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Panoramic view of a historic town along the Danube River with twin-towered cathedral, colorful buildings, and boats moored at the waterfront.

Passau and its three rivers (Copyright: M. Münzl)

Danube cruise, MS Vivienne | Passau - Budapest - Passau

Danube highlighs

Bike & boat trip
8 Days / 7 Nights
Loop tour
Individual tour
Panoramic view of a historic town along the Danube River with twin-towered cathedral, colorful buildings, and boats moored at the waterfront.

Passau and its three rivers (Copyright: M. Münzl)

By bike and boat from the "Bavarian Venice" directly into the heart of the famous and glamorous former K+K monarchy Austria/Hungary. Look forward visiting three of Europe’s most charming capitals: Vienna, the metropolis of waltz, Bratislava, the capital of coronation and Budapest, the "Paris of the East". 

The bike tours lead you to the romantic "Great Loop" (Schlögener Donauschlinge), the picturesque Danube Bend with Hungary’s largest cathedral and the legendary Wachau valley, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage with its small villages, beautiful palaces and castles. On board the two premium cruise ships, you can expect an exclusive atmosphere. Look forward to spacious and comfortable cabins, stylish outdoor areas, and a varied onboard program. Indulge in culinary delights and enjoy the service on board.

The itinerary
at a glance

For your 8-day round trip in the Passau area

Boarding time from 4.00-5.00 p.m. Located at the confluence of Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau has numerous interesting sites to visit. Use your free time and stroll through the cobblestoned Old Town centre, listen to the bells of Passau’s Gothic Town Hall or have a look at the world’s largest Catholic Church organ in the Passau Cathedral. Then it’s time to cast off! Slowly, the dreamlike backdrop of Passau’s old town disappears on the horizon.

Your first day’s cycling begins with a ride through the classic scenery of the ‘Great Loop’ Donauschlinge - one of the most beautiful sections of the Danube. Along the way you will encounter tiny villages and cozy cider taverns. In Austria’s only Trappist monastery at Engelhartszell you can taste their delicious liquors and cheese. The famous ‘Schlogener View’ provides a wonderful panorama of the surrounding Austrian countryside. The boat welcomes all cyclists back on board in the charming market town of Aschach.

You pedal along the former ‘Iron Curtain’, cross the green line and reach the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof with its beautifully terraced gardens. Follow the bike path through Austria’s ‘vegetable garden’ to the coronation city of Bratislava and the slopes of the little Carpathians and discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava on an optional city tour.

The entrance to Budapest, Hungary’s capital is stunning. Savour the beauty of Budapest during a coach tour or a guided bike tour (optional) to discover many of the highlights of this handsome city. You can also choose to cycle to the charming town of Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene.

The wooded hills of Pilis, Visegrád and Börzsöny together with the meandering Danube create a wonderful landscape that has become a nature lover’s paradise. Situated in the middle of the Danube River the idyllic isle of Szentendre exudes silent Puszta romance. You cycle via the baroque village of Vác (influenced by the architects of Austria’s empress Maria Theresia) to the bishop town of Esztergom with its gorgeous basilica – Hungary’s largest Catholic Church.

 

Discover Vienna’s most beautiful attractions. During a city tour by bike or bus (optional) you will experience Vienna’s most famous examples of architecture: the imperial Hofburg, St. Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous ‘Ring’-boulevard and the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall and, of course, the colorful "Hundertwasserhaus". Take time to relax in one or more of Vienna’s famous cafés, while the evening ends impressively at a classical concert (optional) in one of Vienna‘s most famous palaces.

Your last biking day is a special highlight! A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein, while the blue spire of the monastery church is a landmark of the renowned Wachau. Amidst dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everybody who visits ... you will be biking on cloud nine! In Spitz (possibility to do a wine-tasting - optional) you will find comfortable wine taverns along the bike path. Along the way you will also spot one of the most beautiful baroque ensembles in Europe: The Abbey of Melk. 

As you cruise back up the Danube, enjoy the early morning sunshine as you wind your way to Passau, where you will disembark at about 11am. Connecting travel should not be booked earlier than 12pm.

Level

Beginners and dabblers

You feel right at home on flat terrain. You have nothing against a few little breaks, and sightseeing is a priority for you. These trips are also suitable for cyclists who are not super fit. In short, these tours are for all those who prefer relaxed cycling and easy enjoyment for body, mind and soul.

Topography

The flat landscape and your comfortable ship offer ideal conditions for a relaxing week of cycling.

Route-finding & navigation

There is a daily route briefing on board. Afterwards, you will cycle at your own pace according to the maps provided.

Fancy a break from cycling?

If you want to take a break from cycling, you can stay on the boat and get to the next destination without any effort.

Map showing Danube cycle route from Passau to Budapest, passing through Obermühl, Krems, Wien, Bratislava, and Komaron along the river.

Services & Info
Trip details

  • 7 x overnight stay on board the MS Swiss Crown
  • 7 x hearty breakfast buffet
  • 6 x packed lunch and afternoon coffee
  • 5 x 3-course dinner menu with choices
  • 1 x captain’s reception including welcome cocktail
  • 1 x gala dinner including farewell cocktail
  • Daily route briefing with on board tour leader

  • Daily live music on board the ship
  • Daily cleaning of your cabin
  • All port, bridge and sluice charges
  • Carefully designed routes
  • detailed travel documents per cabin in German

Arrival and departure are not included in the tour price for PEDALO cycle tours, but are always organised by the traveller.

  • Arrival by car: Detailed information on parking options will be provided with your travel documents.
  • Arrival by train: Passau Hauptbahnhof
  • Arrival by plane: Munich (MUC)

 

If you are travelling by air, we recommend that you book your flight as early as possible - but only AFTER you have received your PEDALO booking confirmation.

