Best of the Danube
Operated by Trafalgar

Best of the Danube

From
CAD 4,099
Duration
8 days
Countries
Hungary, Austria, Slovakia
Activity
easy

The adventure

Embark on an 8-day Danube River cruise with Trafalgar, exploring Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Linz, and Passau. Enjoy scenic landscapes, local cuisine & more.

At a glance

Duration
8 days
Route
Budapest → Passau
Countries
Hungary, Austria, Slovakia
Activity level
easy
Style
Food & Drink
Group size
Ask
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Ask an agent

Day by day

Serene landscape of rural Hungary with hills and trees under a clear sky.
Your journey through

Hungary

Day 1Embark in BudapestStep aboard the Trafalgar Reverie, your floating home for your Danube cruise, and settle in for the night. This evening, get to know your fellow travellers over dinner hosted by your Experience Director.
Expansive aerial view over Budapest suburbs with houses, roads, and distant hills under a clear sky.Embark in Budapest
Step aboard the Trafalgar Reverie, your floating home for your Danube cruise, and settle in for the night. This evening, get to know your fellow travellers over dinner hosted by your Experience Director.
Map showing Embark in Budapest
Picturesque village by the lake with misty mountains and charming architecture on a cloudy day.
Your journey through

Austria

Day 2Cruise the Danube BendBudapestToday, explore both sides of the city—historic Buda and lively Pest—with your Local Specialist. Visit Heroes' Square before heading up Castle Hill past Matthias Church to step inside Fisherman’s Bastion for views over the Danube and Parliament. Or, opt to take a foodie tour, diving into Budapest’s vibrant culinary scene and tasting local favourites. This afternoon, choose an Optional Experience to explore the Jewish district, including a visit to the Dohány Street Synagogue. In the early evening you’ll set sail, cruising through the Danube bend past the town of Szentendre and the former Royal centre of Visegrad.
A picturesque view of Prague with the Vltava River, historical buildings, and a bridge.Budapest
Today, explore both sides of the city—historic Buda and lively Pest—with your Local Specialist. Visit Heroes' Square before heading up Castle Hill past Matthias Church to step inside Fisherman’s Bastion for views over the Danube and Parliament. Or, opt to take a foodie tour, diving into Budapest’s vibrant culinary scene and tasting local favourites. This afternoon, choose an Optional Experience to explore the Jewish district, including a visit to the Dohány Street Synagogue. In the early evening you’ll set sail, cruising through the Danube bend past the town of Szentendre and the former Royal centre of Visegrad.
Map showing Budapest
Day 3Through Transdanubia to BratislavaEnjoy the early morning experience of cruising along a stretch of the Danube that defines the border between Hungary to the south and Slovakia to the north. Step ashore in Bratislava and explore its old town on a walking tour with your Local Specialist. See the historic town hall, pass through Michael’s Gate and admire St. Martin’s Cathedral. Alternatively, step back in time on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, uncovering life under Communism with stories of escapes, Soviet rule and the Velvet Revolution. Looking to stretch your legs? Join an Optional Experience hike up to Bratislava Castle for sweeping Danube views. Or, join an optional guided drive with views from the castle and a tasting of local craft beers at a Bratislava brewery. As you cruise through the evening, you’ll pass by the southern foothills of the Little Carpathian Mountains, and cross the border to enjoy views of the plains of Lower Austria.
Enjoy the early morning experience of cruising along a stretch of the Danube that defines the border between Hungary to the south and Slovakia to the north. Step ashore in Bratislava and explore its old town on a walking tour with your Local Specialist. See the historic town hall, pass through Michael’s Gate and admire St. Martin’s Cathedral. Alternatively, step back in time on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, uncovering life under Communism with stories of escapes, Soviet rule and the Velvet Revolution. Looking to stretch your legs? Join an Optional Experience hike up to Bratislava Castle for sweeping Danube views. Or, join an optional guided drive with views from the castle and a tasting of local craft beers at a Bratislava brewery. As you cruise through the evening, you’ll pass by the southern foothills of the Little Carpathian Mountains, and cross the border to enjoy views of the plains of Lower Austria.
Day 4Culture and Architecture in ViennaWelcome to Vienna, the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Get to know this buzzing city with a drive along the Ringstraße and a guided walk through the old town, where Vienna’s grand architecture and imperial history come to life. Then, explore further with a choice between two experiences, enjoying sweet delights or diving into the life of Mozart. Settle into a traditional coffee house and indulge in a slice of Sachertorte, experiencing Vienna’s famous cafe culture. Or, step into the world of Mozart with an immersive journey back to the 18th century, discovering the places that shaped his life and music. This afternoon, choose between two Optional Experiences. You could visit Schönbrunn Palace, the opulent summer home of the Habsburgs, or take a foodie walking tour, tasting strudels, schnitzels, and other Viennese favourites. After a day of discovery, why not end the evening with an optional classical concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart?
Welcome to Vienna, the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Get to know this buzzing city with a drive along the Ringstraße and a guided walk through the old town, where Vienna’s grand architecture and imperial history come to life. Then, explore further with a choice between two experiences, enjoying sweet delights or diving into the life of Mozart. Settle into a traditional coffee house and indulge in a slice of Sachertorte, experiencing Vienna’s famous cafe culture. Or, step into the world of Mozart with an immersive journey back to the 18th century, discovering the places that shaped his life and music. This afternoon, choose between two Optional Experiences. You could visit Schönbrunn Palace, the opulent summer home of the Habsburgs, or take a foodie walking tour, tasting strudels, schnitzels, and other Viennese favourites. After a day of discovery, why not end the evening with an optional classical concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart?
Day 5Cruise the Wachau ValleyCruise through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO-listed gem known for its vineyards and medieval castles. In Spitz, join your Local Specialist for a walking tour, exploring the charm of this historic riverside town, famous for their apricots. For lunch, join the Saahs family for a Be My Guest experience at Weingut Nikolaihof, Austria’s oldest winery, where you’ll enjoy homemade specialities made with organic produce straight from their gardens. Continue your cruise through the Wachau Valley, passing by the historic Melk Abbey as your ship navigates overnight into Upper Austria.
Cruise through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO-listed gem known for its vineyards and medieval castles. In Spitz, join your Local Specialist for a walking tour, exploring the charm of this historic riverside town, famous for their apricots. For lunch, join the Saahs family for a Be My Guest experience at Weingut Nikolaihof, Austria’s oldest winery, where you’ll enjoy homemade specialities made with organic produce straight from their gardens. Continue your cruise through the Wachau Valley, passing by the historic Melk Abbey as your ship navigates overnight into Upper Austria.
Day 6See Historic LinzExplore Linz with your Local Specialist, strolling through its historic centre and discovering the city’s rich past. Alternatively, join an optional tour to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for The Sound of Music. Or, if you love medieval charm, opt for an optional visit to Český Krumlov, a fairytale town with winding streets and a stunning castle. Overnight you’ll cruise through the hills of Upper Austria.
Aged masonry house exterior near walkway with anonymous tourists under cloudy sky in townSee Historic Linz
Explore Linz with your Local Specialist, strolling through its historic centre and discovering the city’s rich past. Alternatively, join an optional tour to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for The Sound of Music. Or, if you love medieval charm, opt for an optional visit to Český Krumlov, a fairytale town with winding streets and a stunning castle. Overnight you’ll cruise through the hills of Upper Austria.
A picturesque view of a riverside town by a serene lake surrounded by verdant forests.
Your journey through

