Along the Danube - Passau - Vienna - Budapest aboard the Primadonna
Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia Bike + Barge Tours
Cycle along the Danube River between four countries on the famous Danube Bike Path
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€821 Rates
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Overview
Get ready for a treat! This bike and boat tour along the mighty Danube is similar to our other Four Country Tour but is offered on a premium ship! The Primadonna is a top-class river cruiser and combines luxury with all the benefits of a typical bike and boat tour. Because we are active vacationers, yet enjoy a touch of class as well, we feel this offering satisfies even the most discerning.
The Danube landscape is unsurpassed and remains one of the top European destinations. From the charming Bavarian "Three River City" of Passau straight into the heart of the once glorious Imperial and Royal Monarchy, you will bike along the famous Danube Cycle Path through four countries and visit three of the most enchanting European capitals: the lively Vienna, City of Music, the Slovak coronation city of Bratislava, and Budapest, the Hungarian "Danube Queen".
Highlights
- Accommodations on the Deluxe class riverboat, the Primadonna
- The Wachau wine-growing region
- City tours of Bratislava and Budapest
- Cycling the beautiful Danube Bike path through four countries
- World-class cuisine with specialties of the Danube countries, especially Viennese Cuisine. Primarily prepared with organic ingredients
You can search our complete list of bike and barge tours in Germany
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Passau at 4 pm
Day 2: Schlögen - Linz, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 3: Tulln - Vienna, 22 mi. or 32 mi. (36 or 52 km)
Day 4: Komárom – Esztergom, 35 mi. (56 km)
Day 5: Sightseeing in Budapest and cycling tour to Margareteninsel, 14 mi. (22 km)
Day 6: Sightseeing in Bratislava and cycling Bratislava - Devin - Bratislava, 20 mi. (33 km)
Day 7: Cycling tour Krems to Pöchlarn, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 8: Departure from Passau at 9 am*All distances are approximate. Timetable and program are subject to changes by the captain due to regional conditions (among other things high or low water, adverse weather, storms, etc.).
Day 1: Passau - Schlögen
Arrive at the fenced-in car park until 4 pm or arrival at Passau main station by 4.45 pm (e.g. arrival with train ICE 27). Bus transfer from the car park or from the main station to the ship is available for an additional charge. Boarding begins at 4 pm! Welcome snacks are offered as you arrive. This evening you will enjoy a captain’s welcome dinner with a 4-course menu. The ship will depart Passau at 8 pm and navigate to Schlögen, arriving approximately 11:30 pm.Day 2: Schlögen - Linz, 34 mi. (55 km)
Distribution of bicycle rentals at Schlögen Bend in the morning. Your cycling itinerary today will lead through the uninhabited narrow valley near Kaiserau to Ottensheim and further on to Linz (European Capital of Culture 2009). The ship will depart from Schlögen at 12 noon and will arrive in Linz at 4:15 pm. The ship will depart from Linz at 8:30 pm, heading to Tullin, arriving at 7:30 am.
Day 3: Tulln - Vienna, 22 mi. or 32 mi. (36 or 52 km)
Plan on a visit to the Museum of Egon Schiele and garden exhibition (with 65 gardens) in Tulln, followed by a cycle tour from Tulln (“city of flowers”), with a wonderful view
of the foothills of the Viennese Wood (Wiener Wald), past Klosterneuburg (monastery – Austrian Escorial) to Vienna. Individual sightseeing in Vienna or if you prefer, a city tour by bike, 95 % of which will take place on dedicated cycle tracks! More information will be provided onboard. After dinner, at 8:30 pm, a guided city tour is included by bus “Vienna by night”. The ship departs Tulln at 10 am, arriving in Vienna at noon. Departs Vienna at 11 pm and arrives in Komárnom at 9 am.Day 4: Komárno - Esztergom-Štúrovo, 35 mi. (56 km)
After the ship arrives at 9 am, cyclists disembark to enjoy their cycling itinerary. You depart from Komárom, cycling on the left bank through small, dreamy places on the very beautiful, car-free causeway, sometimes pedaling directly along the Danube past Moča to Esztergom. The boat departs at 12 noon, heading to Esztergon/Štúrovo arriving at 4 pm. Cyclists embark here for the evening. The ship navigates once again leaving at 6 pm, arriving in Budapest at 11 pm.Day 5: Budapest, 14 mi. (22 km)
In the morning, you will enjoy a city tour by bus of Budapest which will leave directly from the boat landing station. The tour will take about 3.5 hours, with a stay in the city center of about 1.5 hours. From here you will be transferred back to the ship. In the afternoon, there is a possibility for a round trip tour by bike on the 8 km long car-free Margareten Island in Budapest. The ship departs from Budapest at 5 pm and arrives in Bratislava at 9 am.
