Danube bike and boat tours: the best way to cycle the Danube?

An overview of Danube bike and boat tours

Danube bike and boat tours take place on the impressive River Danube, Europe’s second-longest river. They combine the Danube cycle route with accommodation aboard a river cruise ship each night.

Key European destinations

The Danube connects ten countries, including Austria and Romania, and passes through several noteworthy capitals: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade.

Typically, most Danube bike and boat tours start from the German city of Passau, which sits close to the border of Austria. These river cruises usually take place over seven days and pass through multiple countries, including Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. However, the exact route and countries included will depend on the company and tour option you choose; some tours can be shorter, or even longer to include Romania.

One of the big highlights of cycling along the Danube is the opportunity to combine gentle daily cycling with some of Europe’s best capital cities, including Vienna and Budapest. More on this below.

Our BikePlanet tour starts and finishes in Passau, turning in Budapest halfway through the trip and making its way back. It includes the countries of Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, as well as the cities of Vienna and Bratislava. We cover a lot of distance during the week and enable guests to experience some of the best rides and places of interest along the Danube River.

The Danube cycling path

Each day guests cycle the Danube cycle path with average distances ranging from 40 to 70 kilometres.

The beautiful cycling routes are largely on asphalt, traffic-free paths which make up 90% of the Danube cycling path. The remaining 10% takes place on quiet low traffic roads. There are also some gravel sections to navigate, mainly in Hungary.

Cyclists can expect flat terrain that is easygoing, making it ideal for a range of fitness levels. More on this below.

Fun fact! A long section of the Danube cycle path is also part of the popular cycling route, the EuroVelo 6, also known as the Atlantic to the Black Sea or The Rivers Route.

History of the Danube

The Danube River flows 2,850 kilometres from Germany’s Black Forest to the Black Sea in Romania.

The river has strong historical significance and was the frontier of the Roman Empire.

Throughout history, the Danube River has played a vital role in trade and has been used as a commercial highway to transport goods between each country.

Comfortable accommodation

For the duration of a Danube bike and boat tour with BikePlanet Tours, you stay on a fully serviced river cruise ship which sails during the night while you are asleep. Guests have an en-suite cabin and shared communal spaces. More on this below.

Staying aboard a boat provides guests with a number of benefits, including the flexibility to stay on the boat during the day and have a rest from cycling and the comfort of only having to unpack once.

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Why is the Danube cycling path a must-do?

Cultural heritage

The Danube River has no shortage of impressive places to visit and sights to see.

On a BikePlanet Tours Danube trip, you experience three capital cities: Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. The opportunity to see all three on one Danube bike tour is hugely appealing and you’ll have time to explore each city during overnight stays, with guided tours of each city included in our Danube tour.

Cycling Budapest is a particular highlight for many guests. This city is often described as the ‘Paris of the East’ and has beautiful art nouveau architecture split on both sides of the Danube River. We include a visit to one of the city’s best-loved landmarks, Fisherman’s Bastion which provides incredible views of the city, its bridges and the House of Parliament.

The Danube is dotted with many other fascinating historical sites of interest to keep you entertained each day, including the dramatic ruins of Devin in Slovakia and Klosterneuburg Monastery in Austria.

On the last day of our BikePlanet Tour we also visit the Benedictine Abbey of Melk for a guided tour. This huge monastery boasts impressive Baroque architecture and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau cultural landscape.

Scenic routes

Danube river cycling is considered by many to boast some of Europe’s most enchanting river landscapes.

In Austria, the river meanders along quiet cycle paths through green hills, vineyards, and pretty villages such as the medieval Durnstein. You’ll also pass by the dramatic scenery of Schloegen, nicknamed the “Natural Wonder of Upper Austria”, where the Danube River almost curves in a full circle.

Further down, the river gets wider and the scenery more rural and agricultural, peppered with small villages, including the beautiful village of Szentendre. You’ll also notice that the churches look more Eastern European, such as the St. Stefanuschurch in Budapest.

