Danube River Cruises
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Table of contents
- The best Danube cruises
- What people love about cruising the Danube
- See the Danube your way
- Best tour companies
- Popular Danube Cruise Ships
- Best places to start your adventure
- 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
- What our customers ask about Danube River Cruises
The best Danube cruises
Compiled by
MelissaDanube travel expert at TourRadar
MS Swiss Splendor takes passengers to Vienna's Hofburg Palace, Budapest's Chain Bridge, and Bratislava's Castle. UNESCO heritage sites in Wachau Valley unfold before French-balcony cabins while guests enjoy full-board 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 $1,886
20% Off- US$1,509+$135 upfront costsYou save $377
Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Turnu Magurele (Bucharest), MS Fidelio
23 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Relaxing pace, great service.”
Veronica, traveled in May
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 Ship MS Fidelio River Danube Operator Crucemundo From $2,468
20% Off- US$1,975+$150 upfront costsYou save $493
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
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 Ship A-ROSA DONNA River Danube Operator A-ROSA From
20% Off- US$922
CroisiEurope's premium ships take guests to Schönbrunn Castle, Melk Abbey, and Budapest's thermal baths. The journey features Puszta horse shows, Viennese concerts, and traditional Hungarian entertainment, complemented by French cuisine and included drinks.
Duration 8 days Destinations Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships MS BeethovenMS Douce FranceMS L’EuropeMS Vivaldi River Danube Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From $3,015
28% Off- US$2,167You save $848
The Amadeus fleet transports guests through 4 countries from Passau, stopping at UNESCO's Wachau Valley and Dürnstein wine village. Habsburg architectural gems like Melk Abbey and Esztergom Basilica punctuate the route. Regional wines, Sacher Torte, and multicourse meals delight guests 5+ seeking cultural immersion.
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 $2,695
25% Off- US$2,022You save $673
What people love about cruising the Danube
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
Classic Danube, Vienna - Vienna, MS Swiss Splendor 5*
- Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Turnu Magurele (Bucharest), MS Fidelio
İts perfect ..i really enjoyed it
- Danube Classics Vienna 2025
We had a generally good experience. Most new passengers board in Engelhartszell, but 17 passengers boarded the ship in Vienna. We boarded in Vienna and didn’t receive new passenger orientation, which includes basic ship, safety and excursion presentations. The crew was very friendly, although it was primarily a German language oriented cruise lines.
See the Danube your way
River cruises along the Danube run between 8 and 15 days, with routes that showcase the river's finest stretches. Starting in Budapest makes perfect sense - you get 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 Bratislava's charming old town corners. The experience hits a sweet spot between relaxation and discovery - you'll taste local specialties at dinner while medieval towns pass your cabin window. We bring local experts aboard throughout the trip who add depth to the UNESCO site visits and wine tastings in the Wachau Valley.
Select from our extensive range of fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through the Danube with our expert guides leading the way.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through the Danube. With the greatest number of departures in August, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Danube tour companies
Looking at these river cruise lines, A-ROSA has comfortable ships and offers plenty of good food, though our travelers mention the service can be hit-or-miss.Uniworld stands out for their tour guides - our customers consistently tell us these guides know their stuff and make the destinations come alive with stories and local insights. Avalon Waterways has found a sweet spot by offering two distinct ways to explore: their active discovery excursions for folks who want to bike, hike, and kayak, plus traditional sightseeing options for those who prefer a classic pace. While A-ROSA focuses on the basics of comfortable sailing and dining, Uniworld emphasizes cultural immersion through their guides. Avalon allows you to choose your adventure daily through varied excursion options.
Popular Danube Cruise Ships
Where to start your Danube trip
Most of our travelers choose to start their Danube trip from Budapest, and it's easy to see why this Hungarian capital makes such a great launching point. Passau in Germany comes in second, while Bucharest, Vilshofen an der Donau, and Nuremberg round out the popular starting cities. Booking ahead gets especially important during summer peaks and the festive December market season. A balcony cabin pays off when passing through spots like the Iron Gates and Wachau Valley, though we find that regular river-view rooms still give you plenty to look at during daily sailing.
