Danube River Only ground transport Tours & Trip Packages

Danube River Only ground transport Tours & Trips

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

55 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Only ground transport
Blue Danube Discovery
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3.7/5 Great
39 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Prague, Vienna, Wachau

Highlights

  • Explore Budapest
  • Discover Bratislava and a opportunity to see Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral
  • Visit Vienna’s famous pastries in the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Explore Prague

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, 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
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Czech Republic & Austria Bike Tour
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4.8/5 Excellent
62 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Český Krumlov, Prague, Vienna, Wachau

Highlights

  • Discover two intriguing countries and cultures in one trip
  • Český Krumlov, charming 13th-century town with twisting lanes and red-tile roofs
  • Enjoy an informal Q&A session with a Czech historian
  • Bike along the fabled Danube River and through Wachau Valley vineyards
  • Austria's picture-perfect villages with onion-shaped church steeples

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking

What travelers are saying

"Until Covid clears, I would steer clear of Backroads. We were partially through their June 2020 Costa Rica tour when a guest tested Covid positive. She and her husband were isolated. The rest of the group were offered wimpy masks. Nobody was offered Covid testing daily and masks were not required of the guests or staff. The guides kept repeating "not in the CDC guidelines." Our group of six decided that the Backroads response was inadequate so returned home mid-excursion. The hotel and food was excellent, but the provided bikes were inadequate. The front derailleurs were poorly adjusted, and most of the riders had the chains come off during the first ride. Hikes or bike rides were conducted in downpours. Disappointed for charging such a premium price."

Trip dates & details
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Christmas markets on the Danube
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3.7/5 Great
39 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Nuremberg, Prague, Vienna, Wachau

Highlights

  • Enjoy Christmas on Danube Crusing
  • Explore Linz, the second largest city in Austria.
  • Visit Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest
  • Enjoy 2 nights in Prague, then visit multiple Christmas Markets on the scenic river route from Nuremberg to Budapest

Themes

50 plus, Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise, Festivals & Special Events

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
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Best of Prague & Budapest in 8 Days Tour
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4.2/5 Great
23 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Budapest, Prague, St. Peter's Basilica

Highlights

  • See the bronze-cast, larger-than-life players in Hungary's national story
  • Visit the Vltava River and up the hill to the most massive castle complex in continental Europe: Prague Castle.
  • Visit the most evocative Jewish districts in all of Europe
  • Enjoy the impressive St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, and the Golden Lane.

Themes

Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged merchandise. I have attempted to email them through their website and I have left 3 voicemails (nobody answers the phone, ever!) and nobody has contacted me back. At this point, it seems like I've been ripped off. Buyer beware. Extremely disappointed."

Trip dates & details
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Classical Danube & Prague 11 Days Cruise/ Tour
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Linz, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Explore Budapest,a city made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube.
  • See breathtaking views overlooking three countries- Slovakia, Austria and Hungary from13th-century Bratislava Castle
  • Explore Vienna
  • Join anoptional tour of Schoenbrunn Castle.
  • Enjoy half day walking tour of Linz or a full day tour of Salzburg.
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Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Thank you for making our tour-Nov 23-30, 2023 an amazing experience! Not once, from landing in Cairo until we departed from Amman did we feel unsafe. We couldn’t have asked for better guides or drivers, they took care of everything, from our border crossings to checking us in at Amman airport. We loved being a part of the different cultures, seeing the Deserts of Egypt, Mt Sinai, the Red Sea, Mt Nebo, brought the exodus of the children of Israel alive. We are thankful we went, thankful for the dedicated services provided and encourage others to take the tour! Your guides are waiting and will give you an incredible experience! David & Lily Bear - Ohio"

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Europe from West to East end Budapest
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4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Apennine Mountains, Barcelona, Budapest, Florence, Geneva, Grindelwald, Innsbruck, Lisbon, Lucerne, Madrid, Milan, Pisa, Rome, Salzburg, St. Peter's Basilica, Venice, Vienna, Zurich

Highlights

  • Visit the Cailler Chocolate Factory.
  • Explore Swiss Alpine scenery surrounded by its glaciers and mountains.
  • Travel to the Piazza Dei Miracoli which is also known as “Square of Miracles”.
  • Visit the marvellous St. Mark´s Square and enter the Basilica.
  • Visit the Murano Glass Factory.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

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Eastern Capitals
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4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Prague

Highlights

  • Explore Bratislava.
  • Enjoy a walk through Prague Castle.
  • Visit the capital, Prague, the Baroque jewel of Europe.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

Trip dates & details
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Europe in Depth
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4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Alps, Amsterdam, Apennine Mountains, Barcelona, Berlin, Berlin Wall, Bratislava, Budapest, Florence, Frankfurt, Geneva, Grindelwald, Innsbruck, Lucerne, Madrid, Milan, Pisa, Prague, Rome, Salzburg, Venice, Vienna, Zurich

Highlights

  • Explore Swiss Alpine scenery with glaciers and mountains.
  • Visit Roman Coliseum and Vatican City.
  • Enjoy Vaporetto boating on Venice’s Grand Canal.
  • Visit the Holocaust Me­morial and the Berlin Wall Museum.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

Trip dates & details
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55 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Only ground transport

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...

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.

C

Chris

Sep 2015

Written on

Brilliantly organised and value for money.

Brilliantly organised and value for money.

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 ...

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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.

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