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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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 - G
Gord • traveled in November, 2025
We were a minority as English speaking passengers, but the crew made it work smoothly. Outstanding food throughout the voyage… High compliments to the chef and his staff!
Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS Fidelio - R
Richard • traveled in October, 2025
The cruise was good except for they would not let us off the ship at Krems and Melk. The brochure said we could enjoy the sights at those places, but we had to stay on the ship the whole day while the few people who paid for an excursion could get off. That represents false advertising on your advertisement. Very unhappy and I will let other people know on the ratings.
Danube Classics Vienna 2026
Traveler Photos & Videos from Danube Cruises
Danube Christmas Markets 2026
CAROLA
Capital Cities Along the DanubeUmangi
Donau-KlassikMagnus
New Year's Eve Cruise on the Danube - AMADEUS Imperial (Passau - Passau)Brendan
Romantic Danube (Christmas Cruise) 2024Clemens
LLindaShah
Magnificent Europe 2025
Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS FidelioC
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 Turnu Magurele (Bucharest) to Vienna, MS Fidelio
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The ten day trip between Vienna and Bucharest was a very enjoyable experience. The crew were all very friendly and efficient.”
Martin, 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 Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Ship MS Fidelio River Danube Operator Crucemundo From $2,855
20% Off- US$2,284+$196 upfront costsYou save $571
Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS Fidelio
26 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The arrangement provide by Crucemundo was perfect to us. The food is health.”
Jie, traveled in October
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 $1,970
15% Off- US$1,675+$124 upfront costsYou save $296
Danube Classics Vienna 2026
19 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent cruise. No complaints whatsoever.”
Martin, 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 DONNA River Danube Operator A-ROSA From
15% Off- US$1,606
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$1,295
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$2,465
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
15% Off- US$3,892
The Legendary Danube 2026
32 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Accommodation on the Avalon ship was of a very high standard, as was the catering.”
Riaan, traveled in August
The Main-Danube Canal opens aboard Avalon Visionary. Regensburg's Roman heritage, scenic Wachau Valley, and Vienna's Imperial Palace showcase three countries. Local cuisine and culture flourish from Nuremberg to Budapest.
No departure dates availableDuration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary Age Range Ages 8+ River Danube Operator Avalon Waterways
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 Travelers332 tours- Couples367 tours
- Seniors (50+)292 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.
- April 2026 40 tours
- May 2026 popular 84 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 82 tours
- July 2026 popular 100 tours
- August 2026 93 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 64 tours
- October 2026 popular 89 tours
- 76 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 56 tours
Danube travel guides - curated by our experts
Contact our Danube travel experts
Esteban
Expert in Danube at TourRadar
Esteban 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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