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Budapest, Bratislava & Vienna: A Danube Discovery River Cruise

River Cruise
5 days from
£1199 pp
based on 2 people sharing
View dates & prices

Discover your next adventure on the waters of one of the world's most beautiful rivers and visit three breathtakingly beautiful European cities - it's the perfect introduction to the delights of the Danube.

Beauty, charm and iconic European cities - the Danube really does have it all. From the grandeur of Budapest to the cultural allure of Vienna, on our five-day escape aboard our brand-new vessel - Riviera Radiance - you'll enjoy a taste of Europe at its finest.

Unwind in luxurious comfort as you glide along the Danube River, where each stop reveals a new story. Wander the cobbled streets of Bratislava's Old Town, soak in the architectural splendour of Budapest, and lose yourself in Vienna's imperial elegance. With expert-guided tours, delicious cuisine, and free time to explore, every moment invites discovery and adventure.

This enchanting cruise blends the best of history, culture, and modern luxury. It's ideal for those new to river cruising - designed to give you the perfect introduction and leave you inspired, and eager for your next adventure on the water.

At a glance

  • Direct flights from a choice of UK airports with no regional supplements and transfers
  • 4 nights on board a five-star ship
  • Spacious cabin with windows or French balcony
  • 4 included experiences
  • Delicious full board dining, plus Chef's Dinner
  • All-inclusive drinks package
  • Expert Riviera Cruise Director & Concierge looking after you throughout
  • Free on-board Wi-Fi
  • All port charges & airport taxes
  • 20kg+ checked luggage

Offers

Raise a glass and enjoy a free drinks package on all European river cruises.

Superior Drinks package on 2025 cruises

With lunch in our restaurants:

  • Regional and house wines and draught beers, including non-alcoholic
  • Soft drinks and juices

From 6pm to midnight in our bars and restaurants, all of the above plus:

  • Cocktail and mocktail of the day
  • House spirits, mixers and regional wine
  • Selection of pre and after-dinner drinks

All Inclusive drinks on 2026 cruises

Enjoy all the drinks included in the Superior drinks package, but now enjoy them from 10am until midnight. Drink as much – or as little as you like.

This package includes: ​

  • Red, white, rosé and sparkling house wines, including non-alcoholic​
  • A choice of draught beers, including non-alcoholic​
  • A selection of soft drinks and juices​
  • Our cocktail and mocktail of the day​
  • House spirits and mixers including vodka, gin, rum, whisky, martini, sherry, brandy, port and Baileys (excluding liqueurs)​
  • Daily recommended wines​
  • Tea and coffee from the bar​

View our drinks package offer

Whether you’re an organised club, a society or even just a group of friends, arranging your group holiday or cruise has never been easier than with Riviera Travel.

Any group of 8 or more people travelling together can book through our dedicated Groups Department. If you’re a larger group we can look at operating your preferred holiday as a private one for just your members only. Smaller groups can travel together on any of our regular tours with other like-minded Riviera guests.

Find out more about our groups offers

Your itinerary

Day
1

Budapest

Fly to Budapest, reach your five-star vessel and settle in for your first night aboard.

Buda old city and the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary

On arrival in Budapest, you’ll be met by a member of the Rivera team and transferred to our ship, the newly launched Riviera Radiance.

Our welcoming, English-speaking crew will be ready to assist you in finding your cabin. After settling in, take some time to explore the many first-class amenities before sitting down to your first delicious dinner in our stylish onboard restaurant.

We’ll remain moored in Budapest overnight.

Day
2

Budapest

Explore the ‘Pearl of the Danube’ on a guided tour, then continue to wander the streets of Budapest with time at leisure.

Guided tour of Budapest
Free afternoon in Budapest

Although divided by the Danube River, the twin cities of Buda and Pest have been unified since 1873. Buda, sitting on the western side, offers fairytale architecture, pretty promenades and wooded hills whilst Pest, to the east, is known for its lively and more modern atmosphere with plenty of trendy bars, cafés and restaurants.

Through the centuries, this land has been shaped by struggle and resilience. The Ottomans ruled for 150 years before their departure in the late 17th century. Their enduring legacy continues to thrive in the form of thermal baths nourished by healing hot springs, earning Budapest its inspiring title – the ‘City of Spas’.

