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The Blue Danube River Cruise with Budapest Extension

River Cruise
11 days from
£2768 pp
based on 2 people sharing
View dates & prices

Enjoy one of our most popular river cruises - The Blue Danube - but with a three-night extension in Budapest added on to take your holiday to a whole new level.

After seven nights cruising along the Danube river and exploring historic destinations - including some of Europe's cultural highlights in Budapest, Esztergom, Bratislava, Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Salzburg and Vienna - you can discover more of majestic Budapest’s imperial past and the 19th-century grandeur of the Habsburg Empire. Delve into the charming, old-world atmosphere of medieval Buda, stroll along the broad boulevards of elegant Pest and venture into the scenic Puszta, Hungary’s Great Plain, on this superb three night extension.

At a glance

  • Free drinks package
  • 7 nights on board a five-star ship
  • 3 nights in a four-star, hand-picked hotel in Budapest
  • Return flights & transfers
  • 13 included experiences
  • Full board cruise & B&B hotel, plus one lunch
  • Tea and coffee making facilities
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Expert Riviera Cruise Director & Concierge
  • All port charges
  • All additional taxes
  • 20kg+ checked luggage
  • Expert Tour Manager during extension

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

Win big with Riviera!  

Simply book any 2026 Riviera holiday by 31 July 2025 and you’ll be automatically entered into THE BIG RIVIERA GIVEAWAY – with over £1 million in gifts waiting to be won! From an all-expenses paid river cruise for two, to Riviera vouchers worth up to an incredible £500.  

Find out more about our big Riviera giveaway

Your itinerary

Day
1

Arrival in Budapest

The adventure begins in the city of Budapest.

Parliament on riverbank of Danube at sunrise in Budapest, Hungary

On arrival, a coach will take you to your cruise ship. The dedicated crew are there to welcome you on board, ensuring you settle in and familiarise yourself with this first-class floating hotel.

There’s always a sense of expectancy and excitement on the eve of a cruise and, after an excellent dinner in the stylish restaurant, conversation is sure to revolve around the delights ahead.

Day
2

Esztergom

See Esztergom and its famous basilica on a guided tour, before a relaxing afternoon sailing.

Distant view of the basilica in Esztergom, Hungary
Guided tour of Esztergom Basilica
Free afternoon on board, sailing towards Bratislava

Overnight we have cruised upstream to Esztergom, one of Hungary’s oldest towns, a royal capital during medieval times and today the seat of the country’s archbishop. We have a guided tour of the famous neoclassical basilica, standing sentinel over the Danube on the border with Slovakia, and boasting one of the world’s largest altarpieces and a wealth of priceless religious artefacts.

The castle is also worth exploring; it was the seat of government until the Ottomans invaded in the 16th century. Nestling below are myriad atmospheric churches resonating with the enchanting sounds of choir; this is the best of provincial Hungary and is little changed since Habsburg times.

Cruise towards Bratislava

As you enjoy your first lunch on board we gently leave Esztergom in our wake, affording a fascinating opportunity to compare the different landscapes, towns and villages of Hungary on one riverbank and of Slovakia on the other.

Day
3

Bratislava

Explore Slovakia’s fast-emerging capital city, Bratislava. Then relax with an afternoon cruising into Lower Austria.

Scenic point of Bratislava Slovakia, panorama view
Guided tour of Bratislava
Free afternoon on board, sailing towards Dürnstein

This morning we explore Slovakia’s fast-emerging capital city, Bratislava, on a guided tour. Until recently swathed in the drab uniformity of Communism, the city has rekindled the splendour of its imperial past in its beautifully restored Old Town.

Discover the only preserved gate of the city’s fortification system, the Neo-Renaissance-style Old Opera House, St. Martin’s Cathedral - a Gothic structure from the 15th century and former coronation site - along with the Classicist Primate’s Palace.

In the Main Square, you will find the former old town hall now housing a museum dedicated to the history of the city and where you may climb the tower for some lovely views. Equally impressive is the great 17th-century fortress which dominates the city with its commanding expansive views across the Danube. Or head for the Primatial Palace with its fabulous Hall of Mirrors and rare collection of 17th-century English tapestries.

Like its people, the streets are filled with humour. For a more leisurely visit, why not wander its streets? As you explore, you'll spot funny signs and interesting and imaginative statues - like the Čumil, a bronze statue peeking out of a manhole, and the jolly-looking Schöne Náci. Then perhaps, enjoy a freshly ground coffee or homemade lemonade in one of the many bars of cafés.

