Along the Danube - Passau to Vienna
Austria, Germany Bike + Barge Tours
Bike Austria and the Historic Cities on the Danube Cycle Path!
Beginning in the German town of Passau, this tour quickly crosses the Austrian border as it follows the Danube Bike Path east downstream through tucked-away villages and serene landscapes.
You experience the mighty Danube as it meanders through the "Great Loop" and enjoy the gorgeous landscape of the legendary Wachau with its castles and fortresses.
Vienna, rich in architecture and history, cannot be described! You have to see it and feel it! At the Naschmarkt (famous food market), a stroll will become a cultural and culinary adventure. You can also relax at any of the cozy coffee bars or at a typical Viennese wine tavern.
Highlights:
- Passau - The City of Three Rivers
- The Schloegen Danube Loop
- Wachau - World Cultural Heritage site
- Linz - Northern Austria's Capital
- Vienna - City of music and culture
Want to check out more bike and barge tours in Germany?
Where You’ll Stay
Accommodations aboard the MS Normandie, a Comfort Plus vessels.
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights on board
- Welcome cocktail
- Full meals (breakfast, on board lunch for noncyclists/bag lunch for cyclists, and dinner)
- Afternoon coffee break or snack
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Farewell dinner on last night including cocktail
- Daily live music
- Tour leader on board (does not cycle with the group)
- 7-speed unisex bicycle
- Information packet with route book (one per cabin)
- Daily informational meeting
What’s Not Included
- Port fees: €59
- Helmet purchase
- Beverages (one 1/2 Liter of water per passenger provided daily)
- Bicycle protection
- Trip insurance
| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €515 Rates |
| Client Reviews |
Share This Tour
Tour Dates
2016 Dates
Saturday Departures: September 10, and September 24, 2016
2017 Dates
Saturday Departures: April 22, May 6, May 20, June 3, July 1, July 15, July 29, August 12, August 26, September 9, September 23, October 7, 2017
Skill Level
Relatively easy tour following the flow of the Danube. Route is mostly flat but there are some rolling hills especially coming out of the Danube valley. It takes place on good, asphalt bike paths very suitable for beginners and children. Daily distances can be adjusted.
Tour Boats
Day-To-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Passau - Engelhartszell, boarding time at 5 p.m. Departure at 7 p.m.
Day 2: Engelhartszell - Untermühl - "Great Loop" - Linz, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 3: Linz - Mauthausen - Grein, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 4: Grein - Melk - Tulln, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Tulln - Vienna, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 6: Rest day in Vienna, city tour otional, Waltz and Operetta concert optional
Day 7: Wachau - Dürnstein - Pöchlarn, wine tasting optional, 24 mi. (39 km)
Day 8: Passau, departure
Day 1: Arrival in Passau, Passau - Engelhartszell
The Episcopal city of Passau, close to the Bavarian/Austrian border is also known as the "City of three Rivers." Boarding time is at 5 p.m. and departure around 7 p.m. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening cruise to Engelhartszell.
Day 2: Engelhartszell – Untermühl – "Great Loop" – Linz, 32 mi. (52 km)
Try some of the special cordials and liqueurs in the Trappist monastery in Engelhartszell. It is said that they have special healing power. Downstream, the route leads you to pretty villages amid natural landscape. For a change, take the little ferry boat through the romantic Schlögener loop, where the river makes a very abrupt 180-degree turn. The boat takes you from Untermühl to Linz. After dinner, ride on the bright yellow City-Express (optional, not included) and discover Linz, the capital of upper Austria.
Day 3: Linz – Mauthausen – Grein, 26 mi. (42 km)
In the early morning, the boat cruises to Mauthausen. Here you have the opportunity to visit the Mauthausen Memorial. The Celtic town of Mitterkirchen gives you an insight of the past. Cyclists that would like to take the easy route can ride along the Danube. The alternative route leads through the beautiful back country of the "Strudengau". It is slightly hilly, but the landscape is fantastic. In Grein, the impressive Castle of Greinburg is worth a visit (optional, not included).
