Danube Cruises from Budapest
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10 best Danube river cruises from Budapest
Compiled by

MelissaBudapest travel expert at TourRadar
- Classical Danube Cruise (Budapest - Passau)
- Gems of Southeast Europe 2025
- Magnificent Rivers of Europe 2025
- Gems of the Danube 2025
- Danube Dreams (Westbound) 2025
- Highlights of the Danube Budapest to Munich (2025)
- Highlights of the Danube Budapest → Munich (2025)
- River & Music (Budapest - Passau)
- Danube Explorer 2025
- Lower Danube Discovery 2025 - 16 Days
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ships Amadeus ImperialAmadeus CaraAmadeus RivaAmadeus Nova River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
- US$2,118
The 8-day route from Budapest to Giurgiu spans 1,200 kilometers along the Danube. Passengers sail through the Iron Gates gorges, visit historic ports including Mohács and Novi Sad, and explore Bucharest before reaching Giurgiu.
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania Age Range 12 to 90 year olds Ships AmaMagnaAmaVerde River Danube Operator AmaWaterways From
- US$3,798
The 16-day voyage from Budapest near Heroes' Square to Amsterdam covers 1,100 miles through the Main-Danube Canal. Major stops include Bratislava, Vienna, Cologne, Melk Abbey, Würzburg's Residenz, and the dramatic Rhine Gorge, with guided excursions at each port.
Duration 16 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Netherlands Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Ships Avalon ExpressionAvalon IlluminationAvalon Passion River DanubeRhine Operator Avalon Waterways From
- US$7,599+$450 upfront costs
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships Scenic JasperScenic Opal Scenic Amber Scenic Ruby River Danube Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $10,790
59% Off- US$4,395You save $6,395
The 8-day voyage from Budapest near Heroes' Square heads west through the Schlögen Oxbow to Vilshofen. Visitors tour Bratislava's St. Martin's Cathedral, Vienna's Habsburg Palace, and Dürnstein's castle ruins across 4 countries, with guided excursions in medieval towns like Passau and Melk.
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Ships Avalon ExpressionAvalon IlluminationAvalon ImpressionAvalon PassionAvalon Visionary River Danube Operator Avalon Waterways From
59% Off- US$3,899+$210 upfront costs
The route starts in Budapest near UNESCO-listed Banks of the Danube, flowing through Slovakia, Austria, and Germany to Munich. Take in 8 riverside cities including Bratislava's Old Town, Vienna's Historic Centre, and Passau's Altstadt.
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship Travelmarvel Capella River Danube Operator APT From
59% Off- US$2,447+$490 upfront costs
Your floating home, Travelmarvel Capella, departs Budapest to cruise 387 miles along the Danube through Bratislava, Vienna, and Melk before reaching Passau with transfer to Munich. Features stops at historic riverside towns.
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship Travelmarvel Capella River Danube Operator APT From
59% Off- US$3,596
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ship Amadeus Riva River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
59% Off- US$3,457
The river voyage from Budapest's UNESCO-listed center takes you along the Danube through Bratislava and Vienna to Passau. The route includes 8 riverside cities, with highlights at Weissenkirchen's wine region and Melk's Baroque abbey, complete with transfers and daily excursions.
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany Age Range up to 90 year olds Ship Emerald Destiny River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From $9,990
60% Off- US$3,995You save $5,995
Duration 16 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship Scenic Jasper River Danube Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $22,910
54% Off- US$10,465You save $12,445
What our customers ask about Danube Cruises from Budapest
What are the most popular stopping points after departing Budapest?
The Danube river cruise route from Budapest naturally flows through Bratislava and Vienna before reaching smaller towns in the Wachau Valley. These smaller stops include Dürnstein and Melk where the historic Benedictine Abbey stands as a key attraction. In Vienna the Schönbrunn Palace draws visitors year-round. The ships conveniently dock in central locations allowing easy access to explore each city. A TourRadar traveler on the AmaWaterways cruise noted: "The progression from Budapest through Bratislava to Vienna offered a perfect blend of history and culture."
What's included in the accommodation when starting in Budapest?
River cruise packages from Budapest typically start with 1-2 nights at city hotels like the InterContinental or Marriott before moving to the river ship. The vessels come equipped with panoramic windows or balconies sun decks lounges and fitness areas. Some ships offer distinct features - Scenic Space-Ships provide butler service and a Salt Therapy Lounge while AmaWaterways includes Entertainment-On-Demand systems and twin balconies in most rooms. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The cabin was spacious and well-appointed with stunning views of the Danube."
What's the typical price range for Danube cruises starting in Budapest?
Expect to pay between USD 4000 and USD 13000 per person for a Danube cruise from Budapest. The price varies based on cruise line season and cabin selection. For reference Emerald Cruises offers an 8-day Danube Explorer starting at USD 7590 while Scenic's 10-day Danube in Depth begins at USD 11990. These prices cover accommodation meals most excursions and onboard activities. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "While not inexpensive, the all-inclusive nature of the cruise made it excellent value for money."
What's the best time of year to start a Danube cruise from Budapest?
The Danube cruise season runs strongest from April through October with peak activity from June to September when weather conditions are most reliable. December brings special Christmas Market cruises. Spring offers mild temperatures and smaller crowds while summer provides extended daylight hours. Fall attracts visitors with autumn colors and wine harvest activities. A TourRadar traveler recommended: "September was perfect - comfortable temperatures and stunning views of Budapest's Parliament building at sunset."
How accessible are the cruise ships and excursions from Budapest's port?
Cruise ships dock near Budapest's Chain Bridge placing passengers within walking distance of main attractions. Most cruise lines arrange airport transfers taking about 30 minutes and provide luggage assistance. The ships come equipped with elevators and accessible rooms though some shore excursions require walking on uneven ground. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The ship's location in Budapest was perfect - we could walk to all major attractions and the embarkation process was smooth."
What kind of cultural experiences are offered at the start of the cruise in Budapest?
Budapest departures often begin with local cultural activities such as folk performances wine tastings and visits to the city's thermal baths. Many cruises offer hands-on experiences at the Great Market Hall or Hungarian cooking workshops. Emerald Cruises for example starts with a Hungarian folk show on embarkation evening. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The welcome folklore show in Budapest was a fantastic introduction to Hungarian culture and set the perfect mood for our Danube journey."