Vienna · DANUBE CRUISES

Danube Cruises from Vienna: The 15 Best Days on the River

35 tours  ·  from $21 a head

A city cruise on the canal, dinner on the main river or a full day through the Wachau vineyards. The 15 below are priced and honest about how much of the trip is on the water.

Vienna: City Cruise with Optional Lunch - The buildings you pass
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Vienna: City Cruise with Optional Lunch

1.City Cruise with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 3,982 reviews · 1h 15m · from $38Our pick

Board the MS Wien, MS Blue Danube or MS Vindobona at Schwedenplatz for a 75-minute loop along Vienna’s Danube Canal. Pass the Uniqa Tower, Urania Observatory and other canal-side landmarks, with information on large screens and commentary in English and German. Add a two-course lunch or schnitzel, freshly prepared on board.

“The ride was great. It was a little crowded before we entered as seating on the boat is first come first serve and thus everyone was pushing and trying to get on the boat as fast as possible. But apart from that it was fun and enjoyable”

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Vienna: City Cruise - The pace is the main attraction
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Vienna: City Cruise

2.City Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 2,978 reviews · 1h 15m · from $38

Board the MS Wien, MS Blue Danube or MS Vindobona at Schwedenplatz for a 75-minute loop on Vienna’s Danube Canal. Pass landmarks including the Urania Observatory and Zaha Hadid House. Choose a ticket with apple strudel and a hot drink, or add admission to the Heidi Horten Collection, featuring works by Klimt, Picasso and Warhol.

“The cruise was lovely and relaxing after a busy few days in the city. The sights aren’t particularly beautiful, more edgy views of the city but a worthwhile trip.”

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Vienna: Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket to the Danube Tower - Getting to the tower through Danube Park
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Vienna: Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket to the Danube Tower

3.Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket to the Danube Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,303 reviews · 1 day · from $21Best value

Take the express lift to the Danube Tower’s observation decks, 150 meters above the ground, and look across Vienna and the Danube. Your admission ticket skips the ticket line, but does not include the tower’s optional slide. The tower sits in Danube Park, where you can add a walk, playground stop, or meal. Cafe seating is not guaranteed, and restaurant reservations are required.

“I would save at least a half day to the Danube Tower as well as the park around it. They have playgrounds, restaurant, mini trains , lake, green and so much more. Te tower is super nice: there is a cafe, a restaurant which are rotating giving the best 360 view of the city. The slide at the top is super fun and great choice with kids.”

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Vienna: 3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise - A three-course menu with real choices
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Vienna: 3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise

4.3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 1,655 reviews · from $85

Board the MS Blue Danube, MS Vindobona or MS Wien for a three-hour evening cruise, a sparkling elderflower aperitif and a served three-course dinner with meat, fish or vegetarian choices. The route uses the Danube Canal and passes through locks to reach the Danube, so expect a relaxed meal and river views, not a close-up tour of Vienna’s old town.

“Food was great and the ambience on the trip was amazing,seeing Vienna lit up at night was pretty good”

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Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna - Dürnstein brings the medieval chapter
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Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna

5.Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,576 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $141

Leave central Vienna at 9:00 am by coach for the Wachau Valley, with stops around Dürnstein and, depending on the season, Krems. From April to October, a Danube boat ride links Spitz and Melk; in winter, it is replaced by lunch. You can add admission and a guided visit to Melk Abbey. The tour lasts about eight to nine hours and returns to Vienna.

“A reasonable tour for casual tourists. The highlight of the tour is Melk Monastery, which is reasonably interesting to general visitors for its architecture, scenery, and some internal features. The river cruise is also generally worth it. Those wanting a long river cruise or longer stay in the bank settlements should choose something else.”

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Vienna: Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip - Krems: your first taste of the valley
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Vienna: Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip

6.Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,413 reviews · 8h 30m · from $151

From Vienna, travel by air-conditioned coach through the Wachau Valley, stopping in Krems and Dürnstein before time in Melk. The summer version includes a Danube cruise; Melk Abbey access depends on the package and season. Guides speak English or Spanish, and guides such as Tommy, Ava, and Erich have led past departures.

“great but the time is kinda short. I choose not to visit the Abbey bc I have visited 2 museum last day. I walked around the town. It was cute town, ppl are friendly, nice view, good view. If I can go again maybe I would choose to visits the Abbey!”

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From Vienna: Guided Tour to Bratislava with Speed Boat Ride - Getting your bearings in Bratislava’s old town
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From Vienna: Guided Tour to Bratislava with Speed Boat Ride

7.Guided Tour to Bratislava with Speed Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,404 reviews · 11h 30m · from $111

Travel from Vienna to Bratislava by air-conditioned coach, walk the old town with a local English or German-speaking guide, then explore on your own before returning by Twin City Liner catamaran. The optional one-hour oldtimer ride goes to the castle. Guide names on past departures include Ivan, Victoria and Miro, but your guide will vary.

