Tour overview

This 8-day river cruise sails a classic loop of the Danube from Budapest into the heart of Austria and back, taking in imperial capitals, baroque abbeys and the vineyards of the Wachau Valley. The price includes return flights, transfers and coach travel for sightseeing. You spend seven nights aboard a first-class river ship with full board from dinner on arrival to breakfast on the last day, a free drinks package, tea, coffee and Wi-Fi, a classical recital and a folklore show on board. A cruise director looks after you throughout, and all listed visits and excursions are included with expert guides.

After boarding in Budapest, you cruise overnight upstream to Esztergom, one of Hungary's oldest towns and a medieval royal capital, for a guided visit to its great basilica, the largest church in the country. In Bratislava, Slovakia's fast-changing capital, a guided tour takes you through the old town beneath the castle.

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Sailing into Austria, you reach the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of vineyards and apricot orchards. In Dürnstein you walk beneath the ice-blue tower of its abbey and the ruined castle where Richard the Lionheart was held captive, and at Melk you visit the magnificent baroque Benedictine abbey high above the river. In Linz you choose between a guided walk around its baroque old town or a full-day excursion to Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace.

Vienna is a highlight for many, with a city tour past the grand buildings of the Ringstrasse and time to explore its palaces, museums and coffee houses. On the final day you enjoy a leisurely morning cruising through Hungary's pastoral landscape back to Budapest, with a sightseeing tour of the twin cities of Buda and Pest.

The physical rating is low. This cruise suits travellers who want to see the Danube's greatest cities and landscapes in comfort, with travel, meals, drinks and excursions all included. Because your floating hotel moves with you, you unpack once and wake up somewhere new almost every morning, with the scenery changing from great cities to vineyards, forests and baroque monasteries. Departures run from spring to autumn.

Trip highlights

  • Esztergom Basilica (Day 2)
  • Bratislava's old town (Day 3)
  • Dürnstein and Melk Abbey in the Wachau (Day 4)
  • Linz or a day in Salzburg (Day 5)
  • A Vienna city tour (Day 6)
  • Budapest's twin cities (Day 7)

Your route

10 stops from Budapest to Szentendre

8-day route: Budapest – Esztergom – Bratislava – Melk – Linz – Vienna – Budapest
  1. Budapest Days 1 & 7–8
  2. Esztergom Day 2
  3. Bratislava Day 3
  4. Dürnstein Day 3
  5. Melk Day 4
  6. Linz Day 5
  7. Salzburg Day 5
  8. Vienna Day 6
  9. Visegrád Day 7
  10. Szentendre Day 7

Why choose this tour

Four countries' worth of Danube highlights, with flights, drinks and excursions included. A choice of Linz or Salzburg, plus a classical recital and folklore show on board.

Best suited to

  • First-time river cruisers
  • Couples and friends
  • Music and history lovers
  • Travellers who dislike packing and unpacking
Dürnstein Abbey and castle on the Danube

Day-by-day itinerary

8 days from Budapest, Hungary to Budapest, Hungary

  1. Day 1 · Budapest Arrive in Budapest

    Board your ship and settle in.

    Hotel
    First-class river cruise ship, full board
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Esztergom Esztergom

    A guided visit to Esztergom Basilica.

    Hotel
    First-class river cruise ship, full board
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Bratislava Bratislava

    A guided tour of Slovakia's capital.

    Hotel
    First-class river cruise ship, full board
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Dürnstein, Melk Abbey Dürnstein and Melk

    Walk in Dürnstein and visit Melk Abbey.

    Hotel
    First-class river cruise ship, full board
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Linz, Salzburg Linz or Salzburg

    Explore Linz or take a day trip to Salzburg.

    Hotel
    First-class river cruise ship, full board
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Vienna Vienna

    A city tour and free time.

    Hotel
    First-class river cruise ship, full board
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Budapest Budapest

    Cruise back and tour Budapest.

