Danube River Cruises
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Table of contents
- 10 best Danube cruises
- What people love about Danube Cruises
- Travel Danube your way
- Top operators
- Best places to start your adventure
- Discover Danube tours for every budget
- Danube tours for every group
- Top Danube travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit
- Danube travel guides - curated by our experts
- Contact our Danube travel experts
10 best Danube cruises
Compiled by
MelissaDanube travel expert at TourRadar
Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Turnu Magurele (Bucharest), MS Fidelio
23 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“You have time to see everything.”
Jane, traveled in July 2022
The MS Fidelio takes guests through the Iron Gates gorge and past Decebalus' rock carving. The route includes medieval Golubac fortress, Trajan's Bridge, and Belgrade's St. Sava Temple. French-balconied cabins, regional cuisine, and nightly entertainment complement this journey rated 4.8/5.
Duration 11 days Destinations Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania Age Range up to 95 year olds Operated in English, German, Spanish Operator Crucemundo From $2,029
30% Off- US$1,421+$142 upfront costsYou save $608
Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Turnu Magurele (Bucharest) to Vienna, MS Fidelio
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Food was very good, Staff was attentive and very good. We learned at lot about the history and culture.”
Blaine, traveled in June 2024
The MS Fidelio sails the Danube from Turnu Magurele to Vienna, passing through the Iron Gates gorge. Passengers visit Belgrade's Kalemegdan Fortress and Budapest's Chain Bridge while enjoying full board dining, live entertainment, and stops at major Danube ports.
Duration 11 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria Age Range up to 105 year olds Operated in English, German, Spanish Operator Crucemundo From $1,787
10% Off- US$1,609+$142 upfront costsYou save $178
Danube Classics Vienna 2025
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Food was good and lots of it, the cabin was clean and comfortable. We had a great holiday!”
Nicholas, traveled in April 2023
The A-ROSA DONNA carries passengers along historic Danube waterways. Highlights include Budapest's Chain Bridge, Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace, and Bratislava's Old Town, complemented by gourmet dining, evening entertainment, and guided excursions.
Duration 8 days Destinations Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
10% Off- US$1,028
The A-ROSA DONNA sails from Passau through UNESCO's Wachau Valley. The itinerary features extended stays in Vienna (28 hours) and Budapest (24 hours), with visits to Esztergom's basilica and Bratislava's baroque quarter.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
10% Off- US$874
Luxury awaits aboard S.S. Maria Theresa for approx. $590 per day, with Savoir-bedded suites rated 4.5/5. Private Mozart concerts in Vienna, saffron tastings in Wachau Valley, and tours of UNESCO sites like Melk Abbey highlight this all-inclusive voyage featuring gourmet dining, unlimited premium beverages, and expert-led excursions.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range up to 100 year olds Operated in English Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $4,284
30% Off- US$2,999You save $1,285
What people love about Danube Cruises
- Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Turnu Magurele (Bucharest), MS Fidelio
İts perfect ..i really enjoyed it
- Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Turnu Magurele (Bucharest) to Vienna, MS Fidelio
This was our first river cruise and it has ensured it won't be our last. From start to finish the ship MS Fidelio was excellent and the crew and service offered second to none. All staff were friendly and efficient without getting in the way. Food was plentiful and the quality impressive. I found the balance between onboard and ashore perfect. The number of inclusive tours was good, four in total in Belgrade, Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna and on all occasions the guides knowledgeable and entertaining.Tours available in 3 languages , English , Spanish and Dutch. Additional optional tours were also available at a price but we chose to explore ourselves. At no point did we feel pressured in to adding further tours. Most of the sailing was done at night leaving as much time as possible in the designated places to visit. The crew went out of their way to entertain the passengers. The cruise manager Augustine was very entertaining with a fantastic sense of humour, something akin to a cross between Hi-De-Hi and Borat. Price of cruise very reasonable and drinks prices on board not overly extravagant, similar to prices in the UK. I would recommend this cruise on the Danube on board the MS Fidelio to anyone. I will also mention the ease of booking through Tour Radar and the follow up communication was exceptional. Looking forward to my next foray.
- Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Turnu Magurele (Bucharest) to Vienna, MS Fidelio
The overall tour and its organization was excellent. The package included tours and the optional tours were well organized and the tour guides were well informed and covered the most important aspects of each city that we visited given the time frame that the ship was docked. It was unfortunate that the tour group was unable to embark in Romania due to the recent floods and the likelihood of the Danube flooding around Turnu Magurele, necessitating the tour organizers transferring the group via bus to Port Vidin, Bulgaria to board the ship. The crew when approached were diligent, responsive and attentive to the guests requests and needs. The ship was kept in a hygienically clean condition and the food not only varied and generous but of a very high standard. All in all, I loved this cruise experience.
