Itinerary Passau - Budapest
Bike Cruise Danube: Passau – Budapest – Passau
8 days / 7 nights | Ship MS Primadonna | Self guided bike tours
The MS Primadonna is the second largest cruise ship on the Danube. Experience the elegance of the MS Primadonna, with spacious decks, spa facilities, restaurant, bar, atrium and much more, on a cycling holiday without hotel changes! The Primadonna will await you at your destination every day. You can also feel free to spend some of your day stages on board, where you can enjoy the Jacuzzi on the outdoor deck or in the spa area, which is equipped with Jacuzzi, sauna, Kneip basin, etc. All meals on this Austrian cruise line are freshly cooked and have a particular emphasis on regional and organic products.
Highlights of this Bike & Barge Tour
✔ Staying on the premium ship MS Primadonna
✔ Easy cycling along the enchanting Danube ✔ Discovering charming capitals on a glorious cycling holiday
✔ Visiting idyllic wine-growing regions
Itinerary
Day 1 (Fri): Passau - Obermühl
Individual arrival in Passau by train or car. Transfer from the car park or main station to the ship at around 4:30 pm. During the welcome menu "Cast off" and cruise to Obermühl.
Day 2 (Sat): Schlögen - Linz (Cycling 56 km / 34 miles)
In the morning handover of the rental bikes at the Schlögener Schlinge. Afterwards your individual bike tour starts along the majestic Danube bank and the uninhabited narrow valley near Kaiserau. The unspoilt nature and tranquil atmosphere offer you a perfect opportunity to escape the stress of everyday life and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings to the full. The trail leads you to the charming baroque market of Aschach, where you can discover the charming atmosphere and historic architecture - a lovely place for a break with a view of the Danube. And what would a trip along the Danube be without exploring the modern cultural city of Linz? Embark on the last section of your cycle tour and finally reach the city on the banks of the Danube with a wealth of sights and lively squares. As an optional highlight, you will have the opportunity to experience an exclusive concert on the famous Bruckner organ in Linz.
Day 3 (Sun): Tulln - Vienna (Cycling 31 km / 19 miles)
Experience a fascinating combination of art, nature and city exploration on your bike tour today! Visit the Egon Schiele Museum with 16 original works and cycle from the flower city of Tulln with a magnificent view of the Vienna Woods to Vienna. In Tulln you can also admire the State Garden Show with 65 show and educational gardens. In Vienna, enjoy an individual city tour by bike on bike paths that are 95% car-free (+18 km, description and GPS data available). Optionally, you can also join the evening city tour from Nußdorfer Platz by bus (2 hrs).
Day 4 (Mon): Visegrád - Budapest (Cycling 59 km / 35 miles)
Look forward to a cycle tour on a section of EuroVelo 6 on the Danube Cycle Route/E6 from Visegrád with the castle and fortified tower to Vác. You take the ferry to the island of Tahitötfolu and the artists' town of Szentendre. You continue cycling car-free to the ship. In the evening, the boat takes you through the splendidly illuminated Danube metropolis - an unforgettable sight.
Day 5 (Tue): Sightseeing Budapest / Cycling tour to Margaret Island (Cycling 22 km / 14 miles)
In the morning you have the possibility of a 3-hour city tour of Budapest from the pier including a stop in the city centre. Alternatively on 100% car-free cycle paths to the pedestrian zone for strolling and shopping. Visit the impressive Great Market Hall to experience local cuisine and culture and stroll along the waterfront with views of the famous Chain Bridge, the Parliament Building and Buda Castle. Continue to the approx. 8 km long car-free Margaret Island. In the evening by boat through the magnificently illuminated Danube metropolis - an unforgettable sight.
Day 6 (Wed): Round trip Bratislava (Cycling 44-36 km / 28-20 miles)
From the pier with a view of the venerable city of Bratislava, you have the opportunity to take a guided city tour (1 hour) through the Old Town. On car-free paths you then start your cycle tour from the ship along the Danube Cycle Path via Wolfsthal to Hainburg with its narrow alleys, historic city wall, colourful facades and traditional houses. Return to the ship by bike or extend the tour by a beautiful section and visit Hof Castle and Devín with the Slovakian National Monument.
