Itinerary
Bike & Boat Danube 4 Countries Tour – The Highlights
Passau – Vienna – Bratislava – Budapest
8 days / 7 nights | Ship: MS Prinzessin Katharina | Self guided cycling tours
Accompanied by a 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. The highlights of the tour: Passau, the City of 3 rivers, the Schloegen Danube Loop, the Hungarian Danube Bend, the World Heritage Site Wachau, the metropoles of Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna.
Highlights of this Bike & Barge Tour
✔ Staying on the premium ship MS Prinzessin-Katharina
✔ Easy cycling along the enchanting Danube
✔ Cycling and sailing from the Bavarian "Three Rivers City" of Passau
✔ Visiting charming capitals on a glorious cycling holiday
Itinerary
Cycling kilometres 116-177 km
Day 1: Arrival in Passau | Boat trip to Engelhartszell
Individual arrival in Passau. Embarkation from approx. 16:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs. Departure to Engelhartszell around 19:00 hrs, arrival around 22:00 hrs.
Day 2: Engelhartszell – Aschach, cycle tour approx. 40–43 km | boat trip to Vienna Nussdorf
In Engelhartszell (Austria's only Trappist monastery) the cycle tour begins through the romantic river landscape of the Donauschlinge, one of the most beautiful stretches of the Danube with dreamy villages at the foot of lush green wooded slopes. In Aschach you rejoin the ship and continue your journey by boat.
Day 3: Vienna–Nussdorf (rest day)
Today there is time to discover the beauties of Vienna: perhaps the Hofburg, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the magnificent boulevard Ringstrasse with the State Opera House, Burgtheater or the City Hall? At night, boat trip to Budapest.
Day 4: Budapest (rest day) or cycle tour Szentendre approx. 48 km
Early in the morning enjoy a fantastic view of the majestic landscape of the Danube Bend and the breathtakingly beautiful panorama of Budapest from the sun deck. Explore the countless sights of Budapest or take a bike trip to the small artists' town of Szentendre with its lovingly restored old town, numerous churches and artists' galleries. At night boat trip to Visegrad.
Day 5: Visegrad, cycle tour Visegrad – Vác – Visegrad | cycle tour approx. 36 km
The cycle tour through the Danube Bend is also an excursion into Hungary's history. From the former royal seat of Visegrad you cycle through the picturesque, gently rolling countryside over the Szentendre peninsula to the baroque town of Vác with Hungary's only triumphal arch. Via small Hungarian villages you return to Visegrad. In the afternoon boat trip to Bratislava.
Day 6: Bratislava (rest day)
Arrival by ship in Bratislava in the morning. Discover the small, lively capital of Slovakia today. Tip: Enjoy a magnificent panoramic view from the Pressburg and take a ride on the vintage train through the enchanting Old Town. Alternatively, you can explore the environment of the city during a guided bike tour. At night boat trip from Bratislava to the beautiful Wachau.
Day 7: Wachau – Melk – Pöchlarn | Cycling tour approx. 40-50 km Boat trip to Passau
The gentle hilly landscape, characterised by dreamy villages, wine terraces, castles, monasteries and ruins has enchanted everyone yet. The blue tower of the collegiate church, a landmark of the Wachau, towers over the baroque town of Dürnstein. In the afternoon, the imposing Melk Abbey awaits you, one of the most important baroque buildings in Austria. In Pöchlarn you disembark again. In the evening a festive farewell dinner. At night boat trip to Passau.
Day 8: Departure from Passau
Relaxed and rested, you arrive in Passau at approx. 11:00 am.Disembarkation and individual journey home.
We recommend booking train connections from approx. 13:30.
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.
Map
Ship MS Prinzessin Katharina
MS Prinzessin Katharina
The comfortable MS Prinzessin Katharina provides the right ambience to make you feel at ease. On board the premium ship you can expect classic elegance, a tasteful interior and a friendly crew. Enjoy the special atmosphere and let yourself be spoilt by the good cuisine. On two passenger decks you will find a panoramic restaurant, a comfortable salon, two bars and an inviting foyer, a book corner, a small shop and a hairdresser's salon. On the spacious, partly covered sun deck there are enough deck chairs available.
All 71 cabins are outside cabins and comfortably and tastefully furnished featuring en-suite facilities with shower/WC, hair dryer, air-conditioning, TV, on-board-radio, telephone and a small refrigerator.
Cabins
Upper deck: 29 two-bed cabins, 1 triple cabin und 2 single cabins; all cabins have approx. 11 m2 with French balcony (= floor-to-ceiling windows which can be opened). 2-bed cabins with a sofa bed and a pullman bed (stowed during the day for more comfort). In the triple cabin a 3rd bed is folded down from the wall (max. 80 kg).
