Passau-Budapest / 4 countries - 3 metropolises
The lightest cycling holiday, covering largely flat terrain, suitable for everyone and people of all ages; with distances to 45 kilometers. You spend about 4 hours on your bicycle.
By bike and boat from the “Bavarian Venice“ directly into the heart of the famous and glamorous former Imperial and Royal monarchy Austria/Hungary. Look forward to visiting three of Europe’s most charming capitals: Vienna, the metropolis of waltz, Bratislava, the capital of coronation and Budapest, the „Paris of the East“.
This bike and boat tour leads you to the romantic „Great Loop“ (Schlögener Donauschlinge), the picturesque Danube Bend with Hungary’s largest cathedral and the legendary Wachau valley, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage with its small villages, beautiful palaces and castles.
This tour can also be booked as an individual trip, without an accompanying tour guide: Danube Waltz.
Boarding time at 4.30 p.m. Located at the confluence of Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau has numerous 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!
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.
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.
The entrance to Budapest, Hungary’s capital is stunning. Savour the beauty of Budapest during a coach tour or a guided bike tour (optional) to discover many of the highlights of this beautiful city. You can also choose to cycle to the charming town of Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene. You will get a very close experience of Hungarian culture at an evening Folklore show with traditional music, local appetizers and dance (optional).
Situated in the middle of the Danube River the idyllic isle of Szentendre exudes silent Puszta romance. History, folklore and hungarian way of life will accompany you on your way to Esztergom where the gorgeous basilica – Hungary’s largest Catholic Church is impressing its guests.
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) at a famous Viennese Palace.
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 Valley. Amidst dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everybody who visits. In Weißenkirchen (possibility to do a wine-tasting – optional) you will find comfortable wine taverns along the bike path.
As you cruise back up the Danube, enjoy the early morning sunshine as you wind your way to Passau, where you will disembark at about 10:00 am. Connecting travel should not be booked earlier than 11.30 am.
Austria
Our carefully selected routes will lead you along the most beautiful spots of the Danube region
Supplements:
Reservation costs € 20,- per booking
Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person (Insolvency Protection)
Departure on Sunday in May & August (price in 2023 / in 2024)
Main deck: twin cabin Standard € 1.398,- / € 1.398,-
Middle deck: twin cabin Comfort € 1.698,- / € 1.718,-
Middle deck + Upperdeck: twin cabin Superior € 1.898,- / € 1.918,-
Upper deck: twin Junior Suite € 2.198,- / € 2.218,-
Upper deck: twin Master Suite € 2.398,- / € 2.418,-
Departure on Sunday in June/July/September (prices in 2023 / in 2024)
Main deck: twin cabin Standard € 1.498,- / € 1.498,-
Middle deck: twin cabin Comfort € 1.798,- / € 1.818,-
Middle deck + Upperdeck: twin cabin Superior € 1.998,- / € 2.018,-
Upper deck: twin Junior Suite € 2.298,- / € 2.318,-
Upper deck: twin Master Suite € 2.498,- / € 2.518,-
Extras (price in 2023 / in 2024)
Private transfer from/to Munich Airport, one-way, max. 8 people € 260,- / € 270,-
Private transfer from/to Munich City, one-way, max. 8 people € 240,- / € 320,-
Extra options:
21-speed Unisex hybrid bike € 89,-
E-Bike Unisex € 189,-
Bringing own bike € 29,-
Bringing own E-bike € 39,-
Bike helmet (helmet use is mandatory in Slovakia) for adults; available in shop on board
Embarkation: from 4 pm.
Drop-off luggage + bikes: possible from 2.30 pm
The ship is moored at one of the following docking-addresses:
- Passau-Lindau (A), Franz-Weismann-Straße an der B 388
- Passau-Racklau (B), Racklau 3a
- Passau-Schalding (C), Industriestrasse 14a
Please note: place of embarkation/disembarkation can be changed by the port authorities even on the day of arrival. You will find the web site where you can check the correct mooring place in your travel documents
If you cannot find your ship, please contact the cruise manager on board (phone number in your travel documents).
The nearest international airport to the embarkation point in Passau is Munich Airport (MUC). Driving Munich airport - Passau (via Freising): approx. 2 1/2 h (bus/taxi, train)
Recommended routing:
Munich - Freising
BUS Munich Airport - Freising train station (ca. € 3,30/person)
TAXI Munich Airport – Freising train station (ca. € 30,-/way)
Freising - Passau
TRAIN Freising – Passau / Bayernticket: 1st person € 26,- >> www.bahn.de
every next person € 6,- (up to person).; driving time approx. 2 hrs
Passau is connected with the regional and intercity trafficnet of the Deutschen Bahn (german train). Main train station is reachable - depending on the ship landing stage of the ship - between 2-6 km. You´ll find taxis at the Airport exit. No liability for any delays. Please be informed that seat reservations can only be done via Deutsche Bahn AG (f.i. via webpage >>www.bahn.de) or in your travel agency.