A great ride for all abilities

Flat and scenic cycling on well-maintained cycle paths, combined with the flexibility and the comfort of boat accommodation make this an excellent cycling tour for a wide range of fitness abilities.

On BikePlanet Tours we often see couples and friends with differing abilities and cycling goals; it’s all possible!

What is each day like?

Our BikePlanet Tours Danube trip takes place over eight days and includes six days of cycling; it starts and finishes in Passau with no cycling on arrival or departure day and includes cycling along the Danube cycling path each other day.

After breakfast each morning, the riding usually begins around 9 or 10am, with coffee stops and a picnic lunch (provided by us) to keep you fuelled along the way.

Guests usually arrive back on the ship around 4 to 5pm in the afternoon.

After you have freshened up many guests like to meet in the bar or on the sun deck to relax with a post-ride drink. This is followed by a communal evening dinner and a group meeting to discuss the following day’s cycling route.

You can then either continue to relax in the bar or choose to head back to your cabin. There is also a sauna and hot tub on board and the opportunity to book a hydromassage if you fancy a pamper!

See below a map of some of the places mentioned in this article. Hover over the map pins to see the place names.

Day 1: Arrive in Passau, Germany

Before boarding the boat you can stroll through the historic centre of Passau.

The tour officially starts at around 3pm with an initial welcome meeting with your cycling guides, who will provide a detailed briefing on the week ahead. It’s a great opportunity to meet your fellow guests and ask any questions.

After this, you are allocated your cabin for the week and can make yourself at home!

During your first evening meal,  the boat sets sail and heads to Schloegen.

Day 2: Schloegen to Linz, Austria

After breakfast, the day starts with bike fittings to make sure everyone is comfortable before setting off on our first ride.

Today’s route is around 55 kilometres and starts at the scenic Schlögener Schlinge, a dramatic natural wonder.

After your day of Danube river cycling, you finish in the historic city of Linz.

Named European Culture Capital in 2009, this city is home to Baroque buildings and an old cathedral. You can enjoy taking a stroll in the city before dinner.

Day 3: Tulln to Vienna, Austria

Today’s ride departs from Tulln, known as the city of flowers, with views of the green Vienna Forest in the distance. In 2005 this vast swathe of woodland was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

During today’s ride, you also visit the 11th Century Klosterneuburg Monastery and its wine estate for a guided walking  tour, it overlooks the Danube, and its vineyards have produced wine for centuries.

After cycling on to the Austrian capital of Vienna, and enjoying another evening meal, there is a scheduled bus tour of the city’s famous sites before we set sail again at 10pm.

Day 4: Visegrad to Budapest, Hungary

Today’s 59-kilometre ride consists of several ferry crossings over the Danube and cycling along traffic-free bike paths.

The day also includes a visit to a beautiful wine town called Szentendre; this popular Hungarian town is well known for its colourful buildings and has many art galleries and museums.

After finding the boat and boarding, you’ll sail into Budapest, where it will dock for the evening.

Day 5: Budapest, Hungary

Today guests can enjoy a full day exploring the city of Budapest.

There are a couple of options to choose from including a relaxing bus tour, or another guided bike ride cycling in Budapest city.

The cycle ride includes several of the city’s most famous sites including Fishermans Bastion, the Matthias Church, the Residences of the President, the Parliament Building, the historic covered market and the famous Shoes, a poignant piece of artwork in remembrance of World War II.

The boat sets sail again at 6pm.

Day 6: Bratislava, Slovakia

During breakfast the boat arrives in the next city of the tour, Bratislava in Slovakia.

The cycle route is around 33 kilometres and takes you to Devin, an impressive ruined castle that sits above the Danube River and boasts great views.

After this, you cycle on to the Castle of Hof in Austria, a beautiful palace and gardens, before returning to the ship in Bratislava.

There is then the option of a guided walking tour of the city.

