Danube Cruises from Vienna
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10 best Danube river cruises from Vienna
Compiled by
MelissaVienna travel expert at TourRadar
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The Emerald Star-Ships sail 267 kilometers from Vienna's Ringstrasse to Budapest's Chain Bridge. The scenic Danube route includes Bratislava's Christmas markets, with expert-led tours in each capital city.
Duration 7 days Destinations Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range up to 90 year olds Ships Emerald DestinyEmerald DawnEmerald Star River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From
- US$5,060
The route near Vienna's Opera House spans 267km east, passing through Bratislava's castle district to Budapest's Váci Utca area. Star-Ships wind through historic locks and passages, revealing unique angles of the Danube's architectural gems.
Duration 5 days Destinations Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range up to 90 year olds Ships Emerald DestinyEmerald Dawn River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From
- US$4,690
Duration 22 days Destinations Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship Scenic Crystal River Danube Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $19,095
45% Off- US$10,550You save $8,545
Duration 7 days Destinations Vienna, Melk, Emmersdorf an der Donau, Passau, Regensburg, Roth, Nuremberg Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ships AMADEUS QueenAmadeus Riva River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
45% Off- US$2,311
From Vienna's airport, transfer to S.S. Beatrice for a 599km voyage along the Danube through Wachau Valley. The route winds through Dürnstein, Linz, and Passau before reaching Nuremberg, with complimentary airport transfers at journey's end.
Duration 8 days Destinations Vienna, Durnstein, Wachau, Linz, Passau, Regensburg, Roth, Nuremberg Age Range 16 to 100 year olds Ship S.S. Beatrice River Danube Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
45% Off- US$5,199
A luxurious 8-day cruise from Vienna's royal sites heads north along the Danube aboard S.S. Emilie through Austria and Germany. The 425km route includes medieval Spitz, the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley, Passau's confluence of three rivers, and historic Nuremberg.
Duration 8 days Destinations Vienna, Spitz, Grein, Passau, Deggendorf, Regensburg, Nuremberg Age Range up to 100 year olds River Danube Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $4,299
20% Off- US$3,439You save $859
MS Fidelio sets sail from Vienna, passing Hofburg Palace and Opera House. The Danube route leads to Budapest's Parliament and Bratislava's Michael's Gate before returning to Vienna. Optional airport transfers available.
Duration 5 days Destinations Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range up to 105 year olds Operated in English, German, Spanish Ship MS Fidelio River Danube Operator Crucemundo From $891
40% Off- US$535+$70 upfront costsYou save $356
Duration 7 days Destinations Vienna, Melk, Emmersdorf an der Donau, Wachau, Passau, Regensburg, Roth, Nuremberg Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ship AMADEUS Queen River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From $1,208
15% Off- US$1,028You save $181
The S.S. Emilie departs Vienna's Hofburg Palace, sailing east through Bratislava and Budapest to Belgrade's Karadjordjevic Palace. This 8-day route connects 4 capital cities along the Danube, featuring stops in Croatia's Ilok and Serbia's Novi Sad.
Duration 8 days Destinations Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia Age Range up to 100 year olds River Danube Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $3,999
20% Off- US$3,199You save $799
Begin at Vienna's riverside dock near Ringstrasse, cruising 168 miles along Danube. Stop at Bratislava's Gothic Cathedral before finishing in Budapest's harbor near V�ci Utca. Airport transfers included at both ends.
Duration 5 days Destinations Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range up to 90 year olds Ships Emerald DestinyEmerald Dawn River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From $4,690
50% Off- US$2,345You save $2,345
What people love about Danube Cruises from Vienna
- Capital Cities Along the Danube (port-to-port cruise)
Thoroughly enjoyed. Even though we were the only 2 english speaking people on the the tour everyone made an effort and we made good friends.
What our customers ask about Danube Cruises from Vienna
What's the best time to start a Danube tour from Vienna?
For Danube tours from Vienna the most reliable time to travel is between April and October. The sweet spot falls between May and September when temperatures are pleasant and daylight extends well into the evening. Many travelers also choose the festive period from late November through December to experience Vienna's Christmas markets. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We started our cruise in Vienna in early September which was perfect - comfortable temperatures around 70°F/21°C and smaller crowds at major attractions like Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere."
What are the common embarkation points in Vienna for Danube tours?
Three main locations serve as departure points for Danube cruises in Vienna: the Handelskai pier near Reichsbrücke bridge, Nussdorf dock in the 19th district and Wien City terminal close to Schwedenplatz. Your cruise line determines the exact location. Uniworld operates from Handelskai while CroisiEurope typically uses Nussdorf. A TourRadar traveler shares: "Embarkation at Handelskai was very smooth with great views of Vienna's skyline as we departed. The ship docked at an ideal location for exploring the city beforehand."
What are the must-see attractions on the first day in Vienna before departure?
Key sights to visit before your cruise include the grand Hofburg Imperial Palace complex the towering St. Stephen's Cathedral and the renowned Vienna Opera House. Tour operators often provide pre-cruise trips to Schönbrunn Palace or the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Food enthusiasts should stop at Café Sacher or Hotel Imperial for authentic Viennese coffee culture. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Starting in Vienna was perfect - we had time to visit the stunning Schönbrunn Palace and enjoy authentic Sachertorte before boarding our ship at 6 PM."
What's included in the meal plans on cruises departing from Vienna?
Danube cruises generally provide full board dining starting with dinner on embarkation day through breakfast on departure. The menu combines Austrian dishes like Wiener Schnitzel with international options. Cruise lines such as Emerald Cruises and CroisiEurope include wines and beers with lunch and dinner at no extra cost. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The food selection starting from our first dinner in Vienna was excellent with plenty of local Austrian dishes to try."
What are the most popular stops after departing Vienna on Danube river cruises?
The route from Vienna typically includes stops at the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley Melk Abbey Budapest and Bratislava. Ships pause at picturesque towns like Dürnstein and Melk in the Wachau Valley. Budapest offers visits to its Parliament Building and Fisherman's Bastion. CroisiEurope's Beautiful Blue Danube cruise schedules overnight stays in major cities letting passengers explore both daytime attractions and nightlife.
What types of shore excursions are available when departing from Vienna?
Before departure cruise lines offer guided tours through Vienna covering Schönbrunn Palace the Spanish Riding School and traditional coffeehouses like Café Central. Evening options include classical music performances at venues such as Musikverein or Kursalon Wien. A TourRadar traveler reports: "Our guide Natalia in Vienna was awesome providing fascinating insights into the city's imperial history."