Great Rail Journeys
Delights of the Danube: Budapest to Passau - Fly
8 daysfrom $2,536
Great Rail Journeys · Fly and Cruise
The Classic Blue Danube: Passau to Budapest - Fly
Relax on a fly-cruise holiday along one of Europe's most diverse rivers, admiring the Danube's natural beauty and the elegant cities lining its banks
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Passau)
To Passau where we board our luxurious ship
Meet at London Heathrow for the flight to Munich. Transfer by coach to Passau, where the cruise ship awaits. Welcome cocktail, settle into cabin, familiarise with ship's facilities, and enjoy the first five-course dinner onboard.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Linz)
Sailing through enchanting landscapes to Linz
Guided tour of Passau, the 'Three Rivers City', including St Stephen's Cathedral and the Veste Oberhaus fortress. Afternoon cruise along the Danube into Austria through beautiful scenery of hills, vineyards, orchards, villages, medieval castles and monasteries. Arrive and moor in Linz for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route)
Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov
Choice of two excursions from Linz: Option 1 – Day trip to Salzburg with a stop in the Austrian Lake District, guided sightseeing tour of Getreidegasse and the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Option 2 – Excursion to Český Krumlov in Czechia, visiting the palatial castle and UNESCO-listed Old Town. Return to ship for dinner and overnight cruise further into Austria.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route to Vienna)
Melk Abbey and the scenic Wachau Valley
Dock in Emmersdorf and visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey with one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps. Sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley over lunch. Free time in Dürnstein to sample local produce or wander the charming streets. Continue sailing towards Vienna after dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Vienna)
Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna
Guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse boulevard, including the Opera House and Parliament. Free time to explore: St Stephen's Cathedral, museums, Schönbrunn Palace, or Viennese coffeehouses. Evening entertainment by four former Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra members.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Esztergom)
Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava
Guided tour of Bratislava's Baroque Old Town and castle district, including Bratislava Castle, quirky statues (Schöne Náci and Čumil), grand palaces, historic churches, and views from the hilltop castle over the SNP Bridge. Continue downstream to Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary, for overnight mooring.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Budapest)
To Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'
Sail through the scenic Danube Bend, passing Visegrad and its hilltop castle. Arrive in Budapest for a visit to Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion with views over the river and Pest. Afternoon explorations including the State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica. Dinner accompanied by a traditional Hungarian folklore troupe performance. Evening night-time cruise along the Danube taking in the illuminated sights of Budapest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8
Homeward bound
After breakfast, disembark and say farewell to the crew. Transfer by coach to Budapest airport for the flight back to London Heathrow.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Tour Manager/Cruise Director team escorting throughout
- 7-night cruise onboard the MS Amadeus Cara
- Five-star service onboard
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Flights from London Heathrow to Munich
- Flights from Budapest to London Heathrow
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise
- Spectacular gala dinner
- Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
- A superb choice of excursions (Passau guided tour, Salzburg or Český Krumlov, Melk Abbey, Vienna guided tour, Bratislava guided tour, Budapest overview, evening Budapest cruise)
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
- Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)
