Venice has its gondola rides. St. Petersburg has its cruise along the Volga. But when in Vienna, visitors have their unforgettable waterway experience as they cruise along the Danube River.
Danube River cruises are a pleasant departure from the usual big cruise experience. With smaller ships that offer just over 70 cabins, cruisers will enjoy a quieter, more intimate experience. Many trips offer cabins as large as 170 square feet. That’s 10 feet by 17 feet, larger than many hotels or bedrooms at home.
You will enjoy generous servings of fine food and delicious drinks as you slide down the Danube, or Donau as it’s known locally. As you indulge, you can take in the sights of one of Europe’s grandest cities.
You have the option to take short trips or longer ones. If you only have a few hours to spare, you can take a leisurely ferry or speed boat. Longer cruises take you to cities as distant as Prague, Budapest, or Passau at the Austria-Germany border. Starting at Passau allows visitors to see one of the largest Baroque cathedrals in Germany at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers.
Cruises may last a day or even weeks as they sail up the Main, the Rhine, and other rivers that intersect with the Danube. Local trips usually last a day. Passau to Vienna is typically a five day trip. Bucharest to Vienna takes three weeks.
DDSG Blue Danube Schiffahrt has a selection of 1-day or 2-day trips that take in some of Vienna’s most popular sights, including the Ringturm, Ruprechts Church, and the Rossauer Kaserne. The trip from Reichsbrucke back to Schwedenplatz passes by beautiful scenery, as well as outstanding views of the Millennium Tower, the Danube Tower, and UN City.
Others might enjoy one of the many cruises from Vienna to Durnstein, or a hydrofoil trip all the way to Budapest. If you opt for the cruise, you’ll enjoy sightseeing in Esztergom if including Hungary along with your trip to Vienna.
Many of the trips, even short ones, include a champagne and candlelight dinner. As romantic waltz music plays in the background, visitors enjoy the sights of Vienna along the waterfront. The UN Building at night is a spectacular sight. Equally breathtaking are the multicolored buildings of designer Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
Some trips begin with a wine reception at the Rathaus during Christmas Festival. Others will start with a concert of Mozart and Strauss or a tour of the Melk Abbey. Then it’s all aboard for the cruise of a lifetime.
Click below for other cruise and destinations to Vienna, Austria:
Take a musical journey down the beautiful blue Danube. Heighten the experience while dining on a delicious buffet dinner and listening to the music of the king of the waltz, Johann Strass.
The Danube Valley full-day excursion reveals the exquisite beauty of the Wachau Valley. You’ll travel through gorgeous Austrian countryside and take a scenic boat ride down the Danube. It’s one of the most popular day trips from Vienna. Try not to miss this one!
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