Danube Transdanubia Bike Tour Reviews page 2
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- ★★★★★ Einna
Lovely cycle along the Danube
Danube Cycle Path Passau – Budapest
We took the upgraded option of gravel bikes and were very glad we did - they were great. The luggage transfer was very efficient and was almost always at our hotel before we were, even on the days we arrived early. We took the 3 star hotel option and the comfort level was fine. We really enjoyed some of the hotels we stayed in along the way. The cycling isn’t difficult and the distances are mostly short although some days were very hot in June so frequent drink and ice cream stops were required. I had downloaded the bike routes to my garmin to follow for easy navigation from hotel to hotel. We enjoyed having each afternoon and evening free to explore the next area and the cuisine. The only thing we would have changed would be to have an extra night in Bratislava which could have been arranged if we had thought of it earlier. Overall an excellent and well organised trip with good communication from the tour operator.
- ★★★★★ Melissa L.
Amazing Adventure
Danube Cycle Path Passau – Budapest
The two-week biking trip through the four countries was magical. The stretch from Passau, Germany to Vienna, Austria was particularly beautiful with small villages, sunflower fields, orchards, vineyards, monasteries, ruins, churches, and lively and interesting cities. All logistical components went smoothly; bikes were new and well-maintained. Each hotel had its own charm. The mix of small villages, mid-sized towns, and capital cities provided lots of variety and opportunities for different types of activities for each member of our 4-person team. Highly recommend this experience for those who want a more intimate look/experience in Central Europe.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
- ★★★★★ Steve Lilley
Challenge completed!
Vienna to Budapest (Classic)
As a couple we enjoyed completing the challenge in extremely hot conditions.
We were disappointed in not sighting or swimming in the Danube more often: it’s a mighty impressive river!
Riding enabled greater appreciation of the country and people than by car: crops and farming in particular.
The final ferry ride for over an hour was a great finale! - ★★★★★ Steve Lilley
Challenge completed!
Vienna to Budapest (Classic)
As a couple we enjoyed completing the challenge in extremely hot conditions.
We were disappointed in not sighting or swimming in the Danube more often: it’s a mighty impressive river!
Riding enabled greater appreciation of the country and people than by car: crops and farming in particular.
The final ferry ride for over an hour was a great finale! - ★★★★★ John Zentner
A quick trip along the Danube
Vienna to Budapest 5-nights (Active)
This trip is a quick way to see the Velo six path between Vienna and Budapest. The days are relatively long running between 80 to 90+ KM per day but almost entirely on bike path. There are some alternate routes available that would be more pleasant, but would probably add length to fairly long days. The bike path is well used and especially on the weekends includes families with children, touring folks and bike bozos trying to beat the speed record.
- ★★★★★ Tom
Bike ride down the Danube
Danube Cycle Path Passau – Budapest
The tour was very well organised, the accomodation was of a high standard without exception. The included evening meals were generally of a acceptable standard.
The premium bike that was provided was far too big and as a consequence I had to ride a different bike one which did not have a crossbar. This bike was very heavy and I found it difficult to manage.
The Pedalo navigation App generally worked OK although I had to re install it a number of times to get it up and running again. I was grateful I had it as my Garmin 1030 device failed to function.- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- I have been on four overall but only one with this company
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
- ★★★★★ Frank S
A good trip
Vienna to Budapest (Classic)
Overall a very good trip. We have bike along the Danube from Passau to Vienna and that trip was more scenic. This trip was very flat and went through a lot of farm land and nice towns. While we were very close to the Danube most of the time, we could see it less than half of the time. The hotels were excellent and the breakfasts were alway very good. We had a rough start in that pretrial communication was not optimal and we could not get the combination of the bike locks. Other that that things went smoothly. At one point, we were told to follow an embankment along the Danube River. The trail was not paved and there were two ruts about 6 inches wide and an inch deep and foot long grass. That is where the GPS told us to go. I had a fall, which also happened to another couple along the same trail. Other than that the trails and road were good. The riding instructions were more or less accurate but were off by 1 kilometer or more at times despite the instructions being to the nearest 0.1 Km. The GPS was critical. You need a good battery on your smart phone, because if it goes dead, you could be in trouble just following the instructions
- ★★★★★ JH Pieters
Extensive and great experience!
