Bike and Barge: Passau-Vienna-Passau (MS SE-Manon)

Arrival in the “Three River City”. Passau attracts many with the world’s greatest church organs at the Stephansdom and its charming Old Town. Embarkation will be around 4:00 pm, departure around 7 pm. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.

The day starts in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria), where we head towards the”Great Loop”-one of the most beautiful and original sectors of the Danube. Your cycling will encounter small villages and cosy must-see taverns. For a change, take the little ferry boat through the romanticSchlögener loop, where the river makes a very abrupt 180-degree turn (approx. € 6. per person). Shipping from Brandstatt to Linz. Tip: Discover Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, while riding on the bright yellow City Express. Sailing from Linz to Tulln.

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 its wine taverns is worth a visit. A short hike through the vineyards leads to the Kahlenberg viewing terrace, where you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the vibrant metropolis below.

You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg, the gorgeous boulevard “Ringstraβe” 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 Krems in the Wachau Valley.

Look forward to a bike ride through one of the most beautiful river landscapes in Europe. The gently rolling hills of the Wachau Valley, with its picturesque villages, well-kept terraced vineyards, historic castles, monasteries, and romantic ruins, are sure to enchant you. In Dürnstein, the blue baroque tower of the abbey church greets you from afar. In Melk, the magnificent Benedictine Abbey towers above the Danube – a place full of history, culture, and impressive architecture. Enjoy this day with all your senses – it is one of the highlights of the journey.

This stage leads you through charming river meadows with wide vistas and small, picturesque towns. The wild Strudengau region, once feared by shipmen, is now a scenic river gorge with forested slopes and rocky shores. In the idyllic town of Grein, you’ll find Greinburg Castle towering above the Danube – the oldest residential castle in Austria, which you can explore on a guided tour.

The vast plains of the Machland region accompany you with lush fields and peaceful paths. In the Celtic Village of Mitterkirchen, you can immerse yourself in a long-forgotten era. Upon arrival in Mauthausen, a visit to the memorial site of the former concentration camp is recommended–a place of quiet remembrance and historical responsibility. In the evening, a festive farewell dinner awaits you on board. Overnight cruise to Passau.

Every journey draws to an end. Arrival in Passau is about 10 am, disembarkation half an hour later.

Embarkation is from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with disembarkation around 11:30 a.m. The minimum number of participants required is 90 guests, which must be confirmed within 21 days before departure.

Bringing your bike is available only upon request due to limited space on the sun deck. E-bikes must have a removable battery pack. We accept no liability for loss, theft, or damage, including damage incurred during transportation from shore to ship or vice versa.

We offer a small selection of excursions that can be booked directly on board with the cruise director. A brief description of the excursions will be provided with your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants, some excursions may be conducted in both German and English.

For your luggage, we recommend bringing rainwear, a bicycle helmet, a sunhat, and sneakers.

Please note that we reserve the right to make changes to the route and programme. In the event of flooding or low water levels, the shipping company may use buses to cover parts of the route. In extreme situations, the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey at short notice, with no legal claim arising from such changes. This also applies to previously unannounced repair work on locks or bridges.

Be aware that the cruise ship on the Danube serves as both your hotel and a functioning vessel, operating with engine power during the night. Noise may occur, particularly when crossing locks and bridges, or during preparation work. If you are sensitive to noise, please bring your own earplugs.

In the interest of sustainability and climate protection, we encourage you to use our digital route book instead of printed travel documents. The GUIBO app will be your constant companion throughout your SE-Tours trip. A glance at your smartphone will provide all essential information, including travel details, ship and contact information, and bike tours, all available offline for your convenience. The app is free and compatible with all standard smartphones. You will receive access data to download your trip via email before your journey begins.

For travel documents, EU citizens (excluding special cases such as dual citizenship, main residence abroad, or a passport with limited validity) must have a valid passport or ID card that does not expire within six months of the return date of your cruise. Non-EU citizens, EU nationals with multiple citizenships, or those with specific legal entry requirements should check visa and entry documents with the relevant embassy.

This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. We recommend taking out travel health insurance with repatriation coverage, as well as baggage, accident, and travel cancellation insurance.

All times are subject to change. Please book your travel according to the scheduled arrival and departure times.

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    Ship name: MS SE-Manon
  • Year of construction: 1999
  • Registry: Netherlands
  • Length: 110 m
  • Width: 11.40 m
  • Draft: 1.50 m
  • Number of crew: approx. 30
  • Passengers: max. 148

  On board our comfortable premium ship, MS SE-MANON, you will find a relaxed and cosy atmosphere. After the bike tour, you can use the small inviting wellness area with a sauna and whirlpool, read a book in the pleasant library, or relax in the panorama salon. Then, enjoy your dinner in the restaurant with a panoramic view. The spacious and partly shaded sun deck holds deck chairs, inviting you to enjoy the passing scenery. Here is also the storage space for the bicycles. A special highlight is the outdoor pool (8.70 m x 4.50 m, approx. May to August, depending on weather).

  All 74 cabins are outside cabins, about 14 m² in size, comfortably furnished with hotel beds and featuring en-suite facilities with shower/WC* (*cabins no. 306, 307, 308, 309 with bathtub), hairdryer, TV, safe, in-house telephone, and individually adjustable air conditioning. A lift connects the middle deck with the lobby and the restaurant. The upper deck and sun deck are accessible by a stair lift. The main deck can only be reached via the stairs.

  • Upper deck: cabins with French balcony (= floor-to-ceiling windows which can be opened).
  • Middle deck: cabins with large panorama windows (can be opened).
  • Main deck: cabins with small windows (height approx. 40 cm, cannot be opened).

Arrival: Passau

Departure: Passau

Nearest arrival airport(s): Munich or Nuremberg

Nearest departure airport(s): Munich or Nuremberg

We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Passau by rail. Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request.

Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.