Top Eastern Europe Budget River Cruise Trips &amp; Packages 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

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Romania

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or guided sightseeing in Rousse, or bike with your Adventure Host
Guided sightseeing to Baba Vida fortress, see the rock formations in Belogradchik or bike with your Adventure Host
Scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or walk with your Adventure Host; visit to Golubač fortress
Choice of guided sightseeing or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture

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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9 days From$4,499

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Christmastime from Budapest to Frankfurt

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, Budapest, Frankfurt, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; Austrian cookies tasting on board; free time in Vienna in the evening
City sightseeing; Christmas market
Guided city walk in Krems; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk
Guided walk; 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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$8,300

13 days From$6,698

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Christmastime on the Danube (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

Linz, Nuremberg, Passau, Prague, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market
Guided tour; Christmas markets; onboard Christmas Traditions lecture
Guided tour; Christmas market
Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; onboard Austrian cookies tasting; 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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$4,011

7 days From$3,399

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Design custom trip

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Balkan Discovery with 1 Night in Bucharest & 2 Nights in Transylvania

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

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Romania, Transylvania

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 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; 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."

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$6,207

11 days From$4,948

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The Danube from Germany to Romania

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

Balanced schedule

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Linz, Passau, Prague, Romania, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of guided walk or hike with your Adventure Host; Schlögen Oxbow scenic cruising
Guided sightseeing, see Hauptplatz and the Trinity Column
Cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided walk or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein OR guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk
Choice of guided sightseeingor bike with your Adventure Host

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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15 days From$7,598

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The Blue Danube Discovery

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, Nuremberg, Passau, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; free time in Vienna in the evening
Choice of guided sightseeing, or Künsthistorisches Museum visit, or bike with your Adventure Host
In Dürnstein choice of guided tour or hike up to its hilltop castle ruin; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley or biking with your Adventure Host; choice of guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; onboard wine tasting
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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$4,724

8 days From$3,899

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The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest and 1 Night in Budapest

none

4.7/5 Excellent

Group Tour

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

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Romania, Transylvania

Highlights

Welcome to Bucharest
Guided sightseeing in Bucharest; onboard welcome reception
Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or guided sightseeing in Rousse, or bike with your Adventure Host
Guided sightseeing to Baba Vida fortress, see the rock formations in Belogradchik or bike with your Adventure Host
Scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or walk with your Adventure Host; visit to Golubač fortress

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

$6,786

11 days From$4,977

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Danube Symphony (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

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Linz, Passau, Prague, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of a guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin's Cathedral or hike to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided sightseeing, or Künsthistorisches Museum visit, or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided walk in Krems or Wine World Experience with tasting or bike with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; Ybbs city sightseeing with Artstetten Castle visit
Choice of visit to St. Florian Monastery, or guided tour of Mauthausen Concentration Camp; free time in Linz

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."