A Danube cruise generally links Passau, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest in 5 to 6 days, with the Wachau valley and Melk. Longer itineraries (9 to 12 days) go down to the Black Sea through the Iron Gates, between Serbia and Romania. Before or after the Budapest stop, our comparison to choose between Prague and Budapest helps you decide where to extend your stay.
It is the cruise of the Central European capitals. We did not sail on board for this article and do not publish passenger reviews: the information comes from the official websites cited at the end of the page. To compare with the other rivers, see our river cruise guide.
Danube cruises at a glance
- The river 2,860 km (1,777 mi) and ten countries crossed, according to CroisiEurope
- Classic Passau – Melk – Vienna – Bratislava – Budapest, 5 to 6 days
- Long haul Budapest – Belgrade – Iron Gates – Black Sea, 9 to 12 days
- Getting there packages with transport (departing Paris) with CroisiEurope, or port-to-port
- Price noted from about €720 per person for 5 days from Vienna, on promotion (noted 14 October 2026)
Danube itineraries
| Itinerary (CroisiEurope) | Length | “From” price |
|---|---|---|
| The Danube capitals: Vienna – Budapest – Bratislava – Vienna | 5 days | About €720 (promotion) |
| Budapest – Bratislava – Vienna – Melk – Passau | 6 days | About €1,320 |
| Paris – Passau – Melk – Vienna – Budapest – Paris (with transport) | 6 days | About €1,900 |
| Black Sea – Bucharest – Ruse – Iron Gates – Belgrade – Novi Sad – Osijek – Mohács – Budapest | 9 days | About €1,990 |
| Black Sea – Iron Gates – Belgrade – Novi Sad – Budapest – Bratislava – Vienna | 12 days | About €2,840 |
| Danube and Tisza: Budapest – Novi Sad – Szeged – Tiszafüred | 9 days | About €2,100 |
Ports of call on the Danube
| Port of call | What to see | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Passau (Germany) | Starting or ending point of the cruises | Link with Munich in the packages with transport |
| Melk and the Wachau (Austria) | UNESCO-listed wine valley according to CroisiEurope | Scenery along the water |
| Vienna (Austria) | Schönbrunn Palace, State Opera | Our Vienna guide |
| Bratislava (Slovakia) | Historic center and castle overlooking the river | Shorter stop |
| Budapest (Hungary) | Buda and Pest on either side of the river | Our Budapest guide |
| Iron Gates (Serbia/Romania) | The Danube passing through the gorges | Black Sea itineraries |
To plan your stay, see our guides to Austria, Hungary and Romania. On the Serbian side, our guide on what to do in Belgrade presents the capital, at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava. The Danube can also be combined with the Rhine in a 19-day Amsterdam–Budapest: see our page on Rhine cruises.
When to go on the Danube
Cruises are scheduled mainly from spring to autumn; departures were still offered at the end of October 2026 when we checked. Our pages on when to go to Austria and when to go to Hungary give the climate normals month by month.
Cruise lines on the Danube
CroisiEurope, a French river specialist, offers the widest choice of Danube itineraries in our survey. Rivages du Monde also schedules Danube cruises, positioned more upscale. Other European and American lines sail on the river: check the language used on board and what is included.
Ships on the Danube
On the Danube, CroisiEurope uses ships from its Rhine–Danube fleet, carrying 78 to 178 passengers depending on the model. A few examples:
| Ship | Decks | Cabins | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Beethoven | 3 | 89 | 178 |
| MS Gérard Schmitter | 3 | 86 | 172 |
| MS France | 2 | 77 | 157 |
| MS Monet | 2 | 78 | 158 |
| MS La Bohème | 2 | 77 | 154 |
| MS Leonardo da Vinci | 2 | 70 | 139 |
| MS Mona Lisa | 2 | 46 | 92 |
Preparing your Danube cruise
Choosing your cabin and deck
River ships have two or three decks of cabins. Lower-deck cabins generally have smaller windows, close to water level; those on the upper decks offer more view, at a higher price. Compare the deck plans on the ship’s sheet before booking: it is often the main price difference between two cabins on the same cruise.