Day 7: Krems to Marbach, Austria and Germany

Get ready for some of the most beautiful cycling along the Danube.

Today’s ride starts from the UNESCO World Heritage city of Krems and includes cycling through picturesque vineyards and a visit to the medieval village of Durnstein.

You’ll also visit the impressive Melk Abbey for a guided tour. It’s often something guests consider a highlight of the trip!

Day 8: Passau, Germany

After a final breakfast, guests disembark early in the morning, between 8am and 10am.

We’ll drop you at the train station for your onward travel home, or you can enjoy a day exploring this beautiful Bavarian city.

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Planning for Danube cycling path bike and boat tours

What’s the best time to cycle the Danube?

The Danube is located in Central Europe and benefits from a mild climate; Danube bike and boat tours are typically offered between May and October.

The summer months can be hot, with the chance of a heatwave possible particularly in July and August.

However, cycling close to the river helps to keep you cool in these conditions. The BikePlanet Tours ship also has climate control, so temperatures are well-regulated in warm and cold weather.

There is the chance of some rainfall, even in the summer months. But these rain showers tend to be short, so it’s best to come prepared with waterproofs, just in case. Find out more packing essentials below.

September is a particularly popular option for a Danube River cruise because it is the wine region’s harvest time, with many vineyards collecting grapes. May and June are also pleasant with the landscapes at their greenest and many pretty wildflowers in bloom.

Top tip! Even during school holidays, we tend to find that the Danube cycle path remains relatively quiet, particularly in more rural locations. However, we find the cities are busy year-round.

Where will you stay on a Danube river cruise tour?

Bike and boat tours of the Danube are popular, so you’ll find many options to choose from; generally, these boats tend to be bigger cruise ships that are around 110 to 135 meters long and 12 meters wide. Most offer around 50 to 100 cabins.

There is usually a mix of cabin options, including lower deck cabins with a window that can’t be opened, and upper deck cabins with sliding doors and a small “balcony” to sit on. These will vary in price depending on features and space. All have ensuite bathrooms.

Each boat also comes with large communal spaces to enjoy with other guests, including a bar, a dining/breakfast area and an outdoor deck (which is usually on top of the ship). There is also usually a central desk for questions, and you’ll notice many crew members on board to look after you during your stay, including chefs, cleaners and waiters.

Be aware! Unlike large cruise ships, bike and boat tours are much smaller in comparison and come with limited evening entertainment options.

Primadonna

Guests on BikePlanet Tours will stay on the Primadonna ship. It is a modern catamaran boat and has a big round glass floor in the boat’s atrium where guests can sit, relax and watch the river water flowing beneath them. It can accommodate 150 guests.

Be aware! Our tours have a maximum of 28 guests and two guides. We share the boat with other guests who cycle on their own.

Cabins

You can choose from three cabin options, located on three floors. This includes an economy cabin down from the atrium with twin beds, and two larger cabin options with double beds and space for a sofa, as well as a balcony with a small bench. All cabins are en suite.

Facilities

The Primadonna bar boasts a spectacular view from the front of the ship. It’s a grand place to relax and unwind in. The sundeck is also well-equipped with chairs and beds. There is also a large dining room where guests enjoy breakfast and dinner together each day.

Guests can also enjoy Primadonna’s sauna and hot tub. This is booked at the reception of the boat and allows guests an hour of private use.

Passau

BikePlanet Tours Danube cycling tours start and finish in Passau.

For anyone who wants to explore this city more, you can choose to base yourself here either the night before we set sail, or after you disembark – or both!

The city has many hotels to choose from. Take a look at some options here.

MK Hotel Passau

One option worth considering is this hotel opposite the railway station. This is typically where we meet guests on the first day before heading to the boat, so a convenient location.

More information

How challenging is biking along the Danube River?

Generally cycling the Danube is considered an easy cycling holiday.