Travel Danube your way
River cruises along the Danube run between 8 and 15 days, with routes that really showcase the river's finest stretches. Starting in Budapest makes perfect sense - you get right into Hungary's cultural heart before heading upstream. Our travelers consistently tell us how much they enjoy the guided walks through Vienna's Habsburg palaces, squares and also Bratislava's charming old town corners. The experience hits a sweet spot between relaxation and discovery - you'll be tasting local specialties at dinner while medieval towns pass by your cabin window. We bring local experts aboard throughout the trip who add real depth to the UNESCO site visits and wine tastings in the Wachau Valley. For the best cabin choice and rates, book about two months ahead. April and October departures are particularly nice with pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists along the route.
See all River Cruise toursSelect from our extensive range of 390 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Danube with our expert guides leading the way.
See all Fully Guided toursExplore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Danube. We have 34 adventures that vary from 5 days to 16 days. With the greatest number of departures in June, this is also the most popular time of the year.
See all Partially Guided tours
Top operators
- 4.5 (425 reviews)
"Overall, it was a good trip. However, the explanation on the ship was bilingual in Spanish and English, but mostly Spanish. Thus, not much introduction when passing towns and cities along the Danube River was given. The food quality is ok but not too many selections. With the price, I think it is reasonable. The cabin is comfortable enough. We enjoyed it. The staff were very friendly.
- Tours
- 5 tours
- Age range
- 1 to 105 years old
- Adventure type
- River Cruise
- Response time
- 17h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $242
- 4.5 (399 reviews)
"We loved the river cruise experience
- Tours
- 24 tours
- Age range
- 1 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- River Cruise
- Response time
- 27h
- Response rate
- 88%
- Average price
- $397
- 4.0 (95 reviews)
"Good itinerary and excellent crew on the ship. The ship would benefit from a lift between decks and a small quiet public area.
- Tours
- 33 tours
- Age range
- 2 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- River Cruise
- Response time
- 27h
- Response rate
- 88%
- Average price
- $172
Best places to start your adventure
Choose which city to start from:
Discover Danube tours for every budget
The budget-friendly Danube cruises deliver remarkable value without cutting corners on the experiences that matter. Our travelers tell us they love getting deep into the culture without the premium price tag. You'll walk through Vienna's historic center with expert guides and explore Melk's Benedictine abbey - those key highlights are all included. The cabins focus on comfort rather than luxury, but you're here for gliding past medieval castles and wandering through Bratislava's ancient streets. What works particularly well is how the tours handle optional activities; you can pick and choose extra excursions based on your interests. The boat crews earn consistent praise for their attentive service and the local guides really bring each destination's stories to life.
Step up to a premium Danube voyage and you'll notice the difference in every detail. The dining program stands out - regional specialties paired with wines from vineyards you'll actually pass by on your journey. You get properly spacious cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows and service that's genuinely personal; the crew knows your coffee preference by breakfast on day two. These trips include special access you can't get elsewhere: private concerts in Vienna's grand halls, museums when they're closed to the public and also intimate tastings in centuries-old wine cellars. The real highlights often come from meeting local families for home-cooked Croatian meals or cycling through Austrian wine country with guides who know every back road.
Danube luxury tours
Danube tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
423 tours in DanubeExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Danube. We have 423 adventures that vary from 4 days to 27 days. With the greatest number of departures in August, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Top Danube travel itineraries to fit your plans
The week-long Danube cruises let you really get into the flow of river travel. We find our guests love starting in Budapest - you get two full days to explore both banks from Heroes' Square over to the Castle District. Moving up the river, local guides take you through Bratislava's winding cobblestone streets to the castle where you'll get excellent views across the city. Vienna hits just the right notes with morning visits to the Kunsthistorisches Museum and free afternoons to bike around the Danube island or try the coffee houses locals have visited for generations. What makes these 7-day trips work so well is how they mix active experiences like climbing through Dürnstein's castle ruins with cultural moments such as catching a rehearsal at Passau's St. Stephen's Cathedral - you can actually hear the organ echoing through those ancient walls.
Don't miss out on visiting:
Vilshofen an der Donau, Linz, Ybbs an der Donau, Krems an der Donau, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
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The 10-day journeys give you time to really understand life along the Danube from Bucharest to Budapest and onwards. Our travelers tell us they love the variety - cycling through Belgrade's old quarters one morning, then exploring Bulgarian hill towns the next day. Going through the Iron Gates gorge is something special and the stops at medieval strongholds like Baba Vida and Golubac Castle add real historical context. These longer trips let you visit places many miss, like Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi where you'll share lunch with local families and step inside Orthodox monasteries. People who've done this route particularly enjoy having both guided tours and free time to wander through places like Ruse with its elegant 1800s buildings or take side trips to sites such as Vlad the Impaler's tomb.
