Itinerary
River Danube: Highlights Along Europe's Second Largest River
8 days / 7 nights | MS Vivienne | Self guided bike tours
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 hotel" 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.
Highlights of this Bike & Barge Tour
✔ Staying on the premium ship MS Vivienne
✔ Discovering small sleepy villages, castles and palaces in a gregeous countryside
✔ Easy cycling along the enchanting Danube
✔ Warm Austrian hospitality
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 Vivienne
MS Vivienne
The exquisite premium ship MV Vivienne (renovated 2020) sets new standards in comfort and spaciousness and offers a tasteful, high-quality ambience in a luxurious style. Experience a fantastic view of breathtakingly beautiful natural landscapes, sometimes from the saddle of a bicycle, sometimes from the inviting, partially covered sun deck.
Onboard Facilities
Panorama Restaurant, Panorama-Lounge/Bar, Library, Sundeck with comfortable deckchairs, Bord-Shop, WIFI (payable locally, connection may vary)
The panorama lounge, equipped with comfortable club chairs and sofas in light colours, and a cozy bar offer a very special atmosphere. In the first-class, light-flooded panorama restaurant, you can take a culinary journey through the Danube countries and their variety of flavours. Rest and relaxation awaits you after an eventful day of cycling: on the spacious, partly covered sun deck you can enjoy a very special kind of nature cinema with a glass of wine together with like-minded people.
Decks
Main Deck (lowest passengerdeck) - cabin STANDARD (upper windows, NON-opening)
Middle Deck - cabin KOMFORT (large picture window , NON-opening), cabin SUPERIOR (french balcony )
Upper Deck - cabin SUPERIOR, JUNIOR-SUITE, MASTER-SUITE (french balcony)
The 76 outside cabins are spacious 15 - 30 m², present themselves in light colors and modern design with optimal use of space and are in no way inferior to a first-class hotel room. All cabins have double beds, which can also be separated into 2 single beds, private facilities, hairdryer, telephone, satellite TV, safe and individually adjustable air conditioning; Suites offer a front row seat with a view and are add. equipped with minibar (against surcharge) and coffee machine.
STANDARD Cabin:
15 m², situated on the main deck; doublebed to be separated, upper window (NON-opening)
COMFORT Cabin:
15 m², situated on the middle deck; doublebed to be separated, large picture window (NON-opening)
SUPERIOR Cabin:
15 m², situated on the middle- and upper deck; doublebed to be separated, French balcony
JUNIOR-SUITE:
22 m², situated on the upper deck; doublebed to be separated, French balcony , minibar (for fee), coffeemaker
MASTER-SUITE:
30 m², situated on the upper deck; separated sitting area; doublebed to be separated, French balcony , minibar (for fee), coffeemaker
Technical Details
Capacity (146 guests) | Length (110 m) | Beam (11,4 m / 38 ft) | Draft (1,4 m / 3,2 ft) | Cruising speed (22 kmh / 14 mph) | Crew (approx. 35) | Voltage (220 Volt) | Languages aboard (German / English)
Travel Dates & Prices 2025
Bike Cruise Passau – Budapest MS Vivienne
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.
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
S. 4
Twin below deck
899,-
999,-
1149,-
1299,-
Twin middle comfort
1219,-
1319,-
1469,-
1619,-
Twin Superior
1419,-
1519,-
1669,-
1819,-
Twin Juniorsuite
1719,-
1819,-
1969,-
2119,-
Twin Mastersuite
1919,-
2019,-
2169,-
2319,-
Twin below single use
1393,-
1548,-
1781,-
2013,-
Season 1
Apr 20, Oct 12
Season 2
Apr 27, Oct 5
Season 3
May, Aug 03 - 24
Season 4
June, July, Aug 31, Sept
Optional services / Notes
Bicycle rental 24-gears, freewheel
99,- €
E-bike hire (on request)
219,- €
Own bike
29,- €
Own e-bike (max. 23 kg without the battery)
49,- €
Rental helmet
15,- €
Guided cycling tours
325,- €
Parking garage Passau incl. transfer
94,- €
Parking place Passau incl. transfer
80,- €
Extra Nacht Passau 4* Double Room p.p.
