Danube Cruises from Budapest
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10 best Danube river cruises from Budapest
Compiled by
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MelissaBudapest travel expert at TourRadar
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The 8-day route from Budapest to Giurgiu spans 1,200 kilometers along the Danube. Passengers sail through the Iron Gates gorges, visit historic ports including Mohács and Novi Sad, and explore Bucharest before reaching Giurgiu.
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania Age Range 12 to 90 year olds Ships AmaMagnaAmaVerde River Danube Operator AmaWaterways From
- US$3,499
A captivating 10-day route from Budapest's historic Jewish Quarter ends at Munich's Marienplatz. The Danube cruise passes Dürnstein Castle and the Wachau Valley, featuring stops at Melk Abbey and Regensburg's UNESCO medieval center.
Duration 10 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships Scenic Crystal Scenic JasperScenic Opal Scenic Ruby River Danube Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $10,910
54% Off- US$5,040You save $5,870
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ships Amadeus ImperialAmadeus CaraAmadeus Riva River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
54% Off- US$1,913
The scenic route from Budapest's Várkert Bazár to Munich spans 10 days through 4 countries. Ships dock in city centers including Vienna, Linz, and Bratislava, with five daytime sailing segments along the Danube River aboard luxury Scenic Space-Ships.
Duration 10 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships Scenic Crystal Scenic JasperScenic Amber River Danube Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $11,990
57% Off- US$5,120You save $6,870
The voyage from Budapest's port near Chain Bridge offers views of the illuminated Parliament Building at night. The route passes through Wachau Valley's UNESCO landscape, featuring Dürnstein's riverside abbey and Melk's baroque monastery, before transferring to Prague via historic Pilsen brewery.
Duration 10 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic Age Range 5 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ships Amadeus CaraAmadeus Riva River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
57% Off- US$2,906
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany Age Range up to 90 year olds Ships Emerald DestinyEmerald DawnEmerald StarEmerald Sky River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From $8,190
58% Off- US$3,470You save $4,720
The route from Budapest's Parliament Building takes you through Bratislava's Old Town to Vienna's Imperial Palace. The ship navigates Wachau Valley to medieval Linz, follows Schlögen Oxbow to Passau, before concluding in Prague's historic center.
Duration 10 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships Avalon ExpressionAvalon IlluminationAvalon ImpressionAvalon Passion River Danube Operator Avalon Waterways From
58% Off- US$4,528+$210 upfront costs
This 8-day Danube cruise aboard S.S. Maria Theresa launches from Budapest with local treats and Franz Liszt Academy visit. The 443-nautical-mile route through 4 countries reaches Passau, featuring Bratislava Castle, Vienna's palaces, and Melk Abbey, ending with transfer to Munich Airport.
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range up to 100 year olds Ship S.S. Maria Theresa River Danube Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $3,699
15% Off- US$3,144You save $554
The river cruise sets off from Budapest with evening entertainment, heading north through Bratislava and Vienna. The ship sails through UNESCO Wachau Valley to Passau, followed by a coach transfer to Munich for Neuschwanstein Castle visit.
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship MS France River Danube Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From $3,568
40% Off- US$2,141You save $1,427
The 525-kilometer cruise from Budapest near the Chain Bridge to Nuremberg aboard AmaSonata includes stops at key Danube ports including Bratislava, Vienna, and Melk, with direct access to city centers. Landscapes vary from Hungarian plains to German forests.
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range 12 to 90 year olds Ship AmaSonata River Danube Operator AmaWaterways From
40% Off- US$3,898
What our customers ask about Danube Cruises from Budapest
What are the most popular stopping points after departing Budapest?
The Danube river cruise route from Budapest naturally flows through Bratislava and Vienna before reaching smaller towns in the Wachau Valley. These smaller stops include Dürnstein and Melk where the historic Benedictine Abbey stands as a key attraction. In Vienna the Schönbrunn Palace draws visitors year-round. The ships conveniently dock in central locations allowing easy access to explore each city. A TourRadar traveler on the AmaWaterways cruise noted: "The progression from Budapest through Bratislava to Vienna offered a perfect blend of history and culture."
What's included in the accommodation when starting in Budapest?
River cruise packages from Budapest typically start with 1-2 nights at city hotels like the InterContinental or Marriott before moving to the river ship. The vessels come equipped with panoramic windows or balconies sun decks lounges and fitness areas. Some ships offer distinct features - Scenic Space-Ships provide butler service and a Salt Therapy Lounge while AmaWaterways includes Entertainment-On-Demand systems and twin balconies in most rooms. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The cabin was spacious and well-appointed with stunning views of the Danube."
What's the typical price range for Danube cruises starting in Budapest?
Expect to pay between USD 4000 and USD 13000 per person for a Danube cruise from Budapest. The price varies based on cruise line season and cabin selection. For reference Emerald Cruises offers an 8-day Danube Explorer starting at USD 7590 while Scenic's 10-day Danube in Depth begins at USD 11990. These prices cover accommodation meals most excursions and onboard activities. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "While not inexpensive, the all-inclusive nature of the cruise made it excellent value for money."
What's the best time of year to start a Danube cruise from Budapest?
The Danube cruise season runs strongest from April through October with peak activity from June to September when weather conditions are most reliable. December brings special Christmas Market cruises. Spring offers mild temperatures and smaller crowds while summer provides extended daylight hours. Fall attracts visitors with autumn colors and wine harvest activities. A TourRadar traveler recommended: "September was perfect - comfortable temperatures and stunning views of Budapest's Parliament building at sunset."
How accessible are the cruise ships and excursions from Budapest's port?
Cruise ships dock near Budapest's Chain Bridge placing passengers within walking distance of main attractions. Most cruise lines arrange airport transfers taking about 30 minutes and provide luggage assistance. The ships come equipped with elevators and accessible rooms though some shore excursions require walking on uneven ground. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The ship's location in Budapest was perfect - we could walk to all major attractions and the embarkation process was smooth."
What kind of cultural experiences are offered at the start of the cruise in Budapest?
Budapest departures often begin with local cultural activities such as folk performances wine tastings and visits to the city's thermal baths. Many cruises offer hands-on experiences at the Great Market Hall or Hungarian cooking workshops. Emerald Cruises for example starts with a Hungarian folk show on embarkation evening. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The welcome folklore show in Budapest was a fantastic introduction to Hungarian culture and set the perfect mood for our Danube journey."
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