Cruise towards Dürnstein

This afternoon we cruise into Lower Austria, a peaceful, bucolic region and home to some of the country’s best wines. By now the stresses of everyday life seem distant as you absorb the ever-changing scenes, we pass children playing on the riverbanks, young couples strolling arm in arm like generations before them, vignerons carefully pruning their vines, and cobbled quaysides lined by half-timbered buildings.

You’ll marvel as the captain skilfully navigates the ship along the serene river and through locks whose mechanisms never cease to fascinate, as we cruise towards Dürnstein.

Day
4

Dürnstein & Melk

Take a guided tour of Dürnstein, before visiting Benedictine Melk Abbey this afternoon.

A distant view of Melk abbey on a rocky outcrop above the Danube river, Austria
Morning option 1: Guided tour of Dürnstein
Morning option 2: Guided hike to Dürnstein castle ruins
Afternoon guided tour of Melk Abbey

Dürnstein

Dürnstein is known principally for the ice-blue tower of its abbey, which dominates the view, and the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192 after being shipwrecked on his return from the crusades. This morning, we embark on a guided walking tour to delve deeper into this unforgettable city.

Wander the town's small, pedestrian streets to the heart of Dürnstein to see the Town Hall. Established in 1547, it boasts an impressive late Gothic structure that was tastefully renovated in the Renaissance style in 1563. The courtyard, graced by a charming stairway, invites passersby to pause and capture the perfect photograph amidst its historical ambiance.

The Krems Gate, formerly known as the Steiner Gate, serves as the eastern city entrance. This magnificent gate features a striking four-story square tower dating back to the 15th century, a testament to the city's rich architectural heritage. The strong city wall stretches southward toward the banks of the Danube and northward to the evocative ruins, today, the impressive tower is a private residence.

If you're feeling active this morning, you could join our optional walk up to see Dürnstein castle, set on a rocky outcrop high above the river. Although the walk up this steep hill is not for the faint-hearted, those who do take on this challenge have the opportunity to admire lovely views of the river valley and town below. At the top, you can explore the ruins of the castle where England’s legendary monarch was held captive. It's easy to imagine Richard the Lionheart seething with frustration far from home while waiting for his family to raise funds to pay his ransom. (Please note, this requires a good level of mobility and appropriate footwear.) 

Melk

After lunch you visit the remarkable Melk Abbey. Nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of this enormous honey-coloured building, standing resplendent above the surrounding countryside. Originally a castle, it was gifted to the Benedictine Order in the 11th-century and, although reconstructed in Baroque style during the 18th century, it has remained a monastic school and monastery ever since.

The Abbey is renowned for its 214-yard-long Emperor’s Gallery lined with portraits, many fine rooms and an ornate library.

After the tour, explore the grounds or take a stroll back to the ship through the picturesque old town, with buildings dating back to the 15th century.

After we re-join the ship, dinner is served during the final part of our cruise upstream through the pretty Nibelungengau, immortalised in the music of Wagner.

Day
5

Salzburg or Linz

Today visit Linz or Salzburg for a guided walking tour and time to explore at leisure.

Salzburg skyline with river Salzach in springtime, Austria
Option 1: Full day excursion to Salzburg with guided tour, lunch at leisure and free time
Option 2: Morning guided tour of Linz with the afternoon free to explore

Linz

Reaching Linz, you will have the choice to stay in the city and take a guided walking tour, exploring its charming baroque old town. At its heart you’ll see one of the finest squares in Austria, lined by grand pastel-coloured facades with an impressive central Trinity Column of white marble, crowned by a gilded sunburst. There’s also the fortress-like castle, built above the city by Emperor Friedrich III, now a museum housing a fine collection of nineteenth and twentieth-century artworks.

The afternoon is free for you to explore. Consider taking a ride on the Pöstlingbergbahn, a unique narrow-gauge electric railway known as the "mountain tramway." This train connects the main square in Linz with the district of Pöstlingberg. It is the steepest adhesion railway in Europe, and its route offers stunning views as it passes the Danube and the Ars Electronica Center, leading directly to a natural oasis on the outskirts of the city. Once you arrive, you can visit the pilgrimage basilica, enjoy the views of Linz from the viewing platform, explore a local zoo, and much more.

Alternatively, you could explore one of the fascinating museums in Linz. The Ars Electronica Center (AEC) serves as the city’s museum of the future, showcasing innovative technology alongside visionary media arts. Additionally, the Lentos Kunstmuseum features exhibits of modern and contemporary art from the 19th century, including works from the classical modernity period (such as Klimt, Schiele, and Kokoschka) as well as pieces from the Expressionism movement. 

Salzburg

Alternatively, we drive to Salzburg, once an independent state whose archbishops turned it into one of the most sophisticated cities north of the Alps. Dominating the skyline is one of Europe’s largest stone fortresses, the Hohensalzburg, while beneath its walls church domes and spires rise from the delightful Altstadt, or Old Town. Then there’s the wonderful Hellbrunn Palace and the splendid formal gardens of the Mirabell Palace – a must for horticulture fans.

This morning, discover some of the city’s main sights in the company of an expert local guide, then you’re free for lunch at leisure and to explore as you wish. Everywhere there are sights associated with the city’s most famous resident, Mozart, who played the harpsichord aged three, composed rudimentary music at five and wrote his first opera when he was 11!

We return to the ship for another splendid dinner.

Day
6

Vienna

For many, today’s guided tour of Vienna will be one of the highlights of the cruise.

Wiener Ringstrasse with Burgtheater and tram at sunrise, Vienna, Austria
Morning option 1: Panoramic guided tour of Vienna on coach
Morning option 2: Panoramic guided tour on coach followed by a walking tour of the old town
A live classical recital on board

For many, today’s visit to Vienna will be one of the highlights of the cruise. The city’s very name provokes images of elegance, fine music, wide boulevards, Baroque architecture and a rich tapestry of peoples who were drawn here from all corners of Europe.

For 200 years until the First World War, Vienna was the cultural centre of Europe and many of the showpiece buildings, galleries, aristocratic palaces and magnificent churches you see today were built to reflect its imperial status. The city’s most iconic monument is the breathtaking Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, whose striking multi-coloured roof and huge Gothic South Tower dominate the skyline.

There’s also the colossal Hofburg, the former royal court that is now home to a collection of museums, the Crown Jewels and the Spanish Riding School, and where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs. Then there are the lavish Imperial Apartments and an outstanding collection of relics of the Holy Roman Empire, including, allegedly, the sabre of Charlemagne himself. The Kunsthistorisches Museum, which contains the world’s fourth largest collection of paintings, is just across the road.

This morning we have a tour with a local guide offering insights into why Vienna is one of Europe’s great capitals – the seat of the Habsburg emperors and home to some of the world’s finest classical composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and, of course, a whole family of Strausses. After the panoramic tour on coach along the Ringstrasse, the famous boulevard, built where the city walls once stood and lined with many of the most important sights, you can choose to continue your tour on foot through the old town or explore independently.

Free afternoon in Vienna

During the afternoon you’re free to explore as you wish. Take a stroll in the Prater, notable for the huge Ferris wheel that features in several Cold War spy thrillers. Or, for something quite different, visit the Schönbrunn Palace, a former royal residence now housing a range of world-class museums and galleries. Perhaps, though, just take a stroll through Vienna’s atmospheric side streets, or enjoy a coffee and a slice of delicious Sachertorte in one of the lovely coffee houses.

This evening we have something special in store. Not only do we have our indulgent Chef's Dinner, but we've also organised for a live musical experience on board. So after this special dinner, sit back and enjoy an intimate classical recital. To hear this exquisite music in Vienna - where it was created - is truly the icing on the cake.

Day
7

Budapest

Enjoy a leisurely morning as we cruise towards Budapest, where we'll have a guided tour this afternoon.

Czechenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, early in the morning. Focus on the bridge. Panorama photo,
Free morning sailing along the Danube
Afternoon option 1: Guided panoramic coach tour of Budapest
Afternoon option 2: Active tour with a guided walk of the castle district
Live Hungarian folklore show on board

Cruise towards Budapest

Enjoy a leisurely morning as we cruise majestically through Hungary’s peaceful pastoral landscape towards Budapest. After breakfast head up onto the magnificent sun deck to enjoy some fabulous river views as we cruise along the 'Danube Bend', surrounded by historic and picturesque cities like Visegrad and Szentendre. Castle ruins, churches, pretty houses perching on the hills, and thick forests are reflected in the waters of the river. Squeeze in a spot of reading on the sun deck or simply recline, letting the gentle breezes lull you into a relaxing doze.

