Top Main River Budget Trips &amp; Packages In 2025/2026

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Bamberg, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Prague

Highlights

Arrival day at leisure
Guided tour, see the Astronomical Clock and visit to Hradcany Castle; Christmas market
Onboard welcome reception
Choice of Nuremberg guided tour, or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market
Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; onboard Christmas Traditions 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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8 days From$3,428

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Christmastime from Budapest to Frankfurt

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

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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13 days From$6,898

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Christmastime on the Danube (Eastbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

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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7 days From$3,399

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The Blue Danube Discovery

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

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."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

8 days From$3,899

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Christmastime from Frankfurt to Vienna

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Bamberg, Frankfurt, Linz, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Guided tour
Guided tour, visit the Bishop’s Residence; Christmas market
Onboard Christmas Traditions lecture; guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; Christmas market
Choice of guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds 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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12 days From$6,198

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Enchanted Europe with 2 Nights in Budapest (Westbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Boppard, Budapest, Frankfurt, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Salzburg, Strasbourg, Vienna, Zurich

Highlights

Welcome to Budapest!
Guided tour, see Heroes' Square
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

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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18 days From$8,797

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Iconic Rivers of Europe - the Rhine, Main & Danube

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

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."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

22 days From$11,598

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Magnificent Europe

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

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."