Danube Cruise from Vienna

Danube river view and cruise boats
One of the biggest European rivers – Danube River pours from Germany to the Black Sea by crossing four European capitals: Budapest in Hungary, Bratislava in Slovakia, Belgrade in Serbia and Vienna in Austria. Here is what you should know about Danube cruises that departures from Vienna and that provide an easy access to the most beautiful spots of the river.

Some of the top attractions on Vienna’s coastline you should on mandatory see are the following: Donauturm, Millennium Tower, Ringturm construction and Urania Observatory. On the other side, some of the more extraordinary architectural attractions you will see on your cruise are the following: the weird house designed by Zaha Hadid, the colorful installation for waste processing Spittelau, which is designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser and many more.

During your adventure you can also learn lots of curious facts about each of them, as well as about Vienna’s history. Meanwhile, the cruise across Danube lets you enjoy the traditional Austrian culinary, including the authentic Vienna’s coffee desserts, plus – to listen to the classical Austrian music right on the board during the evening cruise. You can combine the boat walk with a visit of other attractions such as Shonbrunn Palace or just to enjoy the overall Vienna’s beauty both: by day and by night.

See more Top Attractions in Vienna

How and where to get on board?

In most cases, all cruise boats depart from: Franz Joseph Kai, Orangerie or from Kaisermuhlen. Check out the departing time of your booked cruise and come at least 10-15 earlier to take your seat with no rush.

Types of Danube cruises

  • Sightseeing cruise – includes an audio guide, too
  • Cruise with lunch or dinner – get the chance to taste the typical Austrian cuisine
  • Evening cruise – allows you to enjoy the city’s lights. You can combine this cruise type with a visit of a concert in the Shonbrunn Palace.
  • A tour with kayak – quite suitable for adventurists and extreme sightseeing enthusiast
  • Cruise from Vienna to Bratislava – includes traveling with a bus and ship

What should I know before getting on a board for Danube cruise?

  • It’s better to book your ticket in advance online especially if you plan your cruise during the summer season, in order to be confident that you can get on board at the day you prefer
  • The cruises are arranged mostly from April till October
  • If you buy a ticket from internet, you will avoid the frustrating waiting on the queues at the cash-desks.
  • Even if you have a seasickness, don’t worry at all, because sailing on the river does not cause the typical swaying you know from the seaside tour

Top benefits of having Danube cruise from Vienna:

  • You will enjoy the most interesting attractions from another point of view
  • You will avoid the rush hours in the city
  • You can make great photographs of Vienna during the day and later, at night
  • You will taste the traditional Vienna’s culinary piece of art
  • You will learn lots of curious facts about some of the most interesting attractions in the city, as well as about Vienna’s history

Types of tickets

  • Sightseeing across Danube channel – Get to know the Austrian capital by water with this exciting 75-minute cruise. See some of the most popular attractions here: Badeschiff Vienna, Otto Wagner U club, Zaha Hadid-House architecture and many more. You will get a clear idea about the local architectural styles the city is popular with and thanks to the audio guide you will learn lots of interesting stories to share once you get back home from your journey.
  • Combo Vienna – Danube cruise, a dinner and a concert at Shonbrunn Palace – includes a cruise + classical dinner with Austrian food (3 meals in Café-Restaurant Residenz) and live musical performance. Spare 7 hours for this amazing experience! The arrival place is Orangerie.
  • Cruise with lunch – sightsee across Vienna by water and enjoy a typical Austrian lunch. This tour lasts an hour and 15 minutes in total. The starting spot of the route is Franz Joseph Kai.
  • Evening cruise – it allows you to see the beauty of night Vienna. The cruise lasts 3 hours. The arrival station is once again Franz Joseph Kai.
  • Kayak tour – it’s arranged alongside the most tranquil and safest branches of Danube River. Besides the exciting emotion to enjoy a kayak trip, you will be able to also admire the contemporary architecture in Vienna. The duration is 3 hours and a half and it’s suitable for groups up to 8 people. The arrival station is Kasermuhlen.
  • From Vienna to Bratislava – the tour starts with a travel by bus to Bratislava. Once you arrive you get some time to see the city or for shopping. The way back to Vienna is by boat. The duration of the entire tour is 7 hours.

Accessibility

Not all of the tours are accessible for people in wheelchairs.

Top Attractions in Vienna:

Vienna – the city
Schönbrunn Palace
Hofburg Castle
Belvedere Castle
Karlskirche Church
Saint Stephen Cathedral
History of Art Museum
Natural History Museum
Albertina Museum
Museum Quartier
Hundertwasser
State Opera
City Hall
The Prater
Imperial Butterfly House
Donauturm
Naschmarkt