Austria River Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Austria River Cruise Tours & Trips

786 Austria trips. Tours from 123 tour companies. 1,454 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

214 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
River Cruise
Christmas on the Danube
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest

Highlights

  • CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS Celebrate Christmas during an unforgettable cruise full of joyful, enchanting surprises.
  • Embark on a cultural journey through Central Europe
  • Revel in Christmas Magic in three capitals along the Danube
  • EXCURSIONS INCLUDED: Vienna and its enchanting Christmas market
  • Budapest, "the Pearl of the Danube"
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Themes

50 plus, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Family Friendly, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Summary over a cruise on the Haute Seine and Yonne on a barge. As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience about traveling on a barge in a canal. It was also time to overcome this lack. A number of companies offer this kind of cruising on barge with 8 to 16 passengers, however very often at exorbitant prices. Luckily, we discovered that the company CroisiEurope offers one week cruise on various canals in Europe, at very decent price, especially considering that all is inclusive (full board, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and all excursions) on modern barges with a maximum of 22 passengers. We opted for the barge Ms Deborah, which cruises on the canal de la Loire, with the Briare to Nevers’ route. We were looking forward to this itinerary because the proposed excursions particularly suited us. Unfortunately, only a few days before departure, we were informed that due of a lack of water in the Loire canal the Ms Deborah was switched over to the Haute Seine and Yonne for a new itinerary from Paris to Sens. Despites the fact that this new itinerary didn’t really meet our desires, especially the excursions, we decided to accept the change. Our group of 6 persons from Switzerland was very warmly greeted by all members of the crew when arriving on the quai de Grenelle in Paris where we see the MS DEBORAH for the first time, our floating home for the week. With its two dominating colours blue and white, it is difficult not to fall in love with this beautiful small ship. We were invited immediately for the welcome cocktail during which we met officially the crew and the other six individual passengers originating from New Zealand, England and the USA. With less time than it needs to tell, the relation between us was created, so that everyone felt part of a bunch of friends knowing each other for long time. There is no need to present here the MS Deborah itself, as this is already thoroughly done on the Cruise Critic page. The crew of 6 persons is composed of a captain, a sailor, a cruise director, a chef, a waitress and a cabin hostess who put all their efforts to satisfy the passengers and offer them the best possible service. The captain as well as the sailor are always trying to make passengers at ease, answer questions or even bring a drink. The lady cruise director is omnipresent, taking care of the passengers better than a mother hen would do. The talented young French chef aims to produce dishes which please everybody. His outstanding sauces and excellent desserts should be particularly praised. However, referring to comments we made during a cruise on the Seine Princess two years ago, we cannot understand that why today it is not possible to offer the choice of a light buffet at lunch instead a three or even four course menu! The always smiling and friendly Hungarian waitress was very caring and attentive, without forgetting the cabin hostess doing a great job in the cabins, the public spaces and even the kitchen. It wouldn’t be fair to name a single person as all members of the crew, without any exception, do all they can to make the cruise unforgettable. Our one-week cruise on the barge Ms Deborah enables us today to make the following comments: ~ a cruise on a barge cannot be compared to any other kind of cruise ~ despite all the comfort offered on modern barge, one must be very aware that life on board happens at a restraint space, requiring therefore much flexibility and understanding in all aspects from all passengers ~ in our case, being only 12 passengers, we had the opportunity to take our meals on the terrace. We also never had the feeling that the boat was overcrowded. This can be different when the ship is full, especially by bad weather ~ the state of mind between the passengers who are mostly of foreign nationalities, who don’t know each other and don’t speak French, must function well right from the beginning ~ if the interrelation works, it is difficult to find a more relaxing and enjoyable way of travelling ~ the success on a barge is mainly due on the quality of its crew. Ms Deborah’s crew members have quickly created a family spirit on board, showing also that they genuinely like what they do ~ excursions can play a major role in choosing an itinerary. Not speaking French or English can be a handicap Do we recommend to do a cruise on a barge? Yes, definitively! It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting. In our case, this second try with CroisiEurope gives them a better note."

Trip dates & details
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The Beautiful Blue Danube
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest

Highlights

  • CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS From the Austrian capital to the Pannonian steppe grasslands, experience everything the Danube has to offer
  • EXCURSIONS INCLUDED: The Puszta, at the heart of the wild Hungarian grasslands
  • Budapest, the vibrant, modern Hungarian capital with an affluent past
  • Evening of entertainment in Budapest with traditional costumes and dance
  • A local view of Vienna and a visit to the Konzerthaus, one of the city's impressive concert halls(2)