Germany

Day 7Cross the Upper Austrian Hills into PassauCross into Bavaria and arrive in Passau, the ‘City of Three Rivers’, where the Inn, Danube and Ilz meet. Join your Local Specialist for a morning walking tour through the old town’s cobbled streets or choose a hike along the scenic Ilz River. In the afternoon, why not join an optional Bavarian beer, pretzel and music experience? Enjoying local brews, freshly baked pretzels and traditional folk music.
Serene daytime view of Passau's historic waterfront buildings reflecting on the Danube River.Passau
Cross into Bavaria and arrive in Passau, the ‘City of Three Rivers’, where the Inn, Danube and Ilz meet. Join your Local Specialist for a morning walking tour through the old town’s cobbled streets or choose a hike along the scenic Ilz River. In the afternoon, why not join an optional Bavarian beer, pretzel and music experience? Enjoying local brews, freshly baked pretzels and traditional folk music.
Map showing Passau
Day 8Farewell PassauThis morning, disembark the Trafalgar Reverie and bid farewell to the captain and crew, taking with you unforgettable memories of your journey along the Danube.
Scenic view of Veste Oberhaus and charming hillside buildings in Passau, Germany.Farewell Passau
This morning, disembark the Trafalgar Reverie and bid farewell to the captain and crew, taking with you unforgettable memories of your journey along the Danube.

Discover Hungary

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

Scenic mountain landscape with rocks and hills in Hungary's countryside.
Stunning landscape view of Lake Balaton from a vineyard terrace in Hungary. Tranquil and picturesque scenery.
Beautiful landscape view of Lake Balaton with lush greenery and hills under a cloudy sky.
Picturesque landscape of Lake Balaton with surrounding hills in Hungary.
A serene view of the Danube River with a distant panorama of Budapest, Hungary.

Upcoming departures

DatesPrice / personAvailability
11 Jul 202618 Jul 2026CAD 5,049AvailableBook my trip
25 Jul 20261 Aug 2026CAD 4,599AvailableBook my trip
Operated by Trafalgar

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