De MS Primadonna vaart langs het barokke klooster van Dürnstein in de Wachau-vallei, een hoogtepunt van de Donau-fietscruise tussen Passau en Boedapest.

Danube

Danube Bike and Barge Tour Passau to Budapest -MS Primadonna

8 days

Bike and Barge Holidays

startdag(en): Friday

325km

Easy

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Cycle by day, cruise by night aboard Europe’s only catamaran bike cruise ship

Cycle the Danube — your floating hotel is waiting

Experience the ultimate combination of cycling and cruising on this 8-day Danube bike tour from Passau to Budapest and back. This unique bike and barge holiday takes you past historic cities, striking river landscapes and charming wine villages, while you stay comfortably aboard the MS Primadonna — the only catamaran bike cruise ship on the Danube.

Each morning you wake up in a new location and simply step from ship to bike. Most of the route follows flat, well-maintained and signposted cycle paths along the Danube riverbank — ideal for recreational cyclists and long-distance cycling enthusiasts alike.

The route takes you past the beautiful cities of Passau, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, with sweeping views of castles, vineyards, and classic Danube scenery along the way. The mix of culture, nature and active travel makes this one of Europe’s most beloved bike tours.

Aboard the MS Primadonna, you’re treated to comfortable cabins, excellent meals and warm Austrian hospitality. The ship is your daily base: in the evening you dine with fellow travelers, unwind, and recharge — you and your bike — for the next stage.

“The MS Primadonna is the most beautiful bike ship on the Danube. A floating hotel full of space, calm and elegance“.

Highlights of this Danube bike and barge tour

During this 8-day Danube bike tour you experience Central Europe in a unique and relaxed way: active cycling by day, comfortable cruising in the evening. The classic Passau–Budapest–Passau route combines culture, nature and comfort, revealing the Danube in all its variety. Baroque towns, imperial capitals and quiet riverscapes follow one another at the perfect pace.

You’ll cycle past iconic destinations such as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, interspersed with vineyards, castles and picturesque villages along the Danube. The daily cycling stages mostly follow flat, well-maintained cycle paths — ideal for recreational cyclists and e-bikers alike.

Passau — the “city of three rivers,” with a charming old town where the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet
Schlögen Bend — a spectacular viewpoint where the Danube winds through the hill country in a double loop
Linz & Vienna — Austrian culture in two very different styles: modern design and imperial grandeur
Wachau Valley — UNESCO World Heritage vineyards, castles and the impressive Melk Abbey
Bratislava — a compact capital full of baroque charm and lively terraces
Budapest — the “Pearl of the Danube,” home to the Parliament, Chain Bridge and bustling markets
Szentendre artists’ village — colorful and creative, perfect for a relaxed side trip
Onboard wellness — whirlpool, sauna, massages and a panoramic restaurant with Danube views

Day-to-day itinerary

Your journey begins in the charming three-river city of Passau, where the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet. Boarding aboard the MS Primadonna starts at 2:30 PM. While the ship rests quietly at the quay, you’ll meet the crew and your fellow travelers. After a welcome drink and dinner, take a stroll through the old town or simply enjoy the view from the deck. The evening sky over the Danube turns gold and blue, the perfect start to a relaxed Danube bike cruise.

After a hearty breakfast buffet, you’ll collect your rental bike and set off on your first stage through the picturesque Schlögen Danube valley. Here the river winds through wooded hills in a spectacular double bend — one of the Danube’s most famous panoramas. Along the way you’ll pass small villages, orchards, and riverside cafés. In the afternoon you’ll reach Linz, capital of Upper Austria, where baroque façades meet modern art. After a relaxed dinner on board, the MS Primadonna continues downstream toward Vienna.

Today you’ll cycle flat paths along the Danube toward the Austrian capital. Along the way, stop at the flower gardens of Tulln or lunch at a typical Gasthaus. In Vienna, imperial grandeur awaits: St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Ringstraße, and of course coffee with Sachertorte. Join an optional city tour by bike or bus to discover the highlights. In the evening, relax on board as Vienna’s skyline reflects on the water while the MS Primadonna gently drifts on.