Day 6: Bratislava - Devin - Bratislava, 20 mi. (33 km)
You will enjoy a guided city tour through the historical center of Bratislava. Afterward, on the Danube cycling route, you will pedal to Devin and the Bratislava Castle, one of the landmarks of the city – a National Cultural Monument. It is situated on a rocky hill of the Little Carpathians in the center of the city and is overlooking the river Danube. It also provides an excellent view of Bratislava and Austria. Afterwards, cross the new cycling bridge, you arrive in Austria, to the magnificent palace of the Empress Maria Theresia, Castle Hof with its impressive Baroque gardens, staterooms, etc.). You will return to Bratislava to board the ship and enjoy a sailing dinner. The ship departs Bratislava at 4 pm arriving in Krems at 9 am.
Day 7: Krems - Pöchlarn, 30 mi. (48 km)
You will enjoy the cycling this day on the Danube cycling path in the Wachau from Krems (UNESCO world cultural heritage) via Dürnstein to Melk (monastery) and further on to Pöchlarn. After arriving at 9 am in Krems, the ship will depart at 11:30 am for Pöchlarn, arriving at 3:30 pm. Departs once again at 5 pm, heading to Passau.
Day 8: Passau
The ship is scheduled to arrive in Passau at 8 am. Disembarkation at 10.00 am. Transfer to the parking spot or train station, if reserved.Be sure to check out all of our featured bike and boat tours, or our full list of bicycle tours.
*Important Information:
In case of flood or low tide, the shipping company reserves the right to change the route and/or bridge parts of passages with buses. Bicycle touring routes may also be affected. 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 unexpected breakdown of engine or power unit.
Please be aware that these ships, like all other ships on the Danube, are not just your "floating hotels" but also a machine, running engines, 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 earplugs.
Boats & Bikes
Accommodations on the Deluxe class vessel, the Primadonna
- Primadonna
Deluxe Class Boat
Experience the elegance of the MS Primadonna, with spacious decks, spa facilities, restaurant, bar, atrium and much more, on a cycling holiday without having to pack and unpack each day. Your boat will await you at your destination every day. You can also feel free to spend some of your time on board where you can enjoy the Jacuzzi on the outdoor deck or 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… Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights in an air-conditioned cabin with safe and minibar
- Welcome snack on arrival day
- Daily breakfast buffet
- Daily 3 course lunch or packed lunch for cyclists
- Daily afternoon coffee/tea and cake
- Daily 4 course dinner
- Daily midnight snack in the panoramic bar
- 7 or 21 speed (please specify preference at time of booking) city touring bicycle (high handlebars and very upright riding position) with pannier
- 7-speed bikes have both hand brakes & back pedal brakes
- 21-speed bikes have hand brakes
- Daily personal route information for the following cycling day
- Onboard tour representative
- Comprehensive route description and cycling maps
- 1 partial body massage (approx. 20 min.) or 1 hydro jet massage
- Guided city tour by bus “Vienna by night”
- Guided city tour by bus in Budapest
- Guided city tour in Bratislava on foot:
- Welcome evening with crew including a complimentary drink
- Free parking in Passau if needed
- GPS data available for download
What’s Not Included
- Entrance fees and excursions not mentioned
- Gratuities
- Bicycle protection
- Trip Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2021
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2020
May 8
Bunk bed cabin/main deck (eco-cabin): $ 1341 £ 721 $ 1,200 € 821 ₪ 3313 ¥ 125005 NZ$ 1474 NOK 9939 kr 9780 $ 896
Twin bed cabin/main deck (middle of deck): $ 1554 £ 835 $ 1,390 € 951 ₪ 3837 ¥ 144798 NZ$ 1707 NOK 11513 kr 11329 $ 1,038
Double cabin/upper deck with balcony: $ 2338 £ 1256 $ 2,092 € 1431 ₪ 5774 ¥ 217883 NZ$ 2569 NOK 17324 kr 17047 $ 1,562
Double cabin/promenade deck with balcony: $ 2501 £ 1344 $ 2,239 € 1531 ₪ 6178 ¥ 233108 NZ$ 2748 NOK 18535 kr 18238 $ 1,671
May 8 Single Prices
Bunk bed cabin/single-use/main deck astern (eco-cabin): $ 1638 £ 881 $ 1,467 € 1003 ₪ 4047 ¥ 152716 NZ$ 1801 NOK 12143 kr 11948 $ 1,095
Twin cabin/single-use/main deck (middle of deck): $ 2256 £ 1212 $ 2,019 € 1381 ₪ 5573 ¥ 210270 NZ$ 2479 NOK 16719 kr 16451 $ 1,507
Double cabin/single-use/upper deck with balcony: $ 3978 £ 2138 $ 3,560 € 2435 ₪ 9826 ¥ 370750 NZ$ 4371 NOK 29479 kr 29007 $ 2,657
