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 2023

Day 1 (Fri): individual arrival at Passau

Arrive at the mooring place or at fenced-in car park by 4pm. Collective transfer (guests and luggage) from car park to the ship . (No discount for non-use of car park and transfer.) Welcome refreshments are offered on board from 4pm; at 8pm, the captain's welcome dinner, with a 4-course a la carte menu, begins and the line departs!

Day 2 (Sat): Schlögen/Obermühl – Linz (Cycling 55 km / 34 miles)

Distribution of bicycle rentals at Schlögen Bend in the morning. Individual cycling tour through the uninhabited Engtal bei Kaiserau to Ottensheim and further on to Linz.

Day 3 (Sun): Tulln – Vienna (Cycling  36 or 52 km / 23 or 33 miles)

Self guided visit of Egon-Schiele Museum and Garden exhibition in Tulln. THE GARDEN TULLN is Europe's first ecological garden show every year from April to October. Enchanting ski resorts, the largest adventure and nature playground in Lower Austria, a 30 meter high treetop trail and a water park with a boat tour invite you. Cycling tour from Tulln to Klosterneuburg and futher on to Vienna. Visit Vienna on your own by foot or by bike (95% car-free cycle paths). After dinner city tour by bus VIENNA BY NIGHT.

Day 4 (Mon): Komárom – Esztergom (Cycling 56 km / 35 miles)

Depart from Komáron, cycling on the left bank through small, dreamy places on the very beautiful, car-free causeway, partially directly on the Danube. Cycle to Esztergom via Moca. Cycle over the Gisela Bridge to Sturovo, directly opposite Esztergom.

Day 5 (Tue): sightseeing in Budapest & cycling tour Margaret Island (Cycling 22 km / 14 miles)

In the morning, there is a city tour of Budapest directly from the boat landing station (approx. 3 hrs). In the afternoon take a cycling tour on the Margaret Island. The 8 kms long Margaret Island provides a peaceful hideaway from busy downtown Budapest with large green areas, flowery gardens, old trees, and lots of entertainment. After the tour back to your ship Primadonna.

Day 6 (Wed): sightseeing in Bratislava & cycling tour Bratislava – Devin – Bratislava (Cycling 33 km / 20 miles)

In the morning, guided city walk through the historical centre of Britislava from the ship (approx. 1 hr). On the Danube cycling route and a back road to Devin/National memorial of Slovakia. Or you extend your cycle tour with a detour over the new cycling bridge to Austria, to the magnificant palace of the Empress Maria Theresia, Schloss Hof (significant Baroque gardens, staterooms, etc.). Back to the mooring place in Bratislava.

Day 7 (Thu): Krems – Pöchlarn (Cycling tour Wachau, 48 km / 30 miles)

Follow the Danube cycling path from Krems (UNESCO) to the city Pöchlarn via Dürnstein (castle ruin, panorama) and Spitz.

Day 8 (Fri): Disembarkation / Passau

Arrival in Passau at ca. 8:00 am – Bus transfer to train station or car park (if booked) after breakfast at approx. 9:00 am.


Itinerary 2024


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): Danube Bend - Szentendre (Cycling

59 km) - Budapest (40 min. by train or + 22 km / 14 miles).

Look forward to a cycling tour on a section of EuroVelo 6 through the picturesque Danube Bend! Enjoy relaxed cycling on car-free cycle paths (75%), access roads (10%) and quiet back roads (15%) as you head for the ferry to Szob. On your way to Vác you pass Visegrád, where you can admire the impressive castle, the charming townscape and the majestic citadel. Take the ferry to Szentendre Island and the wine-growing village of the same name. By train (approx. every hour) you reach Budapest or you extend the cycle tour and cycle car-free to the ship.

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 48/33km / 30/20 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 - Pöchlarn (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.