Cycling holiday Danube Experience Iron Gates

Danube Experience Iron Gates

Passau-Vienna-Bratislava-Budapest-Belgrade-Passau / 6 countries - 4 capital cities

À partir de € 2.329,-
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Summary
  • 15 Days Saturday to Saturday
  • 43 km average per day
  • Arrival Munich Airport
  • Departure Munich Airport
Highlights
  • Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade
  • The canyons of the Iron Gates National Park
  • Novi Sad, magnificent capital of the Vojvodina
  • The Wachau region with its vineyards and castles
Characteristics
  • Self-guided Tour
  • Group Tour
  • Bike & Barge
  • Cycling level 1/2

    The route mainly follows the Eurovelo 6 cycle path; in A/SK/H it runs asphalted paths over flat terrain; in HR/SRB country roads with little traffic and cycle paths not all of which are asphalted. One stage runs over hilly terrain. 

Fjord-like Landscapes, Puszta, Balkan and Paprika

Experience an unforgettable cycling cruise through six countries and immerse yourself in the diversity of Europe! This captivating cycling journey reveals a wealth of breathtaking landscapes, vibrant metropolises, and multifaceted cultures.

Marvel at the spectacular Danube Bend and the deep gorges of the "Iron Gates," cycle through the endless expanse of the Pannonian Plain and experience the fascinating equestrian art of the Puszta herdsmen. The "White City" Belgrade impresses with its distinctive Sava Cathedral, Budapest, the "Paris of the East," enchants with a very special atmosphere. Explore the baroque noble palaces in the coronation city of Bratislava and let yourself be seduced by the charm of the waltz metropolis Vienna. During your cycling tours through unique, enchanting landscapes, you can discover idyllic wine villages, imposing fortresses, and enjoy the delicious specialties of the Balkan region.

Welcome on board of the MV Lisabelle
Experience unforgettable moments on board of the MV Lisabelle​​​​​​​ - an elegant premium ship, that perfectly combines comfort, pleasure and relaxation. Lean back and enjoy the cheerful atmosphere on board. Whether on the spacious sun deck or in the stylish panorama lounge area - experience a journey full of discoveries and magic moments. The MV Lisabelle stands for relaxed luxury on one of Europe's most beautiful waterways, the Danube. Lets get spoiled by the friendly and courteous crew and enjoy the excellent service. WIFI is available to you during the entire voyage (connection may vary). So you can stay in touch with your friends and family.

Guided tour
If you wish to get personal attention from a dedicated, cycling tour guide, you can book this tour as a guided tour. You cycle in a small group (max. 22 people) where you explore a lot of local cultures, discover hidden sites and secret places and enjoy some delicious appetizers.
To book: see [link naar guided tour]

Daily Program

Experience an unforgettable cycling cruise

Fjord-like Landscapes, Puszta, Balkan and Paprika

Cycling level 1-2: The route mainly follows the Eurovelo 6 cycle path; in Austria, Slovakia/Hungary it runs asphalted paths over flat terrain; in Hungary and Serbia country roads with little traffic and cycle paths not all of which are asphalted. One stage runs over hilly terrain. Don’t feel like cycling today? You can reach your destination easily by boat.

Passau
Durnstein
Bratislava
Visegrad citadel, Hungary
Budapest
Market in Budapest
Sava Cathedral | Belgrade
Market in Novi Sad
Vienna
Danube Bend
Passau
01 / 14

What else do you need to know?

Prices per person in 2026

Supplements:
Reservation costs € 25,- per booking
Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person (Insolvency Protection)

Lisabelle

Departure on saturday May 2nd, June 27th, August 29th and September 26th
Main deck: twin cabin Standard Eco € 2.329,-
Main deck: twin cabin Standard € 2.449,-
Middle deck: twin cabin Comfort Eco € 2.729,-
Middle deck: twin cabin Comfort € 2.849,-
Middle + Upper deck: double bed cabin Superior € 3.299,-

Private transfer from/to Airport, one-way, max. 8 people: € 300,-
Private transfer from/to Munich City, one-way, max. 8 people: € 350,-

Extra options:
Cabin single use +55% (Standard cabin; limited available)
24-speed Unisex hybrid bike  € 218,-
E-Bike Unisex (from 160cm) € 458,-
All rental bikes are equipped with 20 l panniers and a handlebar bag incl. lock and repair kit.
Bringing own bike € 58,- 
Bringing own E-bike € 98,-
Bike helmet for adults: bring your own or rent a helmet € 40,- (helmet use is mandatory in Slovakia)

Included

  • 14 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air conditioning
  • Port charges
  • Program according to itinerary from/to Passau
  • Captains greeting and welcome cocktail
  • Full board: breakfast buffet (starts with dinner and ends with breakfast), lunch on board (non-cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists), afternoon coffee break, dinner (2-3 dishes to choose from), midnight snack
  • Gala dinner with farewell cocktail
  • Bord Musician
  • Tour guide on board (does not cycle with the group)
  • Daily information meeting
  • Detailed travel documents + cycling guide app with voice navigation

Excursion program

Optional excursions (not included in the price of your tour) can be booked on board only.

