszell. Arrival: approx. at 09 am, disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend to book train connections from Passau from approx. noon onwards.
Day 1 Passau | Passau β Engelhartszell
Arrival in the βThree River Cityβ. Passau attracts many with the worldβs greatest church organ at the Stephansdom and its charming Old Town. Embarkation will be around 4 pm, departure around 7 pm. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.
Day 2 Engelhartszell β Great Loop β Brandstatt | Brandstatt β Bratislava
44km27 mi or 47km29 mi
The day starts in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria), where we head towards the βGreat Loopβ β one of the most beautiful and original sectors of the Danube. Your cycling will encounter small villages and cosy must-see taverns. Youβll board again in Brandstatt. Then, you βsail into the nightβ towards Bratislava.
Day 3 Bratislava | Bratislava β Budapest
53km32 mi
Arrival at Bratislava. You start cycling from Bratislava via Hainburg to the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof beautifully terraced gardens and idyllic manor farm further on to Devin and then back to Bratislava. Tip: discover the hidden alleys of Bratislava, places and all the sights of this ambitious metropolis during a tour by mini train and by foot. In the night shipping to Budapest.
Day 4 Budapest (day of rest) or roundtrip to Szentendre | Budapest β Visegrad
48km29 mi
In the early morning, you enjoy the panoramic view of the Danubeβs gorgeous landscape on the sundeck. The gateway to Budapest is overwhelming, as many of the famous tourist features are situated directly next to the river bank. In the afternoon you can explore the numerous attractions of the city. Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for a small bike tour or the charming town of Szentendre with Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art life. In the night shipping to Visegrad.
Day 5 Danube Bend | VΓ‘c β Esztergom | Esztergom β Vienna
49km30 mi
The Danube bend is definitely one of most delightful and attractive parts and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Todayβs bike leg starts at the baroque village of VΓ‘c, which has been influenced by the architects of the austrian empress Maria Theresia. Cycling through the picturesque and gently undulating countryside your route leads you directly to the bishop-town of Esztergom, with its gorgeous basilica β Hungaryβs largest Catholic Church β overlooking the village. In the night shipping to Vienna.
Day 6 Vienna-Nussdorf (day of rest) | Vienna-Nussdorf β Rossatz or DΓΌrnstein
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the St. Stephens Cathedral, the Hofburg, the gorgeous boulevard βRingstraΞ²eβ with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House or the town hall that takes you back to the past. In the night shipping to Rossatz or DΓΌrnstein (Wachau).
Your last biking day is a special highlight! Amidst small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins, this gentle hilly landscape enchants everybody. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of DΓΌrnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. In the small village of PΓΆchlarn you will board again. After the farewell gala dinner, you start βsailingβ back to Passau.
Day 8 Departure from Passau
Every journey draws to an end. Once again you enjoy on deck the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take a last sight at the SchlΓΆgener Schlinge (βGreat Loopβ) before you arrive relaxed at Passau.
Arrival: approx at 11 a.m., disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend to arrange connecting trips from 12.30 p.m. onwards.
Good to know
Character of cycle tours: individual, unguided
Cycling route distances in the travel program are approximate.
Profil: Nearly all cycle tours can be classified as being easy
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.
If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, youβre welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
The tour itinerary and route are subject to possible changes due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or other unforeseen events.
Digital Travel documents and roadmaps: In the interest of sustainability and climate protection, please choose our digital route book instead of printed travel documents. The GUIBO app is your constant companion during your SE-Tours original trip. A glance at your smartphone is enough to keep you safe and worry-free, with all the important information at hand. Travel information, ship and contact details and your bike tours are available digitally in the route book, available offline and thus accessible at any time. The app is available for free and works on all standard smartphones. You will automatically receive the access data to download your booked trip via email before your journey begins.
Excursions We offer a small excursion program, that can be booked directly on board at the cruise director only. You will get a brief description together with your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants some excursions could be carried out in 2 languages (German/ English).
Luggage We recommend: rainwear, bicycle helmet, sunhat and sneakers.
Schedule and program changes Basically, we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program. In case of flood or low tide, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages by buses. In extreme situations, the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey on short notice. No legal right shall be constituted of both situations. The same applies for officially ordered β previously not announced β repair work on locks or bridges.
Notes Please be aware that a cruise ship on the Danube is not only your hotel but also a machine, working with engine power also during the night. Especially crossing locks and bridges β and the preparation work β may cause noise. If you are sensitive please bring your own ear plugs.
Travel documents EU-citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise. We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU-nationals with multiple citizenship or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements for the country to visit, to inform about visa and entry documents at the competent embassy.
This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
We recommend that you take out a travel health insurance with repatriation coverage as well as baggage, accident and travel cancellation insurances.
Prices & availability
Date
Departure
Ship
Saturday
May 9, 2026
Saturday
May 16, 2026
Engelhartszell
Prinzessin Katharina
Prices from
β¬1,049.00 p.p.
May 23, 2026May 30, 2026
Fully booked
Saturday
Jul 25, 2026
Saturday
Aug 1, 2026
Engelhartszell
Prinzessin Katharina
Prices from
β¬1,049.00 p.p.
Aug 1, 2026Aug 8, 2026
Fully booked
Saturday
Aug 29, 2026
Saturday
Sep 5, 2026
Engelhartszell
Prinzessin Katharina
Prices from
β¬1,049.00 p.p.
Saturday
Sep 5, 2026
Saturday
Sep 12, 2026
Engelhartszell
Prinzessin Katharina
Prices from
β¬1,049.00 p.p.
