RIVER TRIPS · DANUBE RIVER CRUISES

The 15 Best Danube River Cruises in Budapest and Vienna

31 tours  ·  from $4 a head

Budapest lights its parliament for the river, so the night sailings earn their premium. These 15 cover the one-hour circuits, the dinner boats and the longer runs upstream, with prices and departure times.

Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance - Parliament first, and why timing matters
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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 a roughly two-hour evening on the Danube, including a 90-minute cruise past Parliament, Buda Castle, the bridges, and Gellért Baths. Choose a buffet, Gulyás and lángos, or Wine&Dine option, then enjoy live Hungarian music and folk dancing.

“We were really looking forward to this dinner river cruise, but unfortunately the experience fell short. Boarding felt chaotic—the greeter was shouting orders rather than offering a warm welcome, which set the tone right away. There was very little communication throughout the evening, especially around when the buffet was open and what food or drinks were actually included in the cruise. This left many guests confused. Additionally, the food quantities were quite limited for the number of people onboard, and several items ran out quickly. Overall, the cruise lacked organization and hospitality, which took away from what should have been an enjoyable evening on the Danube. Would not recommen...”

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Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise with Drink - Choosing Between the Cabin and Upper Deck
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Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise with Drink

2.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 at Jane Haining rakpart for a one-hour evening ride past Parliament, Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge, and Margaret Island. Choose beer, wine, sparkling wine, soft drink, or water, then follow the recorded commentary in 30 languages.

“It was a very pleasant evening cruise on the Danube. All the sights were clearly visible. Drinks were served and tasted good. Unfortunately, it was a bit cold on the boat; it could definitely be warmer. However, the waiting area was warm, and we didn't have to wait in the cold like at other docks. I would recommend this tour to everyone and would book it again anytime.”

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

3.Danube River Cruise with Dinner and Prosecco

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

Board the historic Gróf Széchenyi at Akadémia dock 2 for a 90-minute evening cruise past Parliament, Buda Castle, and the illuminated bridges. You’ll have live Hungarian music, a welcome Prosecco or juice, and either goulash with fresh lángos or a self-service buffet, depending on your booking.

“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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Vienna: Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket to the Danube Tower - Arriving through Danube Park
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Vienna: Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket to the Danube Tower

4.Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket to the Danube Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,303 reviews · 1 day · from $21

Use your one-day ticket to ride the Danube Tower’s express lift to 150 meters and take in 360-degree views over Vienna, the Danube, and nearby hills. Walk through Danube Park, visit the rotating cafe, or book the restaurant separately. The slide costs extra and is not included.

“Was a little concerned about the lift but laughed at the little surprise! Rotating restaurant worth a visit. Views hindered by the weather but that was unavailable and the experience was still worth it.”

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Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music - Dinner: a real meal, not just a snack
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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

Cruise Budapest by night aboard a comfortable boat with floor-to-ceiling windows, a four-course adult dinner, welcome wine, beer, or champagne, and live music. The 2.5-hour route offers lit bridges and riverside buildings, with drinks available to buy and no guide included.

“We highly recommend the cruise! The staff was awesome and great selection of food and drinks. Our cruise was at night and the city lights were fantastic. If possible, I recommend trying to time it at dusk.”

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Budapest: Danube River City Lights Express Cruise - The upper deck is worth planning for
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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, taking in Parliament, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, and Liberty Bridge. Use the free audio guide app with your own earphones, then head upstairs for open-air city views. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard.

“Super views, super boat and we appreciated the complementary drink ❣️”

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Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna - Cruising from Spitz toward Melk
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Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna

7.Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,576 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $141

Travel by coach from Vienna through the Wachau Valley, pause in Dürnstein, cruise the Danube from Spitz toward Melk in warmer months, and visit Melk Abbey if selected. Guides such as Tommy, Claudia, and Eric have led especially well-received departures.

“Waste of time and money. Guide wasn't pleasant, too much free time, they probably wanted us to spend time on the boat restaurante instead enjoying the river, towns was nice”

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Vienna: Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip - Krems, the first taste of Wachau
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Vienna: Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip

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

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

Travel from Vienna through the Wachau Valley by air-conditioned coach and summer boat. Stop in Krems and Dürnstein, then explore Melk and its Baroque abbey. English and Spanish guides, such as Tommy, Ava, and Eric, have led recent departures. Choose carefully: summer boat and abbey access depend on the package.