  • Bratislava: City tour with scenic train and walking tour
  • Budapest: City tour by bike or by bus
  • Belgrade: City tour by bike or bus
  • Ilok: Wine tasting, directly at the local winemakers
  • Solt: Puszta/Csikos equestrian show and food tasting.
  • Vienna: City tour by bike or HOP ON HOP OFF bus Waltz and operetta concert in the famous Schönbrunn Palace

Not Included

  • Reservation fee
  • Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund (Insolvency Protection)
  • Rental bike
  • Rental bike disclaimer for 24-speed bike: € 50,-*
  • Rental bike disclaimer for E-bike: € 120,-*
  • Cycling tour guide (for the tour incl. tour guide, see [link toevoegen])
  • Other drinks
  • Admission charges
  • Personal insurance

* If a traveller rents a bike, he is basically liable for damages and theft. When booking our rental bike disclaimer, we assume liability so that in case of loss or damage to the rental bike (when properly used and secured) no financial responsibility must be paid.
Insured are: any repair costs, spare parts in the event of an accident; theft (if bike is properly locked and secured; please never leave your bike unattended, especially in big cities).
Excluded from this are only lost keys, batteries and chargers of e-bikes, as well as damage due to intent or gross negligence.

Special details

  • This tour is operated by our local partner
  • Please take good notice of our Terms & Conditions
  • This program is subject to change without notice
  • All bike tours are unescorted.
  • All mileages are approximate distances of recommended routes.
  • Please be aware that the cabin storage space is very limited. 
  • In case of flood or low tide, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages by buses. In extreme situations, the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey on short notice.No legal right shall be constituted of both situations. (Water level is force majeure). The same applies for officially ordered – previously not announced – repair work on locks or bridges or in case of breakdown of engine or power unit through no fault of shipping company or tour operator.
  • Please be aware that a cruise ship on the Danube is not only your hotel but also a machine that works with engine power that may cause noise during the night, when passing locks and bridges and during preparation work.
  • Minimum of participants: 90 people (has to be reached at the latest 4 weeks before cruise start)

Embarkation Passau / Dockings

Embarkationfrom 4 pm - 5 pm.

Drop-off luggage + bikes: possible from 3 pm.

The ship is moored at one of the following docking-addresses:

- Passau-Lindau (A), Franz-Weismann-Straße an der B 388
- Passau-Racklau (B), Racklau 3a
- Passau-Schalding (C),  Industriestrasse 14a

Please note: place of embarkation/disembarkation can be changed by the port authorities even on the day of arrival. You will find the web site where you can check the correct mooring place in your travel documents.
If you cannot find your ship, please contact the cruise manager on board (phone number in your travel documents).

Airport

The nearest international airport to the embarkation point in Passau is  Munich Airport (MUC). Driving Munich airport - Passau (via Freising): approx. 2 1/2 h (bus/taxi, train) 

Recommended routing:
Munich - Freising
BUS Munich Airport - Freising train station (ca. € 3,30/person)
TAXI Munich Airport – Freising train station (ca. € 30,-/way)
Freising - Passau
TRAIN Freising – Passau / Bayernticket: 1st person € 26,- >> www.bahn.de
every next person € 6,- (up to person).; driving time approx. 2 hrs

Train

Passau is connected with the regional and intercity trafficnet of the Deutschen Bahn (german train). Main train station is reachable - depending on the ship landing stage of the ship - between 2-6 km. You´ll find taxis at the Airport exit. No liability for any delays. Please be informed that seat reservations can only be done via Deutsche Bahn AG (f.i. via webpage >>www.bahn.de)  or in your travel agency.

Car + parking

Driveway to the dockings Passau Lindau / Racklau / Schalding:
Driveway is possible - parking is forbidden, stops only for un-/loading

Car parking Passau (14 nights/pre-reservation): outdoor area € 126,- / parking garage € 148,- 
incl. shuttle transfer to/from pier
(registration form in the travel documents or online, payable locally).

Further information will be given within your travel documents prior departure.

