Difficulty Rating : 4 Start : Passau Finish : Passau Terrain : Passau Daily Average : 25-50km Weekly Average : 170km Teaser : Cruise down the Danube while cycling along it's banks.   Your accommodation is on a nostalgia ship
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Cruise down the Danube while cycling along it's banks.   Your accommodation is on a nostalgia ship as you discover breathtakingly beautiful river scenery with small sleepy villages, castles and palaces set in gorgeous countryside and enjoy warm Austrian hospitality at every stage of your cycling tour.     

Our tour starts and finishes in Passau, the city where Sisi began her journey along the Danube as a young bride to Vienna, eagerly awaited by her Emperor Franz. Follow in the footsteps of the Austrian empress by bicycle in a region which is a gourmand’s paradise and famous for its cakes, pastries and other irresistible culinary treats. After Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte and apricot dumplings it’ll be much easier to burn up the miles... Wines from the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Landscape Wachau enjoy an international reputation, Linz, the capital of Upper Austria is home to the biggest church in Austria.

And then there’s Vienna... Enchanting, charming and perhaps slightly eccentric, the City of Waltz will capture your heart in an instant. Magnificent buildings from the imperial age bear witness to the impressive history of times gone by.   After visiting this magnificent city the tour winds its way back to Passau

The short distances to cycle each day and the wonder of taking a boat trip down the Danube make this a great tour for children

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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Dossiers Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Passau

Experience Mediterranean flair in Passau, the city of three rivers. You should definitely set aside some time on the day of your arrival for a walk through the picturesque baroque city with its narrow lanes and Passau cathedral home to the largest church organ in the world. Your cycling holiday begins after embarkation (4.00 p.m.) when you sail into the sunset and Passau’s magnificent silhouette with its church towers and domes slowly fades into the horizon behind you.

Day 2

Engelhartszell – Brandstatt, approx. 45 km

Breathe in the fragrance of the dense forest and freshly mown meadows. Explore the pristine countryside of the Upper Danube valley on the former towpath as it runs past sleepy villages. Small, rustic inns at the edge of the trail invite you to linger, the aroma of fresh fish grilled according to tradition on a stick wafts through the air. The Schlögener Blick observation point offers a truly stunning view of the Schlögener Schlinge where the Danube carves its way through a gorge and doubles back on itself.

Day 3

Brandstatt – Linz, approx. 26 km

Catch some fresh country air again - at lunch time, you’ll reach the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. Discover the European Capital of Culture 2009 on a bright yellow miniature train (optional). The cathedral is the biggest church in Austria, the Pöstlingbergbahn the steepest adhesion railway in the world. Are you curious about the future? At the ARS Electronica Museum, you can try out some of the most impressive examples of modern technology for yourself. Make sure you don’t miss it!

Day 4

Tulln – Vienna, approx. 31 km

Right in front of Vienna's entrance, embedded in a breathtaking scenery, the monastery of Klosterneuburg is situated. You can already see the dome of this 900 year old baroque building from a distance. "Kahlenbergerdorf" with it's wine taverns is only a hop from the shipping pier and definitely worth a visit. After a stroll through the vineyards, you can enjoy the panoramic view over Vienna. During a city tour by bus in the afternoon. You will pass most of the numerous and famous sights and have a guided walking tour though the historic centre of Austria’s capital (optional, not included).

Day 5

Vienna, Rest Day

On a city tour of Vienna all the sights are within reach from the saddle of your bike or on the HOP ON HOP OFF bus (optional). The magnificent Ringstraße will remind you of times long past and inviting coffee houses will tempt you with delicious Viennese cakes and pastries, while the Naschmarket market is a feast for all the senses. End the evening on a magical note with a concert of waltz and classical operetta music in Sisi’s summer residence (optional).

Day 6

Wachau Valley roundtrip, approx. 37 km

An unforgettable day in the picturesque Wachau. Cycle through delightful wine-growing villages surrounded by terraced vineyards and apricot trees. The charming little town of Dürnstein with its narrow lanes is an absolute highlight. In Weißenkirchen – the most important wine-growing village in the World Cultural Heritage Landscape – you can discover the first rate famous Wachau wines

Day 7

Grein - Mauthausen, approx. 35 km

A beautiful and varied route lies ahead of you, offering a wide range of experiences! Starting from the medieval town of Grein (home to Austria’s oldest theater, visit optional) you’ll cycle through the picturesque hinterland of the Strudengau region. With a bit of luck, you may even be personally guided through the romantic Clam Castle by the castle’s lord. Additionally, you’ll take a journey back in time to prehistory at the Celtic Village in Mitterkirchen. The Mauthausen Memorial, a WWII concentration camp memorial site, is situated on a hill near the town.

Day 8

Passau and surroundings

Enjoy the first rays of sun and the early morning tranquillity one last time from the deck of the ship before you reach Passau/ surroundings, your heart bursting with memories. Disembarkation: approx. 9 a.m. We recommend that you do not make any arrangements for onward trains departing before 10.30 a.m. To be on the safe side, later departure times would be even better.

