Passau Tourism – Danube River Cruises
The city tourism office distinguishes Donaulände, Lindau, and Racklau, gives the 3 km and 2 km offsets, and publishes bus access for the outlying moorings.
Cruise planning
Research Passau cruise calls before you travel.
Use the timetable to see upcoming cruise ship calls, busy-day signals, ship counts, and port context alongside the guide, map, weather, and readiness tools.
Schedule note
Port schedules can change because of weather, berth availability, itinerary updates, and operational decisions. Verify important times with your cruise line or the port authority before travel.
At a glance
Port profile
Country, code, and on-shore essentials.
Country
Germany
Port code
DEPAS
Coordinates
48.567, 13.432
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Explore ashore
A closer look at Passau
Your port day at a glance
Plan your time ashore in Passau
Passau has several Danube cruise moorings: central Donaulände stages plus Lindau about 3 km downstream and Racklau about 2 km upstream, making the berth the key planning fact.
Before going ashore
Before going ashore, confirm the berth or tender point, local time, all-aboard deadline, and the meeting location for any independently booked transport or tour.
Arrival
Varies by call
Town access
Varies by terminal
DIY rating
Good
Terrain
Hilly
Can you explore independently?
Old Town, St Stephen's Cathedral, the river confluence, and central streets are easy to combine from Donaulände. Outlying berths require protected transport time in both directions.
VoyagePro planning verdict
This port is most practical with the exact arrival point confirmed, a focused local plan, and only one longer transport-dependent choice protected by a return buffer.
Best for
- •Travelers who confirm the exact arrival point
- •A focused local plan
- •One transport-supported longer outing
Needs extra planning when
- •Your transfer or pickup point has not been confirmed
- •Your itinerary depends on several tightly timed stops
- •Your plan assumes every attraction can be reached on foot
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from Passau Tourism – Danube River Cruises and Passau Tourism – Cruise guide.
Step off the ship with a plan
Arrival, terminals and getting into town
Confirm the actual berth first—local access can change substantially between terminals.
Where your ship arrives
Confirm the named mooring and berth number. Donaulände serves the Old Town area, while Lindau and Racklau are separate outlying locations.
Getting into town
Central stages are close to Old Town sights. Passau Tourism directs passengers to bus 3 for Lindau and buses 8, 9, or 11 for Racklau, followed by about 500 metres on foot from the Racklau stop. Distance context: Official guidance places Lindau roughly 3 km downstream and Racklau roughly 2 km upstream; do not describe either as an Old Town berth.
Port shuttle
Use the ship transfer when supplied. For independent transit, verify the current city-bus timetable and final return because outlying moorings are not walkable substitutes for Donaulände.
Taxi and local transport
Taxi is practical with luggage, for Lindau or Racklau, and for mobility-sensitive plans. State the berth area clearly when booking the return. Shuttle or transfer context: Use the ship transfer when supplied. For independent transit, verify the current city-bus timetable and final return because outlying moorings are not walkable substitutes for Donaulände. Confirm the outbound pickup, return point, and final usable departure before leaving the passenger area.
Airport and hotel transfers
Passau does not have a major commercial airport at the riverfront; embarkation transfers are commonly regional road or rail journeys followed by a final trip to the assigned mooring.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from Passau Tourism – Danube River Cruises and Passau Tourism – Cruise guide.
What official and local sources say
Local details from reviewed sources
A concise summary of useful details found in port, municipal, transport, terminal, and tourism material.
Passau Tourism – Cruise guide
The official cruise guide maps the Danube moorings and documents the Old Town and outlying berth groups.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from Passau Tourism – Danube River Cruises and Passau Tourism – Cruise guide.
Build a realistic day
Choose a plan by time in port
Start with the usable time you have ashore, then leave a comfortable return margin.
Quick call
2–3 hours
Keep the day close to the port and choose one or two reliable nearby stops.