Budapest

After lunch we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this captivating city, which truly lives up to its reputation as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’.

The twin cities of Buda, built around the hilltop fortress, and Pest, with its wide boulevards, were fought over through the centuries. The Ottomans ruled here for 150 years before being ousted in the late 17th century, but their legacy lives on in the many thermal baths fed by hot springs, giving rise to Budapest’s other sobriquet – the ‘City of Spas’.

After the end of Ottoman rule, Budapest became an imperial city of the Habsburg Empire, attracting great cultural and commercial wealth. Castle Hill is Budapest in microcosm: two churches, seven museums and a theatre among streets and squares with their own special atmosphere and a dramatic view across the river to the awe-inspiring neo-Gothic Parliament Building.

This afternoon you have a couple of choices:

If you choose the panoramic coach tour, you’ll drive past some of Budapest’s famous sites, including the Opera House, Gellert Baths, chain bridge, Parliament building, and more, and stop for photos and some time to explore at Hero’s Square and Buda castle.

Alternatively, you can choose our active tour, where you’ll take a coach to the castle district. From here, you’ll take lifts up to the castle terraces to begin a guided walking tour around the castle area and Fisherman’s bastion. You’ll then have free time to explore before heading back to the coach for the transfer to the ship. This tour involves uneven grounds and a lot of walking so we only recommend it for customers who are comfortable with a moderate activity level.

This evening’s dinner closes with a Hungarian folklore show, giving you time to bid farewell to your travelling companions and reflect on all the inspirational places, sights and sounds you have experienced on a truly ‘imperial’ cruise.

Day
8

Day 1 of extension - Puszta

Disembark and visit an Equestrian farm for lunch and a horse show in Puszta. Then return to Budapest for a four-night stay.

Scenic tour of the Puszta with lunch and horse show.

Stay at Courtyard by Marriott - Budapest City Center

We leave the ship to explore some of the region’s hidden gems.

We take a scenic drive through the outskirts of the Puszta, Hungary’s Great Plain, which covers half the country. Although prone to flooding, the soil was rich with volcanic silt, and in medieval times vast numbers worked the land here. But in the decades of war that followed villages were deserted, the forests were destroyed, and the region became an inhospitable swamp. Today this flat expanse is a protected prairie stretching for miles into the horizon; romantically desolate, the wild, lonely silence of this landscape is broken only by the sound of livestock on the occasional whitewashed farm, where ruby-coloured peppers dry in the hazy sun before being ground into paprika. 

We’ll visit a renowned Equestrian Park, where after a welcome drink, we enjoy a traditional lunch accompanied by the authentic sounds of Hungarian gypsy music. Later we sit back to watch a performance by some of the most skilled horsemen in the area, and you’ll have the opportunity to take a scenic carriage ride to experience this unique landscape from a different perspective. 

We return to Budapest, where we stay for the next three nights, with breakfast, at the centrally located Courtyard by Marriott Budapest City Centre.

Day
9

Day 2 of extension - Budapest

Enjoy a tour of Budapest's Parliament building, before a visit to the Zwack museum with tasting of the herbal liqueur – Unicum.

Guided tour of Budapest's Parliament Building
Tour and tasting at the Zwack Museum

Stay at Courtyard by Marriott - Budapest City Center

Budapest is truly a magnificent city – an alluring collage of palatial buildings and grand churches with dramatic spires and magnificent domes straddling the vast waters of the Danube. Numerous foreign powers have ruled here, reflected in the city’s eclectic architectural mix. However, the greatest influence on its architecture was Hungary’s union with Austria in 1867, which initiated growth up to the First World War. This resulted in some sensational buildings in a range of styles, including the elegant Art Nouveau Gellert Hotel and its thermal baths, resplendent with majolica tiles and colourful mosaics.

Budapest's Parliament Building

The iconic Parliament Building – the world’s third largest – was also built during this period. Constructed in neo-Gothic style and arguably grander than our own Houses of Parliament, it dominates the riverbank with its striking central dome and spires soaring into the sky above. Its cathedral-like interior is breathtakingly ornate, with fabulous frescoes, stained glass and mosaics. During an included tour, we’ll see the Domed Hall, home to the Hungarian Crown Jewels, the 16-sided Central Hall with its stunning gilded ceiling and intricate carvings, and the astonishing Golden Staircase.