As mentioned previously, the Danube cycle route largely takes place on flat cycle paths, there are no big nasty climbs. This means that a Danube cycle trip is perfect for a range of abilities, including beginners and families.

However, on our BikePlanet Tours Danube trip, there are some longer days involved, which some may find challenging, particularly families with young children. We also don’t offer children’s bikes for hire. Our Danube cycling tours are therefore best for families with older children, couples and friends.

We usually split each daily ride into two groups of varying paces. This provides guests with peace of mind they can keep up with the group and ride at a pace that suits them that day.

Top tip! For anyone concerned about the daily mileage we also have e-bikes available for hire. More information is below.

Be aware! There is an occasional gravel path that can be more challenging to navigate; these tend to be short.

How does navigation work?

In Austria, you’ll notice many signposts for dedicated cycling paths. The Danube Cycle Path typically has green signs and the EuroVelo 6 has blue signs.

Generally, signposts concentrate on pointing out the next villages and are relatively easy to follow. Outside of Austria, you may need to utilise a map to find your way as the route doesn’t always hug the river and veers inland for some short stretches.

BikePlanet Tours Danube trip has a cycling guide to lead the way, providing essential support in case of any issues as well as the peace of mind that they will be there to guide you back to the ship.

What’s the best bike for the Danube cycling route?

Hybrid leisure-style bikes are a good option and are well-equipped to handle the occasional gravel surfaces.

Road bikes are also an option. But if you are looking to push the pace, cycling the Danube River probably isn’t the best option for you. Typically, guests on Danube cycling tours are looking for a relaxing, gentle tour so you might find it annoying dodging them on the cycle paths…

Most guests on BikePlanet Tours choose to hire an e-bike for biking along the Danube. Each night the e-bikes are loaded on board the boat by our team and charged overnight. Your battery will last the whole day of cycling.

A water bottle and helmet are also provided by BikePlanet Tours when you hire a bike with us.

Practicalities of a Danube cycling path bike and boat tour

Mechanical assistance

The Danube cycle path is popular with cyclists and its several cities are home to multiple bike repair shops that can assist with mechanical problems you may encounter.

However, you may struggle to find bike shops in more rural locations.

On BikePlanet Danube tours any mechanical issues are taken care of by the guides each day. So, you can cycle with peace of mind should any issues occur on the ride. Members of the ship’s staff will also unload and load your bike off the boat each day.

Daily luggage transfer

All Danube bike and boat tours transport your luggage effortlessly each day – there’s no need to even pack up or unpack as you have the same cabin all week.

If you plan to cycle the Danube independently, there are several luggage transfer services to consider. You could also reach out to tour operators offering trips along the Danube to see if they would assist with this.

On a BikePlanet Tour we also transfer luggage at the start and end of the trip by bus from the central station of Passau.

Getting to Germany

The closest airport to Passau is Munich. From here it’s just over two hours by train to Passau.

here.Most guests on BikePlanet Tour’s don’t choose to bring their own bikes but if you wish to bring yours travel by train with your bike is possible. You should book ahead and look at the bike rules in advance. See more information here.

You could also consider flying into Frankfurt but this is a longer train ride of around four hours and and twenty minutes.

Training

Although cycling the Danube River is relatively easygoing, there are some longer days in the saddle. It is worth completing a few rides beforehand to get your body (and bum!) used to these lengthier days and multiple days on the bike.

Cash

Cards might not be accepted along the entirety of the Danube Cycle Route.

So, we suggest you bring some euros in cash. You might also want to consider getting some Hungarian Forint before you arrive, especially if you want to avoid the exchange rate in Hungary.

Bike etiquette

The Danube cycle path can get busy at peak times, so when you notice other cyclists it’s best to cycle single file, rather than next to each other. Spreading out also makes for a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

The Danube river path is a multi-use trail, and so it can also be busy with pedestrians. Be considerate when ringing your bell to warn them you are coming; it’s best to avoid repeatedly ringing the bell.

