Danube River Cruises
Quick Search Search 4,525 river cruise departures along the Danube
Popular Cruises on The Danube View all
8 Days Nuremberg to Budapest
Operator: Avalon River Cruises
8 Days Budapest to Nuremberg
Operator: Avalon River Cruises
8 Days Regensburg to Budapest
Operator: Viking River Cruises
11 Days Budapest to Bucharest
Operator: Avalon River Cruises
The Danube River
Where does the Danube start & finish?
The Danube starts in the Black Forest region of Germany, where the Breg and Brigach rivers join. It flows through Central and Eastern Europe and ultimately empties into the Black Sea, forming the Danube Delta in Romania and Ukraine.
Europe's Second Longest River
The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe, after the Volga. It spans approximately 2,850 km's (1,770 miles) and flows through ten countries - more than any other river in the world.
Historic Cities
From Vienna's musical history to Budapest's thermal baths, the Danube provides access to some of Europe's most iconic cities. These ports of call offer rich history, vibrant culture, and world-class cuisine right at the river's edge.
Danube Delta Wonders
The Danube Delta is Europe's second-largest delta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to hundreds of species of birds and fish, it's an eco-lover's paradise and an excellent spot for bird-watching and fishing excursions.
Popular starting ports for cruising the Danube
Vienna, Budapest, Passau, Nuremberg and Bucharest serve as logistical starting ports for your Danube river cruise and also offer you the opportunity to enhance your trip by adding a few extra days prior to your cruise departure to explore these cultural and historical cities.
It's not all blue
Despite the famous waltz "The Blue Danube" by Johann Strauss II suggesting otherwise, the Danube is not always blue and can appear green, grey, or even brown depending on weather conditions, water flow, and sediment levels.
FEATURED RIVER CRUISE OPERATORSFeatured Operators View all
Our state-of-the-art ships take you right into the heart of each destination, and you won’t find any kids or ‘nickel and diming’ on board. In fact, our fares include everything you need - from meals, beverages and Wi-Fi to a culturally enriching shore excursion at every port of call. This unique combination of features has become affectionately known as ‘the Viking difference’.
Viking has 70 award-winning river ships sailing all over the world, and we can’t wait to welcome you on board to discover the Viking difference for yourself.
We draw our inspiration for the design philosophy of every one of the 17 ships in our fleet directly from the destination in which they sail. The craftsmanship, the attention to detail, the art onboard, the handcrafted furniture and intricacy of the fabrics are lovingly assembled to be a masterpiece in and of itself. Stepping onboard is to step into a world of beautiful colours and one-of-a-kind details that truly bring your destination to life.
Crafting experiences you can’t find anywhere else, means continuing to elevate Uniworld to new heights year after year. From the addition of four new Super Ships in Egypt, Vietnam, Portugal and Italy, to the award winning service that comes from the heart, we’re putting even more emphasis on what’s onboard to enhancing several itineraries to accommodate guest’s diverse tastes for the future. We truly look forward to welcoming our Australian guests onboard.
Discover Highlights of the Upper and Lower Danube
Birthplace of Mozart and UNESCO World Heritage site, explore the sights of Salzburg's "Old Town" and marvel at Baroque architecture. If you're feeling nostalgic, why not tour the filming locations of The Sound of Music.
Step into a fairy-tale with a visit to the Czech town of Český Krumlov. Surrounded by the Vltava River, you'll stroll cobblestone streets, encounter countless "pinch-me" vistas or visit the largest castle in Central Europe.
Drawing millions of visitors each year, Schönbrunn Palace once served as the Habsburg rulers' main summer residence. With 1,441 rooms and expansive gardens, this significant cultural and historical monument is worth visiting.
An iconic landmark in Budapest, Fisherman's Bastion offers stunning panoramic views of the city. With the original walls built in 1700s, it is said to have been protected by a guild of fishermen during the Middles Ages.
If cruising the Lower Danube, you'll likely pass through the narrow Iron Gates, a picturesque gorge that forms a natural boundary between Serbia and Romania. It also gains its name from the two hydroelectric plants the Danube powers!
Latest Reviews What our clients are saying about their journeys along the Danube
We also felt very comfortable at all times with the care and assistance that Viking offers. Our stateroom on Viking Rinda and the always remarkably outstanding service from the Viking staff made our 21 days on tbe Danube, and in Prague and Transylvania absolutely fantastic. We would thoroughly recommend this cruise itinerary to all who have already explored Western Europe and are ready to see fresh gems of interest. We particularly loved Transylvania and Bucharest in Romania.
