Passau - Budapest - Passau 2026

Danube Waltz BIKE + PREMIUM-BOAT

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. On board the two premium cruise ships, you can expect an exclusive atmosphere. Look forward to spacious and comfortable cabins, stylish outdoor areas, and a varied onboard program. Indulge in culinary delights and enjoy the service on board.

Tour Profile / Level 1
The cycle route is completely flat with only slightly gradients, ideal for cyclists with less experience and children. Do not feel like cycling? Without effort you will also reach your destination by ship.

Day 1: Passau

Boarding time from 4.00-5.00 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 centre, 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. Then it’s time to cast off! Slowly, the dreamlike backdrop of Passau’s old town disappears on the horizon.

Day 2: Great Loop | Engelhartszell – Aschach/Brandstatt, approx. 43 km
This day is a real treat for cyclists! You will cycle from Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria) through the wild and romantic Danube Loop, one of the most beautiful sections of the river, with sleepy farming villages and breathtakingly beautiful nature. Along the way, cozy cider taverns entice you with all kinds of delicacies. In the idyllic boatmen’s town of Aschach (MS Vivienne) or in the farmers villgae Brandstatt (MS Swiss Crown), you will re-embark and “sail” into the night.

Day 3: Devin – Bratislava, approx. 45 km
You pedal along the former ‘Iron Curtain’, cross the green line and reach 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 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. 48 km (or day of rest)
The entrance to Budapest, Hungary’s capital is stunning. Savour the beauty of Budapest during a coach tour or a guided bike tour (optional) to discover many of the highlights of this handsome city. You can also choose to cycle to the charming town of Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene.

Day 5: Danube bend – Esztergom, approx. 50 km
The wooded hills of Pilis, Visegrád and Börzsöny together with the meandering Danube create a wonderful landscape that has become a nature lover’s paradise. Situated in the middle of the Danube River the idyllic isle of Szentendre exudes silent Puszta romance. You cycle via the baroque village of Vác (influenced by the architects of Austria’s empress Maria Theresia) to the bishop town of Esztergom with its gorgeous basilica – Hungary’s largest Catholic Church.

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) in one of Vienna‘s most famous palaces.

Day 7: Wachau | Krems – Melk/Pöchlarn, approx. 37-45 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. Amidst dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everybody who visits ... you will be biking on cloud nine! In Spitz (possibility to do a wine-tasting – optional) you will find comfortable wine taverns along the bike path. Along the way you will also spot one of the most beautiful baroque ensembles in Europe: The Abbey of Melk .

Day 8: Passau
As you cruise back up the Danube, enjoy the early morning sunshine as you wind your way to Passau, where you will disembark at about 11am. Connecting travel should not be booked earlier than 12pm.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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.
On 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 at sea. The cabins are limited in space but are nevertheless comfortable and furnished.

Included

• 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air conditioning
• Port charges
• Program according to itinerary from/to Passau
• Captains greeting and welcome cocktail
• Full board: rich breakfast, lunch on board (non- cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists), afternoon coffee break, dinner (2/3 dishes to choose), late night snack
• Gala dinner with farewell cocktail
• Board musician
• Tour guide on board (does not cycle with the group)
• Daily information meeting
• Detailed travel documents per cabin, cycling app with voice navigation (We recommend bringing a phone holder and power bank to ensure a smooth ride)

Additionally included in guided tour

• Cycling tour guide
• Tasting of homemade cider directly at the cider farm in the Upper-Danube valley
• Wine tasting in the Wachau region
• Guided city tour by bike in Vienna
• Guided city tour by bus in Budapest
• Ferry rides
• Rental helmet (for adults)

• Bicycle & equipment 24-speed bike € 109
• E-bike € 229
• Bringing own bike € 29
• Bringing own e-bike (max. 23 kg excluding battery) € 49
• Rental helmet (only bookable in advance) € 20
• Rental bike disclaimer hybrid/e-bike € 25/60