Cycling along the Danube offers an exhilarating adventure in several ways. Between Passau and Vienna, you'll encounter urban treasures, diverse landscapes, architectural marvels, and gastronomic pleasures. Your accommodation, the stylish MS Prinzessin Katharina, accompanies you on the water. Yes, you heard that correctly - your accommodation for this journey is aboard a ship!
Your journey commences in Passau, the Bavarian city nestled among three rivers. Passau captivates with its Mediterranean-like cityscape, the grand Baroque cathedral, and the bustling old town. Setting off from Engelhartszell with its picturesque monastery, your first cycling stage guides you past the stunning Schlögener Schlinge to Aschach. From there, you'll continue your route by boat to Linz and Mauthausen before reaching the charming town of Grein in Strudengau by bicycle.
On day 4, you cycle to Melk and visit the magnificent abbey there. While you recover from the day's stage, the MS Princess Katharina takes you to Tulln. You reach the Danube metropolis via Klosterneuburg. Day 6 is all about the Austrian capital Vienna. The last stage takes you through the vineyards and winegrowing villages of the Wachau. After a farewell dinner, the MS Katharina will take you back to the city of Passau.
The majestic Schlögener Schlinge: Where the Danube literally bit into granite over time, two 180-degree bends were formed. Take a break for a ferry ride or hike up to the Schlögener Blick viewpoint.
The idyllic Wachau: The renowned wine-growing region captivates with its terraced vineyards and picturesque villages. The towns of Dürnstein and Spitz, the Benedictine Abbey of Melk, and the Danube itself create a cultural and natural oasis. It's not just wine lovers who will enjoy it here - be sure to try the apricot specialties, whether it's jam, schnapps, or dumplings.
History meets contemporary in Vienna: The splendid capital of Austria leaves a lasting impression with its imperial architecture, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Schönbrunn Palace. It's no wonder it has been voted the most livable city in the world numerous times. Visit the Kahlenberg for a breathtaking panoramic view and delve into the world of art, whether at the Hundertwasserhaus or the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
The Danube Cycle Path is a highly popoular destination for cycling enthusiasts, and for good reason. Its flat terrain, stunning natural scenery, and abundance of historically and culturally significant sites and towns make Europe's second-longest river a truly special vacation destination. On this eight-day tour from Passau to Vienna and back, you'll cover approximately 210 kilometers of its total length of 2,850 kilometers.
Traveling by bike and boat is unique in many ways. Your floating hotel accompanies you during the cycling stages and transports you to the next destination, allowing you to relax or enjoy breakfast in the meantime. It's the perfect balance between activity and relaxation!
itinerary at a glance
The Episcopal city close to the Austrian border is also known as the "City of three Rivers." Boarding time is at approx. 4-5 pm, departure around 7 pm. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.
Need a boost? Try some of the special cordials and liqueurs in the Trappist monastery in Engelhartszell. Supposedly, they have "special healing power." Downstream, the way 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 (approx. € 6 per pers.). Shipping from Aschach to Linz. Tip: discover Linz, the capital of upper Austria while riding on the bright yellow City-Express.
In the early morning shipping to Mauthausen. You have the possibility to visit the memorial-place KZ-Mauthausen. The Celtic town Mitterkirchen gives you an insight of the past. The route continues through the fertile area of the Machland region. The destination of the day's stage is the charming town of Grein. Also called “the pearl of the Strudengau” due to its idyllic location. Worth a visit in Grein: the impressive Castle of Greinburg (closed on Mondays - can only be visited as part of an optional excursion).
Today's stage is marked by a diverse landscape. At the beginning, there is 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. At night shipping to Tulln, famous for its numerous market gardens where the famous Art Nouveau artist Egon Schiele was born.
Right in front of Vienna's entrance, embedded in a breathtaking landscape, the monastery of Klosterneuburg is situated. You can already see the cupola of this 900-year-old baroque building 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.
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg, the gorgeous boulevard "Ringstraβe" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House or the town hall that takes you back to the past. Take your time in the afternoon to stroll or visit one of the famous Viennese coffee bars. In the night shipping to Rossatz or Dürnstein.
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 the evening farewell dinner and cocktail.
Every journey draws to an end. Arrival in Passau is about 11 am, disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend to book train connections from approx. 1:30 pm onwards.
Flat and slightly downhill, for relaxed cycling, suitable for beginners and children.
Prices & Dates
Prices per person in EUR
Our rental bikes
The different types of rental bikes at a glance
Unisex bike
High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry
Available gear options can be found in the price table
Unisex Electro bike
High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry
services & information
Further details about this tour
Included
Program according to itinerary from/to Passau
7 nights in outside cabins in the booked cabin category
1 welcome drink
Full meals (7x breakfast, 6x packed lunch for cyclists or lunch snack on board, 6x afternoon coffee break, 6x 3-course-dinner and 1x farewell-dinner with farewell-drink)
On board tour guide incl. daily tour briefing
Daily cabin cleaning, change of bed linen and towels as needed
1 route book per cabin
App for navigation and GPS-data
All harbour, lock and bridge fees
Optional
Bring your own bike/electric bike: €39,- (on request only, limited)
Helmets €40,-/week, reservation necessary and to be paid for in advance
Arrival / Parking / Departure
Passau train station, approx. 5 km from the jetty
Parking lot (fenced outdoor area) incl. transfer to the ship and back, reservation necessary
THINGS TO NOTE
Minimum number of participants: 80 persons
Further important information according to the package travel law and additional information about your bike and boat trip can be found here!
This tour is a partner tour.
Your ship
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We wish you a relaxing Christmas and a happy new year and a healthy and active 2025! PS: Book now until 28 February and benefit from our early booking discount!