Half day
4–6 hours
Main choices: St Stephen's Cathedral, Old Town lanes, the three-rivers confluence, riverside walks, and elevated viewpoints are the principal local choices. Access plan: Central stages are close to Old Town sights. Passau Tourism directs passengers to bus 3 for Lindau and buses 8, 9, or 11 for Racklau, followed by about 500 metres on foot from the Racklau stop. Use confirmed transport for anything not described as walkable, and avoid combining distant stops unless the return is protected.
Long call
7+ hours
St Stephen's Cathedral, Old Town lanes, the three-rivers confluence, riverside walks, and elevated viewpoints are the principal local choices. Keep the ship return time as a hard deadline and add margin for security, traffic, weather, queues, or tender operations.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from Passau Tourism – Danube River Cruises and Passau Tourism – Cruise guide.
Plan for comfort
Accessibility and mobility
Hilly terrain reported for this port.
Mobility overview
Outlying-berth transfers are the first constraint. Old Town includes cobbles and grades, and viewpoints add steep sections; confirm gangway and coach accessibility. Call-specific access: Confirm whether the call docks or tenders, the gangway or boat-transfer method, and assistance available at the actual berth.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from Passau Tourism – Danube River Cruises and Passau Tourism – Cruise guide.
Avoid the rushed version of this port
Common planning mistakes
1
Assuming the arrival point
2
Treating every choice as walkable
Central stages are close to Old Town sights. Passau Tourism directs passengers to bus 3 for Lindau and buses 8, 9, or 11 for Racklau, followed by about 500 metres on foot from the Racklau stop.
3
Leaving no return margin
Keep the ship return time as a hard deadline and add margin for security, traffic, weather, queues, or tender operations.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from Passau Tourism – Danube River Cruises and Passau Tourism – Cruise guide.
Answers from reviewed guide sources
Passau port questions
These answers use the reviewed operational fields above; check the linked source when a detail affects a booking or transfer.
Will the ship dock or tender?
Confirm the named mooring and berth number. Donaulände serves the Old Town area, while Lindau and Racklau are separate outlying locations.
How do I get from the ship into town?
Central stages are close to Old Town sights. Passau Tourism directs passengers to bus 3 for Lindau and buses 8, 9, or 11 for Racklau, followed by about 500 metres on foot from the Racklau stop. Distance context: Official guidance places Lindau roughly 3 km downstream and Racklau roughly 2 km upstream; do not describe either as an Old Town berth.
Should I plan a shuttle, taxi, or transfer?
Use the ship transfer when supplied. For independent transit, verify the current city-bus timetable and final return because outlying moorings are not walkable substitutes for Donaulände. Taxi is practical with luggage, for Lindau or Racklau, and for mobility-sensitive plans. State the berth area clearly when booking the return. Shuttle or transfer context: Use the ship transfer when supplied. For independent transit, verify the current city-bus timetable and final return because outlying moorings are not walkable substitutes for Donaulände. Confirm the outbound pickup, return point, and final usable departure before leaving the passenger area.
Can I explore independently?
Old Town, St Stephen's Cathedral, the river confluence, and central streets are easy to combine from Donaulände. Outlying berths require protected transport time in both directions. Local access: Central stages are close to Old Town sights. Passau Tourism directs passengers to bus 3 for Lindau and buses 8, 9, or 11 for Racklau, followed by about 500 metres on foot from the Racklau stop. Keep the ship return time as a hard deadline and add margin for security, traffic, weather, queues, or tender operations.
What should I know about airport or hotel transfers?
Passau does not have a major commercial airport at the riverfront; embarkation transfers are commonly regional road or rail journeys followed by a final trip to the assigned mooring.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from Passau Tourism – Danube River Cruises and Passau Tourism – Cruise guide.
Guide review and sources
Operational details can change by berth, weather, and ship call. Confirm important arrangements before travel.
Reviewed Jul 17, 2026
2 sources
Build a route you can actually use
Practical places around Passau
Choose a few places that fit your time ashore, then check access and transport before setting out.
Transport starting point
Central stages are close to Old Town sights. Passau Tourism directs passengers to bus 3 for Lindau and buses 8, 9, or 11 for Racklau, followed by about 500 metres on foot from the Racklau stop. Distance context: Official guidance places Lindau roughly 3 km downstream and Racklau roughly 2 km upstream; do not describe either as an Old Town berth.
