Danube River Nature & Wildlife Tours & Trip Packages

Danube River Nature & Wildlife Tours & Trips

262 Danube River trips. Tours from 59 tour companies. 70 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

21 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Nature & Wildlife
Balkan Grand Circle - 16 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
11 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Belgrade, Brasov, Bucharest, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Romania, Sarajevo, Sofia

Highlights

  • Feel the Montmartre-style charm of Belgrade’s Skadarlija
  • Explore the castle of the infamous Vlad (Count) Dracula in Bran
  • Discover the ancient city of Plovdiv and taste the famous lyutenica in Sofia
  • Look for the Game of Thrones filming sites in the maze of narrow, marble streets in Dubrovnik

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I took "Red Belgrade-Communist Era" tour on corona times. From the first contact, staff took care of things in a very friendly, flexible and professional way. The tour I got was informative and fun, explaining not only Serbia but other Yugoslav countries. Fully recommended."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety

More
Imperial Cities of Europe - 6 Countries
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
11 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Hallstatt, Lake Bled, Ljubljana, Munich, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Cruise along the Danube River and experience the beautiful sights of Budapest
  • Admire the beautiful gardens and Rococo interior of the majestic Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
  • Feel the medieval spirit of the Golden city – Prague
  • Enjoy the German way, tasting sausages and beer in a centuries-old restaurant
  • Ring the wishing bell on the island in the middle of the picturesque Lake Bled

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I took "Red Belgrade-Communist Era" tour on corona times. From the first contact, staff took care of things in a very friendly, flexible and professional way. The tour I got was informative and fun, explaining not only Serbia but other Yugoslav countries. Fully recommended."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety

More
Treasures of Romania & Bulgaria
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.4/5 Great
7 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Brasov, Bucharest, Romania, Sofia

Highlights

  • Visit the Parliament Palace - Second largest building in the world
  • Private tour in the Village Museum
  • Pass along the Olt River Canyon
  • Discover Sibiu - European Capital of Culture in 2007
  • Visit the Wooden Churches of Maramures (UNESCO)
Show more

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

""After being presented different offers in the hotel we decided to book with this company at the recommendation of our receptionist Alex. We were picked up in a brand new minivan and together with 4 others we left for our Transylvania adventure. Soon we realized that we are in for a treat. Our guide Teo was amazing, took great care of us and got us in all the castles where he guided just the 6 of us. We had our own pace and we were never in a hurry. Every detail was checked to perfection and after returning to our hotel, all we can say is Thank you Eastern European Experience. You made this day trip wonderful. We will recommend this tour anytime.""

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
A Cycling Journey: Vienna to Budapest along the Danube River
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Vienna

Highlights

  • Cycle along the scenic paths of the Danube River Valley for an immersion into the cultures of Austria, Slovakia and Hungary
  • Discover the ancient history of Arabian horse breeding during a visit to an equestrian museum and stud farm
  • With a local historian, embark on a walking field trip of the Old Town Bratislava to learn about its history and landmarks

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
European sojourn
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
2.7/5 Average
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Koblenz, Nuremberg, St. Martin's Cathedral, Vienna

Highlights

  • Get an opportunity to Visit 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Enjoy the amazing river cruising across Amsterdam
  • Explore Budapest enjoy innovative, efficient metro.
  • Discover Vienna
  • Experience a tour of Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
The Great Rivers of Europe
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Nuremberg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Unpack just once, journey 948 miles through three countries, and enjoy an abundance of included features—from all meals to 11 guided tours, and more—on our #1 River Cruise for more than a decade
  • Cruise aboard our award-winning 140- to 164-passenger ships with a dedicated English-speaking crew
  • Experience this European itinerary, and uncover a local and American perspective in destinations like Nuremberg’s Room 600
  • Explore with an expert, local Program Director—a native or resident of Europe—who will be dedicated to your group of no more than 47 from the start to the end of your trip

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I am a 12 time traveler with Grand Circle and OAT. But maybe no more. They are impossible to reach by phone without waiting for hours. I even tired their emergency phone number and was on hold for hours. What if I had been stranded in a foreign country? They cancelled my Eastern Europe to Black Sea Cruise in Sept 2021 and cited "covid" or "civil unrest" issues. Baloney. They cancelled because they did not sell out the cruise and lied about it to me. I know because I went with Viking during the same month with no excuses like Grand Circle gave me. Add to that they promised me a $1,000 credit on my next trip- which was to Antarctica in December. The invoice they sent me showed the credit- and 1 month later a new invoice arrived with the credit removed. Why? Another lie? Something is really wrong here with the company now and I would suggest be very careful with bookings as they are not the same company I traveled with for the past 12 years."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together

  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
  • ... and much more
Join community
The Romantic Danube
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
3.7/5 Great
39 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Český Krumlov, Linz, Prague, Salzburg, St. Martin's Cathedral, Vienna

Highlights

  • Explore Prague
  • Enjoy walking tour to Regensburg, Linz
  • Discover Vienna city tour
  • Visit Budapest

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I’ve sailed with AmaWaterways 4 times. They are the best! You become family. I can’t wait to sail with them again!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Danube River Cruise Biking
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.9/5 Excellent
74 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Linz, Munich, Vienna, Wachau

Highlights

  • Enjoy riding along the Danube Bike Path
  • Discover the Old City in Passau
  • Visit 'Donau Auen' National Park
  • Enjoy a casual bike tour of the main sights and explore Budapest

Themes

50 plus, Cycling & Biking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Butterfield and Robinson just planned and executed a great, great trip for us to the Amalfi coast. All the services and hotels were wonderful and the guides were great fun and and well informed. Many nice surprises along the way and an itinerary we would have had trouble putting together on our own was effortless. All guides were well trained the transportation and drivers were polite and on time. The recommended hotels were amazing. We loved every minute of our vacation."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip
21 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Nature & Wildlife
...

