Search

Rail content not confirmed

Not counted among our train tours: no train journey, named train or rail transport recorded in the listing. It stays listed under Great Rail Journeys.

Great Rail Journeys · River cruise, escorted tour

The Classic Blue Danube: Passau to Budapest - Fly

Eight-day Danube river cruise from Passau to Budapest with flights

Illustration of The Classic Blue Danube: Passau to Budapest - Fly

Great Rail Journeys offers an eight-day escape along the Danube, combining flights from London Heathrow with a seven-night cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Cara from Passau to Budapest. You spend each night aboard the ship, which handles accommodation and meals, allowing you to wake in a different country without packing and unpacking. Days unfold as a blend of guided city tours and unguided exploration. In Passau you visit St Stephen's Cathedral and a riverside fortress. Day three presents a choice: join an excursion to Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District, or travel inland to Český Krumlov's castle and Old Town. The Wachau Valley day includes a visit to Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine monastery, then free time in the medieval town of Dürnstein. Vienna's guided tour covers the Ringstrasse, Opera House, and Parliament, followed by a classical concert aboard ship. Bratislava's tour traces Baroque architecture and the castle district. Budapest anchors the final days with visits to Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, then an evening cruise past illuminated landmarks while a Hungarian folk ensemble performs. Five-star service, all meals, and drinks with dinner are included throughout.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £400 since 4 Jul, to £2,299.

£2,499£1,8994 Jul12 Sep

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 river cruise, not a rail journey; the tour name includes 'Blue Danube' but train travel is not the primary transport mode.
  • Day three offers a choice of excursion (Salzburg or Český Krumlov); confirm which is available on your departure date.
  • Single supplement is GBP 1,200 above half the double price, making solo travel significantly more expensive.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Passau, aboard ship

    To Passau where we board our luxurious ship

    Your holiday begins as we meet at London Heathrow for our flight to Munich. From the Bavarian capital, we are transferred by coach to the pretty border town of Passau, where our luxurious cruise ship awaits. We're greeted onboard by our friendly crew and sip on a welcome cocktail. After settling into your cabin, we indulge in our first five-course dinner on board.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Linz, aboard ship

    Sailing through enchanting landscapes to Linz

    After breakfast, we set out on a guided tour of Passau, the 'Three Rivers City', with its Baroque Old Town and the Veste Oberhaus fortress. This afternoon, we begin our relaxing cruise along the Danube into Austria. Reaching Linz this evening, we moor for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Aboard ship, cruising into Austria

    Salzburg & the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov

    Waking in Linz, there are two excursions to choose from: a day trip to Salzburg, with a stop in the Austrian Lake District and a guided tour of Getreidegasse and the UNESCO Old Town, or an excursion to Český Krumlov to explore its palatial castle and UNESCO-listed Old Town. We return to our ship for dinner and set sail on an overnight cruise further into Austria.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Aboard ship, cruising towards Vienna

    Melk Abbey & the scenic Wachau Valley

    Docking in Emmersdorf, we visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine abbey overlooking the Danube. Back on the ship, we sail through the Wachau Valley to the riverside village of Dürnstein, with free time to explore. After dinner, we continue sailing towards Vienna.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Vienna, aboard ship

    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. After the tour, there's time to explore at leisure. Tonight, we're joined in the lounge by four previous members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Esztergom, aboard ship

    Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava

    After a relaxed overnight sailing, we arrive in Slovakia's capital for a guided tour of the Baroque Old Town and castle district, admiring Bratislava's quirky statues and the SNP Bridge. Later this afternoon, we continue downstream to Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary, where we berth for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Budapest, aboard ship

    To Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'

    We navigate the scenic Danube Bend, passing Visegrad. Arriving in Budapest, we visit Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, then explore the State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica. After dinner accompanied by a Hungarian folklore troupe, we embark on a magical night-time cruise past the illuminated sights of Budapest.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our crew. Transferring by coach to Budapest airport, you catch your flight back to London where your Danube holiday comes to an end.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Passau, the Three Rivers City, including St Stephen's Cathedral and Veste Oberhaus fortress, then sail the Danube past vineyards, villages, and medieval castles.
  • Day 4Visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine monastery with a Baroque church, then sail through the Wachau Valley and explore the medieval town of Dürnstein.
  • Day 5Guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse including the Opera House and Parliament, followed by a classical concert from former Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra members onboard.
  • Day 7Sail through the Danube Bend past Visegrad castle, visit Budapest's Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, then enjoy an evening cruise past illuminated landmarks with a traditional Hungarian folklore performance at dinner.

Included

  • Tour Manager: Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • Cruise: 7-night cruise onboard the MS Amadeus Riva
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Transportation: All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Flights: Flights from London Heathrow to Munich, Budapest to London Heathrow
  • Food & Drink: Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • Excursions & Entertainment: A superb choice of excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Gratuities/tips (discretionary; not included in the price, no daily charge added)

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £2,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,105 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?
No. Great Rail Journeys operates this as a fly-and-cruise package. You fly from London Heathrow to Munich, then travel by coach to Passau to board the ship. The Danube cruise itself is the main journey.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escort you throughout, and all guided excursions in Passau, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest are included.
What ship do I sail on?
The MS Amadeus Cara, described as a five-star ship with inclusive meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, and entertainment.
What meals and drinks are included?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the cruise, plus a drinks package with dinner every night and a spectacular gala dinner.
Which cities do we visit?
Passau, Linz, Salzburg (or Český Krumlov by choice), Melk Abbey, Dürnstein, Vienna, Bratislava, Esztergom, and Budapest.
When does this tour run?
Departures are scheduled for June 2027, July 2027, August 2026, and September 2027.

Similar journeys