Itinerary Passau - Puszta
Cycle cruise along the Danube to the picturesque Puszta in Hungary
Passau - Puszta - Passau
8 days / 7 nights | from / to Passau | Ship MS Primadonna | Self guided bike tours
Experience an unforgettable cycle cruise along the Danube, from Passau to the picturesque Puszta in Hungary and back to Passau. Immerse yourself in the fascinating landscape as you cycle along the river and discover the beauty of the Danube region. On your journey you will reach the enchanting Puszta, a region in Hungary known for its vast plains, idyllic villages and traditional Hungarian culture. Explore the picturesque landscape by bike and be enchanted by the hospitable atmosphere of the Puszta. Here you can sample traditional Hungarian dishes, experience folklore performances and perhaps even enjoy an exciting horse show. The combination of cycling along the Danube and exploring the fascinating Puszta makes this cycle cruise an unforgettable adventure full of cultural and scenic treasures.
Highlights of this Bike & Barge Tour
✔ Staying on the premium ship MS Primadonna
✔ Passau - picturesque old town at the corner of three rivers
✔ Puszta - vast plains, idyllic villages and traditional Hungarian culture
✔ Bratislava - picturesque old town and imposing castle
✔ Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion, Castle Palace, St Stephen's Basilica
✔ Natural wonder Schlögener Schlinge
Itinerary
Day 1 (Fri): Arrival Passau
Individual arrival in Passau by train or car. Transfer from the Donau Touristik private car park or Passau main station to the ship. Embarkation from 16:30 hrs. During the welcome dinner at around 19:00, it's time to cast off. Through the Danube bend at Schlögen, you will sail along the longest hillside and ravine forests in Central Europe at Aschach (crossing at around 21:30).
Day 2 (Sat): Ybbs – Dürnstein (Cycling 54 km / 34 miles)
Handover of the hire bikes. Past Säusenstein to Melk (abbey) and through the wine-growing villages of Spitz and Weißenkirchen to Dürnstein.
Day 3 (Sun): Komárno - Štúrovo/Esztergom | Slovakian Danube cycle path (Cycling 56 km / 34 miles)
Along the car-free cycle path on/near the Danube to Kelemantia (Roman fort), Moča and Štúrovo/Esztergom (cathedral). By boat through the Danube bend past Visegrád. Crossing Budpest at around 22:00.
Day 4 (Mon): Baja - Kalocsa - Budapest (Cycling 49 km / 33 miles).
To the baroque town of Baja (town hall, cathedral) and via the Danube cycle path and the most famous pilgrimage route in Hungary (all car-free) to Kalocsa (capital of the Puszta). Lunch on board and in the afternoon via car-free paths to the centre (cathedral, paprika museum). Optional: guided tour of the cathedral and bishop's palace.
Day 5 (Tue): Budapest | cycle tour Budapest/Szentendre (Cycling 22 km / 14 miles)
Optional: City tour (duration approx. 3 hours with a stop in the castle district). Continue on car-free cycle paths to Margaret Island, Parliament and Market Hall. Active version: Via the Danube cycle path to the artists' town of Szentendre and back (+ 52 km).
Day 6 (Wed): Šamorín - Bratislava | Slovakian Danube Cycle Route (Cycling 24 km / 15 miles)
Car-free and along/near the Danube to the centre of Bratislava. Lunch on board. Afterwards time for individual sightseeing. Optional: guided city tour with Bratislava Castle Park (duration approx. 2 hours). Active version: cycle tour to the magnificent palace of Empress Maria Theresa Schloss Hof (+ 48 km).
Day 7 (Thu): Grein - Linz-Urfahr | Austrian Danube Cycle Path (Cycling Wachau 62 km /38 miles)
Car-free cycle past the castles of Dornach, Clam, Wallsee and Pragstein and the Pleschinger lakes to Linz. Return the hire bikes at the Donau Touristik office (near Hauptplatz/Pfarrplatz). Optional: "200 years of Anton Bruckner" concert on the Bruckner organ in Linz.
Day 8 (Fri): Disembarkation / Passau
Disembarkation until 10:00 am. Bus transfer to the Danube car park/train station in Passau and return journey.
All times are estimated and always subject to change due to high or low water, changed lock times and other unforeseeable force majeure!
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.
Map
Cruise Ship Primadonna
MS Primadonna
The luxurious cruise liner, the only one on the Danube to fly the Austrian flag, was built in Germany in 1998 and underwent a general overhaul in 2009. The spacious facilities – the hotel hall is 60 meters long – is a lively place to meet people and socialise and includes the panoramic restaurant "Primagusto", the panoramic bar "Primaaperitivo", the Danube arena "Primavista" and the "Primatheatro". There is airconditioning on the entire ship (and are individually adjustable in the cabins). The second largest Danube cruise ship is 113.5 meters long and 17.4 meters wide. The architecture makes a stay on the MS Primadonna a first class experience, with the interesting double hull design (catamaran), the 6 meter high bow ventrification, as well as a glass floor in the reception, which draws one's attention to the underwater world. There are a Jacuzzi, sun chairs and cosy seating arrangements on the outdoor deck. The spa area offers a large, indoor Jacuzzi, a Kneip pool and a sauna. Massages are available by advance reservation.
Cabins
All 80 Cabins on the MS Primadonna are outside cabins with individually adjustable air conditioning, with shower and toilet, hair dryer, satellite television, telephone, mini-bar and spacious wardrobes. The main deck cabins are approximately 12 m2 and are equipped with a large, unopenable porthole. The spacious cabins on the upper and promenade decks are appr. 16m² and are equipped with a balcony with bench seat.
