Bike and boat comfort in the Danube valley: Passau – Vienna – Budapest – Passau on the MS Primadonna 2026

8 Days

The Danube by bike and on the MS Primadonna: Passau - Linz - Vienna - Bratislava - Budapest - Passau

Your trip

A cycling vacation without changing hotels under the Austrian flag with the best service!

Viennese cuisine and specialties from the Danube countries, whirlpool, sauna, Kneipp pool, massage and hairdresser as well as a large sun deck, a friendly crew and fresh cuisine ensure your well-being on board. Enjoy the comfort of a floating 1st class hotel.

Experience the most beautiful sections of the European Cycle Route 6 on this active vacation on the Danube without any particular effort!

The Schlögener Schlinge, the Wachau, the Donau-Auen National Park, Linz (Capital of Culture 2009), Tulln (Egon Schiele Museum), Vienna (one of the TOP most liveable cities in the world), Budapest (wonderful lighting at night), the Danube Bend, Bratislava (twin city of Vienna) and Melk (imposing monastery) round off the experience of your cycling vacation - to name just a few of the countless highlights....

Your ship: The MS Primadonna

The double-hull (catamaran) design, unusual for river cruise ships, gives the MS Primadonna a unique spaciousness and distinctive appearance. The 60 m long atrium with cozy seating areas and the bar with its breathtaking 9 m high glazing offer plenty of space for get-togethers.
You can spend wonderful hours on the open-air deck with whirlpool.

The small but nice wellness area with sauna, whirlpool, Kneipp basin and possibility for massage lets you forget the everyday life. The demands on the kitchen team are also high - let us spoil you! The much praised, warm crew and amenities offered by the MS Primadonna will make your stay an unforgettable cruise experience.

The cabins

All 82 cabins on the MS Primadonna are outside cabins with individually adjustable air conditioning, shower and toilet, hairdryer, TV, safe, telephone, minibar and spacious wardrobes. The cabins on the main deck are approx. 11.5 square meters in size, equipped with a porthole that cannot be opened (main deck aft approx. 9.5 square meters - bunk beds/ideal for single occupancy). The spacious  Cabins on the upper and promenade decks are approximately 16.5 square meters in size and also have a balcony with bench and desk.

Occupancy up to max. 4 persons in main deck cabin (bunk beds/fold-in top beds) or max. 3 persons in upper deck cabin (75 x 185 cm sofa bed) possible on request.

Cabin main deckCabin panorama deck

 

Deck plan

Gastronomy

Upscale, international level with specialties of the Danube countries, especially Viennese cuisine. The meals are prepared mainly with regional, Austrian food. In the morning you can expect an American breakfast buffet with organic corner, a light 3-course menu for lunch or packed lunch for cyclists; in the evening a 4-course menu. Afternoon tea / coffee incl. Cake; late night midnight snack.

Give us your dietary requests by late. known one week before departure. We will get back to you regarding fulfillment.

 

Technical data

113.5 m long and 17.4 m wide, 17 knots speed. 2 main engines. 3 auxiliary engines, 2 air conditioners; 1.7 m draft, 8.2 m above waterline. 4 decks.

Route / requirement

> Easy to ride, mostly flat route with no significant climbs. Should you wish to take a rest, you are welcome to cover individual daily stages by boat.

The trip is for people with reduced mobility. MS Primadonna has two barrier-free promenade and two upper deck cabins. Please note that all bus rides/transfers e.g. also during the city tours are NOT barrier-free. Provided that you can get on and off the bus independently, the transfers/city tours are welcome.

Rental bicycles

> Sturdy touring bikes 7-speed with hub gears and coaster brake or 21-speed with derailleur and freewheel (please specify when booking), comfort saddle, 28 inch with different frame heights, equipped with saddle bag.

> Electric bikes: 8-speed gears (freewheel); range between 60 and 80 km (depending on riding style); suitable for people between 1.60 m and 1.90 m tall. Bookable on request and with surcharge.

