Danube River Cruises
Romance, power, and history await along the River Danube, sweeping through many stunning countries. Stop off and explore unforgettable cities, like Vienna and its classic architecture, Bratislava and its Old Town, and Budapest with its iconic Parliament building. Enjoy a walking tour with local guides during the day and kick back and relax on board in the evenings.
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Ian • traveled in May, 2026
The app is of a low standard. The information doesn't match what is shown on board which is very confusing. The removal of coffee facilities after dinner seemed very petty. Staff were very good.
Danube Classics Vienna 2026 - K
Kathleen • traveled in April, 2026
Excellent! We loved this cruise. The staff, food and rooms were great. Would recommend to everyone.
Danube Classics 2026 - R
Rick • traveled in January, 2026
We totally enjoyed our late October cruise even though groups from Spain and Germany were in the majority. City visits were brief and our boat seemed often to be moored in the furthest port from the sights. By engaging local guides through Viator we saw and learned a lot. Bring your walking shoes and use the excellent inexpensive public transportation. Food was excellent, each meal had several courses and there were choices. Staff was helpful, unobtrusive and friendly. Entertainment was one DJ and the music was not what we are used to hearing. Lounges were spacious and had comfy furniture along with lots of windows. Expect to go thru lots of locks. Overall it was a great way to experience the sights and sounds several cities.
Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS Fidelio
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Table of contents
- The best Danube cruises
- See the Danube your way
- Danube tour companies
- Popular Danube Cruise Ships
- Where to start your Danube trip
- Discover Danube tours for every budget
- Cruises for every type of group
- Danube itineraries by length
- Traveler types and experiences
- Best time to visit
- Danube travel guides - curated by our experts
- Contact our Danube travel experts
The best Danube cruises
Compiled by
MelissaDanube travel expert at TourRadar
Danube Classics Vienna 2026
21 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent Service n meal.”
Dolores, traveled in October
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 All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA DONNA River Danube Operator A-ROSA From $1,695
7% Off- US$1,579You save $116
Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS Fidelio
26 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent experience. Above and beyond of our expectations!”
Karam, traveled in October
MS Fidelio traverses UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley vineyards and medieval castles. Guided tours showcase Vienna's Ringstrasse, Budapest's Parliament, and Bratislava's Old Town across 1,100 kilometers of scenic waterways with full-board regional dining.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Ship MS Fidelio River Danube Operator Crucemundo From $2,159
30% Off- US$1,511+$145 upfront costsYou save $648
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 All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Ships A-ROSA DONNAA-ROSA BELLAA-ROSA MIAA-ROSA RIVA River Danube Operator A-ROSA From $1,695
7% Off- US$1,579You save $116
European Charm GO
30 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This tour was beyond what I could have imagined. The tour guides are so helpful and fun and guide you through the cities.”
Nasrin, traveled in January
Duration 9 days Destinations Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands Age Range All Ages Welcome River Danube Operator Europamundo From
7% Off- US$1,492
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ships AMADEUS QueenAmadeus ImperialAmadeus NovaAMADEUS AmaraAMADEUS Aurea River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From $2,424
20% Off- US$1,939You save $485
Duration 11 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria Age Range All Ages Welcome River Danube Operator Europamundo From
20% Off- US$2,446
Cruise the Danube aboard Emerald Star-Ship from Passau's confluence through the Wachau Valley. Visit UNESCO-listed Český Krumlov, tour Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum, and explore Budapest's Grand Market. Features regional wines and nightly cultural shows.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Ships Emerald DawnEmerald StarEmerald Sky River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From $7,690
50% Off- US$3,845You save $3,845
See the Danube your way
Danube tour companies
Popular Danube Cruise Ships
Where to start your Danube trip
River cruises for every budget
Cruises for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Danube itineraries by length
Traveler types and experiences
Solo Travelers301 tours- Couples344 tours
- Seniors (50+)266 tours
Best time to visit
- Summer 2026
Danube summer cruises blend rich cultural experiences with active outdoor pursuits that consistently earn high marks from our travelers. The top routes combine Vienna's museums and palaces with excursions in the Wachau Valley. Many sailings include options to cycle Bratislava's waterfront paths, or explore Vienna's grand boulevards when cafe tables spill onto the streets. Our guests often mention how these summer voyages balance cultural sites with cooling breaks - from Budapest's thermal pools to wine tastings in old stone cellars beneath the city.
- June 2026 56 tours
- July 2026 76 tours
- August 2026 popular 90 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
The Danube's wine culture shines in fall with special wine-focused sailings that our travelers love. The season starts 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 winemakers share their techniques. The hiking works well in fall - 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.
- September 2026 65 tours
- October 2026 popular 78 tours
- 65 tours
- Winter 2026 / 2027
Winter along the Danube brings something special - Christmas markets and local traditions that 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 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 some fascinating optical illusions in Melk Abbey's library.
- December 2026 popular 58 tours
- Spring 2027
Danube spring cruises from Passau and Vienna earn high marks from our travelers in April. These routes showcase the Wachau Valley with its vineyards and cycling routes.. The spring weather proves ideal for outdoor exploration - whether you're climbing to Dürnstein's castle ruins or pedaling the scenic stretch between Melk, Krems, and the surrounding villages. Our guests appreciate how the tours balance cultural immersion with active options - perhaps starting with a morning soak in Budapest's thermal baths, followed by an afternoon walk through the Castle District when temperatures are mild or dividing time in Vienna between imperial palaces and cycling adventures on the Danube island.
- March 2027 43 tours
- April 2027 popular 71 tours
- May 2027 63 tours
Danube travel guides - curated by our experts
Contact our Danube travel experts
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