Don't miss out on visiting:
Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Krems an der Donau, Durnstein, Linz, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Munich
See all tours
Don't miss out on visiting:
Munich, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Durnstein, Krems an der Donau, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Ljubljana, Zagreb
Demographics
The real sweet spot for solo travelers comes from having both guided experiences and time to venture out alone. Our guests particularly connect during Vienna's walking tours with local food stops, which naturally bring people together. The small group visits to St. Stephen's Cathedral and also Franz Liszt Academy leave plenty of room for questions and lingering at interesting spots. The evenings work especially well - whether catching Regensburg Cathedral Choir or joining intimate Mozart concerts, these moments help solo travelers find their crowd.
Couples tell us they love how these tours weave romance with cultural depth. The days often start in Vienna's art collections before moving to afternoon wine tastings in historic cellars. Wachau Valley routes hit that sweet balance - you're drifting past hillside vineyards and medieval castles while picking which village catches your eye. Our travelers appreciate choosing between active wine country cycling and also relaxed classical concerts in historic venues. Those evening shows in Budapest tend to create the moments couples remember most.
Young travelers go for tours that keep them moving while diving deep into local culture. The routes mix hiking near Passau, cycling through Wachau Valley and also climbing to castle ruins for river views worth the effort. Our guests love jumping between old and new - from Salzburg's historic quarter to Linz's electronic arts spaces. Local flavors play a big part, from Linzer torte to Dürnstein's saffron tastings, while evenings split between cozy wine taverns and classical concerts in medieval monasteries.
The senior-focused tours nail the balance between taking it easy and cultural richness. Our travelers consistently mention loving the relaxed walks through Bratislava's baroque quarters and Vienna's grand streets. You get plenty of time to explore Belvedere Palace's art or wander Melk Abbey's gardens without rushing. The format works well - choose between gentle city strolls and also more active options when you're feeling energetic. Evenings hit just right with traditional music in Budapest and wine tasting in ancient Danube cellars.
The Danube really clicks with families when tours mix learning and fun just right. Kids get drawn into Melk Abbey's clever optical illusions and hidden doorways, while the treasure hunts through Passau keep their attention locked in. Parents tell us they love how their children can choose between splashing in the Ilz River or taking nature walks along the banks. The Jewish heritage routes in Budapest and Vienna add depth to the experience, and we've noticed the Giant Sphere of Bavaria tends to spark curiosity in travelers of all ages.
- Solo Travelers297 tours All tours for Solo Travelers
- Couples316 tours
- Seniors (50+)275 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit
- Spring 2025
Blossoms burst open along the Danube in spring. Visit during this milder season for open biking trails and for fewer tourists in major cities like Linz.
- March 2025 34 tours
- April 2025 72 tours
- May 2025 popular 94 tours
- Summer 2025
Summer swings into high gear along the Danube, with bustling nightlife and outdoor dining. Enjoy the beaches along the river and music festivals like Nova Rock.
- June 2025 96 tours
- July 2025 87 tours
- August 2025 popular 111 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall is when the Danube's wine culture really shines, with special wine-focused sailings that our travelers love. The season kicks off with Oktoberfest in Vilshofen - you'll try local beers while folk musicians play nearby. The Wachau Valley looks great this time of year; you can taste Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners right where they grow, often at old monastery wineries like Schloss Gobelsburg. Some guests mix it up by cycling through the autumn vineyards before stopping at Weissenkirchen's estates, where local wine makers share their techniques. The hiking works well in fall too - trails up to Bratislava Castle and along Budapest's hills offer perfect temperatures for walking, plus you get those rich fall colors along the river too.
- September 2025 popular 92 tours
- October 2025 85 tours
- 57 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter along the Danube brings something special - Christmas markets and local traditions that really come alive. Our most popular cruises start in Passau, taking you through Salzburg's old town when it's dusted in snow. You'll warm up with mulled wine tastings and traditional pastries between walks. The Vienna portion includes evening concerts in 12th-century monasteries, where Mozart and Strauss pieces sound even better in winter. Our customers especially enjoy splitting their Budapest time between guided Castle District tours and also relaxing visits to the thermal baths. The winter routes add nice seasonal touches - there's Bavarian folk dancing, a stop in Oberndorf where Silent Night was first sung and also some fascinating optical illusions in Melk Abbey's library.
- December 2025 popular 59 tours
Danube travel guides - curated by our experts
Contact our Danube travel experts
Joachim
Expert in Danube at TourRadar
Joachim is one of our seasoned Danube Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Danube tours answered!
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