    Hotel
    First-class river cruise ship, full board
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Budapest Return home

    Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Wachau vineyards at sunset

Where you stay

  • Danube (7 nights) First-class river cruise ship, full board

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Return flights and transfers
  • Accommodation 7 nights on a first-class river ship
  • Full board with a free drinks package
  • Esztergom Basilica, Bratislava, Dürnstein and Melk Abbey
  • Linz walking tour or Salzburg excursion
  • Vienna and Budapest city tours
  • Classical recital and folklore show on board
  • Cruise director throughout

Not included

  • One lunch on the Salzburg day
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Budapest's Chain Bridge from above

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want an active holiday — this is a relaxed cruise
  • You want long stays in each city — some visits are short
  • You want to arrange your own flights — flights are part of the price
  • You want an ocean cruise — this is a river ship

Good to know

Esztergom Basilica above the Danube

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £1,899 per person, including flights. 84 upcoming departures.

Flights from UK airports.

14 Oct 2026 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,299pp
Flights from UK airports
16 Oct 2026 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,099pp
Flights from UK airports
21 Oct 2026 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,899pp
Flights from UK airports
23 Oct 2026 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,049pp
Flights from UK airports
26 Oct 2026 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,499pp
Flights from UK airports
28 Oct 2026 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,499pp
Flights from UK airports
04 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,999pp
Flights from UK airports
05 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,449pp
Flights from UK airports
06 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,449pp
Flights from UK airports
11 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,999pp
Flights from UK airports
12 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,099pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,099pp
Flights from UK airports
19 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,299pp
Flights from UK airports
20 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,299pp
Flights from UK airports
27 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,399pp
Flights from UK airports
10 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,549pp
Flights from UK airports
17 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,599pp
Flights from UK airports
18 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,599pp
Flights from UK airports
24 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
25 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
26 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,749pp
Flights from UK airports
30 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,799pp
Flights from UK airports
01 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
06 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,849pp
Flights from UK airports
08 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,899pp
Flights from UK airports
14 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
20 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,899pp
Flights from UK airports
21 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
27 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,849pp
Flights from UK airports
28 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
29 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,599pp
Flights from UK airports
04 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,799pp
Flights from UK airports
05 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,549pp
Flights from UK airports
06 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,499pp
Flights from UK airports
11 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
12 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,449pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,449pp
Flights from UK airports
18 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,599pp
Flights from UK airports
19 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,399pp
Flights from UK airports
20 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,399pp
Flights from UK airports
25 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,549pp
Flights from UK airports
26 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,249pp
Flights from UK airports
27 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,249pp
Flights from UK airports
01 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,349pp
Flights from UK airports
02 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,199pp
Flights from UK airports
03 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,199pp
Flights from UK airports
08 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,349pp
Flights from UK airports
09 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,199pp
Flights from UK airports
10 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,199pp
Flights from UK airports
15 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,399pp
Flights from UK airports
16 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,099pp
Flights from UK airports
17 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,199pp
Flights from UK airports
22 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,399pp
Flights from UK airports
23 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,349pp
Flights from UK airports
24 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,299pp
Flights from UK airports
29 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,499pp
Flights from UK airports
30 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,399pp
Flights from UK airports
31 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,499pp
Flights from UK airports
03 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,599pp
Flights from UK airports
06 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,599pp
Flights from UK airports
07 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,599pp
Flights from UK airports
10 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
14 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
19 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,749pp
Flights from UK airports
20 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,699pp
Flights from UK airports
21 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,699pp
Flights from UK airports
23 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,849pp
Flights from UK airports
26 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,849pp
Flights from UK airports
27 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,599pp
Flights from UK airports
28 Sep 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,599pp
Flights from UK airports
01 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,799pp
Flights from UK airports
04 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,399pp
Flights from UK airports
05 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,399pp
Flights from UK airports
08 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
11 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,299pp
Flights from UK airports
12 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,199pp
Flights from UK airports
17 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,299pp
Flights from UK airports
18 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,149pp
Flights from UK airports
19 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,099pp
Flights from UK airports
24 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,999pp
Flights from UK airports
25 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,899pp
Flights from UK airports
29 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,049pp
Flights from UK airports

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Are flights included?

Yes, return flights and transfers are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes, a free drinks package, plus tea, coffee and Wi-Fi.

Are excursions included?

Yes, all listed visits, with a choice of Linz or Salzburg on Day 5.

Which countries do we visit?

Hungary, Slovakia and Austria.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 18.

When does the cruise run?

From spring to autumn, with many departures to choose from.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From, incl. flights £1,899
See dates & prices