Six Reasons to Book a Danube Boat & Bike Tour

Choose from a variety of Danube Boat & Bike itineraries, with options to cycle from Passau in Germany to Vienna in Austria, to Budapest in Hungary or even to Belgrade in Serbia and beyond to the Iron Gates gorge on the Romanian border, all from the comfort and luxury of a deluxe river cruiser.

With huge diversity in its scenery, gentle riverside cycle paths, and so many cultural gems to discover along the way, the river is full of delights and surprises at every bend.

Keep reading to find out why the river's ever-changing culture and scenery should be high on your list for next year. All tours are now on sale and we expect peak dates to fill up fast - especially on our 14-night Danube River - 6 Countries Boat & Bike Tour which has just three departures in 2023.

For personal advice and recommendations from our team, enquire online or call us on +44 (0) 1273 224066 (Mon to Fri 9am to 5:30pm UK time).

"A very enjoyable holiday and a great way of seeing the countryside. The cycle path was easy with very few hills and our trip through the Wachau wine region was stunning."... "We thoroughly enjoyed all our bike rides – the tracks were mostly flat and were easy to follow."

The Danube Cycle Path is one of the world's best and most famous. The sections from Passau to Budapest are some of its flattest and most well-maintained, particularly in Germany and Austria where the path runs largely alongside the river itself.

This means it's super easy to navigate - follow the EuroVelo 6 or Donauradweg signs, or just go with the flow of the water! - and there's barely a hill in sight. It also makes it ideal for less experienced cyclists, with e-bikes available for an extra boost. You'll also have route notes (and GPS if you prefer) so that you know when and where to stop to make the most of your time.

The scenery along the Danube is simply stunning, from lively capital cities and fascinating historical sites to luscious green landscapes and wonderful natural landmarks.

No matter which tour you choose, Austria's 'Great Loop' makes an impressive appearance early on, followed by monasteries, forests, castles, vineyards and more. Read our Highlights of the Danube blog post to learn more about the breathtaking sites along the way.

"The boat was spacious and clean and very well laid out, the cabins are a very decent size and comfortable. The crew were always very smiling, friendly, attentive and helpful. Food quality and choices were excellent and the crew did well organising evening entertainment."

On our Boat & Bike tours, your boat acts as your 'floating hotel' for the duration of your stay, following you along the river and carrying you to your next day's cycle ride. Think the best bits of bike touring and cruising rolled into one, with no need to pack and unpack each day!

All boats featured on our Danube tours are rated Deluxe, comparable to a 4* hotel with facilities which may surprise you. The MS Swiss Crown, which features on three of the five tours, is our top pick for 2023, with spacious 14 m² cabins featuring panoramic windows on the middle and upper decks.

On board, you'll find a first-class restaurant and dining area, ample room to relax in the cosy bar and lounge or on the sundeck, and even a wellness area with sauna and steam bath. Our favourite spot for watching the passing scenery has to be the hot tub on the sundeck - where better to soothe tired legs as you cruise into a new city?

The MV Vivienne is another fantastic option - brand new to our programme and renovated in 2020. The 15m² Superior Cabins with French balconies look fabulous, or for a really luxurious tour opt for a 22m² Junior Suite or the exquisite 30m² Master Suite complete with a semi-separate living area.

"Special mention must go to Andreas the tour director for his friendly, helpful explanations of the routes and his professionalism."... "The guide, Jan, was exceptional with his extensive knowledge about the areas."

While all of our Danube Boat & Bike tours are self-guided, they all benefit from the services of an English-speaking tour guide on board. They'll give a daily briefing with top tips for the daily rides - such as which side of the river to follow for the best views, the best places to stop for a local cider or wine and which landmarks to keep an eye out for, including which are worth a detour to visit.

This local knowledge means that you have the freedom and flexibility of self-guided cycling, but you'll still have the support of a local expert. Outside of the daily briefings, they'll also be available to answer any questions you may have and they get regular shout outs in our customer reviews!

"Coming into Budapest in the morning sun over breakfast was breathtaking."... "To be able to sit on the deck of the boat on the Danube in the centre of Budapest and watch the lights come on the historic buildings will indeed be one of the highlights of my life."

One of the absolute joys of a Danube Boat & Bike tour has to be watching the spectacular scenery pass by as you tuck into a hearty breakfast or delicious dinner - often as your boat leaves or arrives at another fascinating city.

All your meals are included in the tour price - including a light lunch on board for non-cyclists. Breakfast is a generous breakfast buffet, a packed lunch is provided to take with you in your pannier, and then in the evening you'll be treated to sumptuous meals often based on the national cuisine of the countries you pass through.

It's not just mealtimes that provide the views; before and after dinner you can enjoy a coffee or something stronger from the well-stocked bar and lounge. You'll find the best spots for a pre- or post-prandial tipple out on the sundeck - some with hot tubs or even a pool!

"The Budapest city tour by night was unforgettable with the vast array of lights and the chain bridge lit up like a pearl necklace. The Hungarian folklore and musical evening was most enjoyable as was our trip to Vienna which was made special by our most enthusiastic guide."

As much as we love cycling, it's not always the best way to get around a capital city, and with so much to see you'll want to make sure you have plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere.

Rest days in the iconic capital cities of Vienna and Budapest are included as standard (Vienna only for Passau to Vienna itineraries), with optional guided walking, cycling or bus tours either included or available for a supplement.

Highlights in Vienna include the famous architecture of Belvedere Palace, the Ringstraße, St Stephen’s cathedral, and the colourful Hundertwasser House. Make sure to save room for local delights from the Naschmarkt food stalls or an indulgent cake in a famous Viennese café. If moored overnight, enjoy an optional evening concert or operetta in the Hofburg or delight in the buzz of one of the many wine taverns.

The 'Queen of the Danube', Budapest is rich in culture, food, and wine. It's a city you can take at your own pace - whether that's resting in the famous thermal baths, strolling around the numerous museums and churches, visiting the vibrant bars or joining a guided tour to learn a little more about this historic city.

If cities are not your thing, you can also cycle to the picturesque town of Szentendre with its art galleries and pretty houses.

"We shared many laughs with a delightful and interesting group of shipmates and were happy to share our holiday with visitors from many different countries. Language was no barrier because we all shared the same love of boating and biking!"

A self-guided Boat & Bike tour is ideal if you're looking for the freedom of cycling at your own pace, but still want to enjoy the camaraderie of touring with like-minded folk.

The restaurants, lounges, bars and sundecks all provide the opportunity to mingle with fellow cyclists and swap stories of the day's ride. Many boats offer daily live music and some even have a farewell gala dinner on the last evening so you can say goodbye to new friends in style.

To learn more about any of the tours above, or to book, view our Danube Boat & Bike Tours, enquire online or speak to one of our team on +44 (0) 1273 224066.

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