Danube River Cruise Bike Tour
Prague to Budapest through Five Countries
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.
THIS ITINERARY: 8 days, 7 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Small Luxury Ship
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.
- 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
8 Days Small Luxury Ship
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.
DAYS 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.
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)
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
Please note: Due to the multiple stateroom options available on this trip, reservations can only be made by contacting one of our Trip Consultants on 800-462-2848 or via email.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
Activity Level: 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. LEARN MORE.
What's Included
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.
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS. Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package—it’s built for hard-core riders.
$400 rental fee
This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 7 dinners, 6 lunches
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,...
