Danube Bike and Boat: Passau-Budapest-Passau – MS SE-Manon

Danube Bike and Boat

On this bike and boat tour, you will cycle by day and enjoy the comforts of your boat accommodations by night. From Passau, the Bavarian "Three River City", cycle along the Danube River into the heart of the once glorious Imperial and Royal Monarchy. Along the way experience three of the most enchanting European capitals, from the lively city of Vienna, to the Slovak coronation city of Bratislava and the "Hungarian Danube Queen", Budapest.

Discover the stunning natural wonders of the Danube National Park and Schlögener Donauschlinge ("Great Loop"). Visit the picturesque Hungarian Danube bend with the Esztergom Basilica perched on the hillside of the shore. The Wachau valley will not disappoint with vineyards, castles, and romantic villages along the path.

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Highlights

• Passau, the City of 3 rivers
• Wachau valley and the World Heritage Site Wachau
• Vienna
• Budapest
• Bratislava
• The Schloegen Danube Loop
• The Hungarian Danube Bend

Learn More

Learn more about self-guided tours.

Daily program

All distances are approximate. If you do not want to cycle one day, you can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbor. The bike tours are self-guided, at your own pace, without a tour guide, but with daily briefings on board and detailed bicycle maps and directions. We reserve the right to make changes to the program if necessary due to weather or other circumstances.

Day 1: Passau – Engelhartszell
Arrival in the "Three River City." Passau attracts many with the world's greatest church organ at the Stephansdom and its charming Old Town. Embarkation will be around 4:00pm, departure around 7:00pm. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.

Day 2: Engelhartszell – Great Loop – Brandstat (29 mi/46 km)
The day starts in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria), where we head towards the "Great Loop," one of the most beautiful and original sectors of the Danube. Your cycling will encounter small villages and cozy must-see taverns. You'll board again in Brandstatt. Then, you cruise towards Bratislava.

Day 3: Bratislava (32 mi/52 km)
Arrival at Bratislava in the morning. 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. Overnight, you'll cruise to Budapest.

Day 4: Budapest or Szentendre loop (rest day, optional city tour by bus/foot/bike, or 28 miles/48 km)
In the morning, you enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube's 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. Upon arrival yu can explore the city during a guided city tour by bike (optional). Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for a small bike tour or you can take an individual bike tour to the charming town of Szentendre (28 mi/48 km) with a Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art life. Continue cruising overnight to Visegrad.

Day 5: Danube Bend | Visegrad –Esztergom (17-37 mi/27-60 km)
The Danube bend is definitely one of the most delightful and attractive parts and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today's bike stage starts in Visegrad with its famous fortress and the ruins of the former palace. You can choose from 2 different routes: the longer one (recommended for strong cyclists with experience only) includes a side trip to the island of Szentendre and the baroque village of Vác, which has been influenced by the architects of the Austrian Empress Maria Theresia. The other route leads you directly to the bishop-town of Esztergom, with its gorgeous basilica – Hungary's largest Catholic Church –overlooking the village. Overnight you'll cruise to Vienna.

Day 6: Vienna-Nussdorf/Korneuburg (rest day)
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg. The gorgeous boulevard "Ringstraβe" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House or the town hall that take you back to the past. Overnight you cruise to Rossatz or Dürnstein.

Day 7: Wachau – Melk – Pöchlarn (25-30 mi/42-52 km)
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 Dürnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. In the small village of Emmersdorf – located just opposite Melk – you will board again. After the farewell gala dinner, you start cruising 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 one last sight at the Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") before you arrive relaxed at Passau. You'll arrive at approximately 10:00am, disembarking half an hour later. We recommend arranging connecting trips from 11:00am or later.

Surface and terrain

The cycle route is mostly flat, at times on a gentle downhill slope.

Boats

• MS SE-MANON

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Munich, Germany
Nearest train station: Passau, Germany

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation in booked cabin style
• Full board: 7x breakfast, 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
• Program as mentioned in the itinerary
• Route book and information pack (1 set per cabin); GPS tracks
• Tour guide on board (does not cycle with you)
• Daily cleaning of cabins
• Change of towels and bed linen if requested
• Welcome by the captain and cocktail
• Daily informational meeting
• Port fees and passenger fees

Please note that special dietary needs can be accommodated upon request. Extra fees may apply. Please inform us when booking your tour.

Bike rentals

Bikes available on this tour (not included in tour price, must be reserved at time of booking):

• Unisex 7-speed bike with step-through frame, either hand- or pedal-brakes
• Electrically assisted bikes (limited number, upon request)*
• Bike rental includes rental insurance

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

Equipment available:

• Water repellant saddle bag
• Water repellant handlebar bag (1 per cabin)
• Repair kit with spare tube
• Pump
• Lock
• Lighting system
• Mudguard

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:
A limited number of helmets are available for purchase only (€25, reserved in advance, payable upon arrival). We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes or plan to purchase one upon arrival. Helmets are compulsory for children under 13 years old and for all cyclists in Slovakia outside towns.

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