Day 4: Tuesday, Grein – Melk – Tulln, 31 mi. (50 km)
Today you'll cycle through the Strudengau – a narrow point of the Danube which used to be notorious amongst skippers. The valley expands from Persenbeug and the bike tour leads you further to Melk with its gorgeous baroque monastery of the Benedictine brethren. On deck, you enjoy the sunset and the beautiful evening illumination of the Wachau. Today's final destination is Tulln, famous for its numerous market gardens where the famous Art Nouveau artist Egon Schiele was born.
Day 5: Wednesday, Tulln – Vienna-Nussdorf / (Korneuburg may also be possible), 35 km | city tour Hop on – Hop off (optional)
The monastery of Klosterneuburg is situated at the entrance of Vienna. You can see the cupola of this 900-year-old baroque structure from a distance. "Kahlenbergerdorf" with it's wine taverns is definitely worth a visit. After a stroll through the vineyards, you can enjoy the panoramic view over Vienna. During the city tour by bus (optional, not included) in the afternoon, you will pass most of the famous sights of the beautiful city.
Day 6: Thursday, Vienna (day of rest) | city tour (opt.) | Waltz and Operetta concert (opt.)
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the Prater, the St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the Hofburg. You can take a city tour by bike (optional, not included). The gorgeous boulevard "Ringstraβe" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House, and the town hall are all historic structures that take you back in time. There is enough time in the afternoon to stroll or visit one of the famous Viennese coffee bars. The evening ends impressively with a Waltz and Operetta concert (optional, not included). In the evening, the boat takes you to Dürnstein or Rossatz.
Day 7: Friday, Wachau | Dürnstein – Pöchlarn, 24 mi. (39 km)
Your last biking day is a special highlight! Amidst small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries, and ruins, this gentle hilly landscape enchants everybody. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Dürnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. In Weißenkirchen (possibility for a wine-tasting – optional) you will find comfy wine taverns right along the bike path. You owe it to yourself to take a break! In the evening farewell dinner and cocktail.
Day 8: Saturday, Passau
Every journey draws to an end. Once again you enjoy on deck the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take one last look at the Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") before you arrive relaxed at Passau. Arrival is about 10 a.m., disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend arranging connecting trips from 12 p.m. onwards.
*Important Information:
In case of flood or low tide, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages with 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 the event of mechanical breakdown of engine or power unit.
Please be aware that your ship, like all other ships on the Danube, is not only your hotel for the tour, 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 to noises, please bring your own ear plugs.
Be sure to check out all of our featured bike and boat tours, or our full list of bicycle tours.
Email or Call 800-951-4384 +1 570-965-2064
Share This Tour
Pricing Information
2016 Prices
| Main | Upper | |
| April 9 and April 16 | $ 740 £ 432 $ 740 € 515 $ 790 kr 4230 kr 4230 CHF 564 $ 592 | $ 942 £ 550 $ 942 € 655 $ 1004 kr 5380 kr 5380 CHF 717 $ 753 |
| April 23 | $ 985 £ 575 $ 985 € 685 $ 1050 kr 5627 kr 5627 CHF 750 $ 788 | $ 1186 £ 693 $ 1,186 € 825 $ 1265 kr 6777 kr 6777 CHF 904 $ 949 |
