Many of our Danube River cruises start and/or end in Vienna, Austria. The tranquil Viennesse atmosphere have made this a cradle of European culture, claiming such great minds as Beethoven, Mozart, and Sigmund Freud. Even today, you will feel the relaxed air as you prepare to embark on your cruise of the scenic Danube River towards the surrounding countries like Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. While most cruises offer guided tours of this historic central European city, you can also take advantage of the time before and after your river cruise to experience the city in greater depth for yourself exploring masterpieces like Schönbrunn & Hofburg Palaces, where you can see the medieval buildings that hosted the royal family for centuries. Contact us to start planning your cruise on the Danube to Vienna today.

10 Best Danube Cruises Visiting Vienna

Vienna Cruises (113 Results)

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The Great Capitals and their Celebrations

6 Days from $2,018

Cruise along Danube River on this 6-day cruise aboard MS Vivaldi and explore the enchanting Christmas Markets in Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and see the Puzsta Plains in Hungary.

Capitals of the Danube

5 Days from $1,000

Board the MS Vivaldi on this 5-day sailing adventure. Relax while you cruise across three historical countries via the Danube River – Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia, featuring some of the most enchanting landscapes in Europe. Gothic & Baroque architecture and history are at the center of this tour of the former Austro-Hungarian empire.

Three Countries on a Majestic Cruise

5 Days from $1,163

Cruise along Danube River on this 5-day cruise aboard MS Vivaldi and explore the enchanting Christmas Markets in Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest!

Biking Along the Danube

8 Days from $3,238

Explore Central Europe by bike on this 8-day cruise through Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary aboard the MS Beethoven. Embrace the history, traditions, culture and cuisine of central Europe as you explore destinations like Melk Abbey, Devin Castle, the Gellert Baths, the Great Plains, and the charming Wachau Valley.

Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary

The Beautiful Blue Danube

Budapest to Passau
6 Days from $2,136

The MS Symphonie 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.

A building ruin amongst a green Slovakia landscape.

The Former Austro-Hungarian Empire (Hiking Cruise)

8 Days from $2,430

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.

The Beautiful Blue Danube

8 Days from $1,790

This 8-day round-trip Danube cruise from Vienna aboard the MS Beethoven takes you through central Europe, featuring stops to explore Melk, Bratislava, Kalocsa, Budapest, and Esztergom. You'll see the Wachau Valley, the Bridge of Chains, and the Schonbrunn & Hofburg Palace along the way.

The Beautiful Blue Danube

6 Days from $2,375

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.

Central Europe: The Beautiful Blue Danube

6 Days from $2,025

Board the MS Vivaldi in Passau and cruise for 6 days along the beautiful blue Danube making daily stops to explore the most iconic destinations of Melk, Durnstein, Vienna, Esztergom and Budapest. Discover the charms and treasures of Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary as you pass through their picturesque villages on sightseeing tours.

The Beautiful Blue Danube

Budapest to Passau
6 Days from $1,975

Experience central Europe in 6-days by traveling to its small towns & vibrant cities like Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Melk, and Passau aboard the comfortable MS France. Sightseeing and hiking through the Carpathian Mountains highlight this tour.

10 Best Luxury Danube River Cruises to Vienna

Trip Name	From	Days	Level	Summary
The Legendary Danube - Cruise Only	$2999	8	Relaxed	Embark the luxury river cruise ship MS Amacerto for a fascinating 8-day journey along the Danube River from Nuremberg to Budapest.
Christmas Markets on the Danube - Cruise Only	$2899	8	Relaxed	Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a festive 8-day journey from Budapest to Nuremberg aboard MS Amaviola. Visit multiple Christmas …
Magical Christmas Markets	$3939	12	Relaxed	Visit multiple Christmas Markets on the scenic river route from Vienna to Prague. Discover some of the most enchanting landscapes of the region while …
Magical Christmas Markets	$3419	13	Relaxed	Visit multiple Christmas Markets on the scenic river route from Nuremberg to Vienna. Discover some of the most enchanting landscapes of the region …
Magical Christmas Markets	$3939	12	Relaxed	Visit multiple Christmas Markets on the scenic river route from Nuremberg to Vienna on the MS Amaserena. Start your exploration with three nights in …
Danube Serenade	$4099	13	Relaxed	Embark on a fascinating 13-day adventure on the MS Amacerto, starting with 3 nights in Prague followed by a 7-day cruise from Nuremberg to Vienna and …
Danube Serenade	$4099	13	Relaxed	Bike, hike and explore central Europe and the Danube River on this enchanting 13-day voyage aboard the MS Amaserena. Select from a large variety of …
Christmas Markets on the Danube	$3419	10	Relaxed	Enjoy 2 nights in Prague, then visit multiple Christmas Markets on the scenic river route from Nuremberg to Budapest on this 8-day cruise aboard the …
Christmas Markets on the Danube	$3419	10	Relaxed	On this 10-day Christmas Market adventure, enjoy 2 nights in Prague before embarking MS Amaserena for a scenic river cruise from Nuremberg to …
Magical Christmas Markets - Cruise Only	$2899	7	Relaxed	Join the MS Amacerto on a unique adventure and enjoy the magical city of Prague, then visit multiple Christmas Markets on the scenic river route from …

Vienna Cruising Tips & Travel Guide

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A cathedral at sunset from the Rhine in Cologne

European Rivers

The multiple rivers flowing through Europe provide the perfect mode of transit for intimate travel experiences throughout various countries! River cruises also eliminate the stress of finding public transportation or driving. This brief overview of the Rhine, Rhone, Danube and Main rivers can help guide you in selecting your best river cruise option.

Immerse yourself in the romance of Italy

When to Visit Europe: Seasons & Temperatures

Europe is a wonderful year-round destination depending on where you want to explore. The summer is the most popular season across the continent, but the fall and spring shoulder months can offer some great deals and less tourist traffic. Read more about each region of Europe and when to go.

Vienna Highlights
The capital city of Austria, Vienna is home to thousands of years of culture and has also served as an important part of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Throughout the centuries, it has expaned into a modern city, but the relics of its storied past are well preserved visitor sites like:

Schönbrunn Palace – an expansive palace that served as the summer home for the royal family; although it was the summer residence, its relevance as a Baroque landmark in Austria's architectural and cultural history sets it above most other buildings in Vienna.
Hofburg Palaces – built in the 13th century, it has been the imperial seat for more than 800 years
Grinzing – this neighborhood is most famous for its taverns, where you will experience a true flavor of the region as you sample its delicious locally grown and crafted wines and beers.

Before or after your trip to Vienna, your Danube River cruise will likely take you to the Wachau Valley, and on to Switzerland, Hungary, Romania, or other destinations on this long and winding river.