River Cruises in Vienna Budapest Prague
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10 best river cruise Vienna Budapest Prague tours
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MelissaVienna Budapest Prague travel expert at TourRadar
- Classic Danube, Vienna - Vienna, MS Swiss Splendor 5*
- Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS Fidelio
- Danube Rhapsody (Passau - Passau)
- Danube Capitals Splendour Superior
- Danube Capitals Splendor Main
- Capital Cities Along the Danube (port-to-port cruise)
- Danube Classics 2025
- Magie der Vielfalt
- Danube Delights & Classic Prague
- Best of the Danube (Christmas Cruise) 2025
A luxurious river cruise takes you to Vienna's Hofburg Palace, Budapest's Parliament, and Bratislava's Castle. The medieval charm of Dürnstein and Melk's Benedictine Abbey await. MS Swiss Splendor provides French-balcony cabins and panoramic dining.
Duration 8 days Destinations Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range up to 105 year olds Operated in English, German, Spanish Ship MS Swiss Splendor River Danube Operator Crucemundo From $1,442
20% Off- US$1,154+$129 upfront costsYou save $288
Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS Fidelio
21 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The cabin was very comfortable and the food was excellent. Highly recommend this tour.”
Nerida, traveled in October
MS Fidelio takes you to Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace, Budapest's Chain Bridge, and Prague's Old Town Square. Guided tours of UNESCO sites and full-board dining featuring regional specialties create perfect cultural immersion across three iconic capitals.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range up to 95 year olds Operated in English, German, Spanish River Danube Operator Crucemundo From $1,209
20% Off- US$968+$108 upfront costsYou save $241
Sail through Vienna, Budapest, and Prague region aboard Amadeus vessels. Marvel at Melk's Baroque abbey, UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley, and Budapest's thermal district. Private concerts and regional wine tastings complement your stay in panoramic-window cabins.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ships Amadeus BrilliantAMADEUS QueenAmadeus ImperialAmadeus CaraAmadeus RivaAMADEUS Amara River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From $2,563
30% Off- US$1,794You save $768
Cruise through three countries aboard MS Splendor, featuring Vienna's Ringstrasse landmarks, Budapest's Fisherman's Bastion, and Bratislava's Old Town Hall. Full-board dining while navigating UNESCO Wachau Valley and historic Danube Bend.
Duration 8 days Destinations Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range up to 85 year olds River Danube Operator Europamundo From
30% Off- US$2,613
Cruise between Vienna, Budapest, and Prague aboard MS Splendor. Visit Vienna's State Opera, navigate the UNESCO Wachau Valley, explore Budapest's Fisherman's Bastion, and discover Bratislava's Slovak National Theater with expert guides.
Duration 8 days Destinations Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range up to 85 year olds River Danube Operator Europamundo From
30% Off- US$2,019
Capital Cities Along the Danube (port-to-port cruise)
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Thoroughly enjoyed. Everyone made an effort and we made good friends.”
MartinBrennan, traveled in October
MS Vivaldi sails between Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava, offering panoramic views of cityscapes and the Dunajské luhy Protected Area. Go behind the scenes at Vienna's Konzerthaus, Budapest's Great Market Hall, and enjoy traditional entertainment onboard.
Duration 5 days Destinations Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships MS Douce FranceMS L’EuropeMS Vivaldi River Danube Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
30% Off- US$878
Danube Classics 2025
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The ship was beautiful as was my stateroom. The food was excellent.”
Barry, traveled in September
A-ROSA FLORA navigates through Vienna's imperial heritage, Budapest's thermal bath culture, and Prague's medieval charm. UNESCO sites unfold before you while live-cooking stations serve regional specialties and e-bikes enable independent exploration.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range 2 to 80 year olds Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA FLORA River Danube Operator A-ROSA From
30% Off- US$929
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Danube Operator DCS Touristik From
30% Off- US$1,085
The Emerald Star-Ship carries you from Vienna to Budapest and Prague, with panoramic suites and guided excursions. Tours include Kunsthistorisches Museum, UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley, and Charles Bridge with expert guides.
