Danube River Cruises
As the second-longest river in Europe, the Danube meanders through Germany, Austria, Hungary and seven other countries all the way to the Black Sea. Along its banks lie great cities, medieval trading towns, cathedrals, palaces, and spectacular gorges fringed by mountain ranges.
Quick Search
Search 5,784 river cruise departures along the Danube
Popular Cruises on The Danube
17 Days Vienna to Bucharest
Operator: Viking River Cruises
From
7,933pp
Save
5,534pp
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 Operators Featured Operators
Danube Rivers
Budget
Premium
Known For
Real connections through guided travel
All-Inclusive Level
Enhanced
Danube Rivers
Budget
Affordable & Premium
Known For
Premium travel at exceptional value
All-Inclusive Level
Highly Inclusive
Danube Rivers
Budget
Premium & Luxury
Known For
All-inclusive luxury travel
All-Inclusive Level
Highly Inclusive
Discover
Highlights of the Upper and Lower Danube
The Sound of Salzburg 
Český Krumlov 
Schönbrunn Palace 
Fisherman's Bastion 
The Iron Gates Latest Reviews
What our clients are saying about their journeys along the Danube
A wonderful holiday despite difficult circumstances
European Gems
Peter and Ruth, NSW, Australia, Jul 2026
We planned and booked this holiday over 12 months ago and were impressed by the quality of service provided by Tracey Standing at Global Journeys. Nothing was too much trouble even when a small war started on our route to Europe threatening to prevent our getting there. Tracey was able to book us alternate flights, taking us around the world the other read more way (via Canada), as a contingency plan then was able to get our money back when we didn't actually need them.
The Travelmarvel cruise was an excellent product too. Their staff were all highly skilled and very effective at working around difficult circumstances. Due to low water levels in the Rhine/Danube river system we were unable to make the full journey on a single ship and ended up traveling on four different ships with buses shuttling us between navigable portions of the rivers. In many ways we probably managed to see more of Europe than we would normally see just from the river. Through the efforts of our Cruise Director Bernadett we covered every one of the locations we were booked to see and there was a sound clear plan and effective control measures every time we had to relocate. (With over 150 passengers that adds up to a lot of cats to herd). I would go on a similar Global Journeys/Travelmarvel trip again in a heartbeat without any concerns about what fate throws at us. (I might wait until it rains again in Europe though.)
The Travelmarvel cruise was an excellent product too. Their staff were all highly skilled and very effective at working around difficult circumstances. Due to low water levels in the Rhine/Danube river system we were unable to make the full journey on a single ship and ended up traveling on four different ships with buses shuttling us between navigable portions of the rivers. In many ways we probably managed to see more of Europe than we would normally see just from the river. Through the efforts of our Cruise Director Bernadett we covered every one of the locations we were booked to see and there was a sound clear plan and effective control measures every time we had to relocate. (With over 150 passengers that adds up to a lot of cats to herd). I would go on a similar Global Journeys/Travelmarvel trip again in a heartbeat without any concerns about what fate throws at us. (I might wait until it rains again in Europe though.)
Emerald Rhine and Danube river cruise
Splendours of Europe
Geoffrey and Sally, New Zealand, Jul 2026
We travelled the last 2 weeks of July as river levels were dropping, but Emerald were magnificent in ensuring we completed the trip, accommodating us on 3 different ships so we missed very little of the programme. Facilities and food were top class, the organization faultless, all worked tirelessly and at considerable trouble and expense. Our cruise read more Director Patricia and Activities Manager Sophie stayed with us throughout and worked so hard to look after us, and Tracey from Global Journeys kept in touch. We have never cruised in any form before and may never again, but we certainly won't forget it.
The River Cruise we looked forward to with much anticipation but did not deliver.
Magnificent Europe
Joanne and Mark, VIC, Australia, Jul 2026
We were so excited about this cruise through beautiful scenery and we were looking forward to slowing down and relaxing on deck with a cocktail or two but this was not the case. We were notified the night before boarding that we would not be boarding the ship we had paid for, but instead another ship for the next two days. This happened four times due read more to low river levels and each time we had to be up early and cases packed ready to move on again. It was tiring and we never really got time to enjoy services on ship. We could not have washing done because we were on the move which was a problem for us because we were away for almost five weeks.
The four days we got to experience the Solara were enjoyable. The staff and cuisine on ship amazing and it would have been delightful to be able to sit up on deck and enjoy the scenery but this only happened twice because they closed off the top deck! Our cruise director Evelin did everything she could to make the cruise enjoyable under the circumstances we were experiencing. I personally would not advise cruising the Danube during the summer season , its not worth the money invested.
The four days we got to experience the Solara were enjoyable. The staff and cuisine on ship amazing and it would have been delightful to be able to sit up on deck and enjoy the scenery but this only happened twice because they closed off the top deck! Our cruise director Evelin did everything she could to make the cruise enjoyable under the circumstances we were experiencing. I personally would not advise cruising the Danube during the summer season , its not worth the money invested.
Eastern Block and River cruise
Eastern Bloc with Magnificent Europe
Judith and Geoffrey, QLD, Australia, Jun 2026
APT is definitely a luxury company - accommodation, meals, staff were all exceptional. Mostly Australians and New Zealanders on our 2 tours which made it easy for us to assimilate and find discussion topics with like-minded people. Our tour guides were also exceptional - very helpful, tolerant and accommodating. This was our first journey with APT and read more we would go with this travel company again.
Global Journeys provided timely updates and information and Mandy was also quick with responses to questions and provided the tactful “prod” we needed to get organized for our trip. It’s too easy to let things slide when you are flat strap with daily business but Mandy was diligent in reminding us of things that needed to be done. Loved the “check list” provided.
Name badges: I could have sworn I packed them but they weren’t in the bag when we opened them in Prague. Some travellers didn’t receive them before they left Australia. I would have preferred that APT gave us the name badges at the welcoming event in Prague. The staff on the cruise ship did prove us with one when we asked.
Global Journeys provided timely updates and information and Mandy was also quick with responses to questions and provided the tactful “prod” we needed to get organized for our trip. It’s too easy to let things slide when you are flat strap with daily business but Mandy was diligent in reminding us of things that needed to be done. Loved the “check list” provided.
Name badges: I could have sworn I packed them but they weren’t in the bag when we opened them in Prague. Some travellers didn’t receive them before they left Australia. I would have preferred that APT gave us the name badges at the welcoming event in Prague. The staff on the cruise ship did prove us with one when we asked.
Fantastic River Cruise
Jewels of Europe
Allan and Rita, AB, Canada, Jun 2026
The trip was everything the advertised and more. Staff was excellent, room as advertised and food and beverage service was excellent. Rita is Celiac and they took great care of her. Absolutely no complaints.
Thanks for setting up the Emerald Danube Delights River Cruise. We are used to setting up our own travel arrangements and it was the first time we went on an organized tour, it was fantastic and hassle free, from the guide meeting us at the airport on arrival till the return shuttle everything went smoothly and far exceeded our expectations. Everything read more was perfect, the travel arrangements, ship, room, staff, activities, food, people, excursions not one thing we can complain about. All the countries visited were so interesting and the tour guides were exceptionally knowledgeable, so much history. Bratislava, Slovakia was a highlight for us, the tour guide was very enthusiastic and authentic. making it very memorable. May was a great time to travel, weather was good for touring and we beat the tourist crowds. Looking forward to cruising the Rhine for our next adventure.
