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

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Christmas Markets on the Danube

13 Days from $4,039

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

12 Days from $3,915

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 $4,389

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.

Melodies of the Danube - Cruise Only

8 Days from $3,099

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!

Danube Christmas Markets: Vienna Roundtrip

Vienna to Vienna
11 Days from $8,375

Explore the magnificent Danube on this 11-day holiday voyage wrapped in the all-inclusive luxuries of the Crystal Ravel experience. Relish the storybook magic of Europe’s Christmas Markets ashore and the merriment of the season on board.

Danube Christmas Markets: Vienna Roundtrip

Vienna to Vienna
11 Days from $8,375

Sail the magnificent Danube on an 11-day holiday voyage wrapped in all-inclusive luxuries aboard the Crystal Ravel. Visit Europe’s magical Christmas Markets ashore, and join in on the merriment of the season on board.

The Beautiful Blue Danube

6 Days from $2,314

The MS Vivaldi hosts this 6-day Danube River cruise. Experience central Europe by traveling to its small towns & vibrant cities like Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Melk, and Passau. Sightseeing and hiking through the Carpathian Mountains highlight this tour.

10 Best Luxury River Cruises to Austria

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Blue Danube Discovery and Prague	$4389	13	Apr 1, 2020	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	Dec 27, 2019	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 …
Danube Christmas Markets: Vienna Roundtrip	$8375	11	Dec 11, 2019	Explore the magnificent Danube on this 11-day holiday voyage wrapped in the all-inclusive luxuries of the Crystal Ravel experience. Relish the …
Danube Christmas Markets: Vienna Roundtrip	$8375	11	Dec 1, 2019	Sail the magnificent Danube on an 11-day holiday voyage wrapped in all-inclusive luxuries aboard the Crystal Ravel. Visit Europe’s magical …
Danube Christmas Dreams: Vienna to Budapest	$5100	8	Dec 2, 2019	May all your Christmas dreams come true upon this 8-day Danube River cruise aboard the Crystal Mozart. Sail from historic Vienna through the heart of …
Danube Christmas Dreams: Budapest to Vienna	$5100	8	Nov 25, 2019	The Wachau Valley enchants on this 8-day Danube River cruise with the abbey of Melk, the cultural creativity of Linz and the charms of Bratislava, …
Delightful Danube: Budapest to Vienna	$11598	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 …
Danube Serenade: Vienna to Budapest	$7998	8	Jul 18, 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: Vienna to Budapest	$9998	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 …
Danube Dreams & Discoveries: Vienna Roundtrip	$5860	8	Nov 24, 2019	Immerse yourself in the regal treasures of Vienna, witness the imposing beauty of Esztergom’s Basilica and Melk’s Abbey, relish an overnight in …

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.