Themes

50 plus, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Family Friendly, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Summary over a cruise on the Haute Seine and Yonne on a barge. As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience about traveling on a barge in a canal. It was also time to overcome this lack. A number of companies offer this kind of cruising on barge with 8 to 16 passengers, however very often at exorbitant prices. Luckily, we discovered that the company CroisiEurope offers one week cruise on various canals in Europe, at very decent price, especially considering that all is inclusive (full board, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and all excursions) on modern barges with a maximum of 22 passengers. We opted for the barge Ms Deborah, which cruises on the canal de la Loire, with the Briare to Nevers’ route. We were looking forward to this itinerary because the proposed excursions particularly suited us. Unfortunately, only a few days before departure, we were informed that due of a lack of water in the Loire canal the Ms Deborah was switched over to the Haute Seine and Yonne for a new itinerary from Paris to Sens. Despites the fact that this new itinerary didn’t really meet our desires, especially the excursions, we decided to accept the change. Our group of 6 persons from Switzerland was very warmly greeted by all members of the crew when arriving on the quai de Grenelle in Paris where we see the MS DEBORAH for the first time, our floating home for the week. With its two dominating colours blue and white, it is difficult not to fall in love with this beautiful small ship. We were invited immediately for the welcome cocktail during which we met officially the crew and the other six individual passengers originating from New Zealand, England and the USA. With less time than it needs to tell, the relation between us was created, so that everyone felt part of a bunch of friends knowing each other for long time. There is no need to present here the MS Deborah itself, as this is already thoroughly done on the Cruise Critic page. The crew of 6 persons is composed of a captain, a sailor, a cruise director, a chef, a waitress and a cabin hostess who put all their efforts to satisfy the passengers and offer them the best possible service. The captain as well as the sailor are always trying to make passengers at ease, answer questions or even bring a drink. The lady cruise director is omnipresent, taking care of the passengers better than a mother hen would do. The talented young French chef aims to produce dishes which please everybody. His outstanding sauces and excellent desserts should be particularly praised. However, referring to comments we made during a cruise on the Seine Princess two years ago, we cannot understand that why today it is not possible to offer the choice of a light buffet at lunch instead a three or even four course menu! The always smiling and friendly Hungarian waitress was very caring and attentive, without forgetting the cabin hostess doing a great job in the cabins, the public spaces and even the kitchen. It wouldn’t be fair to name a single person as all members of the crew, without any exception, do all they can to make the cruise unforgettable. Our one-week cruise on the barge Ms Deborah enables us today to make the following comments: ~ a cruise on a barge cannot be compared to any other kind of cruise ~ despite all the comfort offered on modern barge, one must be very aware that life on board happens at a restraint space, requiring therefore much flexibility and understanding in all aspects from all passengers ~ in our case, being only 12 passengers, we had the opportunity to take our meals on the terrace. We also never had the feeling that the boat was overcrowded. This can be different when the ship is full, especially by bad weather ~ the state of mind between the passengers who are mostly of foreign nationalities, who don’t know each other and don’t speak French, must function well right from the beginning ~ if the interrelation works, it is difficult to find a more relaxing and enjoyable way of travelling ~ the success on a barge is mainly due on the quality of its crew. Ms Deborah’s crew members have quickly created a family spirit on board, showing also that they genuinely like what they do ~ excursions can play a major role in choosing an itinerary. Not speaking French or English can be a handicap Do we recommend to do a cruise on a barge? Yes, definitively! It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting. In our case, this second try with CroisiEurope gives them a better note."

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety

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Authentic Danube & Prague (2022)
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They have the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry and a reputation for excellent service.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bavaria, Nuremberg, Passau, Prague, Vienna

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Personnel were all very polite and happy to serve. Service was timely and professional. Most remembered your preferences and were prepared to assist."

Trip dates & details
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Enchanting Danube (2022)
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They have the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry and a reputation for excellent service.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Linz, Passau, Salzburg, Vienna, Wachau

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Personnel were all very polite and happy to serve. Service was timely and professional. Most remembered your preferences and were prepared to assist."

Trip dates & details
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Delightful Danube & Prague (2022)
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They have the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry and a reputation for excellent service.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Budapest, Nuremberg, Prague, Vienna, Wachau

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Personnel were all very polite and happy to serve. Service was timely and professional. Most remembered your preferences and were prepared to assist."

Trip dates & details
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More
Delightful Danube (2022)
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They have the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry and a reputation for excellent service.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bavaria, Budapest, Nuremberg, Vienna, Wachau

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Personnel were all very polite and happy to serve. Service was timely and professional. Most remembered your preferences and were prepared to assist."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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Grand European Cruise - Westbound 2025
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Belgrade, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Vienna

Highlights

  • Travel like the royals of old on our grand eastern European river cruises combining Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat with Budapest to the Black Sea to create an unforgettable 25-day experience through the heart of Europe.This remarkable voyage virtually links the North Sea to the Black Sea via the Danube
  • Main and Rhine rivers
  • taking you through the Netherlands
  • Germany
  • Austria
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Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
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Christmas Markets Along the Danube - Westbound 2025
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

  • This Danube river cruise from Nürnberg to Vienna aboard ms Savoror ms Joy offers a new approach to discovering the magic of the Christmas Markets in Germany and Austria… a 700-year holiday tradition!Enjoy Tauck's signature sightseeing and exclusive events... gain insights from the personal experiences of your local guides as they recall the Christmas Markets of their childhoods... and celebrate the holidays with special yuletide events on the ship and off! Aboard your riverboat
  • decorated in holiday style
  • you can sample glühwein and other seasonal goodies. Attend a holiday baking demonstration... a festive European Christmas dinner with all the fixings… and a performance byalumni of the Regensburger Domspatzen choir! Explore the Baroque architecture of 900-year-old Melk Abbey... have lunch at the Palais Pallavicini in Vienna
  • and takea tour of the Thurn und Taxis family's Palace of St. Emmeram in Regensburg
  • with a visit to its private Christmas Market – and more!

Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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214 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
River Cruise

Austria Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
1,454  Reviews
See all Austria tour reviews
Excellent
1,383
Great
570
Average
92
Disappointing
62
Terrible
15
S

Steven Smith

Apr 2024

Written on

European Whirl

The trip

T

Trusted Customer

Apr 2024

Written on

European Whirl

too fast, too many long bus rides, not enough free time. was forced to pair up with a very heavy smoker who did not give me a second of solitude. Sharing a room doe...

T

Trusted Customer

Apr 2024

Written on

European Whirl

It was definitely busy, but you get to see so much.

E

Emma

Oct 2023

Written on

Budapest to Prague Adventure

Csilla was superb! So knowledgeable and friendly. A great guide on a brilliant trip. A good mix of mini bus travel and train, which gave us a view of local culture a...

Write a Review

Austria Tour Selection Trips

  • June through September are the best months for warm weather touring. December to April provides the setting for winter activities.
  • The magnificent mountains surrounding Innsbruck offer a wide choice of hiking opportunities, from gentle trails perfect for a relaxing family walk to challenging treks.
  • From spring to fall, certified guides lead free hikes to and through meadows, dense woods and scenic overlooks.
  • Most Austrian children begin to study English in the third grade. If you don’t speak German and need directions or other assistance, look for a youngster, who probably will be happy to practice the English learned at school.
  • Trains are a good way to get around in Austria. They’re usually spotless, run with set-your-watch punctuality and serve food that would be at home in many a restaurant.
  • If you’re a fan of “The Sound of Music” motion picture, which turned 50 in 2015, you might wish to take a tour of places in Salzburg associated with the story, and even spend a night or more at the original von Trapp home. It has been turned into a 12-room hotel which is furnished and maintained in the ambience of the time when the von Trapp family lived there.

Additional details

Common countries also visited on Austria tours

When it comes to traveling in Europe, an exciting part of planning a trip is the relative proximity of countries to one another. There is an extensive amount of diversity in lifestyle, culture and attractions within Europe and combining countries in a single trip gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in this diversity. Travelers can easily combine 2 or more countries in a single trip on a European tour, even one as short as 7-10 days.

With regards to Austria, the most common country that tour operators pair with Austria is Switzerland. The reasoning behind this is the draw of the expansive landscapes, intriguing cultures and the proximity of these two countries.

Additionally, Austria tours offer itineraries that include visits to surrounding countries such as Czech Republic, Hungry, Italy or Germany amongst others. Many tours that include some of these countries often visit the iconic cities of Budapest, Prague, Venice or Berlin.

Every tour is unique and there is certainly a tour that can fulfill your interests and desired experiences within Austria and one or more of the surrounding countries. Take the time to research one that fits your travel goals because a trip to this area of the world will enrich your life.

What is the weather like in Austria?

Austria is a country with varied geography including delightful mountain ranges and valleys. As such, it is a country that has a variable climate that changes throughout the seasons and location.

The summers in Austria can be quite pleasant and sunny, with temperatures ranging up to 90 degrees fahrenheit. Expect the winters to include more precipitation including rain and snow (depending on the location).

Fall and spring in Austria is in between winter and summer and can be more brisk and at times have some precipitation.

In general, the best time to visit Austria for a walking or biking tour or to visit a major city is April through October because it is more of a temperate, warm and at times dry time of year. For those looking to enjoy a winter vacation in the mountains, the months of December-March are advisable.

Who will enjoy visiting Austria?

Austria is a great destination for many different types of travelers. It is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy skiing, hiking, biking, fishing, relaxing and enjoying the natural environment.

It is a lovely destination for foodies as it has a delectable food and wine scene, both within the major cities and in the countryside. For those that enjoy diving into history and culture, Austria boasts significant landmarks, museums and performances in Vienna and Salzburg. There’s something for everyone in Austria!

Top Austria travel tips

Below are a few travel tips for ensuring that your trip to Austria is unforgettable.

  1. Most Austrians speak a fair amount of English but as always, it’s a great idea to learn some of the local language (German) to connect with the locals more.

  2. In general, the prices include taxes and fees. That being said, at restaurants, there is an expected 5-10% tip on top of your bill.

  3. The water in Austria is extremely clean and delicious, so you can enjoy the local water. That being said, the wine and beer is also enjoyable too.

  4. Sundays are generally a day of rest, so many businesses will be closed on that day. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy some recreation and relaxation on your trip as well.

  5. Thoroughly research the season and location that your visiting and pack accordingly. For example, if you are going to visit the Alps in the winter, bring warm jackets and layers and/or ski gear. It’s best to pack things that are practical and necessary.

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