Boat sailings

Guests on the Primadonna are communicated with regularly and receive a daily update in their cabin about the ship’s movements that day.

When you set off to cycle guests also hand in their room card for a pass that has details of the docking spot and an emergency phone number for the ship. When you arrive back you swap this for your room card again which gives the ship a clear understanding that everyone is back aboard the ship.

Internet

Top tip! Outside of Austria, the internet coverage is not good through Primadonna’s WiFi. We also find internet options on shore can sometimes be limited in more rural locations. Guests are encouraged to discuss with their phone providers prior to joining us to ensure they have adequate coverage, such as 4G, to cover the full week (if this is essential for them!).

Guides will have an internet option on their own devices, but the coverage once on board can be very limited. So it is best to be prepared for that and maybe arrange something with your provider. Or be prepared or experience a few days without it.

What to pack

Danube cycling tours don’t require any hugely technical kit, but a pair of padded shorts will certainly aid your comfort each day. We suggest a couple of pairs and some washing detergent so you can give them a wash part way through the tour (if you feel it’s needed!).

Aside from that, comfortable cycling layers and a lightweight, packable waterproof are worthwhile.

Also, don’t forget your sunscreen and sunglasses for warm, bright days cycling down the Danube River.

Top tip! Guests are welcome to wear their cycling kit during breakfast on BikePlanet Tours but we request you to get changed out of these for evening meals, just like you would for a restaurant. So, make sure you have plenty of comfortable, casual evening wear.

Planning to make use of the Primadonna’s sauna and hot tub? Make sure you pack your swimwear.

Rental bikes on our BikePlanet Tours Danube trip come with cycle helmets and bottles, so you don’t need to worry about bringing these.

Take a look at this article for more useful tips on what to pack for a cycling holiday.

Highway code and travel information

As ever, it’s a good idea to check current travel information before you book and travel.

Be aware! This route travels through several countries. For UK visitors, the UK government travel information pages for the countries you are visiting can be found here:

• Germany
• Austria
• Slovakia
• Hungary

You should also read and follow Austria, Slovakia and Hungary’s highway code.

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Want help organising your Danube bike and boat tour?

We’ve been helping guests with bike and barge holidays in Europe since 2017. We would love to help you plan your trip.

Get in touch and let's discuss the best bike tour for you.

Check out our website so we can start helping you craft your perfect bike and barge trip.

What does Bike Planet offer?

BikePlanet Tours has run bike and barge trips across Europe since 2010 and has years of experience delivering the best experience possible along Europe’s waterways.

Alongside a lovely, relaxing boat to unwind on each night, our fully guided Danube cycling tour guests include two English-speaking experienced guides who will cycle with you each day. You’ll benefit from our teams’ experienced support from the moment you arrive, including a welcome briefing and daily evening briefings to provide insight into what to expect from the next day’s cycling.

Our job is to take the stress out of the logistics and planning so you can simply turn up and have a great time on your bike!

Our Danube cycling holidays also include many additional excursions and walking tours of key cultural points of interest throughout the week. This enables guests to experience more of the regions and fascinating local culture and history we pass through.

Where can cyclists find out more about your services?

Head to our website to find out more about our Danube tour and see our wider range of bike and barge tours in Europe, including options in The Netherlands.

We are also happy to arrange a (video) call to talk through any of the above or your specific needs!

Looking for reviews? We are happy to put you in touch with previous guests who have been on this trip before. Just ask and we will give you some contact details.

A huge thanks to Lenny for sharing these Danube River bike tours insights. Do you like the sound of cycling down the Danube? We think this iconic path offers a unique European adventure that perfectly combines beautiful cities with a relaxed experience.

Perhaps you want to find out more information about bike and barge tours in Europe?

Don’t miss this article for boat bike FAQs and insights into other popular barge holidays including the Rhine Cycle Path.

If you book a Danube bike tour let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear how you get on!