Gastronomy
Sophisticated, international standard with specialities of the Danube countries, especially Viennese cuisine. The meals are prepared primarily with organic ingredients. In the morning, there is an American breakfast buffet with an organic food corner. For lunch, there is a light, 3-course, a la carte menu or a packed lunch for cyclers. In the evening, there is a 4-course a la carte menu and once a week there is a large gala buffet. In late afternoon, we offer tea or coffee and cake. Additionally, there is a "Primadonna Snack Bar" in late evening.
Technical Information
113.5 m long and 17.4 m wide, 17 knots speed. 2 main engines. 3 auxiliary engines, 2 air conditioners; 1.7 m draught, 8.2 m above the water level. Second largest cruise line on the Danube.
Travel Dates & Prices 2024
Bike Cruise Passau – Puszta MS Primadonna
Travel Dates and Prices 2024 per Person
Please click at the travel data to open the request form.
Travel Dates
Prices 2024 per Person in €
Season 31.05., 19.07., 23.08.
Twin below deck ECO
940,- €
Twin below deck
1190,- €
Twin upper deck
1699,- €
Twin promenade deck
1795,- €
Optional services / Notes
Bike rental 21 speed freewheel + pannier
90,- €
E-bike rental + pannier
190,- €
Single below deck front/rear
25%,- €
Single below deck
50%,- €
Single cabin upper-/promenade deck
75%,- €
Own bike free of charge
0,- €
Car park outdoor area Passau incl. collective transfer
65,- €
Excursion package
65,- €
- Main deck cabin (except aft) occupancy up to max. 4 persons. 3rd and 4th person in bunk beds/fold-in upper beds.
- Upper deck cabin occupancy up to max. 3 persons (75 x 185 cm sofa bed)
- Reduction children in a cabin with 2 adults: Till 5,9 years: 100%, till 11,9 years: 50%, from 12 years: 25%.
- Minimum number of participants: 100
Services
- Bike cruise with 7 x full board incl. harbour fees in the booked double cabin shower/WC/TV/safe/minibar/adjustable air conditioning
- Passenger transfer to the ship & back (fixed times) in Passau
- 2 x hydrojet waterbed muscle massage (approx. 15 min.) per cabin
- On-board tour guide and daily route information
- Detailed route description & cycle maps as well as GPS data for the route
Rental bikes and e-bikes
The rental bikes are smooth-running 7-speed bikes with hub gears, coaster brake and comfortable saddle. If you wish, you can also book 21-speed bikes with freewheel at no extra charge. Please specify which bikes you prefer when booking. All bikes are available in different frame sizes. Including luggage carrier bag on both sides for the day's luggage. These quality bikes (Schauff, Kettler, KTM) are well maintained and thus ensure puncture-free bike tours. When you pick up your bike, you can try it out and the on-site staff will adjust it to your liking.
The e-bikes are 8-speed Kalkhoff bikes (Agattu Impulse or similar) with hub gears, 28" tires, suspension handlebars, with frame heights of 50, 55 and 60cm, high running ability and a daily range of at least 70 km on the flat (depending on how you ride). The dead weight of the e-bikes is only 19 kg and the bikes are easy to ride even without electric drive. On request, you can also rent a model with a low entrance. The e-bikes have two hand brakes, there are no e-bikes with coaster brakes available.
For your own safety, we recommend that you wear a bicycle helmet.
You can bring your own bike free of charge, but at your own risk. We cannot be held liable for any damage to your own bike during the entire bike tour. Even with your own wheels you will receive a luggage carrier bag on loan.
Route profile
The cycle route is mostly flat to slightly hilly. If you don't feel like cycling, you can also cover the route on board and enjoy the riverside scenery from the ship.
Excursion package
Guided tour of Kalocsa Cathedral and Bishop's Palace, city tour of Budapest, city tour of Bratislava, concert on the Bruckner organ in Linz (minimum 20 participants). Some excursions can also be booked individually subject to availability and according to the price list on board (e.g. Budapest city tour approx. € 50).
The meals on board
On board, you will be spoilt with international specialities from the Danube countries, especially Viennese cuisine. The meals are mainly prepared with organic food. An American breakfast with an organic corner awaits you in the morning. At lunchtime there is a light 3-course menu of your choice for all guests staying on board or a packed lunch for cyclists. Tea or coffee incl. cake are available for you in the late afternoon. A 4-course menu of your choice is served in the evening and a 'prima donna snack' at the end of the day in the late evening.
On-board shop
Bicycle clothing is available in the on-board shop, subject to availability.
Arrival and parking
Private car park on open-air site in Passau bookable incl. collective transfer of guests & luggage from the car park to the ship. (Transfer time from car park approx. 16:30, from Passau train station possible on request, approx. 16:45. You will receive exact times with your travel documents)
Arrival by train
If travelling by train WITHOUT your own bikes:
Arrival at Passau main station and individually by taxi to the Infopoint (approx. € 10,- to 15,- / 3 to 4 km). Collective transfer (guests and luggage) from the Infopoint to the ship.
Notes
Schedule and program changes due to local conditions (including high water, low water, severe weather) on the order of the 1st Captain possible or reserved. In case of extreme high or low water, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of the journey by bus or to cancel the trip even at short notice, without any legal claim resulting from this (water level is force majeure). The same applies in the case of officially ordered lock and/or bridge repairs that were not announced in advance or in the case of engine or drive damage to the ship through no fault of the ship.