Minimum number of participants
  • This tour requires a minimum of 90 participants. If this number is not reached and the tour is cancelled, you will be notified no later than 21 days before the start of the tour.
  • If the tour is cancelled, you will receive a full refund. No further claims will be accepted.
  • Once the minimum number of participants has been reached, the tour is guaranteed to take place. You will receive confirmation of your booking as soon as a PEDALO representative has checked the available capacity.
Taxes & Fees

Ferry/boat trips: according to tariff

Ferry/boat trips are not included in the cruise fare and must be paid on site. 

Your ship
 MS Vivienne

Facts

  • Ship type: River cruise ship
  • Length: 110 m, width: 11,4 m, draught: 1,5 m
  • Passenger decks: 3 levels
  • Capacity: 73 outside cabins, 146 passengers
  • Crew: 28 persons
  • Flag: MT, languages spoken on board: DE, EN

 

Description

You’ll feel right at home on the comfortable and tastefully furnished MS Vivienne! Whether in the panoramic lounge with its cosy bar or in the light-filled restaurant - the special atmosphere invites you to linger and admire the magnificent views. After your cycle tours, enjoy the convivial atmosphere on board or relax in the wellness area or on the sun deck.

Between you and me: a river cruise ship is, on the one hand, a ‘holiday hotel’, but on the other hand also a ‘work tool’, which is propelled by engines and must be constantly manned, even at night (sometimes involving passage through locks and under bridges, and the resulting raising and lowering of the superstructure). Passing through locks involves disruptions - this is the case on all Danube cruises - and, unfortunately, cannot be avoided.

Main deck

The main deck is the lowest passenger deck on the MS Vivienne. It houses 14 comfortable ‘Standard’ category outside cabins, whose raised half-windows cannot be opened for safety reasons. The main deck is connected to the middle deck by a flight of stairs.

Middle deck

On the middle deck there are 17 ‘Comfort’ category cabins with fixed panoramic windows, as well as 27 ‘Superior’ category cabins with French balconies. You can reach the middle deck from the upper deck by lift.

Upper deck

Further ‘Superior’ cabins, as well as the junior suites and suites (each with a French balcony), are located on the upper deck, next to the public areas of the MS Vivienne.

Cabins

The 2-bed cabins on the MS Vivienne are all equally spacious at approximately 15 m² across all three decks and are identically equipped, with separable double beds, satellite TV, a safe, individually adjustable air conditioning and an en-suite bathroom with shower and WC. The only differences are in the size and functionality of the windows in each cabin, depending on their position above the waterline. The Junior Suites (22 m²) and Suites (30 m²) on the upper deck offer a little more space and are additionally equipped with a minibar and a coffee machine.

Three cyclists riding along the Danube River with cruise ship Vivienne in the background. Green hills and blue sky with white clouds frame the scene.

The MS Vivienne, 110 metres long and 11.4 metres wide (photo credit: Rad & Reisen, C. Eßbüchl)

Prices & Dates
at a glance

2026

Arrival: Every Sunday from 05.04. to 11.10.2026

 

2027

Book now and secure your early-bird discount!

You’ll receive a 3% early-bird discount on the base price of the trip

Arrival: Every Sunday from 11.04. to 10.10.2027

Prices per person in EUR
Fuel Surcharge Spring/Summer 2026

Due to the current situation in the Middle East and the resulting sharp rise in fuel prices, many shipping companies are currently compelled to exercise their right to adjust prices (by a maximum of 8% of the basic cruise fare in accordance with the applicable EU directive).

Should the fuel surcharge apply to your trip, we will inform you of the exact amount in good time, no later than 20 days before the start of your journey. Payment ist to be made on board the ship and goes entirely to the shipping company or the respective ship operator. If fuel prices fall, the surcharge will be waived accordingly.

We ask for your understanding that this measure is temporarily necessary to ensure we can continue to provide the quality of service you have come to expect on our Bike & boat trips. Thank you very much!

Frequently asked
 questions

Smiling man in gray Pedalo shirt holding two cycling helmets and wearing white cycling gloves against a blurred coastal background.
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The combination of bike and boat is becoming more and more popular. The PEDALO catalogue is extensive and varied, but spaces and dates are limited.

If you’ve been thinking about booking one of our fantastic bike and boat trips, we recommend not delaying for too long, as certain dates are often booked up quickly on many of our trips. Welcome on board! But please make sure to book in good time.

    •  
  • Changes to the sailing times and/or the route, which may occur in the event of high or low water or other unforeseeable weather conditions such as storms, etc. are not grounds for cancellation without cost.
    •  
  • The same applies to lock and/or bridge repairs that are ordered by the authorities but not announced in advance.
    •  
  • In these cases, we reserve the right (for your own safety) to change the route and/or to bridge some sections with other means of transport. In some cases, overnight stays may be necessary.

Your travel documents usually include general travel information, a hotel list, a road book and/or detailed maps as well as a textual description of the route; you will also get luggage tags and possibly also vouchers and/or information material on the various sightseeing attractions. The exact contents of the information package depend on the booked trip and its included services.

The documents will be sent to you approx. two to three weeks before the start of your tour. Depending on the trip, you may receive them partly in digital form and partly by post – or you will receive the hotel list and general travel information in advance by e-mail, and the remaining documents along with the maps on site at your starting hotel.

Please note that the travel documents are issued exclusively for PEDALO guests and are therefore not available without a booking.

Travel insurance is not included in our prices. You can decide whether to get a quote elsewhere or simply book your travel insurance online at pedalo.com/en/service/travel-insurance. In any case, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance!

Please note that for last-minute bookings (less than 30 days before the start of the trip), insurance cover can only be taken out within 3 days of booking.

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