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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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 - N
Nancy • traveled in April, 2026
Everything was wonderful. Very organized, personal attention, gourmet food, friendly and attentive staff.
Danube Rhapsody (Passau - Passau) (13 destinations)
Traveler Photos & Videos from Danube Cruises
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- Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS Fidelio
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
19 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Good itinerary and excellent crew on the ship.”
Graham, 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$1,658
Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau) MS Fidelio
26 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The food was delicious. The Segway tour was fantastic and let us see most of the inner city.”
Jonathan, traveled in April
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 $1,963
15% Off- US$1,668+$123 upfront costsYou save $294
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
15% Off- US$2,455
Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Turnu Magurele (Bucharest), MS Fidelio
32 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The boat is clean, the crew attentive, the food excellent, the tours appropriate and the overall experience was laid-back.”
Joan, 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 $3,355
20% Off- US$2,684+$161 upfront costsYou save $671
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
20% Off- US$1,290
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ships AMADEUS QueenAmadeus NovaAMADEUS Amara River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
20% Off- US$2,337
The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest, 2 Nights in Transylvania & 1 Night in Budapest 2026
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The food was excellent and plentiful..as was the beverages! The excursions were without a doubt the best way to really see/get to know these countries...and conveniently!”
Suzanne, traveled in May
Duration 13 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range Ages 8+ Ship Avalon Passion River Danube Operator Avalon Waterways From
20% Off- US$6,017+$264 upfront costs
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 Travelers325 tours- Couples361 tours
- Seniors (50+)286 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 32 tours
- May 2026 popular 79 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 79 tours
- July 2026 popular 102 tours
- August 2026 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 62 tours
- October 2026 popular 88 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 55 tours
Danube travel guides - curated by our experts
Contact our Danube travel experts
Nadine
Expert in Danube at TourRadar
Nadine 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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