River trips · CENTRAL EUROPE

Danube River Cruises: The 15 Best Sailings

33 sailings  ·  boarding from $14 a head

The Danube is at its best in Budapest after dark and in the Wachau vineyards by day. These 15 cover dinner boats, night sailings and the valley trips out of Vienna, priced and timed.

Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance - The route, from Parliament to the bridges
Budapest River Cruises, Concerts, Danube River Cruises, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance

1.Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,428 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54Our pick

Cruise the Danube from central Budapest for about 90 minutes, with illuminated Parliament, Buda Castle, bridges, and the Citadella in view. Choose a Hungarian buffet, wine and food pairing, or a gulyás and lángos option. Two welcome drinks, live folk music, traditional dancing, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and outdoor decks are included according to the selected package.

“Fabulous night, food was amazing & entertainment really good and made everyone feel a part of it. Very well organised & seeing the landmarks of Budapest all lit up on the banks of the Danube a plus. Amazing!”

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Budapest: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Danube River Cruise - Starting near the Basilica and Deák Ferenc tér
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, Hop-On Hop-Off River Boats, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Budapest: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Danube River Cruise

2.Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Danube River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 3,794 reviews · from $40

Use a 1, 2, or 3-day Big Bus ticket to see Budapest from the road and river. Ride past Parliament, Buda Castle, Heroes’ Square, and the baths, then join the English walking tour through Pest. The Danube cruise adds fine views of Parliament, Chain Bridge, and the Royal Palace.

“The bus had a plastic window covering which was scratched and dirty which meant pictures were blurry, disappointing experience”

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Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise with Drink - Your welcome drink: useful extra, not a Champagne cruise
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, Night River Cruises, River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in Budapest, Tour Reviews

Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise with Drink

3.Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise with Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,553 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $30

Board a glass-topped Legenda City Cruises boat near Jane Haining rakpart for a one-hour evening ride along Budapest’s illuminated riverbanks. You’ll see Parliament, Buda Castle, the Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, and Margaret Island, with a welcome drink, 30-language audio guide, Wi-Fi, and indoor or limited open-air seating.

“We had a beautiful experience, the cruise is very well organised with no waiting time at all and no queuing! Trust me the queues for the evening cruises are endless. Very clean boat and the staff are very polite!! They offer you drink of your choice and you can have a seat inside or outside on the top of the boat.”

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Budapest: Danube River Cruise with Dinner and Prosecco - Boarding at Akadémia dock 2
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Budapest: Danube River Cruise with Dinner and Prosecco

4.Danube River Cruise with Dinner and Prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,471 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $53

Spend 90 minutes aboard the historic Gróf Széchenyi paddle steamer, passing Parliament, Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, and Gellért Hill. You’ll hear live Hungarian music, enjoy a welcome Prosecco or juice, and choose between table-served goulash with lángos or a self-service buffet. The boat leaves from Akadémia dock 2.

“It would be nice if we were told what buildings we were going part but otherwise it's was a very enjoyable trip.”

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Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music - Dinner on Board: Four Courses and Real Value
Budapest River Cruises, Concerts, Danube River Cruises, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music

5.Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,770 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $133

Spend 2.5 hours cruising Budapest’s Danube after dark with a four-course adult dinner, welcome wine, beer, or champagne, and live music. The boat returns to Jane Haining rakpart 7. Expect illuminated bridges and riverside buildings, floor-to-ceiling windows, smart-casual dress, and no tour guide.

“What an experience - the whole evening was excellent, the four course dinner was lovely, very friendly staff - the scenery was amazing - would highly recommend this. Thank you”

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Budapest: Danube River City Lights Express Cruise - The Chain Bridge and the heart of Budapest
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Budapest: Danube River City Lights Express Cruise

6.Danube River City Lights Express Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,608 reviews · from $14Best value

Spend about an hour on the Danube with Silverline Cruises, passing the Chain Bridge, Parliament, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, and more. You can use the free audio-guide app with your own earphones, then head outside for wide city views and night photos. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard.

