Top Danube River Budget River Cruises &amp; Packages In 2025/2026

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Nuremberg, Passau, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
City sightseeing; Christmas market
Scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; Onboard Austrian cookies tasting; guided tour in Grein
Guided tour; Christmas market
Guided tour; Christmas market

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$3,644

7 days From$3,399

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Iconic Rivers of Europe - the Rhine, Main & Danube

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Linz, Nuremberg, Passau, Romania, Rudesheim, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour
Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; choice of visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim
Guided walk

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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22 days From$11,498

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Balkan Discovery with 1 Night in Budapest & 1 Night in Bucharest

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Full schedule

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Romania

Highlights

Welcome to Hungary
Guided tour, see Heroes' Square; onboard welcome reception
Choice of beer experience or guided tour in Vukovar; choice of guided tour with wine tasting or guided bike tour in Ilok
Highlights of Novi Sad guided tour;choice of hike to Petrovaradin Fortress or honey and wine tasting; walk in Novi Sad with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, High Adventure, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$5,639

10 days From$4,477

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

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Active & Discovery on the Danube with 1 Night in Budapest (Westbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Budapest, Linz, Vienna

Highlights

Welcome to Hungary
Choice of guided tour with a local, or guided bike tour, or city sightseeing tour in Budapest; onboard welcome reception; scenic sailing
Choice of medieval knights tournament, or guided hike in the Danube-Ipoly National Park, or canoe tour
Choice of bike tour, or Insider’s tour of Vienna, or guided tour, visit to Belvedere Palace
Choice of early risers walking tour with breakfast at a Viennese café, or guided tour, see Habsburg private art collection and the Italian or Dutch masters works

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$5,640

9 days From$4,208

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Magnificent Europe

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Bratislava, Budapest, Linz, Nuremberg, Passau, Rudesheim, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour
Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge; choice of visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host
Guided walk

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$7,299

15 days From$7,199

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The Legendary Danube

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Budapest, Linz, Nuremberg, Passau, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Guided tour in Nuremberg or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour or biking with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Guided walk, see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria
Guided walk in Passau; free time in Linz
Guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, or walk with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; free time in Vienna

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$4,859

8 days From$3,899

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Balkan Discovery with 1 Night in Bucharest

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Romania

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of beer experience or guided tour in Vukovar; choice of guided tour with wine tasting or guided bike tour in Ilok
Highlights of Novi Sad; choice of hike to Petrovaradin Fortress or honey and wine tasting
Choice of guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host; on board lecture
Visit to Golubač fortress and Lepenski Vir archaeological site; scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

$5,262

9 days From$4,198

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German Grandeur (Eastbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Boppard, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Munich, Nuremberg, Prague, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Zurich

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest or Freiburg guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or visit to Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim, or a hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge; time at leisure in Boppard
In Frankfurt choice of guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host or guided tour in Seligenstadt

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."