| May 7 and September 24 | $ 1128 £ 659 $ 1,128 € 785 $ 1204 kr 6448 kr 6448 CHF 860 $ 903 | $ 1330 £ 776 $ 1,330 € 925 $ 1418 kr 7598 kr 7598 CHF 1013 $ 1,064 |
| May 21 and September 10 | $ 1229 £ 718 $ 1,229 € 855 $ 1311 kr 7023 kr 7023 CHF 936 $ 983 | $ 1373 £ 802 $ 1,373 € 955 $ 1464 kr 7845 kr 7845 CHF 1046 $ 1,098 |
| June 4, 18, July 16, 30 and August 27 | $ 1301 £ 760 $ 1,301 € 905 $ 1388 kr 7434 kr 7434 CHF 991 $ 1,041 | $ 1502 £ 877 $ 1,502 € 1045 $ 1602 kr 8584 kr 8584 CHF 1145 $ 1,202 |
| Single supplement | $ 359 £ 210 $ 359 € 250 $ 383 kr 2054 kr 2054 CHF 274 $ 288 |
Additional Charges:
Port Fees (mandatory for guests over 12 years): $ 85 £ 50 $ 85 € 59 $ 90 kr 485 kr 485 CHF 65 $ 68
E bike rental: $ 137 £ 80 $ 137 € 95 $ 146 kr 780 kr 780 CHF 104 $ 109
Helmet purchase (payable on board): $ 50 £ 29 $ 50 € 35 $ 54 kr 288 kr 288 CHF 38 $ 40
2017 Prices
| Main | Upper | |
| Apr 22 and Oct 7 | $ 985 £ 575 $ 985 € 685 $ 1050 kr 5627 kr 5627 CHF 750 $ 788 | $ 1186 £ 693 $ 1,186 € 825 $ 1265 kr 6777 kr 6777 CHF 904 $ 949 |
| May 6 and Sept 23 | $ 1128 £ 659 $ 1,128 € 785 $ 1204 kr 6448 kr 6448 CHF 860 $ 903 | $ 1330 £ 776 $ 1,330 € 925 $ 1418 kr 7598 kr 7598 CHF 1013 $ 1,064 |
| May 20 and Sept 9 | $ 1229 £ 718 $ 1,229 € 855 $ 1311 kr 7023 kr 7023 CHF 936 $ 983 | $ 1430 £ 835 $ 1,430 € 995 $ 1526 kr 8173 kr 8173 CHF 1090 $ 1,144 |
| Jun 3, Jul 1, July 15, July 29, Aug 12, Aug 26 | $ 1301 £ 760 $ 1,301 € 905 $ 1388 kr 7434 kr 7434 CHF 991 $ 1,041 | $ 1502 £ 877 $ 1,502 € 1045 $ 1602 kr 8584 kr 8584 CHF 1145 $ 1,202 |
| Single Supplement | $ 359 £ 210 $ 359 € 250 $ 383 kr 2054 kr 2054 CHF 274 $ 288 |
Additional Charges:
Port Fees (mandatory for guests over 12 years): $ 85 £ 50 $ 85 € 59 $ 90 kr 485 kr 485 CHF 65 $ 68
E bike rental: $ 137 £ 80 $ 137 € 95 $ 146 kr 780 kr 780 CHF 104 $ 109
Helmet purchase (payable on board): $ 58 £ 34 $ 58 € 40 $ 61 kr 329 kr 329 CHF 44 $ 46
extra options
Extra nights:
Please contact us.
20% discount available for children under 13 sharing cabin with one adult
please note
If you want to purchase a helmet, please let us know when you submit your reservation.
Rates are based on double occupancy.
Information to read before you book.
Travel Details
Travel
Fly to Munich or Salzburg.
Local Travel
Train to Passau. From Munich airport, ride is approximately 2½ hr. From Salzburg airport, ride is approximately 3½-4 hr.
Climate
Check local weather prior to departure. Average high/low temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit: April, 57°/41°; May, 67°/49°; June, 72°/55°; July, 77°/59°; August, 77°/59°; September, 69°/53°; and October, 57°/43°
Tour Operator
This tour is operated by SE Tours. We do not run these tours ourselves, we never have. We work from the commission the European tour operators offer us plus a small administration fee of €20. We pride ourselves on the strong working relationship we have with all our tour operators and the services we provide.
Along the Danube - Passau to Vienna Boats + Barges
MS Normandie Austria, Hungary, Germany, Slovakia Comfort Plus Class Boat Last refurbished in 2011, the MS Normandie has a total of forty-nine 2-bed cabins and two single cabins with one bed. The cabins are equipped with two lower beds, shower / toilet, shampoo and soap, TV, safe, hairdryer, individually controlled air conditioning and panoramic windows. The windows on the upper deck can be opened. The beds during the day turn into sofas. The 1-bed cabins have a lower bed. On the upper deck you will find the cozy Panorama Lounge with bar and on the main deck, a lovely restaurant.