End of the tour

Disembarkation will take place after arrival of the ship (about 11:00 h) and will take about 1 hour to complete.
Please take this into account when planning your return journey and do not book trains before 12:00 h.
Note for private departing guests: Taxis are very popular in Passau on embarkation and disembarkation days - very long waiting times.
Further information can be obtained on board from the cruise line or at the reception.

Bicycle equipment:
» 1 handlebar bag per cabin
» 1 good sized pannier bag per person
» 1 bike lock per cabin
» 1 repair kit per cabin
» 1 extra tube per cabin

If a traveller rents a bike, he is basically liable for damages and theft. When booking our rental bike disclaimer, we assume liability so that in case of loss or damage to the rental bike (when properly used and secured) no financial responsibility must be paid.
Insured are:
» Any repair costs, spare parts in the event of an accident
» Theft (if bike is properly locked and secured)*

*Please never leave your bike unattended, especially in big cities.

Excluded from this are only lost keys, batteries and chargers of e-bikes, as well as damage due to intent or gross negligence.

By this tour you can rent the following bikes:

  • Rental E-bike Danube

    Our modern e-bikes (pedelecs) are quality branded bikes with hub gear, freewheel, powerful electric motor and gradually selectable pedal assistance. To be booked only by experienced cyclists with a very good sense of balance. Not suitable for people who rarely ride a bicycle.

  • Rental bike Danube

    Bicycles are modern and high stardard quality of KTM. We offer 28-Zoll-Unisex-tourbikes with deep comfort-entrance. The bikes are equipped with either 21 or 24-derailleur-gear (depending on ship) with override, caliper breaks and robust wheels.

A ship as your hotel

Imagine a floating hotel sailing to the next stage, while you are calmly pedalling along. No lugging of luggage: that is exactly what Bike & Barge is all about! In the pleasant atmosphere on board you can have a chat, go through the day with the others, and enjoy the meals prepared specially for cyclists. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink and admire the setting sun on deck. If you do not want to cycle, just stay on board and enjoy the passing landscape on the sun deck or relax in the infrared cabin. The crew is trying to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury. Please keep in mind that our ship is a river vessel, not a large ocean cruise ship. Riverboat cabins, in comparison, are relatively small, and ship amenities, in general, are comfortable but not lavish. On some docks several ships are docked next to each other and noise and other disturbances cannot be avoided. Please do not forget that the ship is your hotel as well as a machine, which has to be maintained and operated. A certain level of noise is therefore inevitable.

The team

The captain, cruise director and the chef all welcome you warmly. They are prepared specifically for these trips and will provide good and safe passage, good meals, and a friendly, pleasant atmosphere. They will, of course, also give you a great deal of interesting information during and after the cycling and sailing. The captain is responsible for the smooth running of things on board; the chef is in charge of the catering. The cruise director will be available to answer questions and solve any problem you may have during the entire week. During the daily meeting he will provide you with useful information referring the next cycling-day.

Individual tour
You will receive a detailed roadbook with maps and infomation to the routing on board. You do not cycle in a group – you cycle individually in your own tempo and are therefor able to time your day to your needs. Only the schedule gives you a time frame. Our cruise director explains the evening before the next cycling path in the daily breefings and inform you about the specifics and gives tipps about sightseeing, possibilities to take a rest and specialities.

Guided option
The Lisabelle has a capacity of 152 people. If you wish to get personal attention from a dedicated guide, you can book this tour including a cycling tour guide. You cycle in a small group (max. 18 people) where you explore a lot of local cultures, discover hidden sites and secret places and enjoy some delicious appetizers. To book: see .....

The meals

In the convivial panoramic restaurant, all guests will eat together at the same time. We provide daily fresh prepared international and national specialties from the cuisine of the countries along the route. If you are traveling with friends, please mention this when booking. Gladly an internal note is deposited to get a common table in the restaurant. Please note that it is not always possible for several people to accommodate all at one table as there is limited space in the restaurant and not all table sizes are available. The full board consists of: breakfast, packed lunch for bikers (resp. light meal for guests on board), dinner with menu-choice, coffee-/tea break with sweets in the afternoon. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lacto-free etc is no problem. Special meals have to be ordered latest by 3 weeks prior departure. Please be informed that due to the limited shopping possibilities of the constantly changing ports, not all diets can be offered. In individual cases and by appointment, you are also welcome to bring along your own food for your special meal.

You and the group,new friends from around the world!

One of the most attractive aspects of the Bike & Barge holidays is that you encounter an international company on board. It’s a great opportunity for you to get to know various cultures at the same time! We have people of all ages, solo travelers, couples and also families with children (during the school holidays).

F.A.Q.