10 Austria River Cruises to Build a Day Around

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

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

Spend about eight and a half hours exploring the Wachau Valley from Vienna by air-conditioned coach and, in summer, boat. Visit Krems and Dürnstein, cruise the Danube, and tour Melk Abbey with the all-inclusive summer option. English and Spanish guides, including guides such as Tommy, Ava, and Erich, lead the day.

“The Wachau Valley is stunning and I enjoyed the cruise along the Danube.”

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2.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’s canals and Danube come alive in the evening light. You can watch the sunset from the upper deck, order freshly prepared Viennese food, and see live camera images on a screen. Expect a relaxed dinner cruise, not a guided sightseeing tour.

“so enjoyable, in the evening - very romantic, however a bit disappointed that there were no particular sights on route. Had a meal,not pre-booked, but good food, reasonable prices and very genial chef/waiter”

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3.3.5-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 Danube Canal. You’ll see Prater greenery, Danube Island, modern towers, two lock systems, and central Vienna landmarks. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, but the cruise ticket covers only the boat ride.

“It was a nice leisurely trip. Most of the time was taken up getting through the locks. Would have been nice to go further upstream and not just a quick loop around. Also, don't know why there wasn't music (Mozart, Strauss, Hayden) playing throughout the trip. Would have added a lot. Messages and descriptions were spotty and not many. The lounge and food looked wonderful but we didnt' eat.”

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4.Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties

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

See Vienna from the Danube with a 1.5-hour modern-city cruise or a 3.5-hour route toward the Prater and green Vienna. Pass the Danube Tower, Millennium Tower, Nussdorf locks, Spittelau heating plant, Ringturm, Danube Island, and more. Add Viennese food if you choose. English and German hosts are available.

“It was very interesting getting a different view of Vienna from the boat. The food and service on board was excellent.”

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5.Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 723 reviews · from $115

Travel from Vienna to Bratislava by coach, tour the Old Town with a local guide, then return by high-speed Twin City Liner catamaran. You’ll see St. Martin’s Cathedral, Michael’s Gate, Grassalkovich Palace, Primate’s Palace, Bratislava Castle, and the Slovak National Theatre, with several hours to explore independently. Hotel pickup is available at selected Vienna hotels.

“Really fun trip! The guide knew so much but also gave us time to explore. Great experience! Would do another excursion with this company.”

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6.Salzburg: Boat Ride on the Salzach River

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 559 reviews · from $20Best value

Cruise the Salzach River for 40 minutes with an English or German-speaking host. You’ll see Salzburg’s old-town skyline, southern villas, the Hagen and Tennen ranges, and a playful Mozart music finale. Choose reserved seating or a Prosecco option, and book ahead for sunny departures.

“The concert was excellent and the venue is lovely.”

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7.Salzburg: River Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 406 reviews · 5 hours · from $128

Cruise the Salzach River for 40 minutes, then walk to the funicular and ride up Hohensalzburg Fortress for dinner at the Panorama Restaurant and a chamber concert. Expect English or German assistance, smart-casual dress, many steps, and drinks at your own cost. Vegetarian meals require a request at dinner.

“this tour is a really good way ho spend a few hours in Salzburg.”

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8.Krems: Wachau Valley River Cruise with 3-Course Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 254 reviews · from $76

Spend five hours cruising from Krems to Melk and back through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley. You’ll pass Dürnstein’s blue church tower, Schönbühel Palace, vineyards, villages, and Melk Abbey while enjoying a seasonal 3-course meal and one glass of Wachau wine. German and English assistance is available, and the ship is wheelchair accessible.

“My wife and I took the Krems Wachau Valley River Cruise with the 3- course meal on April 27th and we highly recommend it. The weather cooperated and we were able to get seats on the upper deck of the boat to enjoy the beautiful views. Seats on the upper deck are taken up quickly as there are people who take the cruise but not the meal so if you want to sit outside after you eat you need to be vigilant. The meal was excellent and the service staff were very polite and accomodating. For a cost of $94 per person (Canadian $) this was excellent value. We would…”

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9.From Melk: 5-Hour Wachau River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 103 reviews · from $53

Cruise the Wachau Valley from Melk aboard DDSG Blue Danube’s red-and-white fleet. Over five hours, you’ll see vineyards, monasteries, castles, and riverside towns from a broad sundeck. Optional breakfast, brunch, schnitzel, and wine tasting add-ons are available. The cruise returns to Melk and is wheelchair accessible.

“I am annoyed that on your Web site you gave me no option to get the 20% senior discount that was offered off the price of if had bought the tickets from the shipping company 's ticket office. Please respond Thank you Peter Derrick”

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10.Private Floating Island E-Boat Rental on Danube

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 12 reviews · from $135 per boat (seats 8)

Take control of a quiet electric floating island on Vienna’s Old Danube for one hour. Your private group of up to eight can cruise, anchor, sunbathe, or swim from the boat. A host greets you in English, German, or Spanish, provides a water map and safety equipment, and shows you the simple joystick controls.

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