Self-guided ToursAustria - Germany
The Danube by Bike & Boat via Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest
On this self-guided bike-and-boat trip, you follow the Danube both on two wheels and on the water, pairing easy days of cycle touring with comfortable evenings of cruising.
Over eight days, you cross four countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary) and reach some of Central Europe’s great cities: Passau, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. Between these urban stops, the route hugs the banks of the Danube, winding through vineyards, past Baroque abbeys and riverside villages.
The riding is almost entirely on bike paths and quiet secondary roads, with very little climbing. Gentle and safe, it suits novice cyclists as well as seasoned ones. As you pedal, the boat travels alongside you and waits each evening, ready to carry you on to the next stop.
Highlights
Four countries by bike: Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary
Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, linked by the Danube Cycle Path
Cycling by day, comfortable cruising in the evening
Itinerary
The markers on the map locate each stage approximately. They do not correspond to the exact address of your accommodation. The overnight stays indicated in the itinerary may change depending on availability. The exact address appears in your travel booklet.
Day 1 | Passau
Before boarding, take time to discover Passau, “the city of three rivers,” at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz. Its 2,000 years of history make it a true museum city: the cobbled old town, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and its organ, long considered the largest in the world, are well worth the visit. The boat departs at 6 p.m. for your first evening on board.
Day 2 | Engelhartszell — Aschach (43 km)
On your first cycling day, you ride through one of the most beautiful sections of the Danube: the spectacular Schlögen Loop (Donauschlinge). The route follows the river on peaceful paths, with wooded hills as a backdrop. Take time to stop in riverside villages or on the terrace of a local tavern. A viewpoint near Schlögen allows you to observe the famous meander of the Danube. You then reach Aschach to meet your boat.
Day 3 | Devin — Bratislava (45 km)
The route follows a section of the former Iron Curtain, the political border that separated Soviet Europe from Western Europe. A possible stop at Schloss Hof, an elegant 18th-century palace built for Prince Eugene of Savoy, on the Austro-Slovak border. The road then passes through vast cultivated fields at the foot of the Little Carpathians to the historic village of Devin, at the confluence of the Morava and the Danube. Arrival in Bratislava, the Slovak capital at the crossroads of several European borders. A guided city tour is available in the evening.
Day 4 | Budapest: City Discovery (Optional Bike Ride to Szentendre, 24 km)
Budapest is organized around the Danube, which separates Buda and Pest. Two historic cities united into one capital, often considered the pearl of the Danube. Its history is Europe in fast-forward: Magyars, Ottomans, Habsburgs, Nazism and Soviet communism, up to the return to independence in 1989. The tramway runs along the Danube and easily serves the main tourist districts. For cyclists, Szentendre, a charming art town with colourful lanes and Baroque architecture, is well worth a visit (24 km round trip).
Day 5 | Budapest – Esztergom (50 km)
The route follows the Danube through the forests and hills of the Danube Bend, where the river suddenly changes direction in the heart of the Western Carpathians. Stop in Visegrád and its medieval fortress with royal palace, then in Vác, an elegant Baroque town rebuilt in the 18th century after the Ottoman occupation. The stage ends in Esztergom, former capital of the Kingdom of Hungary from the 10th to the 13th century, dominated by St. Adalbert’s Basilica, the largest church in the country.
Day 6 | Vienna: City Discovery
Free day in Vienna, former capital of the Habsburgs and birthplace of classical music. Mozart, Beethoven and Johann Strauss all composed in this city, whose historic centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Hofburg, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Ringstrasse lined with monumental palaces and the colourful Hundertwasserhaus are among the must-sees. The city can be discovered by bike or by bus. In the evening, there is an optional classical concert at Schönbrunn Palace.
Day 7 | Wachau — Rossatz — Melk (37 or 45 km)
Final cycling day in the Wachau Valley, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route winds between terraced vineyards, apricot orchards, and historic villages. Stop in Dürnstein and its medieval ruins, then arrive in Melk and its imposing Baroque Benedictine abbey overlooking the river. A tasting of Wachau wines is possible in one of the valley’s estates.
Day 8 | Passau
Arrival in Passau in the morning. Enjoy the Danube landscapes one last time from the deck of the boat before disembarkation scheduled around 11 a.m.
The end of the trip. It is recommended to plan your onward travel for noon or later.
Dates and pricing
All prices are indicated per person and in CAD. They vary depending on the period and availability at the time of booking.
Possible departures : Sundays, from April to October
Double Occupancy Package:
- Starting from $1,810
Single Occupancy Supplement:
- Starting from $995
Several cabin categories on different decks are available: contact a specialist.
Bike Rental:
- Hybrid: $210
- Electric assist : $435
These prices cover bike rental for the entire stay, including transport accessories and safety essentials.
Options Offered:
- Flight booking
- Airport transfer
- Bike helmet rental
- Bike insurance
Already thinking about next year?
Rates for upcoming seasons are available on request.
