Is the train travel included?

Yes. The Bayern Pass flexible ticket covers the regional train from Munich Airport to Passau on arrival and from Passau to Munich on departure. All river cruise transport is included.

What accommodation is provided?

Seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Riva, a five-star river cruise ship, with all meals included and a drinks package with dinner each evening.

Is the tour escorted?

Yes. Vacations By Rail provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the eight days.

What excursions are included?

Guided tours of Vienna, Budapest and Linz; a visit to Melk Abbey; exploration of Bratislava Castle and Old Town; and sailing through the Wachau Valley. All are included in the package.

How much walking is involved?

The tour has a Mobility Rating 1, indicating minimal walking beyond city sightseeing tours at each port. Most time is spent aboard the ship.

What is not included?

Flights, airport transfers, and travel insurance are not included in the from-price. Cancellation insurance can be arranged separately.

No longer offered

Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. Live alternatives are under Similar journeys below.

Vacations By Rail · River Cruise

The Beautiful Blue Danube: Passau Round Trip

Eight-day Danube river cruise from Munich through four countries

The Beautiful Blue Danube is an eight-day escorted river cruise operated by Vacations By Rail aboard the five-star MS Amadeus Riva. The journey begins in Munich, where travellers use a Bayern Pass regional train ticket to reach Passau on the German-Austrian border, then board the ship for a week-long voyage through four countries. The itinerary winds down the Danube through the Austrian Wachau Valley wine region, calling at Vienna, the Hungarian capital of Budapest, the Slovak capital Bratislava, and concluding in the Austrian city of Linz. Days combine guided city tours at major ports, including Vienna's Ringstrasse and Opera House, Budapest's Heroes Square and Fisherman's Bastion, and visits to Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine monastery. Travellers sleep and dine aboard ship each night, with five-course dinners included nightly, a drinks package, onboard entertainment such as a Vienna Philharmonic performance, and a farewell gala dinner. The tour manager and cruise director team remains with the group throughout. This suits couples, history travellers and those seeking guided comfort with minimal daily packing.

What to know before you look closer

Flights and airport transfers are not included; the price covers the cruise package starting with the regional train from Munich to Passau
Independent transfers required to and from Passau railway station on Days 1 and 8; using the Bayern Pass flexible ticket is the responsibility of the traveller
The trip concludes in Linz, not Passau; a return train to Munich is included but requires independent station access

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: ship
To Passau, where we board our luxurious ship
Arrive at Munich; using a Bayern Pass flexible ticket, board a train to the border town of Passau, then transfer independently to the ship. Welcome cocktail, meet the Tour Manager and group, first five-course dinner in the ship's restaurant.
Day 2overnight: ship
Melk Abbey & the scenic Wachau Valley
Dock in Emmersdorf and visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine abbey. Sail through the Wachau Valley wine region, stopping in Durnstein, before sailing overnight into Vienna with an onboard performance by former Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra members.
Day 3overnight: ship
Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna
A guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse, the Opera House and the Parliament, with free time to explore St. Stephen's Cathedral, Prater Gardens or Schonbrunn Palace. Overnight cruise toward Budapest begins during dinner.
Day 4overnight: ship
Exploring Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'
A sightseeing tour of Budapest covering Heroes Square, the State Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Evening Hungarian Folklore troupe performance and a nighttime cruise past Budapest's illuminated sights.
Day 5overnight: ship
Sailing the beautiful Danube Bend
A morning at leisure in Budapest, then sailing upstream through the Danube Bend past Visegrad and Esztergom, continuing overnight along the Hungary-Slovakia border.
Day 6overnight: ship
Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava
Arrival in Bratislava, exploring Bratislava Castle, the Old Town and quirky statues, before sailing back to Austria after lunch.
Day 7overnight: ship
Arrival in the cultural Austrian city of Linz
A guided tour of Linz including the Hauptmarkt and Old Town, then a farewell gala dinner on board as the ship begins its final cruise toward Passau.
Day 8rail
Traveling home
Disembark after breakfast and transfer independently to Passau's railway station, using the Bayern Pass flexible ticket to travel to Munich, where the journey concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Day 2: Visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine monastery, then sail through the Wachau Valley wine region, stopping in Durnstein before an onboard performance by former Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra members
Day 3Day 3: Guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse, the Opera House and Parliament; free time to explore St. Stephen's Cathedral or Schonbrunn Palace
Day 4Day 4: Guided sightseeing of Budapest covering Heroes Square, the State Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica and Fisherman's Bastion, followed by a Hungarian Folklore troupe performance and nighttime cruise past illuminated sights
Day 6Day 6: Explore Bratislava Castle, the Old Town and its quirky statues in Slovakia's compact capital

Included

Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
7 nights aboard MS Amadeus Riva
Five-Star service onboard
Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
Superb excursions included

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?: Yes. The Bayern Pass flexible ticket covers the regional train from Munich Airport to Passau on arrival and from Passau to Munich on departure. All river cruise transport is included.
What accommodation is provided?: Seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Riva, a five-star river cruise ship, with all meals included and a drinks package with dinner each evening.
Is the tour escorted?: Yes. Vacations By Rail provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the eight days.
What excursions are included?: Guided tours of Vienna, Budapest and Linz; a visit to Melk Abbey; exploration of Bratislava Castle and Old Town; and sailing through the Wachau Valley. All are included in the package.
How much walking is involved?: The tour has a Mobility Rating 1, indicating minimal walking beyond city sightseeing tours at each port. Most time is spent aboard the ship.
What is not included?: Flights, airport transfers, and travel insurance are not included in the from-price. Cancellation insurance can be arranged separately.

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