At the end of the Ottoman rule, it became the imperial city of the Habsburg Empire, attracting great cultural and commercial wealth, before contending with the atrocities of fascism and communism. Yet despite its dark past, Hungary’s gorgeous capital emerged as one of the most vibrant, fascinating cities in Europe - and one of the most beautiful. Here contemporary cool and old-school grandeur mix effortlessly, and all with a distinctly Hungarian flavour.

On our guided tour this morning, we'll see all the ways in which Budapest lives up to its reputation as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, from Castle Hill to the awe-inspiring neo-Gothic Parliament Building. 

Free afternoon in Budapest

The outstanding Art Nouveau and Secessionist architecture and excellent shopping offer a fittingly elegant start to your Danube cruise. But that's not all Budapest has to offer - there are endless galleries and museums to explore, including the Museum of Fine Art which is home to masterpieces by Raphael, Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, and Tiepolo. Or perhaps visit a cosy café or bar and enjoy a more relaxing start to your discovery tour.

Not sure where to start? Talk to your expert Tour Manager or local guide and get their recommendations for things to see and do!

In the early evening, we'll begin our journey upstream towards Bratislava so this evening, relax and enjoy views of the riverbanks gliding by. 

Day
3

Bratislava

Enjoy a relaxing morning sailing then discover Slovakia’s fast-emerging capital city, Bratislava, on a guided tour.

Guided tour of Bratislava

Free morning sailing towards Bratislava

Relax over a leisurely breakfast as the fairytale landscape glides by through the ship's panoramic windows.

Bratislava

After lunch on board, we disembark for a tour of Slovakia's capital city.

Bratislava is a city where history meets modernity, where intimate charm replaces the bustle of larger capitals, and where every street corner whispers stories of the past. The city boasts a rich history, neoclassical and gothic architecture and a welcoming atmosphere that captivates every visitor. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, we'll explore the old town, a picturesque maze of cobblestone streets, pastel-coloured buildings, and lively squares as we wind our way up to Bratislava Castle perched high on a hill overlooking the city. After time to admire the panoramic views of the city and the Danube, we'll carry on to Michael's Gate, the only surviving medieval gate of the city's original fortifications and into the heart of the modern city. 

At the end of our guided tour, you're free to explore this charming capital at leisure before dinner on board this evening. You could head to the riverside district, a sleek promenade lined with cosy cafés, boutique shops, and cultural venues, making it a hub of activity day and night. Or check out the quirky UFO Observation Deck across the river from St Martin's Church - it's a futuristic structure offering 360-degree views and a sky-high dining experience. Perhaps, instead, you'll stop in at one of the local bars to sample wines from the surrounding Little Carpathians region, renowned for its centuries-old winemaking traditions.

After dinner this evening, immerse yourself in the sounds of a locally inspired string quartet, paying tribute to regional musical traditions with a classical recital in our cosy on-board lounge and bar. This talented ensemble blends classical and folk influences to create an unforgettable atmosphere. 

Day
4

Vienna

Explore Vienna’s rich history and culture, from St. Stephen’s Cathedral to Hofburg Palace, before returning to the ship for lunch and a special Chef’s Dinner.

Guided tour of Vienna
Free afternoon sailing
Chef’s Dinner

Wake up in Vienna - Austria's capital and cultural heart - where time-honoured traditions and artistic elegance meet modern sophistication. This morning, we'll explore its symphony of history, culture, and beauty on a guided tour as our local guide offers insights into why Vienna is one of Europe's great capitals.

Vienna's streets are like an open-air museum, from the grandeur of the Ringstrasse boulevard to the iconic spires of St. Stephen's Cathedral. You can lose yourself in the charm of the historic Innere Stadt with its narrow alleys, chic boutiques, and traditional coffee houses. At the centre of the city lies the majestic Hofburg Palace, a sprawling complex that once served as the winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty. It's home to the lavish Imperial Apartments and an outstanding collection of relics of the Holy Roman Empire, including, allegedly, the sabre of Charlemagne himself.

Afternoon sailing

After a morning exploring Vienna's grand palaces and soaking in the romance of its streets, we'll head back to the ship for lunch and an afternoon sailing back towards Budapest.