“Great trip to Bratislava. The bus was on time and comfortable. Our guide was great. The boat trip was lovely. Bratislava is beautiful. Would recommend!”

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Hallstatt Guided Day Trip from Vienna With Boat Ride Option - Two roadside breaks, with a practical catch
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Hallstatt Guided Day Trip from Vienna With Boat Ride Option

8.Hallstatt Guided Day Trip from Vienna With Boat Ride Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,301 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $139

Travel from central Vienna by coach or van to Schloss Ort and Hallstatt, with a guide such as Sofia, Dasha or Lily sharing stories along the way. You get free time in Hallstatt and a Skywalk lift ticket, except during renovations from September 2025 to June 2026, when a boat ride is offered in good weather.

“Sofia was an excellent guide. She was a very helpful and pleasant person with a fantastic sense of humour. I would highly recommend this tour.”

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Vienna: Evening Cruise Along The Danube - Sunset, city lights and the upper deck
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Vienna: Evening Cruise Along The Danube

9.Evening Cruise Along The Danube

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 1,280 reviews · 3 hours · from $55

Spend three hours aboard the MS Vindobona, MS Blue Danube or MS Wien, cruising from Vienna’s waterways onto the Danube as evening falls. You can watch from the upper deck, see live camera images on an onboard screen and order freshly prepared Viennese food and drinks. The cruise is hosted in German and English; meals are not included.

“The staff was amazing, food and drinks were great and prices were reasonable. Music would have improved the experience.”

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Vienna: 3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise - Prater greenery and the Freudenau lock
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Vienna: 3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise

10.3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 1,151 reviews · from $51

Board the MS Wien or Hundertwasser-designed MS Vindobona at Schwedenplatz for a 3.5-hour cruise on the Danube and Danube Canal. The route pairs Prater greenery with modern riverfront towers and central Vienna sights, passing two lock systems. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, but are not included.

“A very enjoyable afternoon cruising the Danube with a very attentive staff taking care of delivering food and drinks quickly and efficiently.”

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Vienna: Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties - The longer cruise: toward the Prater and Danube Island
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Vienna: Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties

11.Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 1,017 reviews · from $36

Sail with DDSG Blue Danube past modern Vienna’s towers and canal-side architecture. Choose a shorter route ending at Schwedenplatz or a longer cruise that continues toward the Prater and Danube Island. Viennese food is available with selected options; drinks are extra. English and German assistance is offered.

“It was very interesting getting a different view of Vienna from the boat. The food and service on board was excellent.”

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Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube - Bratislava Castle and the sights beyond the walk
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Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube

12.Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 723 reviews · from $115

Leave Vienna by coach for a guided walk through Bratislava’s Old Town, with sights such as Michael’s Gate, St. Martin’s Cathedral, and the Primate’s Palace. You’ll have free time for lunch and independent exploring before the planned catamaran ride back on the Danube. A passport is required; the return boat schedule can change.

“It was not advertised as only going on the Danube one way. It would also have been better to cruise in daylight rather than in the dark. Bratislava is a traditional looking town and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. The guide was very knowledgeable.”

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Vienna: Cruise and Schnitzel Tour - Choosing between the MS Vindobona and MS Wien
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Vienna: Cruise and Schnitzel Tour

13.Cruise and Schnitzel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 536 reviews · from $66

Set off from Schwedenplatz for a 3.5-hour round trip on the Danube Canal and Danube, with pork Wiener schnitzel and parsley potatoes cooked on board. You pass through two locks and sail on either the French-designed MS Vindobona or the MS Wien, which has a large outdoor deck. A German- and English-speaking host is available.

“The English portion of guide was difficult to understand.”

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Vienna: Sightseeing Boat Tour with Lunch - Canal-side buildings, read from the water
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Vienna: Sightseeing Boat Tour with Lunch

14.Sightseeing Boat Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 535 reviews · from $69

Board the air-conditioned MS Blue Danube at Schwedenplatz for a 3.5-hour round trip along Vienna’s Danube Canal. You’ll pass landmarks including the Urania Observatory, Ringturm, and Hundertwasser-designed buildings, with GPS-based screen information and leaflets in 10 languages. A seasonal two-course meal is included; drinks are extra.

“relaxing tour of the canal in Vienna (not the river as thought). Lunch was pleasant -the waitress was excellent.”

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From Vienna: Dürnstein and Wachau Cruise - The river is the main event
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From Vienna: Dürnstein and Wachau Cruise

15.Dürnstein and Wachau Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 336 reviews · 1 day · from $116

Spend a Sunday aboard the MS Kaiserin Elisabeth II, cruising from Vienna into the Wachau Valley. Breakfast, a lunchtime snack, and dinner are included, while drinks cost extra. You get two hours to explore Dürnstein on your own. The cruise runs from May through September, with German- and English-speaking hosts or greeters.

“It was a very beautiful day an excellent trip from everything”

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