How much does it cost?

From £2,199 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,970 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

Great Rail Journeys escorts the group throughout with an experienced tour manager and cruise director team. All excursions, transfers and meals are organized.

Which ship will I sail on?

The MS Amadeus Cara, MS Amadeus Nova or MS Amadeus Star (selected departures). All are five-star luxury river cruise vessels.

What is not included?

Cancellation and travel insurance, and tips or gratuities (at your discretion). Optional UK rail connections and hotel stays before or after the tour can be added.

When does this tour run?

Departures run in June, July, August, September and October, with dates in 2026 and 2027. Great Rail Journeys lists six scheduled departures.

Great Rail Journeys · River Cruise

Delights of the Danube: Budapest to Passau - Fly

Danube river cruise from Budapest to Passau via Vienna and Bratislava

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day fly-cruise down the Danube from Budapest to Munich, combining cultural exploration with luxury riverside travel. You fly from London Heathrow to Budapest, where you board the five-star MS Amadeus Cara or a sister ship for a seven-night cruise through five countries. Days alternate between sailing and guided excursions: in Budapest you explore Heroes Square and the State Opera House, then cruise past the illuminated Parliament at night; in Vienna the Ringstrasse tour includes the Opera House, and evening entertainment features former Vienna Philharmonic members; you visit the 11th-century Melk Abbey while sailing the Wachau Valley's vineyards; and you choose between Salzburg's UNESCO Old Town or the fairytale Czech town of Český Krumlov. The itinerary concludes in Passau, the Three Rivers City, before you fly home from Munich. All meals, drinks with dinner, excursions and transfers are included, and an experienced tour manager accompanies the group throughout.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £300 since 4 Jul, to £2,199.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

This is a cruise-focused tour; rail travel is minimal (coach transfers between ship and excursions). The package is primarily a river vacation.
Single supplement is the same price as the double room rate (£1899), making it a significant premium for solo travelers; confirm the exact single cabin pricing with the operator.
Day 6 offers a choice of two excursions; your final destination on that day depends on which you select, and both require all-day commitment.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Budapest
To Budapest where we board our luxurious ship
Your Danube holiday starts as you fly from London Heathrow to Budapest. Our luxurious ship awaits, where we're greeted with a refreshing cocktail before our first dinner on board, followed by an enchanting night-time cruise along the Danube taking in the illuminated sights of Budapest.
Day 2overnight: Cruising toward Bratislava
Exploring Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'
On a sightseeing tour by coach, we explore Budapest's impressive buildings and monuments, from Heroes Square and St Stephen's Basilica to Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Sailing upstream through the evening, we navigate the scenic Danube Bend, passing Visegrad and Esztergom.
Day 3overnight: Cruising toward Vienna
Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava
Cruising towards Slovakia's capital, we are welcomed by views of Bratislava Castle. On our tour, we wander idyllic streets, see grand palaces and historic churches and quirky statues, before returning to our ship and setting sail once again.
Day 4overnight: Vienna
Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna
We embark on a guided tour to uncover Austria's imperial heritage along the Ringstrasse, seeing the Opera House and Parliament. Tonight, four previous members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra perform for us in the lounge.
Day 5overnight: Cruising toward Linz
Melk Abbey and the scenic Wachau Valley
Arriving in Dürnstein, there's free time before we sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Docking in Emmersdorf, we visit the 11th-century Melk Abbey on a guided tour.
Day 6overnight: Cruising into Germany
Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov
Waking in Linz, choose a day trip to Salzburg via the Austrian Lake District, exploring Getreidegasse and the Old Town, or an excursion into Czechia to visit the fairytale town of Český Krumlov. We then set sail on an overnight cruise into Germany.
Day 7overnight: Passau
Crossing the German border to Passau
Drifting through Germany, we admire vineyard-covered hills before arriving in Passau, the 'Three Rivers City', for a guided tour including St Stephen's Cathedral. Tonight we enjoy a farewell gala dinner on board.
Day 8
Homeward bound
It's time to disembark our luxury cruise ship in Passau. After transferring by coach to Munich airport we board the flight back to London, where your holiday comes to an end.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1After boarding the MS Amadeus Cara in Budapest, a night-time cruise along the illuminated Danube reveals the neo-Gothic Parliament building and Buda's historic silhouette.
Day 2Guided sightseeing tour of Budapest includes Heroes Square, the State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion on the Buda hills.
Day 4Vienna's Ringstrasse tour showcases the Opera House and Parliament; evening entertainment performed by four former members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
Day 5Sail through the Wachau Valley past green vineyards and riverside towns, then visit the 11th-century Benedictine Melk Abbey.
Day 6Choice of excursion: either a guided tour of Salzburg's UNESCO Old Town or a day trip to the fairytale Bohemian town of Český Krumlov with its hilltop castle.

Included

Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
7-night cruise onboard the MS Amadeus Riva
Five-star service onboard
Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
Standard Class rail travel
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Flights from London Heathrow to Budapest, Munich to London Heathrow
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day of your cruise including a spectacular Gala Dinner
Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
Superb excursions included

Not included

Tips/gratuities are not included in the price of the cruise
Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,199 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,970 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: Great Rail Journeys escorts the group throughout with an experienced tour manager and cruise director team. All excursions, transfers and meals are organized.
Which ship will I sail on?: The MS Amadeus Cara, MS Amadeus Nova or MS Amadeus Star (selected departures). All are five-star luxury river cruise vessels.
What is not included?: Cancellation and travel insurance, and tips or gratuities (at your discretion). Optional UK rail connections and hotel stays before or after the tour can be added.
When does this tour run?: Departures run in June, July, August, September and October, with dates in 2026 and 2027. Great Rail Journeys lists six scheduled departures.