This evening, we have something special in store as our talented crew presents the Chef's Dinner - a sumptuous five-course meal filled with local flavours.

Day
5

Budapest

It’s time to say goodbye to your crew and start the journey home.

Available ships

Riviera Radiance exterior

MS Riviera Radiance

5 stars
Built
2025
Crew
44
Passengers
178

Home to our biggest suites yet, the brand-new MS Riviera Radiance has been brilliantly designed in collaboration with our Swiss partners for the perfect balance of contemporary and cosy.

Extras & upgrades

Opt for a convenient door-to-door service with transport from your home to your choice of regional airport or train station, available as an added optional with every holiday. This can be added to your booking after you've booked online by giving our reservations team a call, or when you're booking over the phone.

From hotel upgrades to holiday extensions, you can benefit from our Travel Concierge service:

  • Add hotel stays before you sail in the destination your river cruises starts from
  • Add hotel stays after your cruise in the destination your river cruises ends in
  • Change your departure airport (depending on flight availability)
  • Upgrade or change your Eurostar/train travel
  • Book a door-to-door transfer service from your home to your departure airport or airport hotel 
  • Book transfers from the airport/travel station to your hotel
  • Book internal flights within Europe

Available pre and post booking.

Learn more about Travel Concierge.

Travel connections

These are the local airports and approximate transfer times (dependent on traffic).

 

Arrival airportArrival locationTransfer timeDeparture locationDeparture airportTransfer time
BudapestBudapest Port45 minsBudapest PortBudapest45 mins

FAQs

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin cabin with a limited number of sole occupancy cabins available, at the relevant supplement. The price includes:

  • Full board during your cruise from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day  
  • All-inclusive drinks package
  • 4 nights on board a Five-star ship
  • Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi (connection speeds may vary)
  • All visits and excursions as mentioned  
  • Return flights  
  • Coach travel as mentioned
  • Transfers from the airport to and from the port of embarkation
  • English-speaking expert guides  
  • The services of a Riviera Travel Cruise Director and Concierge
  • All port charges & airport taxes
  • Checked luggage 

UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Hungary, Austria or Slovakia however must have a valid passport. For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit:

We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.

  • Currencies: Euro, Forint
  • Flight Time: Approx. 2 hrs 25 mins to 3 hrs
  • Languages: German, Hungarian, Slovak
  • Time Zone: GMT+1
  • Countries: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia

You can take a look at our river cruise FAQs to find answers to common questions, or find out about accessibility on our cruises and tours on our mobility FAQs page.

Alternatively, you can take a look at our Why River Cruise page to delve further into life on board, whether it's the onboard dining, onshore excursions, or more about the ships and cabins.

We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to call us to discuss these concerns. General information on mobility in connection with our tours can be found on our Passengers with Reduced Mobility FAQs page.

The deposit for this holiday is £350pp, then the remaining balance of the holiday is due a minimum of 101 days before you depart.

holiday summary

River Cruise


5 days from

£1199 pp based on 2 people sharing

View dates & prices
5 days from
£1199 pp
based on 2 people sharing
View dates & prices

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19 03 2026 17:00 Budapest - Cruise Only MS Riviera Radiance £899 pp Book now
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23 03 2026 TBC Budapest - Cruise Only MS Riviera Radiance £899 pp Book now
River Cruise
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MS Riviera Radiance £1,199 pp Book now
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    Manchester Airport
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MS Riviera Radiance £1,199 pp Book now
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Date:
23 03 2026
Travelling with:
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Manchester Airport
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Budapest Airport
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Manchester Airport
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River Cruise
23 03 2026 TBC
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    23 03 2026
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    London Gatwick Airport
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    Budapest Airport
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    27 03 2026
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    Budapest Airport
    Departure:
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    London Gatwick Airport
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    Awaiting Airline Schedules
MS Riviera Radiance £1,199 pp Book now
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Date:
23 03 2026
Travelling with:
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From:
London Gatwick Airport
Departure:
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Budapest Airport
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27 03 2026
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River Cruise
23 03 2026 TBC
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    27 03 2026
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    Leeds Bradford Airport
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    Awaiting Airline Schedules
MS Riviera Radiance £1,199 pp Book now
Outbound:
Date:
23 03 2026
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From:
Leeds Bradford Airport
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Budapest Airport
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