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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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 - H
Heather • traveled in October, 2025
Excellent value for money. Food was great although breakfast was a little bland. Ran out of black tea a couple of days before the tour ended and this was not replenished. The wait staff in both the bar and dining area were excellent. However the reception staff were not helpful and always seemed cranky. More entertainment especially on days when the ship was not docked would be good.
Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Turnu Magurele (Bucharest) to Vienna, MS Fidelio - E
Eric • traveled in November, 2025
Overall not too bad for 7 days cruise, but found a bit lack of hygienic matter. I came across with some unpleasant creature on the window frame live when we came in our cabin after boarding. I told and showed it to them, but had gut feeling that crews took it not so serious…
Danube Classics 2026
Traveler Photos & Videos from Danube Cruises
New Year's Eve Cruise on the Danube - AMADEUS Imperial (Passau - Passau)
Brendan
Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Turnu Magurele (Bucharest) to Vienna, MS FidelioMaria
Danube Classics 2026Eric
Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS FidelioC
RRobertJackson
The Legendary Danube 2026
8 days - Imperial Danube (Passau - Vienna - Passau) MS VISTA MILLA 4*ROGER
LLindaShah
Magnificent Europe 2025
MCMaria
Christmastime on the Danube (Westbound) 2026
Capital Cities Along the DanubeUmangi
The beautiful blue Danube (port-to-port cruise) (8 destinations)Kelly
Donau-KlassikMagnus
The beautiful blue Danube (port-to-port cruise) (from Passau to Budapest)Joanne
Romantic Danube (Christmas Cruise) 2024Clemens
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 Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Turnu Magurele (Bucharest), MS Fidelio
32 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Danube River River Cruise was excellent for our group of 20 friends. The River Cruise Company Cruce Mundo was simply great.”
Mostain, 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 All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Ship MS Fidelio River Danube Operator Crucemundo From $2,883
15% Off- US$2,450+$163 upfront costsYou save $432
Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Turnu Magurele (Bucharest) to Vienna, MS Fidelio
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had an enjoyable experience.”
Emmanuel, traveled in June
The MS Fidelio sails the Danube from Turnu Magurele to Vienna, passing through the Iron Gates gorge. Passengers visit Belgrade's Kalemegdan Fortress and Budapest's Chain Bridge while enjoying full board dining, live entertainment, and stops at major Danube ports.
Duration 11 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Ship MS Fidelio River Danube Operator Crucemundo From
15% Off- US$2,883+$163 upfront costs
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
15% Off- US$1,613
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ships AMADEUS QueenAmadeus NovaAMADEUS AmaraAMADEUS Aurea River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
15% Off- US$2,751
Duration 9 days Destinations Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands Age Range All Ages Welcome River Danube Operator Europamundo From
15% Off- US$1,570
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ships Amadeus BrilliantAMADEUS QueenAmadeus NovaAMADEUS AmaraAMADEUS Aurea River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
15% Off- US$2,417
Duration 18 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania Age Range Ages 8+ Ship Avalon Passion River Danube Operator Avalon Waterways From
15% Off- US$13,815+$462 upfront costs
See the Danube your way
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
Cruises for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Danube itineraries by length
Traveler types and experiences
Solo Travelers267 tours- Couples298 tours
- Seniors (50+)227 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.
- March 2026 39 tours
- April 2026 53 tours
- May 2026 popular 87 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 89 tours
- July 2026 89 tours
- August 2026 popular 91 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 71 tours
- October 2026 popular 94 tours
- 78 tours
Danube travel guides - curated by our experts
Contact our Danube travel experts
Claire
Expert in Danube at TourRadar
Claire 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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