Driveway to the dockings Passau Lindau / Racklau / Schalding:
Driveway is possible - parking is forbidden, stops only for un-/loading
Car parking Passau: attended parking lot € 68,- / garage € 79,-
(incl. transfer to / from ship, payable locally; prebooking required)
In Passau we offer a guarded parking possibility with our Partner Globus Parkservice / Eichberger Reisen.
Parking for special vehicles (caravan, minibus, van) for additional charge. Prices incl. 2 transfers (parking-ship-parking). A transferbus will bring you directly to the ship. As buses cannot reach pier 1 or 2 you will get off at Römerplatz (pier 5) and have to walk the last meters (walking distance approx. 4-5 min.). Your luggage will be delivered seperately by minibus directly to the ship.
Further information will be given within your travel documents prior departure.
Disembarkation will take place after arrival of the ship (about 10:00 h) and will take about 1 hour to complete.
Please take this into account when planning your return journey and do not book trains before 11:30 h.
Note for private departing guests: Taxis are very popular in Passau on embarkation and disembarkation days - very long waiting times.
Further information can be obtained on board from the cruise line or at the reception.
On this tour the following barges are scheduled
The exquisite premium ship MV Vivienne sets new standards in comfort and spaciousness and offers a tasteful, high-quality ambience in a luxurious style. Read more...
Stylish, elegant and timelessly beautiful - this is how the premium ship MS Swiss Crown presents itself as it glides gently along the Danube river. Read more...
By this tours you can rent the following bikes:
Our modern e-bikes (pedelecs) are quality branded bikes with hub gear, freewheel, powerful electric motor and gradually selectable pedal assistance. To be booked only by experienced cyclists with a very good sense of balance. Not suitable for people who rarely ride a bicycle.
Bicycles are modern and high stardard quality of KTM. We offer 28-Zoll-Unisex-tourbikes with deep comfort-entrance. The bikes are equipped with either 21 or 24-derailleur-gear (depending on ship) with override, caliper breaks and robust wheels.
Imagine a floating hotel sailing to the next stage, while you are calmly pedalling along. No lugging of luggage: that is exactly what Bike & Barge is all about! In the pleasant atmosphere on board you can have a chat, go through the day with the others, and enjoy the meals prepared specially for cyclists. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink and admire the setting sun on deck. 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.
Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury. Please keep in mind that our ship is a river vessel, not a large ocean cruise ship. Riverboat cabins, in comparison, are relatively small, and ship amenities, in general, are comfortable but not lavish. On some docks several ships are docked next to each other and noise and other disturbances cannot be avoided. Please do not forget that the ship is your hotel as well as a machine, which has to be maintained and operated. A certain level of noise is therefore inevitable.
The captain, cruise director, the chef and tour guide all welcome you warmly. They are prepared specifically for these trips and will provide good and safe passage, good meals, and a friendly, pleasant atmosphere. They will, of course, also give you a great deal of interesting information during and after the cycling and sailing. The captain is responsible for the smooth running of things on board; the chef is in charge of the catering. The cruise director will be available to answer questions and solve any problem you may have during the entire week. During the daily meeting he will provide you with useful information referring the next cycling-day.
The Vivienne has a capacity of 146 people. On this guided tour you cycle in a small group (max. 18 people). A local tour leader accompanies you during this bike ride and can assist in case of breakdowns. He/She will be your guide to point out the things of interest along the way and is multi-lingual (German/English). 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.
Individual tour
If you prefer to cycle individually in your own tempo and to time your day to your needs without a tour guide, you also can book the self-guided option: the Danube Waltz. You will receive a detailed roadbook with maps and infomation to the routing on board.
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 menu-choice, coffee-/tea break with sweets in the afternoon. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lacto-free etc is no problem. Special meals have to be ordered latest by 3 weeks prior departure. Please be informed that due to the limited shopping possibilities of the constantly changing ports, not all diets can be offered. In individual cases and by appointment, you are also welcome to bring along your own food for your special meal.
One of the most attractive aspects of the Bike & Barge holidays is that you encounter an international company on board. It’s a great opportunity for you to get to know various cultures at the same time! We have people of all ages, solo travelers, couples and also families with children (during the school holidays).
Most of the participants then wear rainwear. When the weather is so bad that cycling becomes really impossible (and that is almost never the case!), The guide organizes an alternative program with, for example, cultural excursions and city tours.
The main countries represented by our cycling guests are: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and France. The common language on board is English.
No, the barge doesn’t take the same route that the cyclists do. Sometimes the route may be altered because of weather conditions or repairs to bridges or locks and then the guests and the guide can arrange with the skipper to be met at a different place. Naturally you can always stay on board for one or more days.
Yes, free WiFi is limited available in lounge and on deck.
Bike insurance (not available on all bike tours. This is indicated on the tour page under ‘Rent a bike’). The bicycle insurance covers the cost of the repair or replacement of bicycle parts in case of an accident. It also protects against theft of the bike while it was locked.
For more information: Insurances