Main deck: 38 two-bed cabins, 1 single cabin (all cabins have approx.
11 m2) with two sofa beds standing in a right angle and a picture window (not to open).
Technical Details:
Year of construction: 1990. Refurbishment: 2015. Registry: Malta. Length: 110 m. Width: 11,20 m. Draft: 1 m. Passengers: max. 140. Number of crew: 30.
Travel Dates & Prices 2025
Bike Cruise Passau – Budapest MS Prinzessin Katharina
Travel Dates and Prices 2025 per Person
Please click at the travel data to open the request form.
Travel Dates
Prices 2025 per Person in €
S. 1
S. 2
S. 3
*Twin main deck astern
849,-
949,-
1049,-
Twin main deck
999,-
1099,-
1199,-
Single main deck
1299,-
1399,-
1499,-
Triple upper deck
949,-
1049,-
1149,-
Twin upper deck
1199,-
1299,-
1399,-
Single upper deck
1499,-
1599,-
1699,-
Season 1
Apr 12 + Oct 04
Season 2
Apr 26 + Sep 27
Season 3
May 10 - Sept 06
*Cabins in front and at rear of the ship; perceptive engine and generator noise (when ship is in motion and in locks)
MD = Main Deck
UP = Upper Deck
Optional services / Notes
Cycle hire (7 gears)
89,- €
E-bike hire / with freewheel
199,- €
Bring your own bike / e-bike (on request)
39,- €
Supplement twin for single use (Main Deck)
+40%
Parking (garage) in Passau, transfer included
94,- €
Parking space in Passau, transfer included
80,- €
- Reduction for children: 20% up to 12.9 years
in a 3-bed cabin with 2 full-paying guests.
- Minimum number of participants: 80
Included
- 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities in the booked cabin category
- All passenger fees and port fees
- Captains greeting and Welcome-Drink
- Daily cabin cleaning. Changing of towels and bed cloths as necessary.
- Full meals: 7x breakfast, 6x packed lunch for cyclists or lunch snack on board (non cyclists), 6x afternoon
coffee break, 6x 3-course-dinner and 1x farewell-dinner with farewell-drink
- On-board musician
- Daily informational meeting
- Daily informational meeting
- Digital travel documents via GUIBO-App incl. GPS tracks for bike tours
- Tour guide on board
Services not included:
Journey to and from Passau, shuttles, bike rental, entrance fees and excursions, city maps, ferry fees, travel insurances, parking fees, tips, drinks on board
Tour level
Easy self guided cycle tours from 15 to 60 km/9 to 37 miles. Usually you will cycle on paved tracks without any gradients of note.
We reserve the right to change the programme a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.
Digital Travel documents and roadmaps: In the interest of sustainability and climate protection, please choose our digital route book instead of printed travel documents. The GUIBO app is your constant companion during your SE-Tours original trip. A glance at your smartphone is enough to keep you safe and worry-free, with all the important information at hand. Travel information, ship and contact details and your bike tours are available digitally in the route book, available offline and thus accessible at any time. The app is available for free and works on all standard smartphones. You will automatically receive the access data to download your booked trip via email before your journey begins.
Bicycle rental
7 gears unisex trekking bicycles with normal mount (ladies’ model) and 8 gears E-Bikes with normal mount (ladies’ model). Brand: Velo de Ville. Each with hand brake, coaster breaking hubs or freewheel hubs (subject to availability - please indicate as non-binding customer request when booking) and pannier bag. E-bikes are available after prior request and at limited number only.
We recommend to wear a bike helmet (compulsory use for helmets: In Austria for children till 12 years; in Slovakia for children till 15 years and for all cyclists outside built-up areas.).
Please bring your own bicycle helmet (not available on board) and, if necessary, your high-visibility waistcoat from home.
To bring your own bike: on request only – due to lack of space on sundeck.
Own e-bikes
Bring your own e-bikes: Only e-bikes with removable batteries are allowed!
Meals on board
Every day there is a good breakfast, lunch or packed lunch (depending on the program for cycling). Afternoon coffee and cake on board as well as a 3-course-dinner. Diet food: (lactose- or gluten-free) on request and at extra cost. Please advise us 14 days before departure and please bring your special diet products along.
Languages on board
German and English
Land excusions
we offer an optional (surcharge - not included in the tour price) excursion programme which can be booked directly on board at the cruise director only. Together with your travel documents you will get a brief description. Depending on the number of participants some excursions could be carried out in 2 languages (German/ English)
Routing/Program
Basically, we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program. 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. The same applies for officially ordered - previously not announced - repair work on locks or bridges. 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.
Arrival and parking
You can park in a parking garage or on an enclosed outdoor area including transfer to the ship and back. A form for reservation you will receive with your travel documents.
This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
