Board one of the many riverboats that cruise the Danube River through Austria, in the heart of central Europe. In the capital city of Vienna, you will see ornate architecture on an impressive scale in the city center and Schönbrunn & Hofburg Palaces. Explore myriad museums and the residences of famous residents like Mozart and Freud. Sailing up river to Grinzing, a charming traditional village on the outskirts of Vienna, and then on to the beautiful Wachau Valley. Around Melk, you can explore historic Dürnstein village and Melk Abbey, which was built as a Baroque palace but now serves as a prestigious coed school in a Benedictine monastery. Sailing down river beyond Austria visits Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and beyond. Contact us one of our Austrian travel experts to get started planning your cruise to Austria today!

10 Best Danube River Cruises to Austria

Austrian Cruises (260 Results)

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Christmas Markets on the Danube

13 Days from $4,149

Enjoy a 13-day exploration of central and Eastern Europe, starting with 2 nights in Budapest, followed by a 7-night cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen aboard the MS AmaMagna and concluding with 3 nights in Prague. Along the way, you will see Budapest's Great Market Hall & Vörösmarty Square, bike through Vienna, and visit important historic sites.

A building ruin amongst a green Slovakia landscape.

The Former Austro-Hungarian Empire (Hiking Cruise)

8 Days from $2,431

Hike the enchanting Carpathian Mountains around Bratislava, Budapest, and Vienna on this incredible 8-day hiking cruise on the MS Beethoven. Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, Baroque architecture, and breathtaking views across this region, recognized for its incredible natural beauty, especially in towns like Esztergom, Kalocsa, and Melk.

From the Blue Danube to the Black Sea

Linz to Constanta
12 Days from $4,143

Join the MS Vivaldi on this 12-day cultural cruise. Explore some of the most charming and idyllic landscapes from the Danube Bend to the Black Sea. Enjoy the cultural diversity of Southeastern Europe as you visit wonderful cities such as Linz, Bratislava, Budapest, Bezdan, Rousse, Giurgiu, and more.

Blue Danube Discovery and Prague

13 Days from $4,459

Discover the Danube River on this unique 13-day exploration of Europe. Start with 2 nights in historical Budapest, followed by an unforgettable 7-night Danube River cruise to Nuremberg, concluding with 3 nights in the charming city of Prague. A flexible itinerary with plenty of daily tour options allows you to design your own trip.

Magna on the Danube - Budapest to Vilshofen

Budapest to Vilshofen
8 Days from $3,199

Enjoy a 7-night wine-themed Danube River cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen aboard the MS AmaMagna, visiting Bratislava, Vienna, Linz, and Passau along the way. As you savor the expertly vinted local wines of the Strudengau Valley, indulge your passion for music, art, and architecture in each of the stunning cities you visit.

The Romantic Danube - Cruise Only

8 Days from $2,899

Enjoy a fascinating 8-day Danube River cruise, starting in the enchanting city of Vilshofen and sailing all the way to historical Budapest aboard the MS Amalea.

Iconic Christmas Markets

13 Days from $3,819

Explore the most iconic Christmas Markets in Europe on this 13-day adventure starting with 2 nights in Budapest, followed by a 7-night cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg and concluding with 3 nights in Prague. At each stop along the way, browse for delicious local treats to warm you up and the perfect hand-crafted souvenirs!

Iconic Christmas Markets - Cruise Only

8 Days from $3,199

Travel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns bedecked with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts gleaming with handcrafted treasures. Enjoy an 8-day cruise of Iconic Christmas Markets aboard the MS Amalea!

Delightful Danube: Regensburg to Budapest

Regensburg to Budapest
8 Days from $5,699

Tour the wonders of Germany, Austria and Hungary on this stunning 8-day cruise. Take in the astonishing landmarks from Melk’s Benedictine Abbey and Regensburg’s UNESCO treasures to Vienna’s famed Ringstrasse. Discover Budapest’s stunning Parliament Building, discover picturesque Durnstein and the pastoral Wachau Valley.

Danube Serenade-6-Night: Vienna to Budapest

Vienna to Budapest
7 Days from $5,399

Sail the fascinating Danube to discover the beauty of the Wachau Valley and view such treasures as Bratislava's St. Martin's Cathedral and the Benedictine abbey perched atop the city of Melk, former coronation church for Hungary's royalty.

10 Best Luxury River Cruises to Austria

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Blue Danube Discovery and Prague	$4459	13	Mar 25, 2021	Discover the Danube River on this unique 13-day exploration of Europe. Start with 2 nights in historical Budapest, followed by an unforgettable …
The Romantic Danube - Cruise Only	$2899	8	Jul 18, 2020	Enjoy a fascinating 8-day Danube River cruise, starting in the enchanting city of Vilshofen and sailing all the way to historical Budapest aboard the …
Delightful Danube: Regensburg to Budapest	$5699	8	Jul 10, 2020	Tour the wonders of Germany, Austria and Hungary on this stunning 8-day cruise. Take in the astonishing landmarks from Melk’s Benedictine Abbey and …
Danube Serenade-6-Night: Vienna to Budapest	$5399	7	Sep 13, 2020	Sail the fascinating Danube to discover the beauty of the Wachau Valley and view such treasures as Bratislava's St. Martin's Cathedral and the …
Delightful Danube: Budapest to Vienna	$5799	8	Oct 9, 2020	The Wachau Valley enchants with the abbey of Melk and the charms of Linz, while overnights in the regal powerhouses of Vienna and Budapest put …
Treasures of the Danube: Vienna Roundtrip	$7199	11	Oct 16, 2020	Napoleon declared it “Queen of Europe’s Rivers” and with a mesmerizing beauty, the mighty Danube is regal and enchanting. Cruise the Wachau …
The Beautiful Blue Danube	$2927	8	May 5, 2021	This 8-day round-trip Danube cruise from Vienna aboard the MS Symphonie takes you through central Europe, featuring stops to explore Melk, …
Danube Serenade: Vienna to Budapest	$7998	8	Nov 25, 2020	Sail the magnificent Danube to witness the beauty of the Wachau Valley and discover such treasures as the Benedictine abbey perched atop the city of …
Delightful Danube: Vilshofen to Budapest	$3799	8	Jul 24, 2020	From Melk’s Benedictine Abbey and stunning Parliament Building to Vienna’s famed Ringstrasse, discover picturesque Durnstein and the pastoral …
Delightful Danube: Vienna to Budapest	$4999	8	Oct 20, 2021	Sail the magnificent Danube to witness the beauty of the Wachau Valley, and discover such treasures as the Benedictine abbey perched atop the city of …

Austria Cruise Guide

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What to see & do in Austria
Austria has been a keystone in the history and culture of central Europe and is crossed by the Danube River. A river cruise through this historic region of Europe acquaints you with the towns of:

Vienna:

Schönbrunn Palace – with over 1400 rooms, it is maybe the most important palace in the whole country and a fine example of Baroque architecture.
Hofburg Palaces – for more than 800 years, this has been an imperial palace in Vienna.
Grinzing – a district known for its wineries.
Heuriger Tavern – one of Grinzing's renowned taverns which many of our cruises visit.

Melk:

Quaint and traditional Dürnstein village
Built nearly a thousand years ago, the Benedictine Melk Abbey that keeps watch over the Danube River below.

Wachau Valley:
Remarkable not only for its breathtaking natural beauty but also historically relevant as a region of fortresses and vineyards and also where Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned.