Passau - Vienna - Passua Cycling Holidays
Start: Passau

Your Itinerary


Passau – Vienna – Passau (Danube Cycle Path)
Bike and Barge | 8 days | 7 nights | From £729 per person
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Book the Passau – Vienna – Passau cycling holiday here >>

Tour Highlights
• Sail along the Danube by Bike and Barge
• A unique way to see the Danube Cycle Path
• Stay aboard the MS Normandie
• A unique cycling holiday along the Danube without unpacking everyday!

Route features
Flat and slightly downhill, for relaxed cycling, suitable for beginners and children.

The approximate difficulty level for this tour

Difficulty Scale

Day-by-Day Itinerary


Day 1: Passau – Engelhartszell

The Episcopal city close to the Bavarian/Austrian border is also known as the “City of three Rivers.” Boarding time is at approx. 4-5 pm, departure around 7 pm Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engel-hartszell.

Day 2: Engelhartszell – Untermühl – „Great Loop“ – Linz, ca. 35 km

Need a boost? Try some of the special cordials and liqueurs in the Trappist monastery in Engelhartszell. Supposedly, they have “special healing power.” Downstream, the way leads you to pretty villages amid natural landscape.

For a change take the little ferry boat through the romantic Schlögener loop, where the river makes a very abrupt 180 degree turn (approx. € 3,- per pers.). Shipping from Untermühl to Linz. Tip: discover Linz, the capital of upper Austria while riding on the bright yellow City-Express.

Day 3: Linz – Mauthausen – Grein, ca. 36 – 42 km

In the early morning shipping to Mauthausen.

You have the possibility to visit the memorial-place KZ-Mauthausen.

The Celtic town Mitterkirchen gives you an insight of the past. For easy cyclists the tour leads along the Danube, the alternative route, “Clam Castle,” through the beautiful back country of the “Strudengau” is slightly hilly, but a fantastic landscape. Worth a visit in Grein: the impressive Castle of Greinburg.

Day 4: Grein – Melk – Tulln, ca. 50 km

Today’s stage is marked by a diverse landscape. At the beginning, there is the Strudengau – a narrow point of the Danube which used to be notorious amongst skippers. The valley expands from Persenbeug and the bike tour leads you further to Melk with its gorgeous baroque monastery of the Benedictine brethren.

On deck, you enjoy the sunset and the beautiful evening illumination of the Wachau. Today’s final destination is Tulln, famous for its numerous market gardens where the famous Art Nouveau artist Egon Schiele was born.

Day 5: Tulln – Vienna-Nussdorf / (Korneuburg may also be possible), ca. 35 km

Right in front of Vienna’s entrance, embedded in a breathtaking landscape, the monastery of Klosterneuburg is situated. You can already see the cupola of this 900 year old baroque building from a distance. “Kahlenbergerdorf” with it’s wine taverns is definitely worth a visit. After a stroll through the vineyards, you can enjoy the panoramic view over Vienna.

Day 6: Vienna-Nussdorf / Korneuburg (day of rest)

You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg, the gorgeous boulevard “Ringstra?e” with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House or the town hall that takes you back to the past. Take your time in the afternoon to stroll or visit one of the famous Viennese coffee bars.

In the night shipping to Dürnstein or Rossatz.

Day 7: Wachau – Pöchlarn, ca. 39 km

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. 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 the evening farewell dinner and cocktail.

Day 8: Departure from 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 is about 10 am, disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend to arrange connecting trips from noon onwards.

Map & Route Information

Route Profile
Flat and slightly downhill, relaxed cycling. Suitable for beginners and children.

This beautiful journey leads along wonderful landscape and scenic villages. During the cruise on the MS Normanidie from one spot to the next, you are offered interesting bike tours. Those tours will be adjusted individually with the tour guide, depending on the group and their potential.

The mentioned kilometres are ca-distances. There is a daily briefing in the evening for the next day. If wished, you can cycle tours also individually, maps will be provided for that. The tours can be managed from everyone in normal shape. If you do not want to cycle you can also stay on board or make a shorter bike tour.

Where is the starting point of the holiday?


View Larger Map

Tour Route Map

Tour Information

Holiday Information

About the MS Normandie

On joining this vessel you are immediately aware of the cosy and informal ambience on board. On the upper deck you will find the comfy panorama salon with its bar, on the main deck the comfortable restaurant (no direct access from the cabin-zone).

On deck there are both deck chairs and ordinary chairs and tables, which encourage conversation and communal activity in fresh air. MS NORMANDIE possesses altogether two 1-bed-cabins and forty-nine 2-bed-cabins. They are all outside cabins, giving some 10-11 square metres of space (2-bed) and about 7 qm (1-bed).

All 2-bed-cabins are equipped with two lower beds, one of which can be folded against the wall during the day to provide a more homely atmosphere, shower and WC, hairdryer, TV, safe, individual air-conditioning and a picture window. Only on the upper deck the windows may be opened. 1-bed cabins have one lower bed and are otherwise equipped with same features.

Technical details: Length 91,2 m, width 10,50 m, depth 1,60 m, max. 100 passengers. Currency on board: Euro. Credit cards: Mastercard and Visa.

Important Information

Embarkation: ca. 4-5 pm, disembarkation: ca.. 10:30 am.