Danube Experience Bike and Boat Passau-Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade-Iron Gates-Passau
We enjoyed every minute on and off the boat! Great covering of sites on the Danube! The meals was excellent, our compliments to the chef! The staff on board was very friendly and efficient, especially in the rooms and in the dining room! The Swiss Crown totally fulfilled our needs except for the insufficient wifi!
The explanation of routes could improve, as well as the provided app, that kept disappearing. The maps in the book was not well displayed, which made it difficult to follow while cycling along. I suggest a bigger sized booklet or a daily map!- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia
- ★★★★★ Gideon
Best holiday ever
Danube Experience Bike and Boat Passau-Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade-Iron Gates-Passau
Every thing was fantastic,the rides,the ship,the food,the staff.
The Iron Gates was very special as well as all the rides- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- First one
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia
- ★★★★★ L Waldo
Perfect active trip to celebrate grandson's graduation
Danube Experience Bike and Boat Passau-Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade-Iron Gates-Passau
Love riding through gorgeous bike paths during the day and then afternoon and evening relaxing on boat hotel. No need to pack up & move on until trip ended. fabulous food and gracious hosts.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 15
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia
- ★★★★★ William Edsell
bike tour with friends
Danube Discovery: Bike and Boat through Enchanting Capitals
the bike and boat tour is a good way to sample some of the countries on the Danube. Unfortunately the boat was very old and had many problems. The main issues for me were the rooms were very musty and caused problems with my sinus and no way to let fresh air into the cabin. Also there seemed to be limited or no internet on the boat and because we traveled through remote areas it was not possible to use mobile phone connection. You would think a starlink antenna would solve that problem. The staff were great, very friendly and helpful with everything. The bar had limited options. Food options were Ok but seemed inconsistent. Overall I enjoyed the experience with my friends but disappointed in the boat. On our last day the boat broke down and we have to wait several hours to get on the boat and then take a bus to Passeau to catch our train.
BikeTours.com staff reply from Jan
Thanks for your review. Though we can't speak to the fresh air issues - very few reviews (if any) have alluded to this but we'll investigate - I can tell you that many of the ships in Europe providing this type of holiday are slowly upgrading their internet infrastructure and moving to starlink. Though boat owners are very handy savvy folks, many are not tech people but they (with some help) are catching on to the market need for consistent high speed internet.
- ★★★★★ Gregory Lebo
Great way to experience the Danube
Danube Cycle Path Passau – Budapest
The tour operator is very responsive to issues that arise on the route. There was flooding on the Danube and certain portions weren’t navigable and they arranged transportation to avoid the area. Bag delivery is usually very efficient and arrives before you to the hotel. In my case there was one day where my bag didn’t arrive but a quick call and they dispatched a special driver to deliver it. The maps are very good and the app makes navigation super easy. I went in the Fall and there were almost no other riders on the pathway. It’s a bit cooler and many of the bike specific restaurants aren’t open but there’s no shortage of services along the way.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sep 29
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5+
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
- ★★★★★ Scott Jacobson
Swiss crown bike tour
Danube Experience Bike and Boat Passau-Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade-Iron Gates-Passau
Due to captain error, and running the boat onto a sandbar, we weren’t able to see the Iron Gates. Very upsetting since that was the main purpose of paying for this trip. Due to captain error, didn’t dock in Passau, long bus ride to train station. Amwater ways went to Iron Gates same day we were supposed to. Next time, I will go with that boat tour.
- ★★★★★ Roxanne Green
Countries visited were amazing!
Danube Experience Bike and Boat Passau-Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade-Iron Gates-Passau
The itinerary was perfect for exploring so many wonderful villages and towns in six countries along the Danube. The food was delicious and served beautifully by the waitstaff. Two major complaints - Bike service - my bike was handed to me on day 1 with totally flat tires, a fender rubbing on the front tire and gears that were stuck and screeching. The Captain (his crew) ran the boat onto a sandbar and we spent many hours sitting there watching other ships cross into the Iron Gates while we waited for a tugboat from Romania to pull us free. By the time we pushed off the sand, the weather had gotten bad and we didn’t get to travel to the Iron Gates. The explanation was “we can’t go to Iron Gates. Not our fault - blame the weather”. Though we had a wonderful experience on prior adventures in Denmark and Italy in 2017, I don’t know if I’d do another Biketours.com trip when bikes and boat captain were so poor with this one. But I gave it 4 stars because the Chefs, Wait Staff, Concierges, Bar Staff, Cleaning crew and overall ambience of the Swiss Crown was wonderful!
