Danube Delights: Biking through Four Countries
7 nights from €1068
4.54
Bike from 'Bavarian Venice' to the home of the Viennese Waltz
By bike and boat from 'Bavarian Venice', you'll arrive in the glamorous royal regions of Austria and Hungary via Germany and Slovakia. Discover three of Europe's most spellbinding capitals: Vienna, the 'City of the Waltz'; Bratislava, 'The White City' of Slovakian coronations; and Budapest, the 'Paris of the East'. Along the way, explore the romantic regions of the 'Great Loop' (Schlögener Donauschlinge), the Danube Bend near Hungary's grandest cathedral, and the resplendent winegrowing region of Wachau - part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site list owing to its exquisite villages, palaces, and castles.
The wide stream of the Danube flows like a silver belt through Budapest, separating the hilly Buda and the flat Pest. The important cupola of the basilica in Esztergom salutes you from the distance. At the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, the Slovakian capital of Bratislava invites you in with its charming Old Town. And what about a flirt with Vienna, 'City of the Waltz'? A firework of sightseeing opportunities, dreamy coffee bars, and cozy wine taverns await you.
On board your comfortable cruise ship, you'll enjoy a superb atmosphere – in the spacious, convenient cabins, as well as in the stylish outdoor area. Behold fantastic views of breathtaking landscapes from your bike, the deck pool, the comfy seats of the panorama lounge, and even during your amazing meals in the first-class restaurant.
This exciting bike trip is a truly unforgettable holiday.
This tour must meet a minimum of 90 passengers 4 weeks prior to cruise start.
A guided package is available on the Vivienne on certain dates(please see them under the "dates and prices: tab. Please see the Dates & Prices tab for inclusions.
Trip was better and more luxurious than anticipated
“We had an amazing trip on the Swiss Crown. The food was above and beyond! All the staff were friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful. The bikes were in great shape and checked…” Full Review
“We had an amazing trip on the Swiss Crown. The food was above and beyond! All the staff were friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful. The bikes were in great shape and checked daily. Everything was clean and organized. The wifi was unreliable and app provided for navigation didn’t always work for us. I was happy to have preloaded the routes on my Naviki app. We had purchased an e-sim which worked well. Having said that we would do it again, and probably will book a different trip with this company. They were awesome” Less
—Alice C
Beyond high expectations !
“We've taken several boat and bike trips as we LUV floating hotels and active vacations, usually on smaller boats than the Vivienne, my concerns for number of guests were not…” Full Review
“We've taken several boat and bike trips as we LUV floating hotels and active vacations, usually on smaller boats than the Vivienne, my concerns for number of guests were not necessary. The flexibility of schedule, ability to do self guided bike routes, and fellow guests were quite fun. The cabin, typical of boats, small with very good storage for clothes and accessories and stashing away luggage. Wifi was good throughout the trip. The meals were great and plentiful. We signed up for every 'optional' excursion and had the best guided experiences learning more about each capital visited. The Danube and Central Europe are not to be missed, rich with history and quiet roads to explore on two wheels. The crew gets a 10+, informative, attentive and friendly. Even with a ride in the rain this trip was 'over the top' in my memory. Evening theme parties, costumes provided on board - not to be missed.” Less
—Gladys M
Love active travel? You’ll love this!
“Meals were good / not overwhelming. Rooms were fine (we chose the upper deck). Bikes were not to the level we are used to at home and for 50-60 km days were…” Full Review
“Meals were good / not overwhelming. Rooms were fine (we chose the upper deck). Bikes were not to the level we are used to at home and for 50-60 km days were “adequate”. There weeent many hills. The optional bike tours were great in Budapest and Vienna although you need to expect traffic in Vienna. The landscape was beautiful. Great trip!” Less
—Michael
Daily Program
Please note that the ship on which you are accommodated may look like a floating hotel, but it is still a working barge and is perceptible to engine and operational noises. Some boats do need to travel by night in order to cross the distances listed in the itinerary. As such, please bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper or sensitive to noise.
In situations involving high or low water levels, or other factors beyond the operator's control, it may be necessary to adjust the itinerary. This could include bus transfers or, in extreme cases, last-minute cancellations to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. In such instances, no legal rights shall be established. Water level variations are considered force majeure. This also applies to unannounced local repairs on locks or bridges, as well as unexpected mechanical issues with the ship's engines or power units.
Day 1: Arrival in Passau; On to Engelhartszell
Boarding time is at 4:00 pm. Picturesque Passau is nicknamed the 'City of Three Rivers' due to its situation at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. In your leisure time, take a stroll around this historic cobblestone town, listening to the peal of bells from the Gothic Town Hall, or to the rich tones of the world's largest church organ inside St. Stephan's Cathedral. At 6:00 pm, you'll cast off!
Day 2: Great Loop, Engelhartszell – Aschach
27 miles/43 km
The first day's tour begins with a bicycle ride through the classic scenery of the 'Great Loop' (Schlögener Donauschlinge), one of the most beautiful and intriguing sections of the Danube. En route, you'll ride through charming villages complete with cozy cider taverns. Arriving in Engelhartszell, home to Austria's only Trappist monastery, you can sample their tantalizing liquors and cheeses. The famous 'Schlogener View' provides a wonderful vista of the enchanting Austrian countryside. The boat welcomes all cyclists back on board in the charming market town of Aschach.
