How much does it cost?

From £2,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,781 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The price includes Eurostar from London to Brussels, rail through Frankfurt and Munich to Passau, and return rail from Passau through Munich and Frankfurt to Brussels and London. First and Standard Class options are available.

What is included in the cruise portion?

Seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Cara with cabin accommodation, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), a drinks package with dinner, guided excursions, onboard entertainment by former Vienna Philharmonic members, a Hungarian folklore performance, and a Captain's Gala Dinner. Wi-Fi and luggage service to and from home are complimentary.

Is the tour escorted?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 10 days.

Which cities are visited?

Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, and Linz receive guided tours. The ship also docks in Emmersdorf, Dürnstein, and Passau. Days include leisure time for independent exploration in each city.

Departures are in July and August 2026 and 2027.

What is not included?

Cancellation and travel insurance, tips and gratuities, and any pre- or post-tour hotel stays (though these are available as optional extras). Fly and Cruise options are also offered separately.

Great Rail Journeys · River Cruise

The Beautiful Blue Danube: Passau Round Trip

Ten-day river cruise from London through four countries on the Danube

Great Rail Journeys operates a 10-day escorted journey combining European rail travel with a seven-night cruise along the Danube. Guests depart London on Eurostar, travelling by rail through Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Munich before boarding the MS Amadeus Cara in Passau for a leisurely downstream cruise. The itinerary includes guided tours of Vienna's imperial Ringstrasse and Parliament, Budapest's Heroes Square and Fisherman's Bastion, Bratislava's Baroque Old Town, and Linz's historic centre. Between guided experiences, days offer leisure time to explore independently, thermal baths in Budapest, or sample local wines in the Wachau Valley. The ship features five-star service, all meals and drinks included, onboard entertainment by Vienna Philharmonic members, and a Hungarian folklore performance. The return journey by rail and Eurostar reaches London on Day 10. This tour suits luxury-focused travellers, history enthusiasts, and couples seeking an escorted, all-inclusive river experience through four countries.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £300 since 4 Jul, to £2,799.

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. 2 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

The single supplement is high: GBP 4,099 compared to GBP 2,499 for a double, nearly 65 percent more per person
Day 9 overnight location varies by departure date: most guests stay in Cologne, but some departures use Würzburg, Mainz, or Bonn
The itinerary ends in Linz on the ship but Day 9 text states the ship docks in Passau; confirm final embarkation and disembarkation ports when booking

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Frankfurt
From London to Frankfurt
We meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Brussels, continuing by rail via Cologne to Frankfurt for an overnight stay.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2railovernight: Aboard MS Amadeus Riva
To Passau, where we board our luxurious ship
After time in Frankfurt, we travel by rail to Passau via Nuremberg and board our ship, enjoying a welcome cocktail and our first five-course dinner as we set sail.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Riva (Vienna)
Melk Abbey and the scenic Wachau Valley
We visit the 11th-century Melk Abbey, sail through the Wachau Valley wine region, stop at Dürnstein, and arrive in Vienna with an onboard performance by former Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra members.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Riva (cruising to Budapest)
Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna
A guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse, the Opera House and Parliament, with free time to explore St Stephen's Cathedral or Schönbrunn Palace before an overnight cruise to Budapest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Riva (Budapest)
Exploring Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'
A sightseeing tour of Budapest including Heroes Square, the State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, followed by an illuminated night-time cruise past the Parliament building and Chain Bridge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Riva (Danube Bend)
Sailing the beautiful Danube Bend
A free morning in Budapest, then sailing upstream through the Danube Bend past Visegrad and Esztergom, continuing overnight along the Hungary-Slovakia border.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Riva (Bratislava)
Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava
We explore Bratislava's Old Town, Bratislava Castle and quirky statues, before sailing back towards Austria.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Riva (cruising to Passau)
Arrival in the cultural Austrian city of Linz
A guided tour of Linz's Hauptmarkt and Old Town, followed by a farewell gala dinner on board as we cruise towards Passau.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9railovernight: Cologne
From Passau to Cologne
We disembark in Passau and travel by rail via Frankfurt to Cologne, checking in to our hotel near the Gothic cathedral for a final dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10rail
Homeward bound
We travel by rail via Frankfurt to Brussels and board the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Boarding the MS Amadeus Cara in Passau and setting sail downstream with a welcome cocktail and five-course dinner
Day 3Visiting 11th-century Melk Abbey atop a rocky outcrop, then sailing through the Wachau Valley wine region past Dürnstein
Day 4Guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse, including the Opera House and Parliament, followed by leisure time to visit Schönbrunn Palace or coffeehouse
Day 5Evening performance by a traditional Hungarian folklore troupe and a night-time cruise revealing Budapest's illuminated monuments
Day 6Sailing the scenic Danube Bend past Visegrad and Esztergom, with a morning at leisure to explore Budapest's castle district or Gellért thermal baths

Included

Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
2 nights’ 4-Star hotel accommodation
7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Riva, five-star service, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
First & Standard Class rail options available; Eurostar Plus on First Class departures; all rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day including a spectacular gala dinner
Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
Complimentary luggage service from your home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
Superb excursions included

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,781 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The price includes Eurostar from London to Brussels, rail through Frankfurt and Munich to Passau, and return rail from Passau through Munich and Frankfurt to Brussels and London. First and Standard Class options are available.
What is included in the cruise portion?: Seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Cara with cabin accommodation, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), a drinks package with dinner, guided excursions, onboard entertainment by former Vienna Philharmonic members, a Hungarian folklore performance, and a Captain's Gala Dinner. Wi-Fi and luggage service to and from home are complimentary.
Is the tour escorted?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 10 days.
Which cities are visited?: Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, and Linz receive guided tours. The ship also docks in Emmersdorf, Dürnstein, and Passau. Days include leisure time for independent exploration in each city.
When does it run?: Departures are in July and August 2026 and 2027.
What is not included?: Cancellation and travel insurance, tips and gratuities, and any pre- or post-tour hotel stays (though these are available as optional extras). Fly and Cruise options are also offered separately.