Day 7 (Thu): Krems – Marbach (Cycling Wachau 48 km / 30 miles)
From the pretty UNESCO World Heritage town of Krems you cycle to Dürnstein, probably the most famous spot in the Wachau. The small, winding town attracts tourists from all over the world. The route continues through famous wine-growing villages such as Weißenkirchen and Spitz to Melk. From afar you can see the imposing abbey towering over the small town. The last cycling kilometres of your journey now take you to Pöchlarn, where the MS Primadonna is already waiting for you.
Day 8 (Fri): Disembarkation / Passau
Disembarkation after breakfast until 10:00 am. Bus transfer to the main station and to the car park (if booked).
All times are estimated and always subject to change due to high or low water, changed lock times and other unforeseeable force majeure!
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.
Map
Cruise Ship Primadonna
MS Primadonna
The luxurious cruise liner, the only one on the Danube to fly the Austrian flag, was built in Germany in 1998 and underwent a general overhaul in 2009. The spacious facilities – the hotel hall is 60 meters long – is a lively place to meet people and socialise and includes the panoramic restaurant "Primagusto", the panoramic bar "Primaaperitivo", the Danube arena "Primavista" and the "Primatheatro". There is airconditioning on the entire ship (and are individually adjustable in the cabins). The second largest Danube cruise ship is 113.5 meters long and 17.4 meters wide. The architecture makes a stay on the MS Primadonna a first class experience, with the interesting double hull design (catamaran), the 6 meter high bow ventrification, as well as a glass floor in the reception, which draws one's attention to the underwater world. There are a Jacuzzi, sun chairs and cosy seating arrangements on the outdoor deck. The spa area offers a large, indoor Jacuzzi, a Kneip pool and a sauna. Massages are available by advance reservation.
Cabins
All 80 Cabins on the MS Primadonna are outside cabins with individually adjustable air conditioning, with shower and toilet, hair dryer, satellite television, telephone, mini-bar and spacious wardrobes. The main deck cabins are approximately 12 m2 and are equipped with a large, unopenable porthole. The spacious cabins on the upper and promenade decks are appr. 16m² and are equipped with a balcony with bench seat.
Gastronomy
Sophisticated, international standard with specialities of the Danube countries, especially Viennese cuisine. The meals are prepared primarily with organic ingredients. In the morning, there is an American breakfast buffet with an organic food corner. For lunch, there is a light, 3-course, a la carte menu or a packed lunch for cyclers. In the evening, there is a 4-course a la carte menu and once a week there is a large gala buffet. In late afternoon, we offer tea or coffee and cake. Additionally, there is a "Primadonna Snack Bar" in late evening.
Technical Information
113.5 m long and 17.4 m wide, 17 knots speed. 2 main engines. 3 auxiliary engines, 2 air conditioners; 1.7 m draught, 8.2 m above the water level. Second largest cruise line on the Danube.
Travel Dates & Prices 2025
Bike Cruise Passau – Budapest MS Primadonna
Travel Dates and Prices 2025 per Person
Please click at the travel data to open the request form.
Travel Dates
Prices 2025 per Person in €
May 02 - Sep 19
Sep 26
Twin below deck ECO
989,-
840,-
Twin below deck
1275,-
1060,-
Twin upper deck
1790,-
1680,-
Twin promenade deck
1905,-
1795,-
Optional services / Notes
Bike rental 21 speed freewheel + pannier
95,- €
E-bike rental + pannier
210,- €
supplement Single below deck front/rear
50%,- €
supplement Single below deck
50%,- €
supplement Single cabin upper-/promenade deck
75%,- €
Car park outdoor area Passau incl. collective transfer
60,- €
Guided city tour Vienna by bike
35,- €
Excursion package
98,- €
Own bike free of charge
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- Reduction children in a cabin with 2 adults: Till 5,9 years: 100%, till 11,9 years: 50%, from 12 years: 25%.