Duration 11 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic Age Range up to 90 year olds Ships Emerald DestinyEmerald DawnEmerald SunEmerald StarEmerald Sky Operator Emerald Cruises From
30% Off- US$7,760
AmaViola connects iconic capitals with stops at UNESCO sites and historic landmarks. Step inside Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace, Budapest's Castle District, and learn about Bratislava's coronation history through expert-guided excursions.
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria Age Range 12 to 90 year olds Ships AmaViolaAmaMagna River Danube Operator AmaWaterways From
30% Off- US$3,899
Vienna Budapest Prague River Cruise Reviews
- Classic Danube, Vienna - Vienna, MS Swiss Splendor 5*
We loved everything about our cruise Vienna to Budapest back to Vienna. The crew were wonderful and exceptionally helpful. The food was great, all made from scratch and lots and lots of it. The wine was good and very flowing. Over all it was a perfect trip
- Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS Fidelio
Great cruise, excelent meals and nice and hospitality crew. We enjoy de trip. Good cabins and the food was very nice. Thanks for the great trip.
- Capital Cities Along the Danube (port-to-port cruise)
Excellent service, friendly staff and delicious food. Really appreciate the CroiseEurope chef for accommodating the vegetarian food and maitre de Anita for the exceptional service. Excursions were good too.
What our customers ask about River Cruises in Vienna Budapest Prague
What's the best time of day to enjoy scenic cruising on the Danube between Vienna, Budapest and Prague?
The most rewarding views along the Danube unfold during daylight hours particularly through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley between Melk and Dürnstein from mid-morning to early afternoon. The route into Budapest takes on a different character at night when the Parliament building and Chain Bridge light up the shoreline. Cruise operators carefully plan sailing times to maximize daylight viewing of key landscapes. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Cruising through the Wachau Valley after leaving Melk Abbey was breathtaking. The timing was perfect with morning light on the vineyards and castles."
What are the best times of year to take a Vienna Budapest Prague river cruise?
The main sailing season runs April through October with mild temperatures and clear skies common in May June and September. The holiday season from late November through December draws visitors to famous Christmas markets such as those at Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace and Rathaus. One TourRadar traveler described their December experience: "The Christmas markets in Vienna were magical with the scents of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts perfuming the air around the wooden stalls beneath the UNESCO Cathedral."
What kind of shore excursions are typically included in Vienna-Budapest-Prague river cruises?
Daily excursions blend city tours with local cultural experiences in each capital. Visitors explore Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace and Opera House Budapest's Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion and Prague's Old Town and Castle District. Stops often include UNESCO sites like Melk Abbey and Wachau Valley vineyards. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The guided tour of Budapest was exceptional - our guide brought the city's history to life as we explored both the Buda and Pest sides with plenty of free time to explore the local markets."
What is the dining experience like on Vienna Budapest Prague river cruises?
The onboard dining reflects each region's culinary heritage featuring Austrian specialties like Wiener Schnitzel and Hungarian classics such as goulash. Most ships offer buffet-style breakfast and lunch with table service dinners in the main restaurant plus specialty venues like The Chef's Table. Wine and beer come included with meals. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The food was consistently excellent with good variety and regional dishes. The special dinner at The Chef's Table with wine pairings was a highlight."
How much free time is available to explore independently in Vienna, Budapest and Prague?
While organized tours anchor the experience ships typically dock for 2-3 days in major cities allowing several hours of independent exploration. Evening stays let visitors experience local nightlife and illuminated landmarks. Popular self-guided options include the Vienna State Opera Budapest's ruin pubs and Prague's Charles Bridge. One TourRadar reviewer shared: "We appreciated having full afternoons free in the major cities after morning tours - plenty of time to wander the Christmas markets in Vienna and explore Budapest's Castle Hill at our own pace."
What is the typical size and style of ships that cruise between Vienna, Budapest and Prague?
Danube river vessels maintain an intimate scale carrying 160-180 passengers. Ships like the Emerald Dawn and AmaLea offer panoramic lounges sun decks with pools and hot tubs fitness centers and spas. Their boutique size allows for docking directly in city centers. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The Emerald Star was the perfect size - large enough for amenities like the pool and multiple lounges but small enough to feel intimate and dock close to town centers."