Day 3: Devin – Bratislava
28 miles/45 km
Pedaling along the former 'Iron Curtain', you'll cross the green line and arrive at the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof with its beautifully terraced gardens. Follow the bike path through Austria's 'vegetable garden' to the coronation city of Bratislava, Slovakia's lively capital. Explore 'The White City', set beneath the slopes of the Little Carpathians, discovering its hidden alleyways and grand sights on an optional city tour.
Day 4: Budapest | Szentendre
15 miles/24 km, or rest day
The entrance to Budapest, Hungary's capital, is stunning. Savor the staggering beauty of this regal city with a guided bike tour or individual bike tour (optional) to discover its sightseeing highlights. You can also choose to cycle to the charming town of Szentendre, with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively arts scene. In the evening it is definitely worth visiting the Jewish Quarter.
Day 5: Danube Bend – Esztergom
26 miles/42 km
Situated in the middle of the Danube River, the idyllic isle of Szentendre exudes silent Puszta romance. History, folklore, and the Hungarian way of life will accompany you on your way to Esztergom where the gorgeous basilica - Hungary's largest Catholic church - impresses all who encounter its phenomenal facade.
Day 6: Rest day in Vienna
Be spellbound by the 'City of Dreams', replete with sightseeing opportunities such as St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Hofburg, the gorgeous Ringstraβe boulevard (home to the Burgtheater), the State Opera House, and the Town Hall. Capitalize on your time with a cycling day tour around vibrant Vienna, Austria's spectacular capital. Take time to relax in one or more of Vienna's famous cafes, perhaps sampling the sumptuous 'Sachertorte', while the evening ends impressively at a classical concert (optional) at the famous Viennese Palace.
Day 7: Wachau | Krems – Melk
23 miles/37 km
Your last biking day is a special highlight! An impressive ruin looms above the little baroque town of Durnstein, whilst the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of the renowned Wachau Valley. With dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards, and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everyone who visits. You'll be biking on cloud nine! In Spitz (with the possibility for a wine tasting) you'll find cozy wine taverns right along the bike path.
Day 8: Departure from 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 approximately 11:00 am. Connecting travel should be booked after 12:00 pm.
Optional excursion programs (bookable on board, not included in the tour package):
- Bratislava city tour with scenic train and walking tour
- Budapest city tour by bike or Hop-On-Hop-Off bus
- Vienna city tour by bike or bus
- Classical waltz and operetta concert in one of Vienna's famous palaces
- Wachau wine tasting with local wine grower
Boats
Lisabelle
73 cabins, 3 decks, 3 tours Set sail on an unforgettable adventure aboard the Lisabelle, a sophisticated ship that blends comfort, relaxation, and pure enjoyment. Whether you're soaking up the sun on the spacious…
Vivienne
76 cabins, 4 decks, 1 tour The Vivienne is an exquisite, newly renovated ship. The newest in the Danube fleet, it sets a high bar with its spacious and comfortable cabins. Relaxation awaits at the end of your cycling…
Bikes
Standard touring bike
The standard bicycles are the most modern quality bikes of the brand KTM, which were specially designed for the requirements and the wishes of our guests. This resulted in easy-running, robust touring bikes with low comfort entry and puncture-proof tires. The elevated handlebars allow for comfortable and back-friendly riding. The bikes in our fleet are usually not older than 3 years.
24-Speed UNISEX* with comfort entry, hand brakes and freewheel
*Men’s frames are provided for men over 188 cm tall.
Electric bike
We provide modern quality e-bikes (pedelecs) with 5/8-speed hub gears and low UNISEX comfort entry. The bikes have a powerful Bosch mid-motor and strong 500wh battery.
Child trailer
Available upon request
Child seat
Available upon request
More about electrically-assisted bikes >
All rental bikes are equipped with:
- Panniers
- Handlebar bag
- Air pump
You may bring your own bike for an additional charge.
Per cabin, you are equipped with:
- Bike lock
- Repair kit
Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
Helmets:
Helmets are available to rent(please see pricing under "Bike rentals". Please make a note on the booking form to reserve in advance. We recommend for health and safety that you either take your own helmet or rent one. *Helmets are mandatory for children under 12.
Surface and terrain
This tour follows a completely flat, well-made bike path in Austria. In Slovakia and Hungary, you will often cycle on country and side roads. Entering and leaving cities, there is some traffic to pay attention to.
How to get there
Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Munich, Germany
Nearest train station: Passau, Germany
Private transfers are available from this tour operator for an additional cost. This must be arranged at time of booking.
You can also arrange your own transfer from Munich Airport to Passau by train from nearby Freising station. They run at least once per hour, and you can purchase tickets after you arrive in Munich (about €22-28 per person). You'll need to take a 20 minute bus ride from the airport to the Freising station (they leave at 21 after each hour), connecting with a train from Freising to Passau (about 1 hour, 45 minutes). Airport signage is excellent, leading you to the bus and station.
Tips for getting to and from your tour.
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