The morning starts in Slovakia. From the fortress town of Komárno, you’ll cycle along quiet dikes and country lanes into Hungary, passing the Roman fort of Kelemantia and enjoying green landscapes and small farming villages. Your destination is Esztergom, home to Hungary’s largest church — an imposing basilica with sweeping views over the river. In the evening, the ship continues toward Budapest, which sparkles with thousands of lights after dark.

Today you’ll discover the “Pearl of the Danube.” Cycle past the Hungarian Parliament, the Chain Bridge and Fisherman’s Bastion — every view is postcard-worthy. If you’d like a longer ride, head to the colorful artists’ village of Szentendre, full of galleries and boutiques. Prefer to relax? Visit one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths. The evening on board is unforgettable: as you dine, the illuminated city glides slowly past — a day full of culture, atmosphere and pure Danube magic.

Welcome to Bratislava, Slovakia’s charming capital. After a short walking tour, cycle along the river toward the Kulturinsel Meulensteen, a unique art and nature island. Along the way you’ll pass meadows, floodplains and picturesque riverside terraces. The route is flat and relaxed — perfect for one last full day of cycling. Back on board, wellness awaits: sauna, whirlpool and a refreshing drink at sunset.

Your final stage is a true gem. The Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the Danube’s most beautiful stretches. Cycle through Krems, Dürnstein and Spitz, past vineyard terraces, castles and baroque monasteries. Stop at a winery for a tasting, or enjoy lunch with a view over the river. At day’s end you’ll return on board for the festive farewell dinner as the MS Primadonna sets course for Passau.

After breakfast, say goodbye to the crew and your fellow travelers. Disembarkation is until 10:00 AM, followed by transfer to the station or parking area. In one week, you’ve experienced four countries, three capitals, and hundreds of unforgettable Danube kilometers — a bike and barge holiday that leaves you wanting more.

Route map

Explore the full route of this 8-day Danube bike and barge tour below, from Passau via Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest and back, aboard the MS Primadonna.

Accommodation during your bike and barge tour

During this 8-day Danube tour from Passau to Budapest and back, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds: active cycling along the famous Danube Cycle Path and relaxed cruising aboard a comfortable 4-star superior cruise ship.

The MS Primadonna offers a unique combination of space, comfort and charm. After a day filled with historic towns, vineyards and river landscapes, a cozy evening on board awaits, with excellent meals, panoramic Danube views, and time spent with fellow travelers.

Het catamaran-fietsschip MS Primadonna aangemeerd aan de Donau tijdens de 8-daagse fietscruise van Passau naar Boedapest en terug.

Sights along the route

Passau

Start your journey in charming Passau, where the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet. Walk through the baroque old town, visit the impressive St. Stephen’s Cathedral — home to the world’s largest church organ — and enjoy the view from Veste Oberhaus.

Wachau-valley

The Wachau is the most beautiful stretch of the Danube and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cycle between vineyards, baroque abbeys and picturesque villages such as Melk, Dürnstein and Krems

Tip: Proef lokale wijn of abrikozenlikeur – puur Oostenrijkse gezelligheid!

Het imposante Kunsthistorisches Museum in Wenen met zijn barokke koepel en klassieke gevel, een van de hoogtepunten van de Donau-fietscruise met de MS Primadonna.

Vienna

In Vienna you’ll taste the grandeur of the Habsburg Empire. Visit Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the elegant Ringstraße.

Tip: take a break in a classic coffee house with a slice of Sachertorte — a true Viennese tradition!

Bratislava

The Slovak capital sits directly on the Danube and surprises with its charming old town and lively terraces. Visit Bratislava Castle for a beautiful view over the river.

Budapest

Your journey ends in Budapest, where the river divides the city into Buda and Pest. Admire the majestic Parliament building, walk across the Chain Bridge, and unwind at the Széchenyi thermal baths.

Practical information

Trip type: self-guided bike and barge tour with onboard support
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Distance: average 35–60 km per day (total approx. 275–300 km)
Level: easy to moderate — mostly flat along the Danube Cycle Path
Start/end point: Passau (Germany)
Ship: MS Primadonna — the only catamaran bike cruise ship on the Danube
Departure: weekly on Fridays, May through October
Passengers: no minimum / max. approx. 160 guests, depending on cabin category

The route follows the famous Danube Cycle Path (Donauradweg) – Europe’s most popular long-distance cycling route.

