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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We had a great time on the cruise
Danube Explorer & Highlights of BudapestEvery member of the staff was dedicated to making this cruise the best experience!
Blue Danube, Vienna - Vienna, MS CruceNovaService :- excellent Cuisine: excellent Changes in routing ( due to water level in Danube)— very disappointing.
Danube Classics Vienna 2026
Traveler Photos & Videos from Danube Cruises
- The beautiful blue Danube (port-to-port cruise) - BEETHOVEN
- 7 Day Vienna And Prague By Train
- Danube Rhapsody (Passau - Passau, 13 destinations)
- Christmas Markets on the Danube MS Fidelio
- Splendours of Europe 2026/2027|2028
- Trans-European cruise from Strasbourg to Budapest (port-to-port cruise, 17 destinations)
- New Year's Eve Cruise on the Danube - AMADEUS Imperial (Passau - Passau)
- Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Turnu Magurele (Bucharest) to Vienna, MS Fidelio
- The beautiful blue Danube (port-to-port cruise) (from Passau to Budapest)
- Danube Classics 2027
- Donau-Klassik
- Romantic Danube (Christmas Cruise) 2024
- Blue Danube, Vienna - Vienna, MS CruceNova
- Classic 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 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 $4,495
13% off- US$3,895
Blue Danube, Vienna - Vienna, MS CruceNova
“The food was very good and they accommodate special diets, the ports were great.”
Sheila, traveled in June
MS Swiss Splendor takes passengers to Vienna's Hofburg Palace, Budapest's Chain Bridge, and Bratislava's Castle. UNESCO heritage sites in Wachau Valley unfold before French-balcony cabins while guests enjoy full-board dining.
Duration 8 days Destinations Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Ship MS CruceNova River Danube Operator Crucemundo From
13% off- US$1,402+$84 upfront costs
Duration 9 days Destinations Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands Age Range All Ages Welcome River Danube Operator Europamundo From
13% off- US$1,565
Danube Classics Vienna 2026
“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
13% off- US$2,265
Early Season on the Danube 2026|2025 - 8 Days
“We had a fabulous cruise. Everyone was very friendly, helpful and professional.”
Wendy, traveled in May
Cruise the Danube aboard Emerald Star-Ship from Passau's confluence through the Wachau Valley. Visit UNESCO-listed Český Krumlov, tour Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum, and explore Budapest's Grand Market. Features regional wines and nightly cultural shows.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Ships Emerald DawnEmerald StarEmerald Sky River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From $7,690
50% off- US$3,845
Danube Rhapsody (Passau - Passau, 13 destinations)
“Very organized, personal attention, gourmet food, friendly and attentive staff.”
Nancy, traveled in April
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ship AMADEUS Aurea River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
50% off- US$2,353
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 BELLAA-ROSA MIAA-ROSA RIVA River Danube Operator A-ROSA From
50% off- US$1,180
See the Danube your way
More travel styles:
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 Travelers518 tours- Couples557 tours
- Seniors (50+)429 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.
- October 2026 86 tours
- popular 91 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 79 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 77 tours
- April 2027 popular 133 tours
- May 2027 130 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 143 tours
- July 2027 popular 155 tours
- August 2027 139 tours
Danube travel guides - curated by our experts
Contact our Danube travel experts
Steffanie
Expert in Danube at TourRadar
Steffanie 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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