River cruises 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. What works particularly well is how the tours handle optional activities; you can pick and choose extra excursions based on your interests.
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 pass by on your journey. You get properly spacious cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows and genuine personal service. These trips can include special access you can't get elsewhere: private concerts in Vienna's grand halls, museums when closed to the public, and 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
Cruises for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
469 tours in DanubeExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Danube. We have 469 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.
Danube itineraries by length
The week-long Danube cruises let you 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 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 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 hear the organ echoing through those ancient walls.
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The 10-day journeys give you time to understand life along the Danube from Bucharest to Budapest. Our travelers tell us they love the variety - cycling through Belgrade's old quarters one morning, then exploring Bulgarian hill towns the next day. 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 taken this route particularly enjoy guided tours and free time to wander through places like Ruse, which has its elegant 1800s buildings, or take side trips to sites such as Vlad the Impaler's tomb.
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You can explore the full length of the Danube in two distinct ways on these 14-day journeys. The first option flows from Bucharest to Vienna, letting you discover Romania's Transylvanian region before starting your river voyage. Alternatively, you can cruise from Nuremberg south to Zagreb, with Croatia's vibrant capital as your final destination. These longer routes go beyond typical river stops, giving you time to explore Ljubljana's historic center, wander through Zagreb's Upper Town, and delve deeper into each location. What sets these two-week experiences apart is the thoughtful blend of river cruising and land exploration. Our passengers tell us they value those extra days: with the extended schedule, you'll never feel rushed, instead having those valuable additional days in key cities to truly absorb the local culture and daily rhythms.
Traveler types and experiences
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 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.
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 climbing to castle ruins for river views that are worth the effort.
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. Evenings hit just right with traditional music in Budapest and wine tasting in ancient Danube cellars.
The Danube 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.
- Solo Travelers345 tours All tours for Solo Travelers
- Couples364 tours
- Seniors (50+)313 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit
- Spring 2025
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 2025 17 tours
- April 2025 52 tours
- May 2025 popular 93 tours
- Summer 2025
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 2025 96 tours
- July 2025 79 tours
- August 2025 popular 102 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
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 2025 popular 98 tours
- October 2025 89 tours
- 59 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
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 2025 popular 65 tours
Danube travel guides - curated by our experts
Contact our Danube travel experts
Laura
Expert in Danube at TourRadar
Laura 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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+1 844 311 8331What our customers ask about Danube River Cruises
What time of year should you take your Danube cruise?
The sweet spots are really spring and fall around April-May or September-October when you'll get lovely weather fewer tourists and some beautiful scenery. Summer's great if you love soaking up the sun on deck though it does get pretty busy June through August. Winter's actually quite magical especially December-January when those Christmas markets light up places like Vienna and Budapest just pack some warm clothes you'll need them.
Which Cruise Line Fits Your Style on the Danube?
Viking's your go-to if you're into really diving deep into the culture they include these fantastic excursions and interesting talks. If you're more active AmaWaterways might be your thing they've got these great bike tours around Passau and Vienna. Love amazing views? Avalon's Panorama Suites have these incredible floor-to-ceiling windows that'll blow you away. Want to really treat yourself? Uniworld does luxury incredibly well with elegant ships and really personal service. And if you're watching your budget but still want a great experience Emerald Cruises offers some really competitive prices with plenty of itinerary options.
What Local Experiences Can You Look Forward to Along the Danube?
You're in for some real treats at each stop. Budapest's got these amazing thermal baths like the Gellert Spa and you've got to try the traditional goulash. In Vienna make sure you experience proper coffee culture with a slice of Sachertorte and a Wiener Melange. Over in Bratislava you can taste authentic Slovak food like bryndzové halušky these amazing potato dumplings with sheep cheese. Passau's got Europe's biggest pipe organ in St Stephen's Cathedral it's incredible. And don't miss Melk Abbey it's this stunning Baroque monastery with an amazing library. Most cruises work these highlights into their itineraries and you'll get plenty of chances to try local wines catch some cultural shows and really get to know the local traditions.