“Booked the BudMini Shuttle service from the airport round trip. what an excellent service that is!! The booked tickets for a cruise, really easy to do, tickets were on phone with easy directions to pick up point. Initially booked the wrong time but it was so easy to change. Fabulous App and service”

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Vienna: Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip - Meeting the coach beside the Vienna State Opera
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Vienna: Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip

7.Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,413 reviews · 8h 30m · from $151

Spend 8.5 hours beyond Vienna with a guide such as Tommy, Ava, or Erich, visiting Krems, Dürnstein, and Melk. In summer, cruise the Danube past vineyards and castles, then explore Melk Abbey with the all-inclusive option. In winter, the abbey is included instead of the boat trip.

“Excellent! Just make this after April as nature wasn't ready for our visit!”

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From Budapest: Full or Half Day Danube Bend Cruises - The boat ride north on the Danube
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From Budapest: Full or Half Day Danube Bend Cruises

8.Full or Half Day Danube Bend Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,313 reviews · 270 - 630 minutes · from $21

Take a self-guided Danube cruise from central Budapest to Szentendre, with time for marzipan, art, Serbian Orthodox heritage, cafés, and lángos. From May to October, choose Visegrád instead for the Royal Palace, citadel, river views, and alpine bobsled track. The boat has indoor and open-air seating, but no guide or onboard commentary.

“The day trip was great, it was a very hot day but it was absolutely spectacular. we loved the small quaint town of Szentendre. All the main restaurants were packed with a long waiting time to order but we discovered a small restaurant and the food was fabulous. Some commentaries on the boat would have been great as we were first timers here in Hungary.”

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Vienna: Evening Cruise Along The Danube - Watching Vienna change from daylight to city lights
Austria River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, Night River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vienna River Cruises

Vienna: Evening Cruise Along The Danube

9.Evening Cruise Along The Danube

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 1,280 reviews · 3 hours · from $55

Spend three hours aboard the MS Vindobona, MS Blue Danube, or MS Wien as Vienna fades into evening. You’ll cruise through the city and along the Danube, with an upper deck, live camera feed, and fresh Viennese food available from Roman Loos’s onboard restaurant. Food and drinks cost extra, and there is no regular sightseeing commentary.

“The boat was older, we had just done a dinner cruise in Prague....no comparison! This was soooo expensive! We were only able to book the cheaper dinner and the better dinner was available for $40 more. The food was ok, the service was excellent! Our server was kind and attentive! I asked for something that wasn't on the menu, and he was able to get a little bit for me. The onlt area to go outside was the rear and it was small and full of smokers. I would not do this again.”

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Vienna: 3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise - Schwedenplatz and the start at Urania
Austria River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vienna River Cruises

Vienna: 3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise

10.3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 1,151 reviews · from $51

Board the MS Wien or Hundertwasser-designed MS Vindobona at Schwedenplatz for a 3.5-hour cruise through Vienna’s Danube and canal. You’ll see the Prater’s greenery, Danube Island, modern towers, locks, and central Vienna from the water. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, with German- and English-speaking staff.

“Was amazing, nice service, nice view. We will book again for a longer way”

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Budapest Danube Cruise with Drink, Audio Guide, Margaret Island - Margaret Island gives the cruise a second purpose
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, River Cruises with Audio Guide, River Cruises with Audio Guide in Budapest, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Budapest Danube Cruise with Drink, Audio Guide, Margaret Island

11.Budapest Danube Cruise with Drink, Audio Guide, Margaret Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,036 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Cruise Budapest’s Danube for about 70 minutes in a glass-enclosed boat with a beer, wine, sparkling wine, soft drink, or mineral water. Hear commentary through headphones in up to 30 languages, pass Parliament, Buda Castle, and the bridges, and choose to stop for 45 minutes on Margaret Island before returning to the city center.

