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Bike and Boat tour - Impressions from the Danube

An der schönen blauen Donau - Johann Strauss

8 Days / 7 Nights
Easy

Where world heritage meets waltz and Hungarian history. On this cycling cruise from Passau to Budapest and back, you'll experience vibrant cities, vineyards and world-famous sights. You'll start your eight-day journey aboard the luxury boat MS SE-Manon, travelling on the beautiful blue Danube.

The river meanders from Passau to Budapest, through the world-famous ‘Schlögener Schlinge’ in the Wachau and waltzes on to Vienna, where it continues to the Hungarian ‘Danube Bend’ and then to Budapest. Here you'll turn around and get ready for new cycling tours and experiences on the way back.

Empress Elizabeth of Austria is omnipresent on this Danube cycle cruise, both in beautiful Vienna and in historic Budapest - where she was once crowned Empress. MS SE-Manon is ready to bring the stories, wine and culinary temptations within your reach.

More about the route

On this eight-day cycling cruise you will not only experience culture, but also the spectacular landscapes of the Danube Valley. The route runs along the well-developed Danube Cycle Path on flat terrain. On each part of the route you can comfortably cycle between 25 and 55 kilometres. This tour is perfect for beginners or leisure cyclists.

 

Highlights of the journey

  • Passau, the city of three rivers
  • Schlögener Schlinge (‘the big loop’)
  • The Hungarian Danube Bend
  • Wachau World Heritage Site
  • Baroque city of Vác
  • The metropolises of Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna
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Itinerary

See the day-by-day itinerary below.

Arrival in the Three Rivers City. Passau attracts many visitors because the world's largest church organ is located in St Stephen's Cathedral. Passau also has a very charming historic centre. You board the ship at around 16:00. The ship leaves Passau at 19:00

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 stretches of the Danube. On the bike ride you will encounter small villages and cosy ‘must-see’ inns. or in Untermühl. Then ‘sail into the night’ or Bratislava.

Arrival in Bratislava. Start cycling from Bratislava via Hainburg to the impressive Imperial Palace Hof with its beautiful terraces and idyllic manor houses and on to Devin and then back to Bratislava. Tip: Discover Bratislava's hidden alleys, sites and all the sights of this ambitious metropolis on a mini train and walking tour. At night you'll sail to Budapest.

Early in the morning, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube's beautiful landscape on the sun deck. The entrance to Budapest is overwhelming, as many of the famous tourist attractions are located directly next to the riverbank. In the afternoon you can explore the city's many attractions. Nearby you'll find Margaretheninsel, which is perfect for a short bike ride, or the charming town of Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene. At night you'll sail to Visegrad.

The Danube bend is clearly one of the most beautiful areas and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today's cycling tour starts at the Baroque town of Vác, where the architects of the Austrian Emperor Maria Theresa had a great influence. Cycling through the picturesque and gently rolling countryside, the route takes you directly to the bishopric of Esztergom with its beautiful basilica - Hungary's largest Catholic church - overlooking the village. In the evening you'll sail to Vienna.

Be sure to see the most famous sights such as St Stephen's Cathedral, the Hofburg, the beautiful boulevard ‘Ringstraβe’ with the Burgtheater, the State Opera or the City Hall, which will take you back to the past. In the evening, sail to Rossatz or Dürnstein (Wachau).

Your last day of cycling is a special highlight! Among small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins, this gentle hilly landscape enchants everyone. A mighty ruin towers over the small Baroque town of Dürnstein, while the blue tower of the abbey church is a landmark of the Wachau. In the small village of Pöchlarn, you'll get back on board. After the farewell gala dinner, you'll start ‘sailing’ back to Passau.

Every journey has an end. Once again, enjoy the first rays of sunshine on deck and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take one last look at the Schlögener Schlinge (‘the big loop’) before arriving relaxed in Passau. Arrival: approximately 10 am with disembarkation approximately half an hour later.

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

The Boat

The price includes

  • 7 nights in outside cabins with private bathroom in the reserved cabin category
  • Programme according to the itinerary from/to Passau
  • All passenger taxes and harbour fees
  • Welcome meeting and welcome drink
  • Daily cleaning of cabins. Change of towels and bed linen as needed
  • Full meals: 7x breakfast, 6x packed lunch for cyclists or lunch snack on board (not cyclists), 6x afternoon coffee break, 6x 3-course dinner and 1x farewell dinner with farewell drink
  • Daily information meeting
  • Information pack with route descriptions in English (one per cabin)
  • GPX files
  • English-speaking Tour Manager on board
  • This is a package holiday and is covered by the Travel Guarantee Fund and the Package Travel Act - see what benefits this brings you - click here
Optional extras
  • Standard 7-speed bike hire
  • E-bike hire (see under practical info)
  • Transportation to/from Passau
  • Handling fee (€20)

Bikes

You can choose from these bikes on the tour.

7-speed Unisex Bike
Hub gears with coaster brake

High-quality unisex touring bike with coaster brake on the rear wheel.

Body size approx. 155cm - 190cm.

46cm
51cm
56cm
Unisex 7-speed E-bike
Hub gears with freewheel

High quality unisex e-bike with comfortable low entry.

Body size approx. 148cm - 195cm.

46cm "XS"
46cm
51cm
56cm

Practical information

Here you can get answers to various questions about the trip
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It is possible to travel alone and stay in a single room on this journey. If you wish, this can be selected on the booking form.

