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Highlights of this tour
Cities of Vienna, Bratislava, & Budapest
Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Around 220 km / 135 miles
Barge with max. 170 passengers
- Fully-guided: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
- Semi-guided: Daily briefing by the tour leader, independent cycling but tour leader available ICE.
- Independent: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
Individual Fully-guided - 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 
Bike and Barge Danube: Passau – Budapest – Passau | Fortuna & Carissima
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.
The Fortuna tours start and end on Sunday and the tours with the Carissima start and end on Saturday.
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 at 4.30 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!
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
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 (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. You will get a very close experience of Hungarian culture at an evening Folklore show with traditional music, local appetizers and dance (optional).
Day 5: Danube bend – Esztergom, approx. 43 km
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. 37 km
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 (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. 10.00 a.m. Connecting travel should be booked for 11.30 a.m. onwards.
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.
- The cycling tours are individual and self-guided. A guided tour is at extra cost. The bike tours vary between 29 and 50 km in length. All quoted distances are “approximate distances” for the recommended cycling tours.
- Tour profile: Level 1: The Danube cycle path leads trough terrain with only slightly gradients. Do not feel like cycling? Without effort you will also reach your destination by ship.
- Luggage: we advise you to bring good shoes (for example sport shoes), bike helmet, a warm sweater, rain wear, sun hat & sun lotion.
- Travel document: Nationals of EU member states will need a valid identity card or passport for this trip.
- Diet: (for example lactose or gluten free diet) on request possible. Has to be requested at least 14 days before the departure date. Please bring your own special diet products.
- General information
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. 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 notice 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.
Prices & information
Below you see an overview of the available (blue) dates; the yellow dot means that this date has 2 or less cabins available, orange is ‘on request’ and red means that on this date there aren’t any cabins available. Then click on the preferred date. After this, choose your ship (some tours have only one ship, and therefore there is no choice), the number of cabins in the required (and available) category, any desired additional products, and ‘local costs’ (such as special dietary needs, which you usually pay for onboard). On the right side, you’ll find the ‘Booking Summary.’ After completing your preferences and necessary information click ‘Book now’ to finalize your booking.
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
Farewell crew show
Daily live music
Cruise director onboard (does not cycle with the group)
Daily information meeting
Detailed roadbook per cabin
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
- Rental bicycle (21-speed trekking bike with handbrakes): € 75 per week/person
- Rental E-Bike: € 175 per week/person (only on request, limited number of e-bikes available, early bookings strongly recommended.
- Own bike: If you want to bring your own bike you have to pay €25 (in advance)
- 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: € 235 p.p. Departure dates: FORTUNA: May 24, July 19, October 4; CARISSIMA: May 9, June 6 and 13, July 4, August 1 and 22, September 12 and 19). 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
- Guided city tour by bike in Vienna & unguided by Hop On Hop Off bus in Budapest
- Bike helmet rental (only adults)
Minimum number of participants: 10. Maximum 22 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 / 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 € 68
– Parking garage € 79
(registration form in the travel documents or online, payable locally)
Minimum of participants
ship: 50 people / guided tour: 10 people (max. 22 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.
Photos
Danube Passau Budapest Passau overview image 
Hainburg church 
Hainburg 
Hainburg 
Slovakia National Theatre 
Bratislava 
Bratislava 
Bratislava 
Szentendre city 
Szentendre 
Szentendre 
Stift Engelszell 
Along the Danube 
Church Engelhartszell 
Danube course 
Danube 
Danube Iron Gates Hungary Budapest 
Danube Iron Gates Hungary Budapest 
Danube Iron Gates Hungary Budapest 
Danube Iron Gates Hungary Budapest Reviews
Lynn
We had a great week! The crew is awesome! Highly recommend getting the “comfort package ” and having a guide on your rides. Our guide was Axel… great guy.. very knowledgeable! 👍🏼👍🏼
Jeff Stuckhardt
Our bike guide (Axel) was the best. The Carissima was a pleasant surprise, however the public spaces were uncomfortably warm. The food was excellent far exceeding my expectations. The wait staff was overworked and at times testy. The cruise director, Albert was cordial throughout the trip until the last day when he seemed no longer concerned about the needs of…
Maureen Fitzpatrick
Overall a great deal – food was excellent, staff very professional, excursions very good and reasonable in price. The wifi was very inconsistent, the boat had a septic issue that needs immediate attention and some of the bike route directions provided were confusing. Having 1-2 TV stations in English or having English captions recommended as well.
Jodi
This trip exceeded all of our expectations! Our experience motivated us to consider traveling this way more often.
Related tours
Plenty of sights in Vienna
the “Great loop”and UNESCO Site Wachau
Around 200 km / 147 miles
Ships with max. 126 passengers
- Individual: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
- Semi-guided: Daily briefing by the tour leader, independent cycling but tour leader available ICE.
- Fully-guided: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
Individual Fully-guided - 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 Travel through 6 countries in 15 days
Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, & Belgrade
Almost 400 km/ 250 miles
Ship with max. 150 passengers
- Individual: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
- Semi-guided: Daily briefing by the tour leader, independent cycling but tour leader available ICE.
- Fully-guided: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
Individual - 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 Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Day of rest & exploration in Budapest
Around 200 km / 147 miles
Ships with max. 100 passengers
- Individual: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
- Semi-guided: Daily briefing by the tour leader, independent cycling but tour leader available ICE.
- Fully-guided: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
Individual - 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 
Austria 
Belgium 
Croatia 
Czech Republic 
Danube Countries 
France 
Germany 
Greece 
Hungary 
Italy 
Netherlands 
Serbia 
Slovakia