Bicycles on board: Unisex trekking bicycles with normal mount (ladies model), 7 gears with coaster breaking hubs or 7 speed freewheel hubs (subject to availability) and pannier bag. E-Bikes are available after prior request and at limited number. Please indicate your body height when you book.

To bring your own bike: on request only – due to lack of space on sundeck.

Languages on board: German, English

Cycle tours: All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours. When a guest does not want to cycle one day, she/he can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbour.

The bike tours are individual, at your own pace, without a tour guide, but with daily briefings on board and detailed bicycle maps and directions. All cycle tours can be classified as being easy.

Luggage: we recommend rainwear, bicycle helmet, sunhat and sneakers. Please be aware that the cabin storage space is very limited

Smoking: the interior of the ship is a non-smoking zone: smoking is only allowed on the sun deck. As a safety measure, a statutory smoking ban applies in all cabins; this means that all cabins and rooms on board are non-smoking areas.

Land excursions: 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.

Travel documents: EU-citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six(6) months of the return of your cruise.

We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU-nationals with multiple citizenship or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements for the country to visit, to inform about visa and entry documents at the competent embassy.

This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.

Included Services

7 nights in outside cabins of the MS Normandie with private facilities and air conditioning
Programme according itinerary from/to Passau
Captains greeting and Welcome-Drink
Daily cabin cleaning
Changing of towels and bed cloths if wanted
Full meals: 7x breakfast, 6x lunch snack on board (non cyclists) or packed lunch for cyclists, 6x afternoon coffee break, 6× 3-course-dinner and 1x farewell-dinner with farewell-drink
Passenger fees and port fees
Daily Live-Music
Daily informational meeting
Information pack with route book (one per cabin)
Tour guide on board (does not cycle with group)

Services not included:

Journey to and from Passau
Shuttles
Entrance fees and excursions
Travel insurances
Parking fee
Ferry fees
Drinks on board
Tips

Danube Cycle Path Category A Category B Category C
Schärding Stadthotel **** Biedermeier-Hof *** Hotel Stiegenwirt ***
  www.stadthotel-schaerding.at  www.biedermeierhof.at www.stiegenwirt-schaerding.at 
Passau Hotel Passauer Wolf ****  IBB Hotel *** Hotel Dormero ****
  www.hotel-passauer-wolf.de www.ibbhotelpassau.de  www.dormero.de/hotel-passau
Schlögen Hotel Donauschlinge **** Hotel Revita Kocher**** Freizeitanlage Schlögen ***
  www.donauschlinge.at www.kocher.at www.freizeitanlage-schloegen.at
Linz Arcotel Nike **** Hotel Park Inn **** Hotel Donauwelle ****
  www.arcotelhotels.com www.parkinn.com/hotel-linz http://www.linz.twhotels.at/
Grein/surrounding Hotel Goldenes Kreuz **** Hotel Aumühle *** Gasthof Zur Donaubrücke
  www.hotel-in-grein.at www.aumuehle.at www.gasthof-froschauer.at
Wachau Donauhof Emmersdorf **** Hotel Wachauerhof Melk *** Hotel Wachauerhof Melk ***
  www.pichler-wachau.at www.wauchauerhof.eu www.wauchauerhof.eu
Krems/Traismauer/Tulln Hotel Zum Schwan *** Hotel Zum Schwan *** Gasthof Nibelungenhof ***
  www.hotel-schwan.at www.hotel-schwan.at www.nibelungenhof.at
Vienna Arcotel Kaiserwasser **** Arcotel Kaiserwasser **** Park Inn ****
  www.arcotelhotels.com www.arcotelhotels.com www.parkinn.com
Star Star Star

Your Prices

Passau – Vienna – Passau (Bike and Barge)
8 days, 7 nights

All prices are per person and include bike hire.

Category A: Two-Bed Upper Deck

April | October:
Cat A: From £869
May | September:
Cat A: From £989
May | September:
Cat A: From £1069
May to August:
Cat A: From £1109
Availability: April to October
Departure Days: Saturday
Duration: 8 days
E-Bike Rental: From £89
Rental bike (7 gears, back pedal): Included

Category B: Two-Bed Main Deck

April | October:
Cat B: From £729
May | September:
Cat B: From £849
May | September:
Cat B: From £929
May to August:
Cat B: From £959
Availability: April to October
Departure Days: Saturday
Duration: 8 days
E-Bike Rental: From £89
Rental bike (7 gears, back pedal): Included

Category C: Two-Bed Upper Deck Astern

April | October:
Cat C: From £759
May | September:
Cat C: From £889
May | September:
Cat C: From £959
May to August:
Cat C: From £999
Availability: April to October
Departure Days: Saturday
Duration: 8 days
E-Bike Rental: From £89
Rental bike (7 gears, back pedal): Included

Any local tourist taxes are not included in the holiday price and are payable at the hotel.

Bike Insurance
This tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price! Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover.

For help and queries regarding this tour…
Contact us | F.A.Qs

Holiday Price: From £729
Single Supplement: On Request

Click here to book now
Call: 01706 618155

Wheel2Wheel Holidays is part of KE Adventure Travel Ltd.

Central Car Park Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DF

Registered Address: Fifth Floor, 27 Greville Street, London, United Kingdom EC1N 8SU

Registered in England: 1911512