Itinerary
River Danube: Highlights Along Europe's Second Largest River
8 days / 7 nights | MS SWISS CROWN | Self guided or guided bike tours
Accompanied by a comfortable new cruise ship you cycle along Europe's second largest river Danube from the charming Bavarian “three river city” of Passau straight into the heart of the once glorious Imperial and Royal Monarchy. Enjoy three of the most enchanting European capitals: the lively Vienna, the Slovak coronation city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and Budapest, the "Hungarian Danube Queen"! By bicycle you discover the stunning natural spectacle of the Schlögener Donauschlinge ("Great Loop"), the legendary Wachau with romantic towns and mighty castles amidst lovely vineyards, the untouched alluvial forests of the Danube National Park, as well as the picturesque Hungarian Danube bend where the important cupola of the basilica in Esztergom salutes from the distance. On board your "floating hotels" during this trip you will enjoy the comfort of a cruise ship and delicious regional specialties! Short routings for leisure cyclists available!
Highlights of this Bike & Barge Tour
✔ Staying on the premium ship
✔ Cycling and sailing along the enchanting Danube
✔ Europe' s most charming capitals on a glorious cycling holiday
✔ Discovering wines from the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Landscape WACHAU
Ability level: Level 1 - the cycle route is completely flat, at times on a gentle downhill slope, and is ideal for bikers with less experience, leisure cyclists and children.
Travel Information available in English or German.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Sun): Arrival and embarkation in Passau
Boarding time at 4:00 p.m. Located at the meeting point of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers, Passau has numerous of interesting sites to visit. Use your free time and stroll through the cobblestoned old town centre, listen to the bells of Passau’s Gothic Town Hall or have a look at the world’s largest Catholic Church organ in the Passau Cathedral. At 6.00 p.m. we cast off!
Day 2: Great Loop – Aschach (Cycling 42 km / 26 miles)
Your first day’s cycling begins with a ride through the classic scenery of the ‘Great Loop’ Donauschlinge - one of the most beautiful sections of the Danube. Along the way you will encounter tiny villages and cozy cider taverns. In Austria’s only Trappist monastery at Engelhartszell you can taste their delicious liquors and cheese. The famous ‘Schlogener View’ provides a wonderful panorama of the surrounding Austrian countryside. The boat welcomes all cyclists back on board in the charming market town of Aschach.
Day 3: Devin – Bratislava (Cycling 43 km / 27 miles)
You pedal along the former ‘Iron Curtain’, cross the green line and reach the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof with its beautifully terraced gardens. Follow the bike path through Austria’s ‘vegetable garden’ to the coronation city of Bratislava and the slopes of the little Carpathians and discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava on an optional city tour..
Day 4: Budapest | roundtrip to Szentendre (Cycling 54 km / 34 miles)
You pedal along the former ‘Iron Curtain’, cross the green line and reach the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof with its beautifully terraced gardens. Follow the bike path through Austria’s ‘vegetable garden’ to the coronation city of Bratislava and the slopes of the little Carpathians and discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava on an optional city tour.
Day 5: Danube Bend – Esztergom (Cycling 43 km / 27 miles)
You pedal along the former ‘Iron Curtain’, cross the green line and reach the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof with its beautifully terraced gardens. Follow the bike path through Austria’s ‘vegetable garden’ to the coronation city of Bratislava and the slopes of the little Carpathians and discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava on an optional city tour.
Day 6: Vienna (day of rest), Sightseeing tour by bike or bus – Evening Waltz concert (optional)
Discover Vienna’s most beautiful attractions. During a city tour by bike or bus (optional) you will experience Vienna’s most famous examples of architecture: the imperial Hofburg, St. Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous ‘Ring’-boulevard and the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall and, of course, the colorful "Hundertwasserhaus". Take time to relax in one or more of Vienna’s famous cafés, while the evening ends impressively at a classical concert (optional) in one of Vienna‘s most famous palaces.
Day 7: Wachau | Krems – Melk (Cycling 39 km / 24 miles)
Your last biking day is a special highlight! A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein, while the blue spire of the monastery church is a landmark of the renowned Wachau. Amidst dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everybody who visits ... you will be biking on cloud nine! In Spitz (possibility to do a wine-tasting – optional) you will find comfortable wine taverns along the bike path. After the Captain’s farewell dinner, lots of fun and entertainment can be experienced during the popular crew show.
Day 8: Passau
Your last biking day is a special highlight! A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein, while the blue spire of the monastery church is a landmark of the renowned Wachau. Amidst dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everybody who visits ... you will be biking on cloud nine! In Spitz (possibility to do a wine-tasting – optional) you will find comfortable wine taverns along the bike path. After the Captain’s farewell dinner, lots of fun and entertainment can be experienced during the popular crew show.
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.
Map

Ship MS Swiss Crown
MS Swiss Crown
Stylish, elegant and timelessly beautiful - this is how the 4* SUPERIOR ship MS Swiss Crown presents itself as it glides gently along the Danube river. You will immediately feel at home on board as soon as you enter the spectacular foyer. Designed in warm wood tones, the ship radiates a comfort and leaves nothing to be desired. The simple elegance of the timelessly beautiful staterooms, which are decorated with great attention to detail, will inspire you. Sit back, enjoy the serene, relaxed atmosphere, the fantastic views of breathtakingly beautiful natural landscapes, sometimes from the bicycle seat, sometimes from the inviting, partially covered sun deck. Let yourself be pampered by the friendly, accommodating crew and create on board relationships alongside memories to last a lifetime.
The stylish lounge with its comfortable club chairs and a cozy Panoramabar offers a very special atmosphere. In the first-class restaurant you undertake a culinary foray through the Danube countries and their variety of flavors. Rest and relaxation await you in the wellness area after an eventful day of cycling, and on the spacious, partially covered sun deck you can enjoy a glass of wine together with like-minded people and a very special spectacle of nature.
