An expert guide to cruising the Danube river
The Danube runs neck and neck with the Rhine as being the most popular waterway for a river cruise. It flows through, or borders, 10 countries, which is more than any other river in the world. This provides an unrivalled opportunity to easily take in three countries in a week, and more on a longer cruise.
A firm favourite with first-time river cruisers and seasoned guests alike, ships stop at culture-rich and cosmopolitan towns, charming wine-growing villages and scenic highlights such as the Unesco-listed Wachau Valley. Along the way you’ll drift past hilltops lined with castles and fortresses, verdant apricot orchards and wine estates lined with serried ranks of grapes which you’ll taste in zesty wines such as grüner veltliner.
The largest number of itineraries are week-long round-trip sailings from Passau, on the German border, or from Passau to the Hungarian capital of Budapest. These take in the elegant Austrian capital of Vienna and Wachau Valley along the way. Venture further, through Slovakia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, for a very different experience filled with man-made and natural wonders such as the Iron Gates gorge and Danube Delta, Europe’s largest remaining natural wetland.
For the 10 best Danube river cruises to book for 2024, see our guide
In this guide:
Before you book
When to go
With the exception of January and February, the Danube is a year-round destination. However, in July and August cities are very busy and the heat can make excursions tiring. Springtime and early autumn are particularly pleasant times to take a Danube river cruise.
Price considerations
Study fares and itineraries carefully to see what is included. The lowest-priced sailings might not represent the best value if, for example, you want to pack in plenty of shore excursions or enjoy a cocktail or two. With all-inclusive fares everything is covered, from excursions to an open bar, flights, transfers and tipping.
What types of river cruises are available?
From week-long cruises to extended sailings of a fortnight and more, often taken in adjoining rivers, all the main river cruise lines sail on the Danube. In addition to sailings covering all of the highlights, you will find interesting themed cruises, such as art and history, music, food and wine.
The Danube is particularly magical during the festive period, and atmospheric Christmas market sailings run from mid-November. There are also cruises over Christmas and the New Year.
Are they suitable for solo travellers?
A Danube river cruise is a great choice for solo travellers. Ships are small and welcoming and the open seating set-up at mealtimes and convivial get-togethers in the lounge make it easy to meet new friends.
Riviera Travel and Tauck set aside lower-deck cabins on every cruise with no single supplement for solo occupancy. Riviera also organises dedicated solo sailings with no supplements on any cabin, including suites.
What facilities are on board?
All ships have a main dining room, lounge, bar and reception, usually with a small shop. On vessels that carry fewer passengers the extra room is devoted to additional facilities such as additional dining venues, a pool, gym, massage room and hair salon.
Who to cruise with
How do you pick the right ship?
This can seem tricky when you see vessels called Longships (Viking), Super Ships (Uniworld Boutique River Cruises), Space-Ships (Scenic), Star-Ships (Emerald Cruises) and Suite Ships (Avalon Waterways).
However, all ships have to conform to exact length and width restrictions to fit into locks and sail beneath bridges, which means they are all identical in size (apart from AmaMagna – see the “who to cruise with” section of this guide for more details).
The key difference is passenger numbers. Some carry 190 guests while others – the more expensive ones – cater to no more than 130, so this is the main thing to bear in mind when choosing a ship.
How to choose a cruise line
As the world’s largest river cruise line, Viking offers the biggest choice of itineraries and sailing dates. Amadeus River Cruises is one of the best lines for excursions, with an optional choice of excursion packages so you can do as much, or as little, as you want.
If you’re after luxury, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is part of Red Carnation Hotels and all the ships are beautifully decorated and come with white-gloved butlers, while A-Rosa is best for families as a long-time supporter of multigenerational river holidays. The line offers free places for youngsters up to the age of 15.
Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery sailings are great for active types and feature kayaking, hiking, cycling and daily classes with an on-board fitness host. If you want a spacious ship, AmaWaterway’s one-of-a-kind AmaMagna is twice the width of other vessels but only carries 196 passengers with plenty of room to spread out.
Top ports and sights
Rising in Germany’s Black Forest, the Danube winds 1,770 miles through 10 countries and four capital cities – Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade – before flowing into the Black Sea. These are some of the top sites along its 1,500 miles.
Wachau Valley
You’ll want to be out on deck when the ship sails through the 20-mile Unesco-listed Wachau Valley, between the Austrian towns of Krems and Melk, that’s lined with head-turning scenery and castles.
Budapest
Divided neatly in two by the Danube, the leafy Buda side leads up to lofty Castle Hill while livelier Pest has grand avenues, statue-lined Heroes’ Square and colourful ruin bars. Plan a trip with our Budapest travel guide.
Vienna
While it’s jam-packed with palaces and museums surrounding symbolic St Stephen’s Cathedral, take time out in a traditional Viennese coffee house with a slice of rich sachertorte or apple strudel. Plan a trip with our Vienna travel guide.
Dürnstein
With an ice-blue Baroque church hugging a bend on the riverside, Dürnstein is known as the “pearl of the Wachau”, and dominated by the ruins of a castle where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner.
Iron Gates Gorge
Cruise the Lower Danube and you’ll navigate the dramatic Iron Gates, once a perilous stretch of water now tamed by locks and overlooked by an imposing 140ft carving of Decebalus, king of the ancient Dracians.
A classic Danube cruise itinerary
Viking’s seven-night Danube Waltz sailing follows the popular Passau to Budapest route.
Day 1: Embarkation and overnight in Passau.
Day 2: Take a guided walking tour through the city surrounded by rivers and listen to a rousing recital on Europe’s largest church organ.
Day 3: From Linz there’s a day trip to Salzburg, famous as the birthplace of Mozart and for its filming locations for The Sound of Music.
Day 4: Krems is the gateway to towering Göttweig Abbey and wine-tasting tours. Afterwards sail through the beautiful Wachau Valley.
Day 5: Have a Viennese whirl in the Austrian capital. Excursions include magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, home of the Habsburg dynasty, and an evening of classical music.
Day 6: Arrive in the pretty and walkable Slovakian capital, Bratislava.
Day 7: Hungary’s first city completes the trio of capitals. Excursion options include Jewish history or a dip in one of Budapest’s steamy thermal baths.
Day 8: Morning disembarkation.
This article was first published in September 2021 and has been revised and updated.