see also
Along the Danube - Four Country Tour Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary 2016Aboard the MS My Story: Sundays from April … This bike and boat tour along the Danube River has proven to be one of our most popular bike tours and with good reason. Between the Austrian and Hungarian …
| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Both |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €755 |
Around Lake Constance Austria, Germany, Switzerland 7 Day Tour: Daily departures beginning March 20 to … To cycle Lake Constance, you will travel through the countries of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The unique location of this bike tour has made it one of …
| Tour | Bike |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 5–8 days |
| From | €369 |
Four Country Tour Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland Daily from April 30 to October 23, 2016 This cycle tour in Constance (Konstanz), which lies on the ever-so-beautiful Lake Constance (Bodensee) in Germany. It is the largest city on the lake and …
| Tour | Bike |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 9 days |
| From | €989 |
Danube Bike Path - Vienna to Budapest Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Season 1 (arrival on Saturdays only): April 23 to … Following the flow of the Danube, along the Danube Bike Path, an indescribably beautiful and varied scenery surrounds you through three countries and three …
| Tour | Bike |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €588 |
Berlin to Copenhagen Denmark, Germany Berlin to Rostock: Tour starts on Sundays, May 29 to … This wonderful cycling adventure in Germany and Denmark is offered in both directions beginning in Berlin or beginning in Copenhagen. It is your choice. Berlin …
| Tour | Bike |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8–12 days |
| From | €639 |
Bamberg to Mainz Germany 2016Bamberg to Mainz: September 24, 2016 Fully … Bamberg, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its authentic medieval appearance, is the starting point for this once in a lifetime bike and boat tour in …
| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €1205 |
Koblenz to Bad Wimpfen Germany 2016: Bad Wimpfen to Koblenz: September 10, … The itinerary of this Bike & Boat tour along Germany's oldest trade route - the Rhine River - reads like an excursion into history: The Dome of Worms, …
| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €889 |
Koblenz to Saarburg Germany 2016:Koblenz to Saarburg: September 17, and October … The Mosel River Valley is an idyllic setting and a perfect place for a bike and boat tour. Two rivers wind through this enchanting countryside, Castles guard …
| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €519 |
Customer Feedback
H. Hausch 3 months ago
Really liked our trip director Andreas. The Theodor Koerner excellent boat with superb staff.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
E. Heide 5 months ago
We would have like more written details of the areas we were seeing. We also would have liked a stronger wifi connection. Food and service was excellent.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
E. Correll 5 months ago
Bicycling Passau to Vienna with the MS Normandie was a great experience. The bicycle route was mostly flat and in top condition. The views along the way were scenic and enjoyable. The small villages were charming and the larger cities were very beautiful. Our accommodations and meals on the boat were wonderful. One of my favorite experiences of the week was the optional trip to the opera house in Vienna. I am especially glad I didn't miss it. This was my third Tripsite tour and overall this adventure was everything and more that I had hoped for. I would highly recommend it to anyone that loves cycling. I think it is suitable for all skill levels. I will say that on this tour the guides daily instructions were minimal. His input was very basic and quite a disappointment compared to past guides. No photo slide show with instructions such as, "when you see this landmark or sign be sure to turn here." The guide books with maps that were provided were of great assistance, however, and we were able to compensate for the most part by carefully following these written instructions. There was also a small tourist guide book in each room from which you could read about points of interest in each city and village along the way. As I said, overall this was a fantastic week and my friend and I loved every minute!
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
J Lillis 7 months ago
Wonderful trip. Our room smelled really bad when we arrived. Mentioned it to the cleaning staff and they said it was the air conditioner. They were on the problem immediately and made sure we had no further problem. Bit of confusion with bike insurance, but on contacting Tripsite on our return this was dealt with immediately (thank you!). Might want to consider having a basic first aid kit onboard I fell in Vienna and badly sprained my ankle - no breaks fortunately. Had to get ice from he bar as there was nothing else available they couldn't give me much as it was needed for the drinks.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Susan Dawood 10 months ago
Never brought it up to the bike staff, but gears on my bike were difficult to manage. I attributed it to my having small hands, but I also thought the gears should be replaced soon, for the next "small handed" guest.
It was a wonderful experience and we were fortunate to have beautiful weather the entire week.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
David Pomfret 10 months ago
We had a fantastic time it was a highlight of the trip; can't say about the bikes as we had our own.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Brent McLean 10 months ago
Would be nice to sit with other people at meals. Everyone was great and it felt like we were on a camping trip.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Hong Gao 10 months ago
It was a great trip, thank you.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Sharon Cratsenberg 10 months ago
Perfect weather, gorgeous scenery, wonderful riding--loved every minute of the trip.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Corinne Bauer 10 months ago
Fabulous guides, wonderful scenery, food, very helpful Tripsite staff. Will be taking another trip as soon as I can!