All departures require a minimum of 50 guests to depart. Departures are cancelled no later than 21 days before departure. It is therefore important that you wait until you have received final confirmation from us before arranging transport to the destination.

Be aware that a cruise ship on the Danube is not only your hotel, but also a machine that also works with engine power at night. Especially when passing locks and bridges - and the preparation work - noise can occur. If you are sensitive, please bring your own earplugs.

 

On all our cycling holidays it is possible to bring your own bike, but it is also possible to rent a bike for the trip. The bikes you can rent are all perfectly suited to the tour and terrain and all bikes are perfectly maintained. If you want to rent a bike for the tour, select this on the booking form, where you can also see the price. Remember to write your height in the message box when you book.

SEE PICTURES OF THE BIKES BELOW THIS TEXT

On this trip it is possible to rent the following bikes:

    Unisex 7-speed bike - with foot brake (standard)
    Unisex E-bike - with foot brake


Equipment included when you rent bikes through us:

    Luggage carrier bag (water-repellent)
    Handlebar bag (water-repellent)
    Service kit with tools and spare tyre tubes
    Tyre pump
    Combination lock


Help during the ride

All bikes are equipped with puncture-proof tyres, which means it's virtually impossible to puncture. There's no rule without exceptions, so should you experience a puncture, you'll be able to fix it quickly with the items in the included service kit. If the damage is more serious than just a puncture, simply call and get the bike fixed or have a new bike delivered as soon as possible.
Insurance is included

Insurance against theft and damage is included in the price of the bike hire. Therefore, should there be any problems of this nature, just let us know and we'll arrange for a new bike to be delivered as soon as possible. Obviously, actual vandalism to the bike is excluded from the insurance.

Upon request, it is possible to bring your own bicycle on this tour. Approval from the boat is required, as there is a limit to the number of bicycles that can be accommodated. Your bicycle must be insured, and you must understand that it will be stored together with rental bicycles, packed tightly, and handled by the onboard staff.

Please note that the boat disclaims responsibility for damages and theft of privately brought bicycles.

If bringing an e-bike, it is required that the battery can be removed and brought into the cabin.

There will be a handling fee for bringing your own bicycle - see details on the booking page.

There are different rules for bicycle helmets and other safety in the countries this tour passes through.

In Austria, bicycle helmets are compulsory for children under the age of 12.
In Slovakia, helmets are mandatory for everyone when cycling outside built-up areas.
In addition, reflective vests are mandatory in both Slovakia and Hungary for cyclists riding in poor visibility and at night.

We ALWAYS recommend that you wear a helmet and that you bring your own. It is not possible to buy helmets on board.  
Also bring your own reflective vest (hi-vis vest) if you want to cycle on days with poor visibility.

The flight to Passau is not included in the tour price. We recommend that you find your own flight on e.g. momondo.

We recommend that you wait to book your flight until we have confirmed your journey.

Here's what you do:
1. You book your trip with us
2. We confirm your journey (usually within 3-5 working days)
3. You arrange your transport to the destination

Get a quote
If you'd like us to arrange your flight for you, you can book a quote for your journey including flights. This can take two working days. Please note that we charge a fee of SEK 350 per ticket, which means that you get the flight cheaper by booking it yourself.

On this journey, you stay on the boat for the entire trip in your chosen cabin. There are three cabin options:

    Cabin on the main deck at the front or back of the boat
    Cabin on the middle deck
    Cabin on the upper deck

All meals are included in the price of the trip. This means

    7x Breakfast
    6x Packed lunch
    6x Afternoon coffee and cake
    7x Evening meals (3-course menus)

On the day of arrival, a welcome meeting will be organised for all guests. Find out more about this on arrival at the boat.

In addition, travel meetings are held every evening to go over tomorrow's leg of the journey.

  • For a stress-free start to your trip, it is recommended to arrive at the starting point early in the evening of the day before. The individual return journey will take place on the last day of the trip.
  • The indicated cycling distance is an approximation and may differ from the actual distance.
  • This journey is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
  • Further important information about your trip by bike and boat:
  • There is always a possibility of changes in the schedule and programme. In the event of extremely high or low water levels, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of the route with a bus or to cancel the trip at short notice without liability (water level is force majeure). The same applies in the case of officially arranged lock and/or bridge repairs not previously announced or in the case of engine damage not caused by the fault of the ship.
  • Also be aware that your riverboat is both your "holiday hotel" and a working machine, constantly moving with engine power, even at night (sometimes with lock and bridge passengers and consequent ejection and retraction of structures). Particularly noise-sensitive guests are advised to bring earplugs. Lock passages are particularly associated with noise nuisance - it is the same on all boat trips - and unfortunately cannot be changed!
  • Please note that storage space in the cabin is very limited. In your luggage you should pack good rainwear (jacket and trousers), a helmet, sun hat and sun cream and sports shoes.

Tips are not included in the price.
It is customary to tip the crew of the riverboat at the end of the trip. The level is about 7-10€ from each participant. per day. On a trip like this of 7 days duration, about 50-70€ per person would be appropriate - depending on your experience.
There will typically be an envelope in the cabin for this purpose, or information will be provided to this effect at the end of the trip.

Starting in 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries will need an ESS or ETIAS authorization to enter EU nations. This system enhances border security while simplifying entry procedures. Ensure compliance by applying online before your trip to avoid delays.
You can read more about it here.

We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.

Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.

After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.

Join the special ‘Bering Cycling Holidays’ group on Facebook. Here you'll be notified about new holidays, special offers and much more.

Link to the group

Note: you need to request membership, but everyone is approved.

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