“Fabulous day trip. Well organised. The guide Tommy and the bus driver Ben were great. Melk and the Abbey are wonderful Would highly recommend.”

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From Budapest: Full or Half Day Danube Bend Cruises - Szentendre: the best all-round day trip
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From Budapest: Full or Half Day Danube Bend Cruises

9.Full or Half Day Danube Bend Cruises

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

Mahart Cruises takes you from central Budapest along the Danube to Szentendre or Visegrád. Choose a half or full day, sit indoors or on the covered upper deck, and explore without a guide. Szentendre offers museums, galleries, marzipan, lángos, and café time.

“The top deck is the place to be. The views were fantastic and highly recommended. The little town of Szentendre was dreamy and we enjoyed ourselves a lot. The enclosed area of the boat was very very warm.”

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Vienna: Evening Cruise Along The Danube - Sunset from the upper deck
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Vienna: Evening Cruise Along The Danube

10.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 glow at dusk. Relax on the upper deck, watch live camera images, and order freshly prepared Viennese food, including house-breaded schnitzel. Food and drinks cost extra.

“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 - The Prater brings Vienna’s green side
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Vienna: 3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise

11.3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise

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

Cruise Vienna aboard the MS Wien or Hundertwasser-designed MS Vindobona. In 3.5 hours, you pass the Prater, Danube Island, Danube Tower, Millennium Tower, canal locks, and central landmarks. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, but are not included.

“We sat outside and no commentary although not very much too see. Highlight was going through the lock systems as I’ve never done that before.”

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Budapest Danube Cruise with Drink, Audio Guide, Margaret Island - What you see between the bridges
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Budapest Danube Cruise with Drink, Audio Guide, Margaret Island

12.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 choice of beer, wine, sparkling wine, soft drink, or water. Listen to a 30-language audio guide, pass Parliament and Buda Castle, and get off at Margaret Island for up to 45 minutes before returning by boat.

“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.”

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Budapest: Danube Beat Party Cruise with DJ & Drink Packages - What the river route shows you after dark
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Budapest: Danube Beat Party Cruise with DJ & Drink Packages

13.Danube Beat Party Cruise with DJ & Drink Packages

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

Spend roughly 2.5 hours on the MS Stadt Wien, dancing to a live DJ while Parliament, Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, and Gellért Hill glow along the Danube. Choose a basic cruise, unlimited drinks, Casa Mexa food, or an after-party package with Party Bus transfer and skip-the-line entry to Morrisons 2.

“My friend and I celebrated her birthday on the boat. The crew was amazing, super friendly, and really helpful. They even helped me make a shout-out to her on her birthday. It was such an amazing experience that it left us speechless. The only downside is the cleanup of the bathroom, which did not exist that much. Otherwise, it was amazing, and I highly recommend the experience!”

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Vienna: Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties - Modern Vienna, the Danube Tower, and Millennium Tower
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Vienna: Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties

14.Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties

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

Cruise from the DDSG Blue Danube ticket office through modern Vienna, passing the Danube Tower, Millennium Tower, Nussdorf lock, and Danube Canal. Choose the shorter route or continue toward Prater and Danube Island, with optional Viennese specialties served on board. English and German assistance is available.

“Excellent! The food was delicious, the boat, crew, journey and views were fantastic. I would recommend this excursion. ☀️😝😁”

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Budapest: Danube River Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide - Starting at Batthyány Square and Dock 1/B
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Budapest: Danube River Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide

15.Danube River Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide

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

Take a 60-minute Purpleliner cruise from Batthyány Square past Parliament, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, and Central Market Hall. Bring charged headphones and a phone for the six-language audio app. Evening departures add sunset and city lights, while the open upper deck offers the best photos.

“Everything is very good. But I can't download audio guide, it have an error occured at the last step. But I looked the tv screen instead, I think it's the same. Overall is very good.”

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