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
John Bowyer 10 months ago
Wonderful trip along the Danube. If you are biker you will find the bikes lacking. My wife with her spinal cord injury used an electric assist which worked very well.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Susan Knight 11 months ago
Amazing scenery, great company, delicious food, kind staff and somewhere comfy to sleep - with no unpacking! However,the crux of these trips stems from the quality of the guides. Our first trip, to Vienna, Had a guide that knew the route well, but smoked at every stop, and wanted to always eat dinner at somewhere he could buy alcohol; we preferred to eat our rolls in the fresh air, which sometimes was tricky. He tended to ride off without checking we were all ready, leaving riders behind until someone caught him. Our second trip (Merzig to Koblenz) had a lady guide who was not at all familiar with the area, but used her GPS to locate landmarks and routes (sometimes taking the shortest, not the most scenic). She didn't give an initial safety talk, she changed the route from the easy one offered to a more scenic but quite difficult one, causing one older, inexperienced lady to fall (end of trip for her and her husband,, hospitalisation for almost a fortnight, skingraft). Our replacement guide tried hard, but couldn't seem to match the route to the one we'd booked, so we missed seeing things we'd looked forward to. So our last trip, Koblenz to Amsterdam, was not one we would recommend unless they sorted the route out. Apart from the above, we'd recommend this mode of travel.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Margaret Knode 11 months ago
Staff was incredible. Only change I would make is in the dining room. To be allocated to a table with the same people for every meal was restrictive. We go on trips to meet people from different countries and to make new friends. On speaking with other travellers they mentioned that open seating would have made the whole experience that much more enjoyable. We thoroughly enjoyed our dining companions, but what if you didn't you were stuck all week.
Can't say enough about how accommodating the staff were, especially in the dining room. Many thanks! Want to do the trip again next year add bring my siblings.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Brett McGillivray 11 months ago
Besides information on the bike routes, I enjoyed the information on side trips.
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Harvey & Sharon Rishe 1 year ago
Although we are seasoned travelers and fairly fit cyclists, we were new to bike & boat touring, and as a result we probably drove TripSite's Carla crazy! But her patience never faltered; she was generous and gracious with answers to our interminable questions and we arrived in Passau well informed and ready to have a great time.
Our expectations were met and exceeded. Not only had Carla prepared us well, but Rad & Reisen proved to be a world class organization. The accommodations were lovely, the gourmet meals splendid, the route information excellent, the professionalism and friendliness of the crew impeccable, and the camaraderie among fellow travelers delightful. Not to mention the gorgeous Danube scenery, the interesting villages, and beautiful Vienna!
We were so happy with TripSite and Rad & Reisen that we are already researching our next bike and boat trip with them! Thank you for a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Harvey & Sharon Rishe
Salt Lake City, Utah
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
K. Augustyn 2 years ago
I will say that this Danube barge/bike trip was probably one of the best vacations I have ever taken. My friends who took the trip with me feel the same way and we are considering doing another one next year. We will definitely consider the barge/bike cruises that you have to offer. Again, thank you very much!
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Joanne MacRae 2 years ago
This was our best trip to Europe as it involved lots of fresh air and exercise in a dream like setting. We sang "the Sound of Music" as we cycled across the German border into Austria.
The bicycles were top notch. The food on board was fabulous and the customer service was excellent. We were so pleased with the Pack and Pedal Europe organization for giving us lots of valuable information before we arrived on board. We felt we were well prepared for the bike and boat adventure. The whole experience exceeded our expectations! I would definitely advise anyone to take the "Comfort Relaxed Tour" as it identified us with a group of fellow cyclers on journey with an experienced guide who introduced us to the culture and cuisine of local villages in Austria. We appreciate all of the travelling tips and advice we received from Pack and Pedal as all of our inquiries were answered promptly. I highly recommend this tour to anyone. The bicycles were in top working order and cycling on the paved pathways along the Danube was a breeze for anyone in decent physical shape. We can't wait to return and take another trip!
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Emily Hull-Parsons 3 years ago
We just returned from our trip and wanted you to know how much we enjoyed it! Thanks for your help.
The shirt and shorts were a big hit!
Boat: MS Normandie
Reply
Biked This Tour? Post Your Feedback