The price includes
- 7 nights in a double cabin with private bathroom, on board a comfort boat
- All meals during the cruise: breakfasts on board, picnics for cyclists or lunches on board, three-course dinners served at the table, excluding drinks
- A crew introduction evening with welcome cocktail
- Daily cabin cleaning
- A gala evening during the cruise
- Presence of a cruise director on board, who presents the cycling itineraries each day without accompanying the rides by bike
- A daily information meeting to present the particularities of the following day
- Port fees
- Taxes
- GPX tracks to follow the itinerary by bike
- A digital travel kit 30 days before departure, including the essential logistical details for your trip
- An assistance service with an emergency number
- Participation in the Fonds Plein Air 1% for the Planet program: Ekilib donates 1% of its revenue to support nature protection projects in Québec
The price does not include
- Air transportation and all costs associated with transporting your bike and bike box if you choose to bring your own
- Transfers from the airport to the boat and vice versa
- Bike rental
- Personal expenses, including drinks during meals
- Meals not mentioned in the “The price includes” section, including dinner in Budapest
- Tips for the crew, roughly €140 per person, paid on board
- Ferry fees, approximately €1 to €2 per crossing, paid locally
- Optional activities
- Travel insurance
- File processing fees of CA$75, plus taxes
- Financial protection from the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents. Free of charge as of January 1, 2024
Practical Information
Bike Type and Equipment Provided
Bike Type
For this trip, you can choose between a hybrid bike and an electric-assist bike. The boat crew takes care of charging the electric-assist bike batteries.
It is also possible to bring your own personal bike on this bike and boat trip for an additional fee. We encourage you to contact us to check the terms for transporting and storing the bike box. However, electric-assist bikes are not accepted when the trip requires air travel, due to battery restrictions.
Equipment Provided
Regardless of the type of bike chosen, the equipment provided includes a rear pannier for carrying your personal belongings during the day, a handlebar bag, a puncture repair kit with tire levers, an inner tube, a small pump, and a lock. A helmet is not always included, so we recommend bringing your own for added comfort and safety.
Bottle cages are uncommon on the bikes. We therefore recommend bringing a bottle that can be placed in your pannier. You may also want to bring an elastic cord with hooks at each end to secure the bottle to the rear rack and keep it more accessible.
Guidance
There is no guide during the cycling outings. You navigate independently and must be comfortable following the route using the provided route documents and navigation tools. It is also recommended that you know how to perform basic repairs, such as fixing a puncture.
On board, a cruise director is present throughout the trip. Each day, they present the following day’s route in English during a briefing of about 15 minutes and provide the information needed to prepare for your stage.
Even though you cycle independently, you’re never alone. The boat crew remains available on board for any logistical questions throughout the trip, and an emergency number is accessible 24/7 for anything unexpected along the way.
Difficulty Level
This trip has a low difficulty level. The route is almost entirely flat, making it a pleasant itinerary focused more on discovery than physical effort.
Luggage Transport
During bike and boat trips, your main luggage stays on board the boat for the entire trip. Each day, you set off cycling with only your personal belongings for the day, generally carried in the pannier provided with the bike. You’ll then find your cabin and luggage back on board the boat at the end of the stage.
Airports
To reach Passau, the nearest airports are Munich and Vienna. From both cities, train connections make it easy to reach Passau.
Formalities
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for participating in an Ekilib trip. It should cover emergency medical expenses abroad, assistance, and repatriation, in particular. Cancellation and trip interruption coverage is also strongly recommended. Cycling travel involves physical activity and daily movement. Suitable insurance allows you to handle unexpected events calmly. Before departing, it’s important to check that your policy covers cycling as part of a trip. We also recommend checking the protections offered by your credit card or insurance company to confirm your coverage.
Plane Tickets
For these bike and boat trips, international flights are generally not included in the trip price. We recommend waiting for official confirmation of the trip before booking your flights. You can book them yourself or ask our team to assist you with this process.
The MV Vivienne offers a comfortable, contemporary cruise, with a full range of cabins spread over several decks. Life on board flows easily, ideal for pairing active days of cycling with relaxed evenings on the water.
Boat
73 cabins from 15 m² to 30 m²
Cabins
- All cabins have a double bed that can be separated into two single beds
- Private bathroom with shower
- Hair dryer
- Television
- Safe
- Individual air conditioning
- Coffee machine
- Main deck: 15 m² cabin with fixed window (non-opening)
- Middle deck: 15 m² comfort cabin with fixed window (non-opening)
- Middle deck: 15 m² superior cabin with opening panoramic window and small French balcony
- Upper deck: 15 m² superior cabin with opening panoramic window and small French balcony
- Upper deck: 22 m² junior suite with opening panoramic window, small French balcony and mini bar
- Upper deck: 30 m² master suite with opening panoramic window, small French balcony, mini bar and private lounge
Common Area
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Panoramic lounge
Meals
- Breakfasts are served buffet-style
- Lunches are prepared in advance: you take your picnic in the morning and enjoy it along the way
- Dinners are served at the table and include three courses
The MS Lisabelle offers bright and well-appointed outside cabins in an elegant, functional setting. The deck layout lets you choose the comfort level that suits you best.
Boat
76 outside cabins from 11 m² to 14 m²
Cabins
- Standard and comfort cabins with two single beds
- Superior cabin with separable double bed
- Private bathroom with shower and toilet
- Hair dryer
- Satellite television
- Safe
- Individually adjustable air conditioning
- Lower or main deck: standard cabin of about 11 m² with small raised fixed window (non-opening)
- Middle deck: comfort cabin of about 11 m² with large fixed panoramic window (non-opening)
- Middle deck and upper deck: superior cabin of about 14 m² with French balcony
Common Area
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Panoramic lounge
The package price varies depending on the cabin type and departure date. Please contact your cycling specialist to confirm rates and check availability according to your dates.
Important Information:
In the event of flooding or very low water levels, the transport company reserves the right to connect sections of the route by bus. The same applies in the event of work on locks or bridges, engine failure and/or propulsion system failure
Let's talk about your cycling trip
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