  • 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air condition 
  • Port charges
  • The program according to itinerary from/to Passau
  • Captains greeting and Welcome cocktail
  • Full board: breakfast, lunch on board (non-cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists), afternoon coffee break, 
    dinner incl. house wine, draught beer and soft drink (2/3 dishes to choose from)
  • Gala-dinner with farewell cocktail
  • Board Musician
  • A tour guide on board (does not cycle with the group)
  • Daily information meeting
  • Detailed roadbook (one per cabin)
  • Detailed travel documents, cycling guide App, GPS tracks per cabin

On guided tour:
Tour guide cycling with the group
Helmet rental
Ferry rides

Not included
+ €90  Bike rental
+ €190 E-Bike rental

Bike rental is not included in the tour price.
In 2024 the cost to rent a hybrid bike is €90 and €210 for an e-bike

On the group tour helmets are included.

On the self guided tour it is possible to rent a helmet for €15. This needs to be pre-booked

We offer bike insurance in case of loss or damage of the bike while on tour.
The cost is €18 for hybrid bike and €50 for e-bike.

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2024 SELF GUIDED TOUR PRICES

There are four types of cabins to chose from:
Standard: Main deck, double bed to be separated, windows not to be opened
Comfort: Middle deck, double bed to be separated, windows to be opened
Superior: Upper deck, double bed to be separated, private balcony
Minisuite: Middle deck, double-bedded to be separated, windows to be opened, minibar

SEASON 1 ( April  ) 
€900   Standard cabin
€1090 Comfort cabin
€1200Minisuite
€1300 Superior cabin

SEASON 2 ( May, July, August) 
€1000   Standard cabin
€1190 Comfort cabin
€1300 Minisuite
€1400 Superior cabin

SEASON 3 ( June, September ) 
€1100 Standard cabin
€1290 Comfort cabin
€1400 Minisuite
€1500 Superior cabin

GUIDED GROUP TOUR PRICE
available on June 8, July 6, September 21
+ €210 per person ( accompanied by a cycling guide ) 

There is a 55% supplement for those who want a single cabin. Subject to availability.
A child reduction is available. Please contact us in the office for more details.

Bike rental is not included in the tour price:
€90 hybrid bike rental
€210 e-bike rental

Self Guided Tour Information

Self Guided Tours run on all boat departures:
April 27,
May 25,
June 8, June 15, June 22, June 29
July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27
August 17, August 24,
September 7, September 21

Group Cycling is available on June 8, July 6, September 21
(add. dates available from a minimum of 10 people upon requests)

How to get to the start point in Passau:
- Munich Airport (MUC)
The closest airport to Passau is Munich Airport (Mõnchen Flughafen / MUC) with its huge number of cheap flights to mostly German and European destinations.
Passau is around 160 km (100 miles) from Munich Airport. Driving time is around 90 minutes.
Public transportation - from the airport, take taxi or bus 635 to Freising (they leave at 21 after each hour, and takes approx 18 mins). Direct trains run from Freising to Passau hourly- (about € 22-28,- per person).

Alternatives require transfers in either Plattling or Regensburg. Total journey time varies from 2h20 to three hours.

- Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)
Many international/intercontinental passengers will enter Germany at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA). It is, both faster and cheaper to take the ICE train from Frankfurt to Passau rather than taking a connecting flight to Munich. Many direct trains are available with more options requiring an easy transfer at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. Total journey time is just over four hours.
The following websites will help you with train connections between Vienna and Passau.
Bahn.de or Oebb.at

Its possible to book a private transfer from Munich to Passau one way (1-8 people): €300 from City Centre / €250 from Airport

MV Swiss Crown

The MS Swiss Crown is a large 4*-river cruise ship that can carry a maximum of 135 passengers.

built in 2000
renovated in 2018/2019
length 110 m (360 ft), width 11.40 m (37 ft),
load draft 1.60 m (4.9 ft)
crew approx. 35 men/women
sails under a Swiss flag
ENI 07001725

 

MV Swiss Crown image 1MV Swiss Crown image 1

Cabins

3 decks: main deck, middle deck and upper deck
languages spoken on board: English, German
WiFi available, payable onsite
credit cards are accepted (Mastercard, Visa)

Cabins image 1Cabins image 1

Cabin types

STANDARD cabin:
the approx. 14 m² cabins are located on the main deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart) and smaller, raised windows (NOT openable). In some cabins a 3rd bed (bunk bed) can be used for children.

COMFORT cabin:
the approx. 14 m² cabins are located on the middle deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart). The panoramic window can be opened.

SUPERIOR cabin:
the approx. 14 m² cabins are located on the upper deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart) and private balcony.

MINISUITE:
the approx. 16 m² cabin is located on the middle deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart), panoramic window, minibar and coffee station

Cabin types image 1Cabin types image 1

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available




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Accommodation

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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €300.00 non refundable deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The balancing payment is required two months prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The full payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.