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Danube River Cruise Bike Tour

Prague to Budapest Through Five Countries

On the Danube River, journeying through five countries is as easy as going with the flow. From Prague to Passau, Vienna to Bratislava and on to Budapest, set sail on a one-of-a-kind adventure.

8 days, 7 nights

Luxury Ship

Activity Levels 1-4

Couples, Friends & Solos

From $6,879 - $12,679/person

Includes port fees

Itinerary Where You’ll Stay What to Know Bikes Reviews

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Snapshots from the Trip

Trip at a Glance

Highlights

Cycle through forests and cities that evolve as you cross the continent, from Bavaria’s wild hills to Vienna’s idyllic car-free island
Pedal alongside locals on the scenic Donauradweg (Danube bike path)
Ride between the hillside orchards and vineyards of the Wachau Valley, beloved for its Grüner Veltliners and Rieslings
Bike between Austria and Slovakia’s capitals, wheeling past countryside towns en route, and enter majestic Budapest via ship
Linger before and after your trip in Prague and Budapest, our captivating gateway cities

See our Active Cruise Terms & Conditions.

Ports of Call

Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.

Start Prague, Czech Republic Airport & Travel Details

Warm up with a ride through the Bavarian Forest
Nothing like a bit of oompah music to get things started—enjoy an Oktoberfest-style celebration before sitting down to a wonderful dinner
Fall in love with Bavaria’s quiet biking routes and stunning views into Austria
Stroll in Passau, the City of Three Rivers, pausing to admire the Italian baroque architecture.

AmaWaterways Ship

Activity Options & Terrain

Nights 1-7

AmaWaterways Ship

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A custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)

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Ride in the Austrian countryside along the famed Donauradweg (Danube bike path)
Visit Linz, home to baroque buildings and a vibrant main square
Perhaps opt to take a break from your bike on a full-day AmaWaterways excursion to Salzburg or Český Krumlov—both spectacular World Heritage Sites.

AmaWaterways Ship

Activity Options & Terrain

Nights 1-7

AmaWaterways Ship

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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
Discover Vienna, imperial city of the Hapsburgs and a hub of Central European culture and tradition.

AmaWaterways Ship

Activity Options & Terrain

Nights 1-7

AmaWaterways Ship

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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—passing remnants of the former Iron Curtain
Dine at Schloss Hof, a famous castle and working farm
Join a walking tour of Bratislava’s charming medieval center.

AmaWaterways Ship

Activity Options & Terrain

Nights 1-7

AmaWaterways Ship

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Discover Budapest’s historic landmarks and hidden history on a guided walk
Explore Buda and Pest, once two distinct sister cities facing each other across the river
Take the afternoon to explore this remarkable capital with its posh coffee shops, hip ruin pubs, thermal bathhouses and countless museums
Raise a toast to a memorable week on the Danube.

AmaWaterways Ship

Activity Options & Terrain

Nights 1-7

AmaWaterways Ship

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End Budapest, Hungary Airport & Travel Details

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This trip has an activity level range of 1-4

Route & Terrain Notes

Biking routes on this trip follow quiet paved roads through villages, farmland, vineyards, along rivers and through forests. Terrain is relatively rolling and hilly, with a few steeper climbs sprinkled throughout. There is a substantial amount of bike-path riding, which is scenic and car-free but does at times become busy with other cyclists. We also ride occasional sections of packed gravel, cobblestones and bumpy pavement, particularly as through old towns, villages and urban areas. As we approach or depart port locations, we will use both city streets and dedicated bike lanes.

Day 1

Biking

Level 1

11 miles

800 ft. gain

Level 2

26 miles

1700 ft. gain

Day 2

Biking

Level 1

11 miles

900 ft. gain

Level 2

26 miles

1800 ft. gain

Level 2

29 miles

1900 ft. gain

Level 3

33 miles

2100 ft. gain

Level 4

36 miles

2600 ft. gain

Other

Passau Guided City Walk (1 hour)

Day 3

Biking

Level 1

17 miles

1000 ft. gain

Level 2

26 miles

1400 ft. gain

Level 3

33 miles

1400 ft. gain

Level 4

42 miles

1700 ft. gain

Other

Salzburg or Český Krumlov Tour (all day)

Day 4

Biking

Level 1

14 miles

500 ft. gain

Level 2

22 miles

1400 ft. gain

Level 3

35 miles

1400 ft. gain

Level 4

44 miles

2800 ft. gain

Day 5

Biking

Level 1

17 miles

500 ft. gain

Level 2

27 miles

900 ft. gain

Other

Vienna Guided City Walk (2 hours)

Day 6

Biking

Level 1

13 miles

400 ft. gain

Level 2

24 miles

600 ft. gain

Level 3

36 miles

700 ft. gain

Level 4

48 miles

1000 ft. gain

Other

Bratislava Walking Tour (1.5 hours)

Day 7

Other

Budapest Guided City Walk (half day)

Day 8

Other

Disembarkation in Budapest

View Dates & Prices From $6,879/person

What to Know

What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

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.

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 as soon as we set sail again your beautiful views will be restored.

FAQs

This trip is best suited for adults who enjoy relaxed rides and longer days in the saddle. It’s ideal for those who want to experience Central Europe by bike and small ship, traveling from the Czech Republic to the Danube landscapes and cities of Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. E-bikes available.

This is a Level 1–4 Biking trip, with shorter options covering roughly 10–25 miles and the longest options reaching around 45 miles, with up to 3,300 feet of elevation gain. A typical day includes multiple flexible route choices—see this trip’s Activity Options & Terrain in the itinerary for day-by-day details or learn more about Backroads’ activity levels.

Much of the riding takes place on dedicated paved bike paths and quiet country roads through forests, farmland, vineyards and villages. Some routes include city streets, packed gravel and cobblestones, but dedicated bike lanes are common in urban areas and much of the trip avoids car traffic.

The small ship serves as your home throughout the trip, traveling along the Danube while you explore by bike during the day. You'll unpack once for seven nights, and the ship meets the group at different ports as the journey continues through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.

Yes. The cruise format makes it easy to take a break from biking on select days. Depending on the itinerary, guests can relax aboard the ship, join guided walks or excursions, explore a city independently or use available shuttle options to shorten some rides.

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Route and activity options to match your pace and preferences.
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Small Groups

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