WORLDWIDE · DANUBE RIVER CRUISES

The 15 Best Danube River Cruises

35 river trips  ·  from $14 a head

Budapest floodlit after dark is the picture everybody comes for, and Vienna, Bratislava and the Wachau all have their own boats. These 15 are priced and timed, with drinks and dinner options made clear.

Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance - The dinner choices and what they mean
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

Board at Akadémia 2 ponton for an evening Danube cruise with illuminated Budapest landmarks, live folk music, traditional dance, and a meal option. Choose a self-service buffet, wine and food pairing, or gulyás with mini lángos. The cruise runs about 90 minutes and returns to the starting dock.

“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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Budapest: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Danube River Cruise - Starting at József Attila Street
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 Budapest ticket to tour both sides of the Danube, then add a one-hour river cruise and English walking tour. See Parliament, Buda Castle, Heroes’ Square, Gellért Baths, and more. The bus has multilingual audio, seasonal heating and air-conditioning, and wheelchair access is advertised, though boarding may require care.

“The audio guide could not be understood as she spoke very very fast. It also continued when we arrived at a stop so we never new what stop you were at.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise with Drink - Boarding at Jane Haining rakpart
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

Set sail from central Budapest on a glass-topped boat for a one-hour evening ride past Parliament, Buda Castle, Margaret Island, and the city’s lit bridges. Choose beer, wine, sparkling wine, soda, or mineral water, then listen to recorded commentary in 30 languages. Indoor and limited open-air seating are available.

“The boat was clean and the staff were friendly. A little underwhelming, but the audio guide was informative and it was worth doing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Budapest: Danube River Cruise with Dinner and Prosecco - Boarding at Akadémia dock 2
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

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

You’ll spend 90 minutes aboard the historic Gróf Széchenyi paddle steamer, passing Parliament, Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, and Gellért Hill. Choose a table-served goulash and lángos meal or a self-service buffet, then enjoy live Hungarian music, dancing, and one welcome Prosecco or juice. English-speaking staff host the evening.

“Lovely evening aboard a lovely boat. Plenty of food and drink. Musicians were amazing and played any requests. Staff were attentive and helpful. We arrived before 18.30 and went straight onto the boat, so not kept waiting even though trip starts at 7.00. Cruise is at a leisurely pace, so it didn’t feel like we were rushing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music - The Danube route and its nighttime views
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 about 2.5 hours on the Danube aboard a candlelit Legenda City Cruises boat. You’ll enjoy a four-course adult dinner, a three-course children’s meal, a welcome wine, beer, or champagne, and live music while Budapest’s bridges and buildings glow after dark. The cruise begins and ends at Jane Haining rkp. 7.

“Well organized. Food selection and preparation were excellent. The staff was professional and timely.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Budapest: Danube River City Lights Express Cruise - Boarding at Silverline Cruises
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

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 Budapest’s Chain Bridge, Parliament, Castle Hill, Gellért Hill, Liberty Bridge, and Margaret Bridge. Use the downloadable audio guide with your own earphones, then head to the upper deck for the best city views. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard.

“I had the 21:00 cruise and it was beautiful. The lights and the river made my experience so beautiful. You get there 15min before and it was smooth check in. Definitely worth it. We have been given a welcome drink. If you want food you can buy that on the boat. They had music and tour guide commentary about the history of the places we pass. I highly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Vienna: Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip - Starting in Vienna near the State Opera
Austria River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Vienna River Cruises

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 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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Budapest: Full or Half Day Danube Bend Cruises - Szentendre: art, church towers, and lángos
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

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

Travel independently from central Budapest by boat to Szentendre or Visegrád. Choose a shorter Szentendre visit for cafés, galleries, lángos, and the Marzipan Museum, or spend a full day in Visegrád with its Royal Palace, citadel, and Danube views. The cruise is basic, scenic transportation with indoor and outdoor seating, not a guided tour.

