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Danube River Cruise Bike Tour

Danube River Cruise Bike Tour

Prague to Budapest through Five Countries

From $6,299 - $9,199 pp dbl. occ. | Trip length varies per departure date. Please see the Dates & Prices tab for complete details.

(+$2,300 to $7,400 for sgl. occ.)

On this river cruise voyage, let the Danube River be your guide from Prague to Passau, Vienna to Bratislava and on to Budapest. Pedal through the Bavarian Forest. Stroll among baroque architecture. Sample local beer and wine. And discover tucked-away villages. Then luxuriate on board the ship as it carries you to your next adventure.

Highlights

Discover a medley of landscapes as you pedal on the scenic Donauradweg (Danube bike path) alongside locals
Spin through the vineyards, orchards and villages of the Wachau Valley, beloved for its Grüner Veltliners and Rieslings
Delight in the ever-changing views from your luxurious stateroom, knowing that you only have to unpack once
Linger in Prague and Budapest, our captivating gateway cities that teem with dazzling sights, culture and cuisine

Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia & Hungary

Start Prague, Czech Republic / End Budapest, Hungary

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Take an easygoing ride through the Bavarian Forest to the Danube River | Nothing like a bit of oompah music to get things started—enjoy an Oktoberfest-style celebration before we set sail | Fall in love with Bavaria's quiet biking routes and stunning views into Austria | Stroll amid Italian baroque architecture in Passau, the City of Three Rivers.

Day 3 Ride in the Austrian countryside along the famed Donauradweg (Danube bike path) or take a guided walk in Linz | Choose an excursion to Salzburg, Český Krumlov or the Austrian Lakes District—all spectacular World Heritage sites.

Days 4-5 Bike or cruise the most stunning stretch of the Danube through Wachau Valley vineyards and sleepy hamlets | Visit majestic Melk Abbey, inspiration for Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose | Stop for a taste of the local Grüner Veltliner as you pedal past traditional Austrian vineyards.

Day 6 Follow bike paths in serene Donau-Auen National Park, keeping an eye out for kingfishers and herons | Ride between two capital cities—Vienna and Bratislava | Dine at Schloss Hof, a castle and working farm | Join a walking tour of Bratislava's charming medieval center.

Days 7-8 Bike among the hills of the Hungarian countryside to the charming town of Szentendre | Or take a break from cycling and sail directly into the heart of Budapest's vibrant center for a tour of this breathtaking city | Soak in thermal springs or browse the bustling shopping district | Raise a toast to a memorable voyage down the Danube.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

If you must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the policy outlined below. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Private room or tent, bike rental and internal air charges are considered part of the total trip cost and are subject to cancellation fees. Percentage charges are calculated on total trip cost.

Cancellation Fees (Per Person)
Days Prior to Trip Start	Scheduled Trips	Private Trips	Custom Trips
126+ days	$200**	$600	30%
95-125	$200**	30%	50%
61-95 days	30%	50%	75%
31-60 days	60%	75%	100%
0-30 days	100%	100%	100%

** Rather than paying the cancellation fees, you may choose to keep your trip deposit ($600) in a holding account to use on a future Backroads trip with no expiration date.

Bike Cancellation Policies: If you are renting a Specialized Roubaix, Ruby, e-bike or Co-Motion Tandem, a full cancellation fee will apply in the event you cancel your trip reservation inside 30 days.

Transfers: You may transfer from one trip to another up to 95 days before trip departure without penalty—except Private or Custom Trips.

Release of Liability: Guests are required to provide a signed Release of Liability, Assumption of All Risks, and Arbitration Agreement and a completed Personal Information forms prior to trip departure; you will receive these materials shortly after reserving your trip. You may also complete your forms online. We are unable to allow guests to participate in any aspect of a Backroads trip without a signed release form.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

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C Classic Dates

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. Call or email us to reserve your date.

