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Germany

Passau – Budapest – Passau

Highlights of 4 Danube countries
Passau Round tour.
From €799 p.p.
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Passau – Budapest – Passau

Highlights of this tour

Accompanied by a cruise ship you cycle along Europe’s second largest river Danube from the charming Bavarian “three river city” of Passau 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 “Hungarian Danube Queen”! By bicycle you discover the stunning natural spectacle of the Schlögener Donauschlinge (“Great Loop”), the legendary Wachau with romantic towns and mighty castles amidst lovely vineyards, […]

Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary

Day of rest & exploration in Budapest

Around 200 km / 147 miles

Ships with max. 150 passengers

Guidance
  • Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
  • Independent cycling: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
guidance Independent cycling
Difficulty
  • 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 Difficulty level 1
Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch.
8 days

About this tour

Accompanied by a cruise ship you cycle along Europe’s second largest river Danube from the charming Bavarian “three river city” of Passau 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 “Hungarian Danube Queen”! By bicycle you discover the stunning natural spectacle of the Schlögener Donauschlinge (“Great Loop”), 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 Vác 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 – 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. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s 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.

Prepare yourself for this tour with our Travel Prep-tips

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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 – 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 pm, departure around 7 pm. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.

Day 2: SE-Manon: Engelhartszell – Great Loop – Brandstatt (ca. 33 – 39 km /19.8 – 23.4 mi.) |
Prinzessin Katharina: Engelhartszell – Great Loop – Aschach – Vienna-Nussdorf (ca. 40 – 46 km / 24 – 27.6 mi.)

 

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 cosy must-see taverns.
SE-Manon:  You’ll board again in Brandstatt. Then, you “sail into the night” towards Bratislava.
Prinzessin Katharina: You’ll board again in Aschach. Then, you “sail into the night” towards Vienna-Nussdorf.

Day 3: SE-Manon: Bratislava (ca. 53 km/31.8 mi.) | Prinzessin Katharina: Vienna-Nussdorf (day of rest)

SE-Manon: 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.

Prinzessin Katharina: You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the St. Stephens Cathedral, the Hofburg, the gorgeous boulevard “Ringstraβe” 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 roundtrip to Szentendre, (ca. 48 km/28.8 mi.) | Budapest – Visegrad

In the early 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. 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: SE-Manon: Danube Bend | Vác – Esztergom (ca. 48 km / 28.8 mi.) | Esztergom – Vienna |
Pr. Katharina: Danube Bend | Visegrad – Vác – Visegrad (ca. 36 km / 21.6 mi.) | Visegrad – Bratislava

SE-Manon: The Danube bend is definitely one of most delightful and attractive parts and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today’s bike leg starts at the baroque village of Vác, 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 – Hungary’s largest Catholic Church – overlooking the village. In the night shipping to Vienna.

Pr. Katharina: The Danube bend is definitely a delightful part and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today’s 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 Vác, 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: SE-Manon: Vienna-Nussdorf (day of rest) | Vienna-Nussdorf – Rossatz or Dürnstein |
Pr. Katharina: Bratislava (day of rest) | Bratislava – Rossatz or Dürnstein

SE-Manon: You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the St. Stephens Cathedral, the Hofburg, the gorgeous boulevard “Ringstraβe” 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 Dürnstein (Wachau).

Pr. Katharina: 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 Dürnstein (Wachau).

Day 7: Wachau – Melk – Pöchlarn, (ca. 40 – 50 km / 24 – 30 mi.) | Pöchlarn – Passau

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 Pöchlarn you will board again. After the farewell gala dinner, you start “sailing” 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 Schlögener Schlinge (“Great Loop”) 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, you’re 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.
  • 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 – previously not announced – 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 – and the preparation work – 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.

Prices & availability

To view the availability of this tour and/or book online please click on the button below. A new screen will open.


Prices & information

Pricing overview - 2024
Cabin type For Season A Season B Season C Season D
2-Bed lower deck front/astern* 2 pers. € 799 € 899 € 999 Not available 2-Bed lower deck 2 pers. € 949 € 1049 € 1149 € 1149 Single cabin lower deck 1 pers. € 1249 € 1349 € 1449 Not available 2-Bed Middle deck 2 pers. Not available Not available Not available € 1399 2-Bed Upper deck 2 pers. € 1149 € 1249 € 1349 € 1599 3-Bed Upper deck 3 pers. € 899 € 999 € 1099 Not available Single Upper deck 1 pers. € 1449 € 1549 € 1649 Not available
Included in this tour
  • 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air conditioning
  • Program according to itinerary from/to Passau
  • 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)
  • GPS Tracks
  • Daily information meeting for bike tour instructions
  • Port and Tourist taxes
Excluded in this tour
  • Transfers to/from the docking place in Passau
  • 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
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person - will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)
Bicycles/E-Bikes

Bicycles on board: 28-inch unisex trekking bicycles of the brand Velo de Ville (custom built) with normal mount (ladies model), Shimano 7 gears with hand brake and coaster breaking hubs or 7 speed freewheel hubs (subject to availability, please indicate as non-binding customer request when booking), lock and pannier bag.