Included

7 nights aboard the MS Primadonna, full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon coffee & cake, midnight snack)
Port fees
Cabin with shower/WC, TV, minibar and air conditioning
Use of wellness facilities (sauna, whirlpools, Kneipp)
Onboard tour guidance and daily route briefings
Route descriptions, maps and GPS data (on request)
Bus transfer to/from the ship in Passau at set times
1x onboard wine tasting (4 wines from Danube countries)
Per cabin: massage (hydrojet or wellness massage, subject to availability)

Not included

Ferry crossings along the route (approx. €3–€6 per crossing)
Optional excursions and city tours
Rental bike or e-bike (if not booked separately)
Parking in Passau
Onboard beverages (beyond included meals)
Travel and cancellation insurance

Prices and departure dates

2027

Season	Departure dates 2027
Low Season	30 Apr
Mid Season	07 May, 17 Sep
High Season	14 May, 21 May, 02 Jul, 09 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 06 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 03 Sep, 10 Sep

Price per person.

Cabin	Low Season	Mid Season	High Season
2-person cabin (bunk beds) – Aft Main Deck	€923	€1,011	€1,165
2-person cabin – Main Deck	€1,216	€1,275	€1,517
2-person cabin – Upper Deck	€1,922	€1,988	€2,122
2-person cabin – Promenade Deck	€2,054	€2,122	€2,259
1-person cabin – Aft Main Deck	€1,384	€1,517	€1,747
1-person cabin – Main Deck	€1,823	€1,912	€2,275

Single-use supplement for a 2-person cabin

Aft Main Deck and Main Deck: +50% on the base price.
Upper Deck and Promenade Deck: +75% on the base price.

Optionale extras

Option	Price
Rental bike – 7 or 21 gears	€95
E-bike	€210
Bring your own bike	Free of charge
Parking in Passau – outdoor	€80 per car
Parking in Passau – garage	€104 per car
Vienna bike tour	€38
Budapest bike tour	€48
Vienna bus tour	€52
Budapest & Bratislava excursion package	€65

Tip: We are happy to arrange your parking space in Passau in advance, so you can board the MS Primadonna without worries and start your Danube bike cruise in complete comfort.

Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to use this parking service.

Bicycles must be brought on board the ship in advance; bicycle transport is not provided. The bike rack must be removed when parking in the garage.

Frequently asked questions about this Danube bike cruise

The price covers full board. You’ll stay 7 nights aboard the MS Primadonna with breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon coffee and cake, and a midnight snack included. Also included: port fees, a bus transfer to/from the private parking area or station in Passau, daily route briefings with maps and GPS data, free use of wellness facilities (whirlpool and sauna), 2 hydrojet sessions or 1 wellness massage per cabin, and an onboard wine tasting. Rental bikes, guided tours and optional excursions are not included in the base price but can be added.

Yes. The Danube Cycle Path is excellent for recreational cyclists and beginners. The route is mostly flat, well signposted, and follows quiet cycle paths along the river. Daily distances range from 22 to 56 kilometers — you choose how far you cycle, and you can always board the ship earlier for a shorter day. For extra support, an electric rental bike is available. A reasonable base level of fitness is enough; mountain biking experience or athletic training isn’t required.

Yes, you can bring your own bike aboard the MS Primadonna free of charge. You’ll need to sign a waiver covering potential transport damage. If you’d rather not travel with your own bike, rental bikes are available: men’s and women’s bikes (7 or 21-speed, 26″ or 28″) from €95 for the full trip, as well as e-bikes from €210.

The Passau–Budapest–Passau bike cruise departs weekly on Fridays, from May through October. Note that many dates fill up quickly — you can join the waitlist for the current season or book early for next year.

The MS Primadonna has three accommodation decks, each with its own character and price level. The Main Deck sits closest to the waterline and offers the most affordable cabins, well suited to travelers focused mainly on cycling and cruising. The Upper Deck sits higher, with more spacious cabins and better views. The Promenade Deck is the highest and most sought-after, offering the most panoramic views and the most peace and quiet — these cabins tend to book out first. Single occupancy of a double cabin is available with a surcharge of 50% (Main Deck) or 75% (Upper and Promenade Deck).