Call for Private Trip Pricing.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

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2+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 2 or more guests
8+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
16+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2020 August

8/17–8/24

8+ 8/28–9/4

2020 September

9/18–9/25

8+ 9/28–10/5

2020 October

8+ 10/2–10/9

2021 May

8+ 5/17–5/24

8+ 5/24–5/31

8+ 5/31–6/7

2021 June

8+ 6/7–6/14

8+ 6/26–7/3

2021 July

8+ 7/5–7/12

8+ 7/18–7/25

8+ 7/24–7/31

8+ 7/31–8/7

2021 August

8+ 8/2–8/9

8+ 8/9–8/16

8+ 8/15–8/22

8+ 8/23–8/30

8+ 8/29–9/5

8+ 8/30–9/6

2021 September

8+ 9/11–9/18

8+ 9/12–9/19

8+ 9/13–9/20

8+ 9/26–10/3

8+ 9/27–10/4

2021 October

8+ 10/4–10/11

View Scheduled Dates

Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2020
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct

2021
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct

View Scheduled Dates
Go Private
Go Custom

Prices

From $6,299 - $9,199 pp dbl. occ.
Trip length varies per departure date. Please see the Dates & Prices tab for complete details.

(+$2,300 to $7,400 for sgl. occ.)

Reviews

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Premiere Ship

AmaWaterways Ship

AmaMagna, AmaLea, AmaSerena, AmaViola or AmaSonata (7 nights)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 1-4

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Danube River

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

View more photos

Watch videos

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

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Next: Lodging

Premiere Ship

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

AmaWaterways Ship

AmaMagna, AmaLea, AmaSerena, AmaViola or AmaSonata (7 nights)

A luxurious custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, French balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. (pool)

View the deck plans. See Dates & Prices for specific ship, stateroom category availability and embarkation/disembarkation details..

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

This Trip Is Rated Levels 1-4

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Day	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4		Level 5
	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain
1	16*	600	26	1200
2			19*	1300	35	2000
			26	1500	36	2700
	Passau Guided City Walk (1 Hour)
3	14*	600	27*	1000			43*	1300
3	Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov or Austrian Lakes District Tour (4 Hours)
4	15	500	30	1000	37	1200	42	2600
5	17*	400	28*	700
5	Vienna Guided City Walk (1.5 Hours)
6			21*	300	34*	600	46	900
6	Bratislava Guided City Walk (1 Hour)
7	13*	700	28	2000
7	Budapest Guided City Walk (1 Hour)
8	Disembarkation in Budapest

Note:

* Includes shuttle.

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 7 dinners, 6 lunches

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.

Touring Bike (Included)

Performance Road Bike (Included)

NEW! Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price – Available beginning 4/1 in North America, 5/1 in Europe and 11/1 outside of Europe and North America.)

Our newly redesigned Titanium Electric-Assist Bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power (and then some!) to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance. Other outstanding features include the same comfort as our Touring Bikes and lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

Cannondale Pro Carbon Upgrade ($400 rental fee)

Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package, the Cannondale 2020 Synapse Hi-MOD pro carbon upgrade is built for experienced cyclists, men and women alike, who are looking for a high-performance bike that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.

Cannondale 2020 Synapse Hi-MOD

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)

Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)

Also Included

Expert Backroads Trip Leaders, on ship and on shore
Off-the-beaten path exploration
Access to all ship amenities
Impeccable and personalized service from ship staff and Backroads Leaders
Exclusive activities that amplify your appreciation and understanding of the local culture
Exclusive biking routes with multiple options at varied paces
Custom Titanium bike
Gratuities on ship and on shore handled by your Backroads Leaders
Exploring lesser known routes away from busy ports
Dedicated support vans
Easy-to-use route directions so you're free to explore independently
Private walking tours with expert guides
Access to all ship activities and excursions
Wine included with all onboard meals
Private cocktail/wine receptions
Off-ship lunches in genuine settings

Previous: Activity Level

Next: Straight Talk

Next: Why Backroads

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Ships

The ships we sail on are like a floating luxury hotel, so you can visit a new destination each day without touching your suitcase once you've settled in. Our ships are custom‐designed with a variety of inviting spaces that offer plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. These ships are vastly smaller than most cruise ships, with up to just 150 passengers on our river trips and up to only 250 on our ocean trips.