E-Bikes:  modern high quality unisex E-bikes of the brand Velo de Ville (custom built) with 8-gear hub and Pedelec cycling support triggered by using the pedals with 3 support modes, robust wheels and comfortable to ride for both men and women. The energy supply is provided by a detachable lithium battery with a range of up to 65 km. The range is subject to body weight, amount of support used, wind, cycling style and terrain. E-Bikes with hand brake and coaster breaking hubs or 7 speed freewheel hubs (subject to availability and limited, please indicate as non-binding customer request when booking).

To bring your own bike / E-Bike: On request only – due to lack of space on sun deck. We exclude any liability for loss, theft and damage – this also applies to damage caused by transportation from shore to ship or vice versa.

Additional options & information - 2024
  • Rental bicycle (incl. rental bike insurance): € 89 per week/person
  • Rental E-Bike (incl. rental bike insurance): € 199 per week/person (only on request, limited number of e-bikes available, early bookings strongly recommended.
  • To bring your own bike / own E-Bike: € 29 per bike. On request only – due to lack of space on sun deck
  • Bike helmet: We recommend to wear a bike helmet. Please bring your own bike helmet (no onboard selling) and, if necessary, your high-visibility vest from home.
  • Please note: In Austria, helmets are compulsory for children under the age of 12, in Slovakia for all cyclists outside built-up areas. High-visibility vests are compulsory in Slovakia and Hungary in poor visibility and at night.

 

Parking in Passau:

  • Parking space inclusive transfer to/from ship    78
  • Parking garage inclusive transfer to/from ship  92
    (registration form in the travel-documents, payable on site)

 

Minimum number of participants: 80 guests (Prinzessin Katharina) /  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 ‘partner tour’. Tour operator is: SE Tours GmbH, Bremerhaven, Germany. Other conditions may apply to this tour: further details on request.



Reviews

based on 68 reviews on
9 Oct 2023

Ed

Great scenery during cycling days. Nice balance of cycling days and excursions. Food was fantastic and the drink prices reasonable.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 13 Oct 2023

Thank you for your kind review! We are delighted that you enjoyed our tour. Hopefully, we can welcome you on board again soon. Best wishes, Boat Bike Tours.

5 Oct 2023

Lori Murphy

I recently returned from a boat/bike trip with Boat Bike Tours, that took me through parts of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. In short, I can say this was an amazing, beautiful experience, and I will definitely look into additional bike trips that Boat Bike Tours offer. However, I feel I need to break it down a little. First, I’m relatively new to biking; casual rides within 2-3 miles to the grocery store, beach, etc. I assure you, the Boat Bike Tours meet many different levels of biking – mostly because these tours are meant to slow you down to take in the beauty of the villages, meadows, forests, and vineyards. Both standard bikes and e-bikes are available to meet your biking level. Second, the itinerary was just what I was looking for. Enough time to ride the trails, stop for pictures or a beer (right on the trails), and time to take in the sights and shop till you drop in Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava. etc. Third, I was pleasantly surprised with the rooms on the boat. They are roomy enough for two (or a single), with a full bathroom and plenty of closet/storage space. Lastly, the food is amazing. Full breakfast buffet, provisions are available to make your lunch to take while biking, and 2-3 different dinner options each day. Everyone on the staff was friendly, focused, and committed to every detail. I cannot recommend Boat Bike Tours enough. Looking into the Amsterdam to Bruges bike tour next!! Enjoy!!

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 13 Oct 2023

Thank you really much for this wonderful review! We are really happy that you enjoyed our tour so much and already plan to do another one! We are looking forward to welcoming you on board again soon! Best wishes, Boat Bike Tours

3 Oct 2023

Robert Giroux

We loved our trip. The cabin was comfortable. The food was terrific. The crew went above and beyond to meet every need. Well planned and executed!

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 4 Oct 2023

Thank you for your kind review! We are delighted that you enjoyed our tour. Hopefully, we can welcome you on board again soon. Best wishes, Boat Bike Tours.

2 Oct 2023

Emily Kenyon

The boat bike trip was so fantastic! The crew was very helpful and nice, the ship was amazing, and the food we were served was absolutely delicious. Overall the days were spent site seeing whilst on bikes or on days off you had the choice to walk through the cities. Our experience was memorable and joyful.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 4 Oct 2023

Thank you for your kind review! We are delighted that you enjoyed our tour. Hopefully, we can welcome you on board again soon. Best wishes, Boat Bike Tours.


Available ships for this tour

Premium Experience the higher levels of comfort, smaller groups and extra’s.
Motor ship Prinzessin Katharina Danube

Hair salon

Two bar areas

Library

Individually controlled air conditioning

max. 140 passengers
71 cabins
2 tours available with this ship
Premium Experience the higher levels of comfort, smaller groups and extra’s.
Motor ship SE-Manon Danube

Restaurant with separate lounge

Spa facilities (Sauna/Whirlpool/Fitness)

Outdoor pool

Individually controlled air conditioning

max. 150 passengers
75 cabins
2 tours available with this ship

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Passau – Budapest – Passau

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