Double cabin/single-use/promenade deck with balcony: $ 4264 £ 2292 $ 3,816 € 2610 ₪ 10532 ¥ 397396 NZ$ 4685 NOK 31597 kr 31092 $ 2,848
All other departures
Bunk bed cabin/main deck astern (eco-cabin): $ 1586 £ 853 $ 1,420 € 971 ₪ 3918 ¥ 147843 NZ$ 1743 NOK 11755 kr 11567 $ 1,060
Twin bed cabin/main deck (middle of deck): $ 1782 £ 958 $ 1,595 € 1091 ₪ 4402 ¥ 166114 NZ$ 1959 NOK 13208 kr 12997 $ 1,191
Double cabin/upper deck with balcony: $ 2550 £ 1371 $ 2,282 € 1561 ₪ 6299 ¥ 237676 NZ$ 2802 NOK 18898 kr 18596 $ 1,703
Double cabin/promenade deck with balcony: $ 2713 £ 1458 $ 2,429 € 1661 ₪ 6702 ¥ 252902 NZ$ 2982 NOK 20108 kr 19787 $ 1,813
Single Prices
Bunk bed cabin/single-use/main deck astern (eco-cabin): $ 1946 £ 1046 $ 1,741 € 1191 ₪ 4806 ¥ 181340 NZ$ 2138 NOK 14418 kr 14188 $ 1,300
Twin cabin/single-use/main deck (middle of deck): $ 2599 £ 1397 $ 2,326 € 1591 ₪ 6420 ¥ 242244 NZ$ 2856 NOK 19261 kr 18953 $ 1,736
Double cabin/single-use/upper deck with balcony: $ 4350 £ 2338 $ 3,894 € 2663 ₪ 10746 ¥ 405466 NZ$ 4781 NOK 32239 kr 31723 $ 2,906
Double cabin/single-use/promenade deck with balcony: $ 4636 £ 2492 $ 4,150 € 2838 ₪ 11452 ¥ 432111 NZ$ 5095 NOK 34357 kr 33808 $ 3,097
Extra Options
2020
Extra nights in Passau on request.
Electric bike rental: $ 144 £ 77 $ 129 € 88 ₪ 355 ¥ 13399 NZ$ 158 NOK 1065 kr 1048 $ 96 Beverage package (soft drinks, coffee/tea, Mosel sparkling wine, quality wine, beer): $ 276 £ 148 $ 247 € 169 ₪ 682 ¥ 25732 NZ$ 303 NOK 2046 kr 2013 $ 184 Discounts for triple and quad cabins (available on main and upper deck).
Main deck (bunk beds) and upper deck with sofa bed (75 x 185 cm).Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy self-guided bike and boat tour with average daily distances between 22 to 35 miles (35 and 56 km). You will be following the mostly flat Danube Cycle path.
Airport Info
The closest international airport to your tour start and end in Passau is Munich International Airport.
Local Travel
Munich Airport (MUC) is well connected to the city center and beyond by public transportation, taxis, and transfer services.
Public transportation:
To access a train to Passau, your point of embarkation, you first take a bus to Freising train station (approximately €3). It’s also possible to take a taxi from the airport to Freising Station (approximately €27). From Freising, continue by train to Passau. The train ride is approx. 2–2½ hr. (depending on connections) and costs €30 to €45 depending on type of train.
If you are arriving by car, just ask! We can provide parking details. If your travel plans include spending some time in Munich before your bike and boat tour, you can access a train to Munich city centerdirectly at the airport at either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
Private transfers:
Transfers from Munich can be booked through us for the Carissima and Fortuna only or on all boats individually through Salzburger Mietwagen und Reise Service GmbH (SMS).
Phone: +43 (0) 662 - 8161 - 0
sms@flughafentransfer.at, www.flughafentransfer.atClimate
The region has a moderate maritime climate, generally experiencing pleasantly mild winters and relatively cool summers. Please check local conditions prior to your departure and remember that your tour will cover a significant distance and will stretch along the Danube from Passau to Budapest and back. A good website to use to research average high/low temperatures, average rainfall, and more is weatherbase.com.
Day of Rest
Any day can be used as a day of rest by opting out of cycling and remaining on board.
Remarks
On this tour, superb cuisine will top off your day. The chef and staff pride themselves on using organic ingredients and presenting top-rated cuisine. The day begins with a breakfast buffet, which offers a healthy start to the day, ranging from vegetable juices to the organic corner. For lunch, a 3-course menu is available with multiple options and a 4-course menu is available in the evenings, always also for vegetarians. In the late afternoon, a traditional 5 o’clock tea is provided, including homemade cakes and pastries in the Primavera café. At midnight, when the cinema evening in the board theater is over, midnight refreshments await you. For cycling cruises, a packed lunch is prepared.
Important to know
DOCUMENTS
Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our other international clients, please be sure that you research your own country's travel requirements. It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure proper documentation.
*Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Donau Touristik.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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