Family biking - Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tours
Backroads Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tours
Vineyard - Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tours
Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tour
Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tours
Cycling on Backroads Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tour
Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tours
Backroads Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tour
Cycling - Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tours
Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tour
AmaWaterways River Cruise Ship
Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tours
Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tours
Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tours
Biking
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Danube River Cruise Bike Tour - For Families with Teens & Kids

Prague to Budapest through Five Countries

Best for ages 9+ (Ages 4+ ok) | Min. age to ride own bike: 7+ | Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

Family — Teens & Kids

8 days 7 nights

Activity Level: 1-4

Small Luxury Ship

From: $7,299 - $8,099 pp dbl occ

($3,700 - $4,100 for sgl occ)

It's full steam ahead on this family cruise along the Danube. Pedal past fairy-tale castles. Soak up splendid cityscapes. Venture to charming villages. Coast through the countryside. And only unpack once as you voyage from Prague to Passau, Vienna to Bratislava and on to Budapest. Anchors aweigh! 

Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tour map
Danube River Cruise Family Bike Tour map

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.

Highlights

  • Cycle with locals as you pedal on the Donauradweg, the scenic bike path that meanders along the Danube 
  • Spin amid vineyards and fairy-tale castles in the Wachau Valley, as beloved for its beauty as for its Grüner Veltliners and Rieslings 
  • Relish the ever-changing views from your stateroom, knowing that you only have to unpack once 
  • Experience rich culture and stunning sights in Prague and Budapest, our fascinating gateway cities 

See our Active Cruise Terms & Conditions.

Ports of call
Vilshofen
Passau
Linz
Melk
Weissenkirchen
Vienna
Bratislava
Budapest

Itinerary

Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
8 Days Small Luxury Ship
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Description

DAYS 1-2 Warm up with a ride through the Bavarian Forest | Join in an Oktoberfest-style celebration before we set sail | Bike through picturesque Vilshofen | Have lunch near medieval Neuburg Castle | Pedal to Passau, a city of splendid baroque architecture | Kids set off for an adventure at Oberhaus Castle, perched high atop Passau, while adults marvel at the baroque architecture on a walking tour. 

DAY 3 Welcome to Austria! | Hop on your bike and delight in views of the Alps | Choose an excursion to Salzburg or Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic | Or explore the bustling city of Linz.

DAYS 4-5 Visit Melk, whose magnificent baroque abbey is perched high on a rocky promontory | Spin along the Donauradweg bike path, passing vineyards, forests and hamlets | The younger set explores Aggstein Castle's 12th-century ruins | Cycle or cruise the most stunning stretch of the Danube from Melk to Krems, amid quaint storybook towns and the vineyards of Wachau Valley | In Vienna, enjoy a bike ride on tranquil and car-free Danube Island | Youngsters delight in a visit to a hands-on chocolate-making museum | Explore this World Heritage city on a private walking tour. 

DAY 6 Bike in Donau-Auen National Park, keeping an eye out for kingfishers and herons | Ride between two capital cities—Vienna and Bratislava—passing remnants of the former Iron Curtain | Lunch at Schloss Hof, a famous castle and working farm with a wonderful petting zoo | Join a walking tour of Bratislava's charming medieval center.

DAYS 7-8 Adults get to know Budapest on a guided walk, while the kids experience a thrilling escape room activity | Families enjoy an evening folklore show.

Accommodations
AmaWaterways Danube Ship

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

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.

Note: You may only reserve one Stateroom Category at this time. Your stateroom will be assigned based on availability. Please contact us if you are interested in booking multiple Stateroom Categories for your party, selecting a specific stateroom, or Single Supplement pricing.

July 2024
Jul 29 - Aug 5
Sold out

Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Activity Level: 1-4

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.

Route notes

The terrain on this trip varies from relatively level to some rolling hills with a few steeper climbs. While we avoid car traffic by traveling along quiet country roads and bike paths during many of our routes, these paths are popular with other cyclists. The road quality is variable in each country, so some sections may be bumpy. We also ride through urban areas, using both city streets and dedicated biking lanes. Know that these European cities are well-suited for cyclists.

Daily Route Options

* Includes shuttle.
Day 1
Biking
Level 1 | 16 miles* | 600 ft. gain
Level 2 | 26 miles | 1200 ft. gain
Other
Embarkation in Vilshofen
Day 2
Biking
Level 2 | 20 miles* | 1300 ft. gain
Level 2 | 27 miles | 1600 ft. gain
Level 3 | 35 miles | 1900 ft. gain
Level 3 | 35 miles | 2300 ft. gain
Other
Passau Guided City Walk (1 hour)
Kids: Oberhaus Fortress Activity (3 hours) | min. age: 7+
Day 3
Biking
Level 1 | 14 miles* | 600 ft. gain
Level 2 | 27 miles* | 1000 ft. gain
Level 4 | 43 miles* | 1300 ft. gain
Other
Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov Tour (4 hours)
Day 4
Other
Melk Abbey Tour (1 hour)
Biking
Level 1 | 14 miles | 500 ft. gain
Level 2 | 16 miles | 1600 ft. gain
Other
Kids: Castle Exploration (1 hour)
Day 5
Biking
Level 1 | 14 miles* | 400 ft. gain
Level 2 | 17 miles | 1500 ft. gain
Other
Vienna Guided City Walk (1.5 hours)
Kids: Chocolate Workshop (1.5 hours) | min. age: 6+
Day 6
Biking
Level 2 | 24 miles* | 400 ft. gain
Level 3 | 34 miles* | 700 ft. gain
Level 4 | 46 miles | 1000 ft. gain
Other
Bratislava Guided City Walk (1 hour)
Day 7
Other
Budapest Guided City Walk (3 hours)
Kids: Budapest Escape Room (3 hours)
Day 8
Other
Disembarkation in Budapest

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! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Click the arrow to see all bike options.

Backroads Performance Road Bike
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike

Included in your trip price

This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork. 

Backroads Touring Bike
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike

Included in your trip price

A proven classic, this 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.

Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Electric-Assist Bike

Included in your trip price

Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

Cannondale Synapse Pro Carbon Bike
Cannondale Synapse Pro Carbon Bike
Carbon Bike

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.
$650 rental fee; subject to availability

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem Bike
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem Bike
Tandem Bike

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

Child's Bike
Child's Bike
Kids' Bikes

Included in your trip price

Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On our Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bikes.

Burley Kazoo Trailer Bike
Burley Kazoo Trailer Bike
Trailer Bike

Included in your trip price

The Burley Kazoo trailer bike, for children up to 85 pounds, attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort! It's ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring. 

Also Included

All breakfasts, 7 dinners, 7 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.

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.

Ask a trip expert

Have a question and need expert advice? Our team of Trip Consultants is here to help! You can also visit our Help Center.

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