Sep 11, 2026Sep 18, 2026
Fully booked
Saturday
Sep 19, 2026
Saturday
Sep 26, 2026
Engelhartszell
Prinzessin Katharina
Prices from
β¬1,049.00 p.p.
Sep 25, 2026Oct 2, 2026
Fully booked
Friday
Oct 2, 2026
Friday
Oct 9, 2026
Passau
SE-Manon
Prices from
β¬1,199.00 p.p.
Saturday
Oct 3, 2026
Saturday
Oct 10, 2026
Engelhartszell
Prinzessin Katharina
Prices from
β¬1,079.00 p.p.
Practical information
Included in this tour
7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air conditioning
Program according to itinerary from/to Passau or Engelhartszell
Captains greeting and Welcome cocktail
Full board: 7x breakfast-buffet, 6x lunch snack on board (non cyclists) or packed lunch for cyclists, 6x afternoon coffee break, 6x 3-course-dinner and 1x farewell-dinner with farewell-drink
Bed linen and towels on board
Daily cleaning of the cabin
Tour guide on board (does not cycle with the group)
Detailed road book (one per cabin)
Digital travel documents via GUIBO-App incl. GPS tracks for bike tours
Daily information meeting for bike tour instructions
Transfers to/from the docking place in Passau or Engelhartszell
Rental bicycle or e-bike (optional)
Other transfers
Parking fee
Entrance fees & excursions
Ferry fees
Drinks on board
Personal insurances
Gratuities (at your discretion)
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: β¬ 5 per person β will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)
Rental bicycle (incl. rental bike insurance): β¬ 99 per week/person (with hand brake, coaster breaking hubs or freewheel hubs (subject to availability β please indicate as non-binding customer request when booking)
Rental E-Bike (incl. rental bike insurance): β¬ 219 per week/person (with hand brake, coaster breaking hubs or freewheel hubs (subject to availability β please indicate as non-binding customer request when booking; only on request, limited number of e-bikes available, early bookings strongly recommended.
To bring your own bike / own E-Bike: β¬ 49 per bike. On request only β due to lack of space on sun deck
Safe on the way, helmet required in Slovakia!: We advise you wear a bike helmet. Please bring your own helmet. You can also buy a helmet (UVEX I-VO) for β¬45 p.p. on board (limited stock). And, if necessary, please bring your high-visibility vest from home. In Austria children under 12 yrs are obligated to wear a bike helmet, in Slovakia children till 15 yrs and all bikers (except in built-up areas) are obligated to wear a helmet.
Parking in Passau:
Parking space inclusive transfer to/from ship β¬ 83
Parking garage inclusive transfer to/from ship β¬ 104 (registration form)
If your tour starts/ends in ENGELHARTSZELL:
Bus transfer Passau Main Station to Engelhartszell and return: β¬ 50.- per person (Departure from Passau Main Station around 4:00 p.m., return transfer from Engelhartszell after disembarkation)
Passenger car parking options in Engelhartszell
(Directly at the harbour and within walking distance of the mooring location, for 7 nights/8 days)
Parking lot β fenced, open-air area with video surveillance: β¬ 75.-
Private garage (also suitable for cars with a rear-mounted bike rack): β¬ 95.-
Minimum number of participants: 80 guests (Prinzessin Katharina) or 90 guests (SE-Manon) (must have been reached within 21 days prior to departure).
Legal notice: Boat Bike Tours is not the operator of this tour; this is a so called βpartner tourβ. Tour operator is: SE Tours GmbH, Bremerhaven, Germany. Other conditions may apply to this tour: further details on request.
Loyalty Discount
Explore our Loyalty Discount!
After your tour, youβll receive an exclusive discount code:
You get 3% on your second tour with us.
From the third tour onwards, you will receive a 5% discount.
Enjoy savings on any of our upcoming trips in 2026.
Check your post-tour email for details. You can combine this discount with other promotions for additional savings. Join us again for another adventure by boat and bike!
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The boat and cruise were wonderful! A couple of hiccups/suggestions: We missed one day of riding due to the locks breaking (unfortunate but not a big deal), so we were unable to make it back to Passau by boat. We were told that we would be disembarking in Pochlarn and transported by bus (again, understandable). However, that morning we were all required to get out of our rooms by 8:30 so they could clean. We werenβt due to get to Pochlarn until noon. Every passenger had to remove their luggage and wait in the lounge until disembarking. There were 2 bathrooms available for all passengers and Iβm pretty sure that they would have had time to clean otherwise. There were no trips planned immediately afterwards. All translations to English ceased that morning also. This all took place after the crew had collected their reviews and tip envelopes. Honestly, it left a little bit of a bad taste in our mouths after what had been a really nice trip. We hope youβll relay these comments to the SE group.
Patrick
Oct 17th, 2025
5 / 5
The staff were amazing
The staff were amazing, friendly helpful. Everything was well organized. We did find the tour info meetings could have had better info and sometimes the meetings were held before riders were back on the boat.
Yvonne Day
Oct 10th, 2025
4 / 5
Lovely boat and cabins
The boat and cabins are lovely and very comfortable. Most of the staff are kind and helpful. The food available for lunch could use a bit more variety. The thing that would be helpful would be a detailed, printed itinerary for the entire trip. Not having all the detailed information (by date) meant we had to ask many questions throughout the cruise. A specific example was that the information about our day in Vienna was not shared until the night before and therefore it was a surprise to find out how little time we had there.
Georgia Howard
Oct 7th, 2025
3 / 5
The Beautiful Danube
The ship was excellent, the views were fantastic, but the bike riding experience for the English speaking tourists was very average.
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