“Definitely worth it if you are looking for a fun half day trip! The town was so beautiful and had so many stores, we bought so many things to take home. There was some amazing restraints in town too. We went to Nobi, an amazing sushi and ramen restaurant!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Vienna: Evening Cruise Along The Danube - Leaving the canal and reaching the Danube
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’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”

Check availability →Read our full review

Vienna: 3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise - Schwedenplatz to the Prater greenery
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 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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Budapest Danube Cruise with Drink, Audio Guide, Margaret Island - The included drink makes the short ride feel generous
Audio Tours, 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 aboard a clean glass-enclosed boat with a welcome beer, wine, sparkling wine, soft drink, or water. Hear commentary in up to 30 languages, pass Parliament, Buda Castle, the bridges, and Margaret Island, then choose to leave the boat for free time before returning on a later departure.

“The boat tour was great! The audio tour guide is included in the seats on the boat, with headphones available. We toured north up to Margaret Island, and were let off to explore it. The boat comes back about ever 45 minutes (depending on the season), and you can hop back on any boat you’d like, or stay on your original if you don’t want to visit. The boat returns back to the original dock at the end.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Budapest: Danube Beat Party Cruise with DJ & Drink Packages - What the boat is like once you board
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 English-speaking Budapest Boat Party crew aboard MS Stadt Wien for a night cruise from Akadémia Dock 2. You’ll see Parliament, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, and the bridges lit up while a DJ plays chart hits and club classics. Choose a basic ticket, unlimited drinks, a Casa Mexa meal, or an after-party with Party Bus transfer and skip-the-line entry to Morrisons 2.

“Was with a group of over 30 people and everyone was very much satisfied! the staff was amazing and super friendly and the view was gorgeous.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Vienna: Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties - Choosing between the 1.5-hour and 3.5-hour routes
Austria River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vienna River Cruises

Vienna: Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties

13.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Budapest: Danube River Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide - The itinerary connects Buda and Pest
Audio Tours, 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

Board Purpleliner at Dock 1/B near Batthyány Square for a one-hour Danube sightseeing cruise. You’ll pass Parliament, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, Central Market Hall, and more. Bring charged headphones for the downloadable six-language audio guide. Evening departures add sunset and illuminated city views.

“The best activity of my trip in Budapest! I recommend doing it in the evening to see Budapest by night with all the lights on! The view of the parliement is incredible.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube - Bratislava Castle and the afternoon choice
1-Day Tours, Austria River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vienna River Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises

Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube

15.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Just added to Danube River Cruises

★ 4.4Private Floating Island E-Boat Rental on DanubeFrom $135 per boat (seats 8)12 reviews
★ 5.0Private Danube Yacht Cruise with Welcome DrinkFrom $972 per boat (seats 12)3 reviews
★ 5.0Danube Delta: Boat Tour Through the Water Lily ReserveFrom $2219 reviews
★ 4.0Daily Tours in the Danube Delta – Camely Boat CruiseFrom $471 per boat (seats 10)2 reviews
★ 4.6Wine & Dine Cruise on the DanubeFrom $14041 reviews
★ 4.4Sip & Sail Danube Cruise with Unlimited BeerFrom $2995 reviews
★ 4.6Budapest Super Saver: Spa, Basilica Tour, and Danube CruiseFrom $6493 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 DrinksFrom $318 per boat (seats 7)5 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

Other lists on this water

Thames River Cruises30London River Cruises40UK River Cruises56Budapest River Cruises30Prague River Cruises18
Scroll to Top

Explore by river

Pick a waterway, a city or a kind of evening.

Great rivers

Nile CruisesThe SeineThe DanubeThe ThamesThe Douro

Canals

Canal CruisesAmsterdam CanalsDutch CanalsBangkok KlongsVenetian Canals

Kinds of evening

Dinner AboardSunset SailingsAfter DarkLive ShowsLuxury Boats

How you ride

Hop-On PassesAudio GuidePrivate ChartersYachts