“On-time, good audio guide, very clean, starts with a good welcome drink and friendly staff, would recommend this tour”

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Budapest: Danube Beat Party Cruise with DJ & Drink Packages - Starting at Akadémia Dock 2
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest: Danube Beat Party Cruise with DJ & Drink Packages

12.Danube Beat Party Cruise with DJ & Drink Packages

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,023 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $20

Join the Danube Beat Party Cruise at Akadémia Dock 2 for a 2-hour night sail aboard MS Stadt Wien. Expect a live DJ, Budapest’s lit-up landmarks, a cloakroom, photographer, and optional unlimited drinks, Casa Mexa food, and party-bus transfer to Morrisons 2. You must be 18 or older and bring photo ID.

“It was really fun, the staff was adorable and funny! The exceptional view and all the nationalities in one place was great”

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Vienna: Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties - The shorter route: modern Vienna and the Danube Canal
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Vienna: Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties

13.Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 1,017 reviews · from $36

You’ll cruise the Danube from the DDSG Blue Danube ticket office, seeing modern Vienna, the Danube Tower, Millennium Tower, Nussdorf lock, Danube Canal, and, on the longer trip, the Prater area and Danube Island. Choose a 1.5-hour cruise or a 3.5-hour version with optional Viennese specialties. English and German assistance is available.

“A great Way to see Vienna from the seaside. Very nice cruise ship and good service”

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Budapest: Danube River Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide - Finding Purpleliner at Batthyány Square
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, River Cruises with Audio Guide, River Cruises with Audio Guide in Budapest, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in Budapest, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Budapest: Danube River Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide

14.Danube River Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,002 reviews · from $14

Spend one hour on the Danube aboard Purpleliner, leaving from Dock 1/B at Batthyány Square. You’ll pass Parliament, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, Central Market Hall, and more. Bring charged headphones and use the downloadable audio guide in one of six languages. Evening departures add city lights and sunset views.

“It was great , place easy to find, very informative! Amazing views. Many thanks”

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Budapest: Sightseeing Cruise on the Danube - Parliament and the first river views
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in Budapest, Tour Reviews

Budapest: Sightseeing Cruise on the Danube

15.Sightseeing Cruise on the Danube

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 574 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $21

Spend 60 to 90 minutes aboard the Gróf Széchenyi, a handsome riverboat with wooden interiors, open balconies, live music, a bar, and access to the engine room. You’ll pass Parliament, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Gellért Hill, and six Budapest bridges. This is a sightseeing cruise, not a guided tour.

“My server Martin was so amazing! Very attentive,polite and kind young man. I enjoyed our conversation immensely as well as the Tokaj wine that he highly recommended. My experience was enhanced by Martin and his very genuine smile and personality. He is an asset to the company and made the cruise exceptionally delightful!”

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Newly added: Danube River Cruises

★ 4.4Private Floating Island E-Boat Rental on Danube12 reviews
★ 5.0Private Danube Yacht Cruise with Welcome Drink3 reviews
★ 5.0Danube Delta: Boat Tour Through the Water Lily ReserveFrom $2219 reviews
★ 4.0Daily Tours in the Danube Delta – Camely Boat Cruise2 reviews
★ 4.6Wine & Dine Cruise on the DanubeFrom $14041 reviews
★ 3.5Budapest Night Tour in Spanish and Danube Boat Ride (optional)From $143 reviews
★ 5.0Night Walking Tour with Danube River CruiseFrom $868 reviews
★ 4.6Castle District & Pest Driving Tour with Danube River CruiseFrom $6315 reviews
★ 5.0Bratislava: Private Danube River Cruise with Drinks5 reviews
★ 4.0Bratislava – Hainburg – Bratislava: Cruise on the DanubeFrom $385 reviews
★ 4.3Bratislava – Gabčíkovo Roundtrip by boat on the DanubeFrom $802 reviews
★ 3.8Bratislava: Brunch & Cruise on DanubeFrom $619 reviews

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