Backroads Support on Board and on Shore

We sail with up to 30 Backroads guests per group. Occasionally there may be more than one Backroads group onboard and you may cross paths with the other group on routes or at restaurants. When this occurs, each group will have their own dedicated onboard Backroads leaders.

Backroads Cruising Life

If you're new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Our cruises are smaller, and much more intimate than a typical cruise. They are also quite lively, social experiences, shaped by both our Backroads group and the larger ship community. Additionally, even with an itinerary subject to fixed nautical schedules that may occasionally limit our time on shore, we get out and explore far beyond the cruise norm. If you love meeting new people, enjoy the ease of unpacking once, and don't mind a set schedule of port departure times, you'll love our approach to active river and ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.

Meals

On our active cruises, we seek out diversity by including regionally authentic and inventive meals for onshore lunches and the occasional onshore dinner. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads hotel trips.

Itinerary Flexibility: Going with the Flow

Every river has its own unique temperament and for centuries water levels have shifted due to rain, temperature and agriculture. High water levels may mean the ship cannot pass under a bridge, low water levels result in slower sailing, and a disabled lock can also lead to some extra cruising time. Should any unforeseen change happen during your river cruise, we will work closely with AmaWaterways' captain and staff, who are very experienced in going with the flow.

Stateroom Categories

In contrast to our usual land-based trips, which have similar room categories, the AmaWaterways ships offer a wide range of stateroom categories. The top-tier staterooms often fill fast so book as early as possible if this is important to you.

Double-Docking

Most port conditions require that ships tie up alongside each other, in which case you may need to walk through another ship to access our ship. This is a part of river cruising due to its popularity. You may experience obstructed views from your stateroom when the ship is double-docked, but rest assured that as soon as we set sail again your beautiful views will be restored.

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Danube River

We Reinvented the River Cruise

Backroads pioneered the active river trip, partnering with AmaWaterways, the leader in river cruising, to create a new kind of travel experience featuring biking and walking explorations from an elegant floating hotel. Read more about this ideal way to discover the heart of a region.

Everyone at Their Own Pace

We design and support our Danube River trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.

Great Bikes Included

Our custom-designed titanium bikes are best in class. From avid cyclists to easygoing riders, we believe that everyone deserves a seriously great bike to match their riding style. Learn more about our bike fleet.

We've Set the Standard

For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by

In Europe Since 1988

Backroads has been welcoming active travelers to Europe since before the Berlin Wall came down. Today it's virtually our second home. We know the perfect roads and trails, the most scenic valleys and hilltop towns, the hidden churches and gem-like museums, the up-and-coming vintners and celebrated chefs—and, of course, all the best places to stay.

Previous: Straight Talk

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Backroads Photo Gallery

Musicians - Danube River Cruise Bike Tour

AmaWaterways River Cruise Ship - Danube River

Biking in vineyard - Danube River Cruise Bike Tour

Wine tasting - Danube River Cruise Bike Tour

Backraods Trip Leaders - Danube River Cruise Bike Tour

Guest Photo Gallery

Videos

Danube River Cruise Biking

Our Expert Leaders

The Backroads Experience

Why Biking Trips?

Featured Blog Story

Discovering History along the Danube

The banks of the Danube are soaked in history, having witnessed the rise and fall of countless empires. Today, within the cities along the Danube, the past remains visible in stunning clarity.

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Danube River Cruise Bike Tour

Prague to Budapest through Five Countries

From $6,299 - $9,199 pp dbl. occ. | Trip length varies per departure date. Please see the Dates & Prices tab for complete details.

We're here to help

Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia & Hungary

Highlights

Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia & Hungary