1

2

...

Danube River Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
70  Reviews
See all Danube River tour reviews
Excellent
29
Great
7
Average
1
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
V

Victoria

Sep 2015

Written on

The trip was well organised and well

The trip was well organised and well thought out. It was only a 10 day trip but we saw so much in that time. Our tour guide provided us with options of what to do i...

C

Chris

Sep 2015

Written on

Brilliantly organised and value for money.

Brilliantly organised and value for money.

T

Tim

Sep 2015

Written on

The trip was fun, interesting and you

The trip was fun, interesting and you experience a different culture to Western Europe.

D

Dee

Aug 2017

Written on

They Made It Difficult For Me To Get Money Back

I booked a 981euro holiday with Intrepid in July 2017. They emailed me a few days after booking to tell me that trip was cancelled and that I was entitled to a refun...

N

Nadia

Oct 2015

Written on

Small groups are ideal! Like that the

Small groups are ideal! Like that the tour leader is ...

Write a Review

Danube River Tour Selection Trips

  • Because the Danube is Europe’s longest river outside Russia, you have several choices of routes.
  • The most popular stretch flows from Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary (or reverse).
  • Allow at least eight days for your cruise (for the Nuremberg-Budapest itinerary) and up to two weeks or more to sail farther into Eastern Europe.
  • Going downriver – from west to east -- tends to be a smoother voyage, though seasickness is seldom a problem.
  • To judge the best value as opposed to just the lowest price, watch for how many “extras” are included in the base rate – port excursions, alcohol, balcony cabins -- that could add to the cost.
  • Many Danube itineraries include options for intriguing side trips away from the river – such as to Salzburg in Austria or to medieval Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic.
  • You can combine a Danube river cruise with a Rhine river cruise through Germany all the way to Amsterdam via a canal replete with locks.
  • For maximum privacy and comfort, consider splurging on a balcony cabin, where you can relax and watch the changing riverside tableau pass by.
  • May through September is the most popular (and expensive) season on the Danube (September often offers the most pleasant weather with fewer crowds).
  • Don’t overlook the magic of Yuletide cruises, when the entire region comes alive with colorful outdoor Christmas markets.
  • Some Danube River cruise lines market almost exclusively to baby boomers aged 50 and up, while others also cater to younger passengers.
  • If you plan on traveling alone on your cruise, check into policies on charging for single supplements; they might match you with a same-sex roommate to avoid the extra charge.
  • Some luxury river cruise lines offer special evening events on shore – such as private concerts or dining in palaces – or provide complimentary bicycles for sightseeing and exercise.

Additional details

Danube River cruises and tours are available in a variety of lengths, either focusing on a specific section of the river or covering the entire distance. You will often see an itinerary listed as “Westbound” or Eastbound”. This can be helpful when determining your pre and post cruise activities.

The average length of a Danube River cruise is between one and two weeks. Longer Danube River cruises often also visit the Black Sea and a few other rivers in Europe - you’ll see so much of Europe in comfort gliding along the water, and only unpack once!

Many shorter departures along the Danube include cycling excursions, such as those with Butterfield and Robinson. If you travel on a Danube River cruise that’s 6 days or less, chances are you’ll begin or end in Budapest, Hungary visiting three or four other countries along either an Eastbound or Westbound route.

What to Wear on a Danube River Cruise

The Danube is one of the largest rivers in Europe, both by length and width. Given this, it will always be slightly cooler on the boat than on the shore.

Light layers should suffice for most of the year, heavier outerwear for the winter when it will commonly be snowing. Christmas markets are a very popular wintertime activity in Europe and many Danube River Cruises operate during this time, visiting markets along the way.

While most river cruises don’t have strict dress codes, they do cater to an older audience more likely to dress up for dinner.

Danube River Weather

The weather on the Danube is generally mild, though expect to encounter a lot of microclimates as you travel, regardless of the length of your trip. Since you’ll be passing through numerous countries and regions, it’s difficult to pinpoint an easy weather pattern.

The Danube is a popular destination year round - you have the joyous and magical Christmas markets in the wintertime, the lovely springtime with flowers blooming and sunshine peeking through, summertime when it’s warm and small towns and villages vibrant with tourists, and the fall when you can see beautiful changing leaves along the shore and up in the hills.

Weather on the Danube River in August

August is universally one of best months to travel. This is when you’ll find some of the best weather (in the northern hemisphere at least), and the crowds are not quite as heavy as the peak summertime months of June and July, but not so dissipated that certain activities and destinations are shut down to tourism.

In Europe and along the Danube, August is an ideal month, with temperatures ranging from the mid 60s to the mid 90s fahrenheit.

Weather on the Danube River in September

Like August, September is one of the more ideal times to travel. Even less crowds than August, and the weather is usually still warm, but not blazing hot. Expect lows in the 50s especially at night, and 60s and 70s during the day (fahrenheit). You also might get to see some early changes in nature from your cruise deck.

Weather on the Danube River in March

In March, expect the weather on the Danube River to be a bit nippy, though not unbearable. You will be spending time outside though, on the viewing deck, out on the water. So definitely bring a warm jacket so you can spend more time outside. Temperatures will be in the 40s and 50s, mid 30s at night.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 262 trips to Danube River and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!