In a small onboard boutique you can buy souvenirs and souvenirs for those who stayed at home, but also useful equipment for your bike tours (clothing, helmets, bags, etc.). And if you feel like reading a good book, just help yourself to the onboard library. On board you will be greeted by a warm ship’s crew, who will make your stay as pleasant as possible and read your every wish from your eyes. WIFI available on board (connection may vary, payable locally).
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 menue-choice, coffee-/tea break with sweets in the afternoon.
Your table number will be provided during boarding.
Cabins
The 68 outward-facing cabins are spacious 14 m² (single cabin 12 m2) and convince with elegant, comfortable interior.
The cabins have a double bed (can be separated to 2 single beds), shower/WC, hairdryer, SAT TV, safe, coffee maker and individually adjustable air conditioning.
STANDARD cabin:
the approx. 14 m² cabins are located on the main deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart) and smaller, raised windows (NOT openable).
COMFORT cabin:
the approx. 14 m² cabins are located on the middle deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart). The panoramic window can be opened.
SUPERIOR cabin:
the approx. 14 m² cabins are located on the upper deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart) and private balcony.
MINISUITE:
the approx. 16 m² cabins is located on the middle deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart), panoramic window, minibar and coffee station
Ship Details
Built (2000 / renovation 2018/2019) | Capacity (135 passangers)
Lenght (110 m) | Wide (11,4 m) | Draft (1,5 m)
Speed (22 km/h) | Crew (ca. 36)
Electricity (220 Volt) | Language on board (German / English)
Travel Dates & Prices 2023
Bike Cruise Passau – Budapest MS Swiss Crown
5% EXTRA DISCOUNT:
5% Discount on cabin price. This discount is valid for bookings until 60 days before departure and can be combined with the early bird, regular customers and group discount.
Travel Dates and Prices 2023 per Person
Please click at the travel data to open the request form.
Travel Dates
Prices 2023 per Person in €
May/Aug
Jun/Jul/Sep
Twin below deck
1099,- €
1199,- €
Twin middle deck
1399,- €
1499,- €
Minisuite middle
1499,- €
1599,- €
Twin upper superior
1599,- €
1699,- €
Optional services / Notes
Twin for single use below deck
+55%
Bicycle rental 21-gears, freewheel
89,- €
E-bike hire (on request)
189,- €
Own bike
29,- €
Own e-bike
39,- €
Guided cycling tours
299,- €
Parking garage Passau incl. transfer
87,- €
Parking place Passau
incl. transfer
75,- €
Extra Nacht Passau 3* Double Room p.p.
Extranacht Passau 3* Single Room
Extra Nacht Passau 4* Double Room p.p.
72,- €
Extranacht Passau 4* Single Room
105,- €
- Transfer airport Munich - Passau: Oneway PRIVATE (total, 1-8 pers.) EUR 260,-
- Transfer own bikes parking area - ship: EUR 5,-
- a.A. on request, prices are not yet fixed
- Minimum number of participants: 90
Included:
- 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air condition
- port charges
- Programme according itinerary from/to Passau
- Captains greeting and Welcome Cocktail
- Daily cabin cleaning, towels and bed linen
- Full board: rich breakfast, lunch on board (non- cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists), afternoon coffee break, dinner (2/3 dishes to choose), late night snack
- Gala-Dinner with farewell cocktail
- Tour guide on board (does not cycle with the group)
- Daily informational meeting
- Detailed travel documents per cabin, GPS tracks + cycling tour app / cabin
Land Excursions
- The following optional excursions (surcharge - not included in tour price) can be booked directly on board at the cruise director.
- Bratislava: City Tour by old-timer excursion train and walkabout
- Budapest: Sight-seeing tour by bike | Evening show with traditional music and dances
- Vienna: City tour by bus | City tour by bike
- Vienna: Waltz & Operetta concert at the Wiener Palais
- Wachau: Wine tasting with a local wine grower
Individual Cyclingtour
You´ll 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.
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.
Guided tour
You cycle in a small group guided by a local tour guide. Taste some Austrian delicacies: you’ll try sweet cider in a wine tavern in the world-famous Wachau region you will also get to savour a small variety of regional wine specialties. During a guided tour by bike or bus you will pass by numerous famous sights in Vienna and Budapest.
Additional services in guided tour:
- Cycling tour guide
- tasting of homemade cider directly at the cider farm in the Upper-Danube valley
- ferry rides
- guided city tour by bike in Vienna + by HOP ON HOP OFF bus in Budapest
- wine tasting in the Wachau region
- rental helmet (for adults)
Rental bicycles
The rental bikes are 21-speed-trekking bikes. 7-speed-UNISEX-roadster with coaster brake (on request)
Electric bike/pedelec (supplement, limited availability)
Child seat, bikes for children, bike trailer or trailer bikes on request
All rental bikes are equipped with panniers.
Helmets are available for purchase on board (€ 17 - € 40). Helmets are mandatory in Slovakia and in Austria for children up to 12 yrs!
Arrival information
By train: Passau
Airports: Munich, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna, Bratislava
- Trainticket Munich - Passau: Bayernticket approx. € 30 (2-5 pers.), approx. € 20 (1 p.)
- Taxi from train station Passau to the docking place of the ship costs approx. € 10.
Parking in Passau is possible in a garage or a fenced parking area. Parking incl. transfer is payable on spot.
General Information
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 undeserved breakdown of engine or power unit. Please be aware that a cruise ship on the Danube is not only your hotel but also a machine, working with engine power also during the night. Especially crossing locks and bridges - and the preparation work - may cause noise. If you are sensitive please bring your own ear plugs.