25 Nov 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,999pp
Flights from UK airports
Escorted tour
Danube Christmas Markets River Cruise with Flights – 6 Days
Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna's Christmas markets from a five-star river ship, with flights and full board.
6 days
From £1,349 incl. flights
Tour overview
This 6-day river cruise visits three of the Danube's imperial cities at their most festive, combining guided sightseeing with free time at their Christmas markets. The price includes return flights, coach transfers between the airport and the ship, and all excursions as described. You spend five nights aboard a five-star river ship, festively decorated for the season, with full-board dining, a well-stocked bar and lounge, a sun deck, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee. A cruise director and five-star crew look after you throughout.
On arrival in Budapest you board your ship, moored overnight in a city straddling both banks of the river. The next day a guided tour takes you to the Parliament Building and the Castle District, with its views across the Danube, and leaves time for the Christmas markets in Vörösmarty Square and before St Stephen's Basilica. After lunch on board you cruise through the Danube Bend, one of the river's most scenic stretches.
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You arrive in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, during breakfast. A city tour takes you to the castle and the highlights of the old town, with free time at the market in the main square, where wooden stalls sell local crafts, mulled wine and potato pancakes.
Overnight the ship glides into Vienna. Few places can match the Austrian capital at Christmas, with its grand palaces, concerts and Advent markets in front of the City Hall and at Schönbrunn. After a guided tour, you have time to explore at your own pace. The ship then sails back overnight to Budapest, where you wake to the morning mist over the pastoral landscape, with a final chance for the markets before your flight home.
The physical rating is low. This cruise suits travellers who want an easy, festive short break with all the travel arranged and the comfort of one floating hotel. Expect mulled wine, gingerbread, roasted chestnuts and handmade decorations at every stop, with old towns twinkling with lights after dark. Evenings on board are relaxed and sociable, with the lights of each city reflected in the river.
Trip highlights
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Budapest's Parliament and Castle District (Day 2)
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A cruise through the Danube Bend (Day 2)
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Bratislava's old town market (Day 3)
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Vienna's Advent markets (Day 4)
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Full board on a five-star ship
-
Flights included
Your route
3 stops from Budapest to Vienna
- Budapest Days 1–2 & 5–6
- Bratislava Day 3
- Vienna Day 4
Why choose this tour
Three capitals' Christmas markets with flights, full board and tours included. Unpack once on a festively decorated five-star ship.
Best suited to
- First-time river cruisers
- Couples and friends wanting a festive short break
- Travellers who dislike packing and unpacking
- Christmas market lovers
Day-by-day itinerary
6 days from Budapest, Hungary to Budapest, Hungary
-
Day 1 · Budapest Arrive in Budapest
Transfer to the ship and settle in.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship, full board
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 2 · Parliament, Castle District, Danube Bend Budapest
A guided tour and markets, then cruise the Danube Bend.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship, full board
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 3 · Bratislava Bratislava
A city tour and time at the Christmas market.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship, full board
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 4 · Vienna Vienna
A guided tour and Vienna's Advent markets.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship, full board
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 5 · Budapest Budapest
Sail back to Budapest for more free time.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship, full board
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 6 · Budapest Return home
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Danube (5 nights) Five-star 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 to and from the ship
- Accommodation 5 nights on a five-star river ship
- Full board on board
- Guided tours of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna
- Scenic cruise through the Danube Bend
- Wi-Fi, tea and coffee on board
- Cruise director throughout
Not included
- Drinks other than tea and coffee
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a long holiday — this is a short break
- You want an active trip — this is a relaxed cruise
- 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
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,349 per person, including flights. 24 upcoming departures.
Flights from UK airports.
30 Nov 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,599pp
Flights from UK airports
01 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,699pp
Flights from UK airports
02 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,649pp
Flights from UK airports
05 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,049pp
Flights from UK airports
06 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,049pp
Flights from UK airports
10 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,499pp
Flights from UK airports
11 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,499pp
Flights from UK airports
12 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,949pp
Flights from UK airports
15 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,449pp
Flights from UK airports
16 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,449pp
Flights from UK airports
17 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,449pp
Flights from UK airports
27 Nov 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,499pp
Flights from UK airports
30 Nov 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,399pp
Flights from UK airports
01 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,449pp
Flights from UK airports
02 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,499pp
Flights from UK airports
05 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,399pp
Flights from UK airports
06 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,449pp
Flights from UK airports
07 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,499pp
Flights from UK airports
10 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,349pp
Flights from UK airports
12 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,449pp
Flights from UK airports
15 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,349pp
Flights from UK airports
16 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,399pp
Flights from UK airports
17 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,449pp
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 to and from the ship are included.
Which meals are included?
Full board on board, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6.
When does the cruise run?
During the Christmas market season, from late November through December.
Are the excursions included?
Yes, guided tours of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 18.
Which countries do we visit?
Hungary, Slovakia and Austria.
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