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.
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Despite rerouting due low water levels on the Danube, cruise remained excellent. Well organised, and we saw a lot of new sites in Austria. Staff were knowledgeable, friendly, all spoke perfect English, and very helpful. I’ve been on a few cruises, and A-ROSA is at the top among my recommendations. Rooms were clean and food was excellent. Excursions were very good as well.
Danube Classics 2027I liked everything, especially the treatment I received from the crew.
Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Turnu Magurele (Bucharest), MS FidelioEvery member of the staff was dedicated to making this cruise the best experience!
Blue Danube, Vienna - Vienna, MS CruceNova
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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
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 Ships A-ROSA DONNAA-ROSA FLORAA-ROSA BELLAA-ROSA MIAA-ROSA RIVA River Danube Operator A-ROSA From
- US$1,112
Danube Classics Vienna 2027
“The River Cruise was awesome. I will definitely go again!”
Larry, traveled in August
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 FLORA River Danube Operator A-ROSA From
- US$1,294
Duration 7 days Destinations Vienna, Hallstatt, Prague Age Range All Ages Welcome River DanubeVltava Operator STM Tours LLC From $1,638
35% off- US$1,065
Danube Explorer & Highlights of Budapest
“We had a great time on the cruise”
Prabha, traveled in July
Duration 10 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany Age Range Ages 12+ Ship Emerald Sky River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From
35% off- US$4,495
Danube Explorer 2026/2027|2028 - 8 Days (from Budapest to Passau)
“Very nice cruise on the Danube. Visited many nice places.”
Janardhanan, traveled in May
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany Age Range Ages 12+ Ships Emerald SunEmerald Star River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From $3,095
45% off- US$1,687
The beautiful blue Danube (port-to-port cruise) (from Passau to Budapest)
“Enjoyed cruise immensely. Would highly recommend.”
Joanne, traveled in August
Cruise the Danube aboard MS Douce France from Passau to Budapest. Explore UNESCO's Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey, Dürnstein Castle, and Vienna's Schoenbrunn Palace. Enjoy French cuisine and unlimited beverages while sailing through scenic waterways.
Duration 6 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary Age Range All Ages Welcome Ships MS L’EuropeMS France River Danube Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
45% off- US$1,466
Duration 7 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Slovakia Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
45% off- US$1,637
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See the Danube your way
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Where to start your Danube trip
River cruises for every budget
Cruises for every type of group
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Danube itineraries by length
Traveler types and experiences
Solo Travelers605 tours- Couples641 tours
- Seniors (50+)497 tours
Best time to visit
- 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.
- popular 64 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 85 tours
- Spring 2027
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 2027 75 tours
- April 2027 131 tours
- May 2027 popular 143 tours
- Summer 2027
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 2027 158 tours
- July 2027 popular 173 tours
- August 2027 162 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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