Itinerary
River Danube: Highlights Along Europe's Second Largest River
8 days / 7 nights | MS Fortuna | Self guided bike tours
Highlights of this Bike & Barge Tour
✔ Staying on the premium ship MS Fortuna
✔ Discovering small sleepy villages, castles and palaces in a gregeous countryside
✔ Easy cycling along the enchanting Danube
✔ Warm Austrian hospitality
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!
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.
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.
MS Fortuna - FREE Drink Package !
Route
Day 1 (Sun): Arrival and embarkation in Passau
Arrival in the "Three River City" with boarding starting at 4:30 p.m. Passau attracts many with the world's greatest church organ at the Stephansdom and it’s charming Old Town. Departure will be at 6 p.m. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.
Day 2: Great Loop – Aschach (Cycling 42 km / 26 miles)
The day starts in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria), where we head towards the "Great Loop" - one of the most beautiful and original sectors of the Danube. Your cycling will encounter small villages and cozy must-see taverns (relaxing 15-km-roundtrip for leisure cyclists available). You'll board again in the charming village Brandstatt. Then, you "sail into the night" towards Devin.
Day 3: Devin – Bratislava (Cycling 43 km / 27 miles)
The cycle tour takes you from Devin through Austria’s „vegetable garden“ to the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof beautifully terraced gardens and idyllic manor farm. After crossing the green line you cycle along the former “Iron Curtain” towards the coronation city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. During a bus tour and walkabout in the evening (optional) you can discover hidden alleys of Bratislava, places and all the sights of this ambitious metropolis.
Day 4: Budapest | roundtrip to Szentendre (Cycling 54 km / 34 miles)
In the morning, you enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube's gorgeous landscape on the Sundeck. The gateway to Budapest is overwhelming, as many of the famous tourist features are situated directly next to the river bank. Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for small bike tours or the charming town of Szentendre with Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art life. A very close experience of Hungarian culture you will get at an evening show with traditional music and dances (optional).
Day 5: Danube Bend – Esztergom (Cycling 43 km / 27 miles)
The Danube bend is definitely one of most delightful and attractive parts and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today's bike leg starts at Visegrad with its famous fortress and the ruins of the former palace. You can choose from 2 different routes: the longer one includes a side trip to the island of Szentendre and the baroque village of Vác which has been influenced by the architects of the Austrian empress Maria Theresia. The other route leads you directly to the bishop-town of Esztergom with its gorgeous basilica – Hungary's largest Catholic Church – overlooking the village.
Day 6: Vienna (day of rest), Sightseeing tour by bike or bus – Evening Waltz concert (optional)
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the Prater, the St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg. You can take a city tour by bike or bus (optional, not included). The gorgeous boulevard "Ringstraβe" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House and the town hall takes you back to the past. The evening ends impressively with a Waltz and Operetta concert and a glass of wine at a Viennese wine tavern or at the Castle Schönbrunn (optional, not included).
Day 7: Wachau | Krems – Melk (C ycling 37 km / 23 miles)
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. You'll be biking on cloud nine! 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! After a ceremonial gala dinner, lots of fun and entertainment can be experienced during a crew show.
Day 8: 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 a last sight at the Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") before you arrive relaxed at Passau. Arrival: approx 10 a.m., disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend to arrange connecting trips from 11:30 a.m. onwards.
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.
Map

Ship MS Fortuna
MS Fortuna
Step on board into a stylish and luxurious atmosphere. From the bright and airy Panorama Salon, the comfortable Bar or the Sun Deck (in some areas roofed over) enjoy the picturesque riverside scenery as the ship glides through the water. In the elegant Panorama Restaurant our trained crew will pamper you with local and international specialities. As well as a generous foyer with reception and shop, the ship also has a cosy library, an Internet Corner and a lift between the middle and top decks as well as a stair lift to the sun deck. Wi-Fi is available on board (although signal strength can vary, to be paid for on the ship).
3 Passenger-Decks:
Upper deck (windows to be opened), Middle deck (windows partially openable), Main
deck (windows not to be opened)
Cabins:
85 comfortable equipped outside cabins. The 2-bed cabins are approx. 14–15 m2 (Suites 25-28 m2), The cabins are equipped with a private bathroom with a shower, hair dryer, TV, safe and full air-conditioning.