81,- €
Extranacht Passau 4* Single Room
119,- €
- Transfer own bikes parking area - ship: 5,-
- Single cabin only at below deck
- Minimum number of participants: 90
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
- Gala-Dinner with farewell cocktail
- Passenger and port charges
- Cruise director on board (does not cycle with the group)
- Daily informational meeting
- Detailed road book (one per cabin)
- Bike travel app + GPS data
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
Individual Cyclingtour
You´ll receive a detailed roadbook with maps and infomation to the routing on board. You do not cycle in a group – you cycle individually in your own tempo and you are therefore able to time your day to your needs. Only the schedule gives you a time frame.
Our cruise director explains the evening before the next cycling path in the daily breefings and informs you about the specifics and gives tipps about sightseeing, possibilities to take a rest and specialities.
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.
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 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.
Dates: 20. + 27.04., 18.05., 08.06., 06. + 27.07., 24.08., 14.09., 05. + 12.10.2025
Additional services in guided tour
- Cycling tour guide
- Tasting of homemade cider directly at the cider farm in the Upper-Danube valley
- Wine tasting in the Wachau region
- Guided city tour by bike in Vienna
- Guided city tour by bus in Budapest
- Ferry rides
- Rental helmet (for adults)
Bicycles and Equipment
Our bicycles are the most modern quality bikes of the brand KTM, which were specially designed for the requirements and the wishes of our guests. This resulted in easy-running, robust touring bikes with low comfort entry and puncture-proof tires. The elevated handlebars allow for comfortable and back-friendly riding. The bikes in our fleet are usually not older than 3 years. During the duration of the trip you are liable for damage, loss or theft. Bike insurance can be purchased on board.
The following bikes are available for rent:
24-Speed UNISEX* with comfort entry, hand brakes and freewheel
E-Bikes (Pedelecs) UNISEX with freewheel and 28" tires in frame sizes 46 / 51 / 56 cm.
*Men’s frames are provided for men over 188 cm tall.
Our rental bikes are equipped with: Pannier, handlebar bag, air pump. Per cabin you will receive a service kit with tools and a bike lock. In the on-board store you will receive quality bicycle helmets as well as cycling clothing (e.g. jerseys, pants, sweaters, rain jackets, rain ponchos).
On request, 7-speed UNISEX* touring bikes with hand and coaster brakes can be provided, as well as child seats, child trailers and pull-along bikes.
Electric Bikes | E-Bikes | Pedelecs
We provide modern quality e-bikes (pedelecs) with 8-speed hub gears and low UNISEX comfort entry. The bikes have a powerful Bosch mid-motor and strong 500wh battery. IMPORTANT: please reserve ebikes early, as they are only available in very limited numbers.
Own e-bikes
Take your own e-bike (max. 23 kg without the battery)
Bring your own e-bikes: Only e-bikes with removable batteries are allowed! Max. weight: 23 kg without battery.
Arrival – Parking – Departure
Arrival by car
If you arrive in Passau with your own car, we offer you a place in the Globus parking hall. We will bring you with your luggage from the parking hall to the ship and back.
Arrival by train
train station: Passau Hbf. The berth is about 3 km from the station. Cabs are available at the station.
Bus from Passau HBF
From Passau HBF: with bus line 8,10 and 11 to the station Stelzhamerstraße - approx. 650m from the shipping station Passau/Racklau.
Details and scedules can be found >>here
Please allow sufficient time for your train journey, as delays are also possible here. You should choose your connection so that you reach the port in time, at the latest 2 hours before departure. Please note that you are responsible for your own timely arrival at the port. Timetables and information you find at Deutsche Bahn or ÖBB.
Arrival by plane
Airport: Munich (MUC)
From Munich airport it is best to take the bus to Freising train station (travel time approx. 30 min.) and then continue by train to Passau (approx. 2 h)Timetables and information you find at Deutsche Bahn or ÖBB.
We are also happy to organize a private transfer directly from the airport to Passau. For details please refer to the price section of the trip.
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.