- ★★★★★ Toby Kerr
Fair trip
Danube Experience Bike and Boat Passau-Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade-Iron Gates-Passau
All was great except confusing cycling directions from our tour director, Jurgen.
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 24
- How many tours have you completed?
- None
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia
- ★★★★★ frank vaughan
More of a boat trip than a bike trip
Danube Discovery: Bike and Boat through Enchanting Capitals
We have been on 4 boat and bike tours. This was not a favorite. The boat company charges additional fees for anything- $15 daily fee for internet, $3.50 for a bottle of water, and $5+ for alcohol. They cover a long distance on the boat, so you do not have much time to ride the bike. When you do, it is a stringent timeline- off the ship at 9 am and meet the boat at 2:30 or you will miss the boat. It does not give you much time to look around. They have strictly enforced assigned seating at breakfast and dinner so it minimizes the chances of meeting other people. The guide was not very nice and did not ride the trails. They were covered in places with 4-6 inches of mud from the recent flooding and many were unrideable. Then the guide got mad when we returned to the boat covered in mud. The extra tours they sell were expensive and ok, but the guide on the Vienna tour left 2 of our group behind so they had to find their way back. The maps provided were ok, but somewhat confusing, and the briefing by the guide was rushed and not helpful. It's a German boat with German food and lots of retired Germans. There is nothing wrong with that, but many of them did not go on the rides described but just used the trip as a cheap river trip with some side rides.
- ★★★★★ David Klaeser
Danube River Tour
Vienna to Budapest 5-nights (Active)
Initial communications with BikeTours was challenging due to not knowing there was an 8 hour time zone difference. The hotel in Bratislava was located several km from the bike trail and it was difficult to navigate through town to get there plus staff were not friendly. Directions to this hotel in the app would have been helpful. The hotels in Gyor, Estergom and Budapest were easier to get to and had excellent service. The trip app was easy to use and provided lots of good information. The bikes were ok. A water bottle holder and phone holder on handlebars would make navigation safer and easier.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Hungary, Slovakia
BikeTours.com staff reply from Jan
Apologies for the delay in communication and thank you for your review. During the week we have sales and support folks online globally 24 hours a day. Sometimes a booking - or support there of - falls outside of the desired time zone if we are really busy. Unfortunately the time during which you traveled is our busiest travel month hence the breakdown. Having said that, we are actively working on streamlining this process further. Thanks for your business and have a wonderful holiday season.
- ★★★★★ S. Chilton
A few issues
Vienna to Budapest (Classic)
We have riden with BikeTours in the past, and loved it. This tour had some pros and cons. Pros: The hotels were great. The bikes were in good condition, and the in-country staff were responsive and easy to get in touch with.
Cons: We used Google maps on our last tour. It’s useless here except inside the major cities. The provided app is a battery killer. Make sure you have a portable charger or are with others who can use their phones when yours dies. The maps also stop at the city gates. Since they know your hotels when they make the map, they should include your hotel and all of the mentioned attractions. We wasted a ton of time trying to get to sites that weren’t on their app.
Avoid Mosonmagyaróvár. If you’re doing an independent tour, you could bike to it and then take the train to Györ. There is a lot more to do there.
Finally, we rode this a week or so after the record-setting flood. We were prepared for some issues, but were told “you
won’t even be able to tell there was a flood“. The bike paths are fine“. There was an area about 15 km outside of Vienna that was impassable were it not for a kind farmer with a tractor that made a path. People were sliding out in slick mud. Another area before Esztergom had trees for several km in the path that was listed, and a place where it told us to walk our bikes over a weir. There was actually a dry, paved and debris-free path just above it that wasn’t new. I was wondering why the in-country rental company didn’t know about these. It seems as though the map hadn’t been updated for some time. They also say that there are no places to get food between some of the towns. We saw restaurants or grocery stores every 6-10 km.All in all, we did have a great time, but I think it would be hard for first timers or slower cyclists. I would recommend additional days in Bratislava and Budapest.
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