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.
Excellent
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- I
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 - G
Gary • traveled in October, 2025
A lovely trip in spite of the weather. The crew and entertainment were top notch. I'd recommend it highly.
Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Turnu Magurele (Bucharest), MS Fidelio - 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 (30 destinations)
Traveler Photos & Videos from Danube Cruises
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“vrey good~vrey good~”
Eric, traveled in September
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
- US$1,637
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 Ship A-ROSA DONNA River Danube Operator A-ROSA From
- US$1,274
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ships AMADEUS QueenAmadeus NovaAMADEUS AmaraAMADEUS Aurea River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
- US$2,424
Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS Fidelio
26 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had a wonderful cruise.”
Margie, traveled in July
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 $1,938
15% Off- US$1,647+$145 upfront costsYou save $291
European Charm GO
30 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great way to see multiple cities/countries in a short period of time.”
Ben, traveled in April
Duration 9 days Destinations Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands Age Range All Ages Welcome River Danube Operator Europamundo From
15% Off- US$1,492
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany Age Range Ages 12+ Ships Emerald SunEmerald StarEmerald Sky River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From $3,095
13% Off- US$2,687You save $408
Duration 11 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ships Amadeus NovaAMADEUS AmaraAMADEUS Aurea River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
13% Off- US$3,294
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 Travelers296 tours- Couples337 tours
- Seniors (50+)263 tours
Best time to visit
- Spring 2026
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.
- May 2026 popular 35 tours
- 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 59 tours
- July 2026 79 tours
- August 2026 popular 86 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 62 tours
- October 2026 popular 79 tours
- 66 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 54 tours
Danube travel guides - curated by our experts
Contact our Danube travel experts
Kristina
Expert in Danube at TourRadar
Kristina 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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