- Minimum number of participants: 100
Services
- 7 nights in a double cabin with SHW/WC/TV/AC in the booked categories
- Daily american breakfast buffet
- Daily 3-course lunch or lunchpackage for cycling tours
- Daily afternoon coffee/tea and cake
- Welcome refreshments on arrival day
- Daily 4-course dinner
- Daily midnight snack in the Panoramabar
- 2 x hydrojet waterbed muscle massage (approx. 15 min. each)
- Passenger transfer from the Passau car park to the ship on the day of arrival & return on the day of departure
- All harbour fees
- Daily personal route information for the following cycling day
- On board tour representatives
- Comprehensive route description & cycling maps and GPS data of the route
Rental bikes and e-bikes
The rental bikes are smooth-running 7-speed bikes with hub gears, coaster brake and comfortable saddle. If you wish, you can also book 21-speed bikes with freewheel at no extra charge. Please specify which bikes you prefer when booking. All bikes are available in different frame sizes. Including luggage carrier bag on both sides for the day's luggage. These quality bikes (Schauff, Kettler, KTM) are well maintained and thus ensure puncture-free bike tours. When you pick up your bike, you can try it out and the on-site staff will adjust it to your liking.
The e-bikes are 8-speed Kalkhoff bikes (Agattu Impulse or similar) with hub gears, 28" tires, suspension handlebars, with frame heights of 50, 55 and 60cm, high running ability and a daily range of at least 70 km on the flat (depending on how you ride). The dead weight of the e-bikes is only 19 kg and the bikes are easy to ride even without electric drive. On request, you can also rent a model with a low entrance. The e-bikes have two hand brakes, there are no e-bikes with coaster brakes available.
For your own safety, we recommend that you wear a bicycle helmet.
You can bring your own bike free of charge, but at your own risk. We cannot be held liable for any damage to your own bike during the entire bike tour. Even with your own wheels you will receive a luggage carrier bag on loan.
Route profile
The cycle route is mostly flat or leads slightly downhill, ideally suited for pleasure cyclists. If you don't feel like cycling, you can also cover the route on board and enjoy the shore landscape from the ship.
Excursion package
City tour Vienna & Budapest, city tour Bratislava, concert on the Bruckner organ in Linz (minimum 20 participants) Please book additional services such as excursion package at the same time. Some excursions can also be booked individually on board, subject to availability and according to the price list (e.g. city tour of Budapest approx. € 50).
The meals on board
On board you will be spoiled with international specialties of the Danube countries, especially Viennese cuisine. The meals are prepared mainly with organic food. In the morning, an American breakfast with organic corner awaits you. At noon there is a light 3-course menu for all guests staying on board or a packed lunch for the cyclists. Tea or coffee including cake is available in the late afternoon. In the evening a 4-course choice menu is served and at the end of the day a 'Primadonna snack' in the late evening.
Arrival and parking
Chargeable private parking in Passau (NO discount for non-use). Collective transfer of guests & luggage from the car park to the ship. (Transfer time from car park approx. 16:30, from Passau train station possible on request, approx. 16:45. You will receive exact times with the travel documents).
Arrival by train
If you arrive by train WITHOUT your own bikes:
To Passau-Hbf and individually by cab to the Infopoint (Approx. € 10,- to 15,- / 3 to 4 km). Collective transfer (guests and luggage) from the Infopoint to the ship.
Notes
Schedule and program changes due to local conditions (including high water, low water, severe weather) on the order of the 1st Captain possible or reserved. In case of extreme high or low water, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of the journey by bus or to cancel the trip even at short notice, without any legal claim resulting from this (water level is force majeure). The same applies in the case of officially ordered lock and/or bridge repairs that were not announced in advance or in the case of engine or drive damage to the ship through no fault of the ship.