Own bikes

It is generally possible to bring your own bikes, but at your own risk.

For possible damages etc. on the own bike during the whole bike trip as well as during transport trips can not be liable.

For your own safety, we recommend that you always wear a bicycle helmet on all bicycle tours.

Arrival

Railroad

Passau is very easy to reach by train. Timetables and tickets can be found at www.bahn.de.

A transfer from the train station to and from the ship can be added upon request.

Car / Parking

> You can book an unguarded parking space for the duration of your trip at the Infopoint on the outskirts of Passau. Availability is limited.

> A transfer from the parking lot to the ship on embarkation day is usually included. Please refer to the travel documents for details.

Your travel schedule in brief

Day Location To From 
Fri Passau  from 14:30
until 16:30 (!)
 03:00 
Sa Schlögen

Linz

 08:00

15:30

 10:30

20:00

 
So Tulln
Vienna
 08:00
12:30
 10:00
23:00
 
Mo Esztergom
Budapest
 09:00
22:00
 11:00
 
Tue Budapest   18:00 
Mi Bratislava 13:00 19:30 
Do Krems
Pöchlarn
 09:30
15:30
 11:30
17:00
 
Fri Passau (disembarkation until 10:00) 09:00   

Notice:

Schedule and program changes due to local conditions (including high water, low water, bad weather, etc.) on the order of the 1st Captain possible or reserved. Bike excursions, shore programs and arrival & layover times may also be affected.

Country information

For information on travel advice and entry requirements to Austria, please see our Country Information page. Please also see our notes on package tours.

What you can look forward to ...

  • the steep narrowness of the Schlögener Donauschlinge
  • the lovely old town and mighty castle of Bratislava, capital of Slovakia
  • Budapest, capital of Hungary with its imperial palaces and the mighty parliament on the Danube quay
  • the artist village Szentendre at the gates of Budapest at the river
  • the cosmopolitan city of Vienna by boat and bike
  • the Wachau with its lovely wine villages, riverside forests and steep coasts
  • a great crew on a comfortable ship

Day by day

  • Individual
    arrival
    in
    Passau

    Day 1

    Individual arrival in Passau

    You should be at the ship or at the agreed info point at the station or parking lot for the transfer by 4:30 p.m. at the latest. For details, please refer to the travel documents, which we will send you in good time before departure. Please note to bring your own bikes to the ship independently, as far as you have booked the trip with your own bikes.

    Welcome snack on board from approx. 16:00 hrs.
    Around 18:00 hrs: Cast off!!!

    Do you still have a little time in Passau?

    Danube Cycle Route Passau

    Use the first day to visit the episcopal residence of Passau with its baroque old town, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Three Rivers Corner and the castles Veste Oberhaus and Veste Unterhaus.

    Do you already like to cycle in a little?

    Danube Cycle Route Passau Vienna

    Then we have an idea for you: about 15 km and completely flat.

    1. Start your little door below the cathedral and cycle not towards the Danube but towards the Inn.
    2. Cross the Inn River with the Marienbrücke bridge and turn right at Kirchplatz into Ledergasse out of town in the direction of Schärding. Follow the alley straight out of town.
    3. Over a small, curved bridge, we cross the railroad tracks, poof, into Austria.
    4. Continue cycling along the cycle path up the river bank to Wernstein am Inn.
    5. There you cross the bike suspension bridge. You are, poof, back in Bavaria.
    6. Keep to the right and drive along the left bank of the Inn River back towards Passau. You will pass the university and on your right you will see the Marienbrücke again.

    Done. Congratulations!

  • Saturday:
    Schlögen
    -
    Linz

    Day 2

    Saturday: Cycle tour Schlögen - Linz, approx. 56 km

    In the morning handover of the rental bikes at the Schlögener Schlinge. From the UNESCO cultural heritage Schlögener Schlinge you cycle through the uninhabited Kaiserau to the baroque market Aschach and via Ottensheim to Linz.