Standard: Main deck, 2 separated beds, windows not to be opened
Comfort: Middle deck (front area of the ship), doublebed to be separated, 2x panorama windows not to be opened
Superior: Middle deck, doublebed to be separated, 2x panorama windows to be opened
Deluxe: Upper deck, doublebed to be separated, french balcony
Suite: Upper deck, doublebed to be separated, french balcony, add. sofa
Travel Dates & Prices 2022
Bike Cruise Passau – Budapest MS Fortuna
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.
MS Fortuna - FREE Drink Package !
Travel Dates and Prices 2022 per Person
Please click at the travel data to open the request form.
Travel Dates
Prices 2022 per Person in €
S. 1
S. 2
S. 3
Twin below deck
799,-
899,-
949,-
Twin middle comfort
899,-
999,-
1049,-
Twin middle Superior
999,-
1099,-
1149,-
Twin upper deck Deluxe
1199,-
1299,-
1349,-
Twin upper deck Suite
1479,-
1579,-
1629,-
Twin below as single
1238,-
1393,-
1471,-
Twin middle comfort as single
1393,-
1548,-
1626,-
Season 1
April/October
Season 2
May/August
Season 3
June/July/September
Optional services / Notes
Bicycle rental 21-gears, freewheel
80,- €
E-bike hire (on request)
180,- €
Own bike
25,- €
Own e-bike
35,- €
Guided cycling tours
255,- €
Parking garage Passau incl. transfer
83,- €
Parking place Passau incl. transfer
71,- €
Extra Nacht Passau 3* Double Room p.p.
Extranacht Passau 3* Single Room
Extra Nacht Passau 4* Double Room p.p.
66,- €
Extranacht Passau 4* Single Room
95,- €
- Transfer own bikes parking area - ship: 4,-
- Minimum number of participants: 90
Vaccination and health requirements for this tour: 2G
In the interest of all tour participants, full Covid 19 vaccination protection or a valid recovery certificate - valid until the end of the booked tour - is required for this Danube Cycle and Boat Trip 2022 until further notice.
Should the epidemiological situation relax in the course of the year, the organiser reserves the right to adjust the decision.
Included:
- 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air condition
- Programme according itinerary from/to Passau
- Captains greeting and Welcome Cocktail
- Daily cabin cleaning, towels and bed linen
- Full meals: breakfast, lunch on board (non cyclists) or packed lunch for cyclists, afternoon coffee break, dinner (2-3 dishes to choose), late night snack
- Drink package (from 10 am to 10 pm)
- Gala-Dinner with farewell cocktail
- Farewell-Crew-Show
- Daily Live-Music
- Cruise director on board (does not cycle with the group)
- Daily informational meeting
- Detailed road book (one per cabin)
Drink Package MS FORTUNA (valid from 10.00 - 22.00):
- Open house wines (white, rosé and red by the glass)
- Draft beer
- Non-alcoholic beer
- All types of lemonades
- All kinds of juices
- Water by the glass
- Excludes: spirits, cocktails, speciality coffees, minibar items and cabin water.
Vaccination and health requirements for this tour:
In the interest of all tour participants, full Covid 19 vaccination protection or a valid recovery certificate - valid until the end of the booked tour - is required for this Danube Cycle and Boat Trip 2022 until further notice. Should the epidemiological situation relax in the course of the year, the organiser reserves the right to adjust the decision.
FLEX TARIF: Extended rebooking option (valid for bookings from 01.11.21)
1x rebooking WITHOUT stating a reason to an alternative travel date (in 2022 or 2023) up to 28 days before departure - the price of the changed travel date applies.
Bookable for cabins of the STANDARD and COMFORT category (rebooking to a higher category possible 27 days before departure at the earliest, subject to availability).
The Flex fare can only be selected directly with the booking. Unfortunately, it is not possible to change to the Flex fare or to rebook at a later date.
Surcharge € 39,- per person
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
Comfort Relax Package (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 savour a small variety of regional wine specialties. During a guided tour by bike or bus you will pass by numerous of sights of Vienna and Budapest.
The Comfort Relax Package includes: Cycling tour guide, tasting of homemade cider directly at the cider producer, 4 ferry rides, guided city tour by bike or bus in Vienna & Budapest, wine tasting in the Wachau region.
Dates: May 22, July 17, October 2, October 9, 2022 (further dates upon request – min. 10 participants)
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: Munic, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna, Bratislava
- Trainticket Munic - 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.