Erste Donau-Dampschiffsfahrts-Gesellschaft (DDSG)

A trip on the Danube on one of the ships of the Erste Donau-Dampschiffsfahrts-Gesellschaft (DDSG) is an excellent excursion; for example to Budapest or to Bratislava (Pressburg). A nostalgic trip can be made on the MS "Stadt Passau", the last paddle wheel steamer, which operates to and from Passau, or on a modern hovercraft or a traditional Danube ship. The trips last from two to four days. In the other direction, upstream, there are trips from Vienna to the Wachau or to Melk (taking in the abbey) and thence to Passau, returning to Vienna through the Wachau (tour of the old streets of Dürnstein) and the southern part of the Wienerwald (four days one way). It is also possible to book for part of the route Vienna-Passau or to return from Passau to Vienna by rail (in this case three days).