  • Sunday:
    Tulln
    -
    Vienna

    Day 3

    Sunday: Tulln - Vienna, approx. 30 km

    Individual tour of the Egon Schiele Museum (16 originals) & Garden Show in Tulln.

    Bike tour from the flower city of Tulln, with beautiful views of the foothills of the Vienna Woods past Klosterneuburg (monastery - "Austria's Escorial") to Vienna. Individual sightseeing tour of Vienna or, on request, "City tour of Vienna by bike" on mostly car-free cycle paths.
    After dinner from about 20:30 evening city tour by bus (2 hours) from Nußdorfer Platz.

  • Monday:
    Komárno
    -
    Esztergom

    Day 4

    Monday: Cycle tour Komárno - Esztergom, approx. 56 km

    Along the E6 through the Danube Bend on very beautiful, almost car-free cycle paths from Komárno with its fortress and festive Europe Square past the Kelemantia Roman fort to Štúrovo; car-free right up to the ship.

    If you wish, you can visit the cathedral in Esztergom. In the evening, the ship
    will take you to the magnificently illuminated Danube metropolis of Budapest.

  • Tuesday:
    Budapest

    Day 5

    Tuesday: Sightseeing Budapest or cycle tour to Margaret Island, approx. 25 km

    City tour by bus from the ship. In the afternoon, stroll and store on car-free cycle paths in the pedestrian zone and continue to Margaret Island, the beautiful recreational area in the middle of the city. Bike tour of the island, which is about 8 km long and free of cars. Return to the ship with a stop at the foot of the castle district.

    Tip for active people: Cycle tour to the artists' village of Szentendre: approx. 55 km there & back.

    In the evening, we travel by boat through the beautifully illuminated Danube metropolis.

  • Wednesday:
    Bratislava

    Day 6

    Wednesday: Sightseeing Bratislava & cycle tour to the island of Meulensteen, approx. 40 km

    If you wish, you can take part in a guided city tour of Bratislava.

    Car-free from the ship on the Danube cycle path to the cultural island of Meulensteen and back.

    Or: Big round trip Danube Cycle Path/Hainburg

  • Thursday:
    Krems
    -
    Marbach

    Day 7

    Thursday: Cycle tour Krems - Marbach, approx. 40 km

    From the pretty UNESCO World Heritage town of Krems, you cycle to Dürnstein, probably the most famous section of the Danube in the romantic Wachau Valley. The small, winding town attracts tourists from all over the world.

    The route continues through well-known wine-growing villages such as Weißenkirchen and Spitz to Melk. From afar, you can see the imposing monastery towering over the small town. You now cycle the last few kilometers of your journey to Marbach, where the MS Primadonna is already waiting for you.

  • Friday:
    Disembarkation
    &
    Farewell
    to
    Passau

    Day 8

    Friday: Disembarkation & Farewell to Passau

    Arrival in Passau at approx. 10:00 a.m. - After breakfast at approx. 10:00 a.m. bus transfer to the main train station or parking lot. Treat yourself to an extra day in the episcopal city or say goodbye to the Danube on your individual journey home

    Danube Cycle Route Passau

     

The package includes:

  • Bike cruise Passau - Budapest - Passau with 7 x full board incl. Port charges in the booked double cabin shower/WC/TV/telephone/safe/minibar/sitting area/ - -
  • - adjustable air conditioning
  • - welcome snack on the day of arrival
  • - daily American breakfast buffet
  • - daily 3-course lunch or packed lunch for the bike tour
  • - daily afternoon coffee/tea incl. cake
  • - daily 4-course dinner
  • - daily midnight snack in the panorama bar
  • Use of the wellness area. Whirlpool on the open deck and inside. Sauna, Kneipp pool
  • Transfer from the parking lot/info point to the ship on the day of arrival & back to the parking lot on the day of departure (or from/to Passau train station) at fixed times
  • Rental bike incl. saddle bag (7-speed coaster or 21-speed freewheel, e-bike), if booked for an additional charge
  • On-board tour guide and daily personal route information
  • Detailed route description and bike maps as well as GPS data of the route on request

not included:

  • Arrival and departure
  • Costs of daily necessities, especially on land
  • Various ferry trips during the bike tours, payable on site. Please calculate approx. 10 - 30 € per person.
  • Everything that is not explicitly listed as an included service

Dates and prices

Travel start 2026: every Friday in ...
Season 1 15.05., 18.09., 02.10.
Season 2 08.05., 22.05., 03.07., 10.07., 17.07., 31.07. and every Friday until: 21.08., 04.09., 11.09.
The day of arrival determines the season.
All prices per person. The prices in the booking form or shopping cart apply.
Travel package Season 1 Season 2
Main deck: 2-bed cabin (1) 1.130 € 1.285 €
Main deck: 2-bed cabin single use (1) 1.695 € 1.930 €
Main deck aft double cabin (2) 840 € 990 €
Main deck aft double cabin single use (2) 840 € 990 €
Upper deck: 2-bed cabin (3) 1.680 € 1.795 €
Upper deck: 2-bed single use (3) 2.520 € 2.695 €
Panorama deck: 2-bed cabin (4) 1.795 € 1.910 €
Panorama deck: 2-bed single use (4) 2.695 € 2.865 €
(1) Cabins on the main deck: 2 separate basic beds, approx. 11.5 m2
(2) Cabins at the rear of the ship, engine and generator noise audible when the ship is moving or in the locks. Bunk bed, approx. 9.5 m2
(3) Cabins on the upper deck: 2 basic beds, with balcony, approx. 16.5 m2
(4) Cabins on the panorama deck: 2 basic beds, with balcony, approx. 16.5 m2
Additional offers
Bring your own bike or e-bike (2) 0 €
Rental bike tours 110 €
E-bike rental 250 €
Excursion package (1) 70 €
Guided city tour of Vienna by bike 35 €
Guided city tour of Vienna by bus 50 €
Guided city tour Budapest by bike 50 €
Private parking lot Passau, unguarded, fenced 90 €
(1) City tour Budapest, city tour Bratislava, minimum participants 20.
(2) incl. battery charging

Discounts

> Children in a double cabin with 2 full-paying adults: 100% up to under 6 years of age on arrival

> Reduction for children in parents' adjoining cabin with 2 full-paying adults: 25% 2 children up to 16 years in parents' separate adjoining cabin (main deck only)

Questions about questions

Can I bring my own bike?

Yes. Please note: Due to limited space, it is only possible to bring your own bike on request. You bring your own bike at your own risk. No liability can be accepted for any damage/loss etc. to your own bike during the entire bike tour or for damage during transportation. Neither on board nor on land.

Is there wifi on board?

YES. In principle, you can use WLAN free of charge from Passau to shortly before Bratislava. Restrictions may occur in Slovakia & Hungary as well as in locks and bottlenecks in the valley.... There are two central terminals for checking your e-mails with limited data volume on the ship. Compensation for non-availability must be excluded on the part of the shipping company.

What demands do the routes make on fitness and ability?

The cycle tours are individual and unguided. You cover between 35 and 50 km per day (approximate distances of the recommended cycle tours) The terrain is mostly flat, has hardly any inclines and is suitable for leisure cyclists, beginners and children. If you want to take a break, you are welcome to cover individual daily stages by boat. The trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Please contact us for detailed information if needed.

Are there child discounts or family discounts?

Yes. You will receive a discount if you choose to enroll your child as a 3. or 4th person in a cabin with full-paying adults. Children up to the age of 6 are free. Children up to the age of 12 pay 50%. Please select 'Child 1'. Children under 16 years pay 75%. Please select 'Child 2'. You can also accommodate 2 children in a separate adjoining cabin to their parents. In this case we will give you 25% discount compared to the normal price. Please indicate this when booking.

Is there a minimum number of participants?

Yes. The minimum number of participants is 70 people. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we must cancel the trip up to 21 days before the start of the trip.

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