Passau, Germany – Danube River Cruise:
| RIVER CRUISE GUIDE | Bank (Danube) | Right/Left | KM | 2225 |
| Altitude | 290m/951ft | Population | 51,000 |
Passau is strategically located at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, on the Austrian border. It’s a picturesque and worthwhile place to visit for the tourist, with lots to see.
Originating as the Celtic settlement of Bojodurum, it was later the site of a Roman camp, Castra Batava, and was made an episcopal see in 739. The bishops became princes of the Holy Roman Empire in 1217 and ruled Passau until 1803, in spite of citizens’ revolts for municipal freedom. Fires in 1662 and 1680 caused great damage, and subsequent rebuilding gave the town a distinctly Baroque character.
Things to See in Passau
The town is dominated by the Oberhaus Fortress (1219), the site of a museum, and the Cathedral (1668), which incorporates the remains of an earlier Gothic structure. The cathedral contains one of the largest church organs in the world, with 17,000 pipes (1928).
The Bishops’ Palace (1712-30) and numerous fine churches in varied styles recall the era of the prince-bishops. The Gothic Town Hall (1298-1389) has paintings depicting episodes in the town’s past, including its association with the Nibelungen legends. The Niedernburg Convent (founded 8th century) contains the tomb of Gisela, the first queen of Hungary.
Passau was an important medieval trade and shipping centre. The Inn salt trade and the making of knife and sword blades were traditional occupations.
It has become the economic, cultural, and communications centre of southeastern Bavaria. Passau has city and state libraries, a municipal theatre, and other cultural institutions. Industries include a bell foundry, brewing, and the manufacture of optical instruments, textiles, and tobacco. There is also a tourist trade and a steamer service to Vienna.
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I am a single older gentleman, I would like to experience or the River Danube between Passau (Ger) and Viena (Aust).
Can I actually walk on the banks of the River?
What is the best time to dothis cruise?
Michael
Michael,
Most of the European river cruising operators offer Danube River Cruises so there are lots of options to choose from. I’ve copied you the link for the European River Cruises website and if you scroll down the page you’ll see the extensive list of Danube cruises available. Passau to Vienna is usually included as part of a longer cruise, for example Passau to Budapest.
http://www.europeanrivercruises.com/danube_river_cruises.cfm
I suggest that you select an itinerary that’s interesting to you and discuss this with a travel agent – I’m not sure where you’re located.
In regard to your question about walking on the banks of the River, whereas most of the riverboat moorings are quite central, they are actually not close enough to the places of interest so the cruise operators organize coaches to transport passengers into the towns or villages for sightseeing. How much sightseeing you do depends on how much you can manage the cobbled-stoned streets of the medieval villages and towns. During our travels, we’ve met quite a number of travellers in their 80s who were really fit!
**Be warned that the river cruise operators have to run to schedule as their times for going through the locks are fixed. Sometimes passengers don’t understand this and think that they’re being rushed at a destination**
As regards the best time to do a cruise, we like cruising in August when the weather is warmer and you can enjoy the beautiful river views from the sundeck. Winter cruises are generally cheaper, but the experience will be very different.
Hope the above helps.
Kind regards,
Helen
Is it nice in the fall ? early winter or to cold? Thanks
Hi, I would like to travel along the Danube, using local transport and ferries. I would like to plan my own itinery and hop on/hop off ferries, trains or buses. Is this possible or too ambitious?
Can you give me any pointers, to achieve this. The web sites seem to sell very expensive ‘cruises’. I want to ‘travel’, probably staying in hotels on land.
Thanks Rosie G
Hi Rosie,
Apologies for the late response.
Firstly, I’d like to clarify that we do not sell the ‘very expensive cruises’ that you mentioned. The river cruising information on our site is for information only.
River cruising is a specific travel experience where the main mode of transport is on the river boat and one of the greatest attractions is that you don’t have to pack and unpack each day as the river boat is your hotel on water. All your meals are included and on the better cruises your holiday is a hassle-free, 5-star experience. That’s why the prices for these cruises are more expensive. We’ve been on a couple of these and thoroughly enjoyed them and from the popularity of river cruises these days is an indication that holidaymakers are choosing this form of travel as well.
What you’re proposing to do will be a very different experience. If you intend visiting all the countries that the Danube flows through you will need to do a lot of planning, i.e. which sections of the Danube you intend visiting and then to line up all the transport requirements. If you’re an experienced traveller, I’m sure you can do it and it also depends on how much time you have as well. Unfortunately, we do not have information on local ferries or local river cruise operators.
The only tour operator that I’m aware of that sells day tours on the Danube is Viator. So when you’re Budapest or Vienna you could do one of their tours.
http://www.partner.viator.com/en/2494/search/Danube
I suggest that you start with the Tourist Office of each of the countries that you intend visiting and see if you can get the information you need.
Good luck with your planning.
Kind regards,
Helen