Excursions: package, à la carte or independent
CroisiEurope sells excursions individually or as a package, some on foot from the quay, others by coach; it states that you can also visit the ports of call freely. On the Danube, Vienna and Budapest lend themselves to guided visits; the Wachau valley is mostly enjoyed from the ship’s deck. Book early the excursions that matter to you.
Port-to-port or transport included
With a “port-to-port” format, you reach the ship by your own means. Some CroisiEurope cruises also exist with transport from your region; compare the total price, adding the train, a possible hotel night and parking.
What to pack
- A valid passport (see the entry requirements below)
- Comfortable shoes for walking visits
- A warm, waterproof layer for the sun deck, even in summer
- Your booking documents and insurance certificate
Entry requirements for US and UK citizens
A Danube itinerary crosses several countries, each with its own rules, and cruise lines set their own document requirements: check each country you will visit. Sources read on 26 October 2026.
- Serbia, US citizens (travel.state.gov, last updated 3 September 2026): no visa is needed to enter and stay up to 90 days; you must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival (hotels or similar accommodation do this for you); you cannot enter Serbia on an expired passport.
- Serbia, UK citizens (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026): you can visit without a visa for up to 90 days within a 6-month period for tourism; your passport must have an expiry date at least 90 days after the date you plan to leave Serbia; make sure your passport is stamped.
- Schengen countries on the route (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania…): US and UK citizens can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for tourism (travel.state.gov and GOV.UK, Austria and Romania pages). Passport rules vary slightly: for Austria, travel.state.gov says passports should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay (last updated 10 September 2026) and GOV.UK says the passport must be issued less than 10 years before arrival and expire at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area (updated 11 August 2026). For Romania, travel.state.gov says three months beyond your departure date (last updated 12 November 2025).
- EES: GOV.UK says the EU’s Entry/Exit System is being implemented across the Schengen area, so you may need to register biometric details on entry; allow extra time at the border.
Classic Danube or Danube to the Black Sea?
| Criterion | Capitals (Passau–Budapest) | Black Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5 to 6 days | 9 to 12 days |
| Countries crossed (examples) | Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary | Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria |
| Highlights | Wachau, Vienna, Budapest | Belgrade, Iron Gates, Danube–Black Sea canal |
| Price noted from | About €720 (5 days) | About €1,990 (9 days) |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Danube cruise cost?
On 14 October 2026, CroisiEurope showed cruises from about €720 per person for 5 days from Vienna on promotion, and from about €1,300 to €1,900 for 6 days depending on whether transport is included.
What is the most beautiful part of the Danube?
The Wachau valley and the arrival in Budapest are the highlights of the classic itineraries; the Iron Gates mark the itineraries to the Black Sea.
How long do you need?
5 to 6 days for the capitals (Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest); 9 to 12 days to go all the way to the Black Sea.
What documents do you need?
A valid passport. Itineraries to the Black Sea pass through Serbia, outside the European Union: US citizens need no visa for up to 90 days and UK citizens none for up to 90 days within 6 months (travel.state.gov, GOV.UK), but check the details above and ask the cruise line which documents it requires.
Can you link the Rhine and the Danube?
Yes, via the Main: CroisiEurope offers a 19-day Amsterdam–Budapest. It also sails on the Tisza and the Sava.
Our sources
- CroisiEurope, official website croisieurope.com: destination pages and cruise sheets, viewed 14 October 2026 (itineraries and “from” prices noted that day)
- Rivages du Monde, “Danube cruise” page, viewed 14 October 2026
- U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov: Serbia (last updated September 3, 2026), Austria (September 10, 2026), Romania (November 12, 2025); UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice: Serbia (updated 22 October 2026), Austria (11 August 2026), Romania (18 September 2026); all read 26 October 2026
- Search volumes: Ahrefs (France), viewed 14 October 2026
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