Arrival location reference
Passau cruise destination reference· Cruise destination area
Religious landmark
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Passau
A mapped religious landmark to consider for a port day in Passau.
Read more
A mapped religious landmark to consider for a port day in Passau. Check current access, opening hours, admission requirements, and reservations before setting out.
Plan local transport from the assigned terminal or landing rather than assuming this stop is walkable.
Local transport may be needed from the arrival point
Museum
Veste Oberhaus
A mapped museum to consider for a port day in Passau.
Read more
A mapped museum to consider for a port day in Passau. Check current access, opening hours, admission requirements, and reservations before setting out.
Plan local transport from the assigned terminal or landing rather than assuming this stop is walkable.
Local transport may be needed from the arrival point
Local landmark
Old Town lanes
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Passau.
Read more
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Passau. Check current access, opening hours, admission requirements, and reservations before setting out.
Use the official visitor information for directions. No sufficiently reliable geotagged match was found, so this place is intentionally not pinned.
No verified map pinPlace information
Local landmark
the three-rivers confluence
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Passau.
Read more
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Passau. Check current access, opening hours, admission requirements, and reservations before setting out.
Use the official visitor information for directions. No sufficiently reliable geotagged match was found, so this place is intentionally not pinned.
No verified map pinPlace information
Local landmark
riverside walks
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Passau.
Read more
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Passau. Check current access, opening hours, admission requirements, and reservations before setting out.
Use the official visitor information for directions. No sufficiently reliable geotagged match was found, so this place is intentionally not pinned.
No verified map pinPlace information
Scenic landmark
elevated viewpoints are the principal local choices
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Passau.
Read more
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Passau. Check current access, opening hours, admission requirements, and reservations before setting out.
Use the official visitor information for directions. No sufficiently reliable geotagged match was found, so this place is intentionally not pinned.
No verified map pinPlace information
Source summary3 sources
Reviewed 2026-07-25. Location placement, transport, and attraction information retain separate sources so each can be checked and updated independently.
Live port-day planner
Plan my port day in Passau
Choose an upcoming call and ship to turn the published schedule into a practical planning window.
Choose a call date
Choose your ship
Your selected call
AmaLea
Arrival
Not published
Departure
Not published
Scheduled window
Not published
5 ships that day
Up to 854 passenger capacity
Return checkpoint unavailable
A departure time has not been published for this ship. Confirm the official all-aboard time onboard before making plans ashore.
Guide match for this window
Confirm your ship's times, then choose one coherent local plan with a comfortable return margin.
Schedule source summary
Dates, ships, and times come from the currently published cruise-call records. Schedules can change, and passenger totals represent available ship-capacity data rather than a forecast of people going ashore.
Destination guide
About Passau
Passau is a German city located in the Southeast of Germany on the Austrian border. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz. The Three Rivers City, as it’s also known, is unique for its three contrasting currents of blue, green and black. Old Town of Passau is home to towering buildings of striking architecture: the majestic fortress Veste Oberhaus, the Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf and St Stephen's Cathedral.
Many of Passau’s attractions can be found in this area, including the New Bishop’s Residence, the Gothic Town Hall, as well as many churches and museums. Visitors can stroll along the riverfront promenades and romantic lanes whilst enjoying the picturesque landscape. For modern art, The Museum of Modern Art and Glass Museum Passau are recommended as they offer something a bit different. Theatre and cabaret are a popular evening pastime, with performances at the former Prince Bishopric Theatre or some lively cabaret and Jazz at the Scharfrichterhaus. Visitors will also find many traditional local Bavarian and Austrian cafes and restaurants offering a cosy atmosphere with home cooked food from local produce.
Keep exploring
Nearby port guides
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Explore ashore
Shore excursions in Passau
Explore tour options for your port day. Check the meeting point and return time against your ship’s schedule before booking.
No tours were returned for this port.
Check current options with Shore Excursions Group. Tours and availability can change.
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Photo credits
Place photos are resized for display and cropped where needed.