Afterwards, why not enjoy lunch at our next stop, the Great Market Hall, a vibrant hub of Hungarian culture, history, and cuisine. Built in 1897, the neoclassical facade and brightly coloured roof hall are a must-see for travellers visiting Budapest - you can spot its roof tiles from across the city skyline. Inside the market, you’ll find a vast array of dining options and local products, from fresh produce and meats to traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.

Zwack Museum

We will then head to the Zwack Museum, where you’ll delve into the rich history of Unicum, Hungary’s famous herbal liqueur, made from a closely guarded recipe that has been passed down for over 230 years. The museum offers a fascinating collection of artifacts, including the oldest surviving bottle of Unicum, a unique World War I-era postcard, poems written by the renowned Hungarian poet Endre Ady for Mylitta (Péter Zwack’s aunt), and a Swedish passport given to Péter Zwack by Raoul Wallenberg. The exhibits also highlight significant moments from Hungary's political transformation, as well as the introduction of Unicum Plum, a revolutionary innovation to the world of liqueurs.
The experience concludes with a tasting of two distinct types of Unicum, allowing you to savour the rich flavours of this iconic Hungarian spirit.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, you can explore the area or take a walk back to our hotel and take advantage of the hotel facilities.

Day
10

Day 3 of extension - The National Gallery

Visit Budapest's National Gallery, located in Buda Castle, to see its collection of Hungarian masterpieces, before free time.

Aerial view of Fishermans Bastion and Budapest with Parliament building and River Danube in Hungary
Visit to the National Gallery

Stay at Courtyard by Marriott - Budapest City Center

Today, we'll visit the impressive National Gallery, which is located in Buda Castle and includes a phenomenal collection of Hungarian masterpieces spanning the centuries as well as a crypt containing tombs of several members of the Habsburg dynasty. We enjoy a visit to this world-famous collection and then a short orientation walk of the surrounding area.

Free time in Budapest

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore this fantastic city and its multitude of cultural attractions.

Perhaps, spend more time here in the Castle District admiring its panoramic views of the city and exploring its tiny winding passages, Gothic arches and colourful houses, mostly dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. Don’t miss the wonderful Matthias Church, where shafts of light from the intricate rose windows pierce the darkness, illuminating the splendid altar and statues to great effect.

Day
11

Return home

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

Available ships

Front side shot MS emily bronte

MS Emily Brontë

5 stars
Built
2017
Crew
44
Passengers
169

It is extremely difficult to convey just how extraordinary this outstanding ship really is and exactly what distinguishes the MS Emily Bronte from similar vessels.

Oscar Wilde ship on the Douro with the Hungarian Parliament Building in the background

MS Oscar Wilde

5 stars
Built
2017
Crew
44
Passengers
167

It would be very easy to simply describe the MS Oscar Wilde as ‘luxurious’ but it’s much more than that.

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.

A front exterior shot of the Thomas Hardy ship

MS Thomas Hardy

5 stars
Built
2017
Crew
44
Passengers
167

It is extremely difficult to convey just how extraordinary this outstanding ship really is and exactly what distinguishes the MS Thomas Hardy from similar vessels.

William Wordsworth ship on the Danube river with parliament building in the background

MS William Wordsworth

5 stars
Built
2018
Crew
44
Passengers
167

Swiss operated and truly world-class, we are absolutely delighted to present the five-star MS William Wordsworth.

Hand-picked hotels

Courtyard by Marriott - Budapest City Center

Budapest, Hungary

4 stars

Chosen for its perfect central location for our tour.

Extras & upgrades

Duration: 1hr

Price: £30pp (2025) & £33pp (2026)

Enjoy a visit to the Spanish Riding School, the only institution in the world that has practised classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute école for over 440 years and continues to do so. On this guided tour you will get a glimpse behind the scenes, see the stables of the Lippizaner horses, the training grounds and learn about the history, equestrian traditions and horses. Please note for 6 weeks in summer, the horses are on their holiday, therefore you won’t see any during the tour.

This optional excursion can be done during your free afternoon in Vienna.

This guided tour doesn’t include a performance of horses. Other available events like the morning training sessions and performances vary depending on the day of the week of your visit and season. Details can be found on www.srs.at/en/tickets-events/ where we recommend you book your tickets directly prior to travel.

Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking, or you may have the chance on board to book. Minimum numbers apply, so if not enough guests opt for this extra, it may not happen. 

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).

AirportShip or hotel locationTransfer time
Budapest AirportBudapest (ship)45 mins
Budapest AirportBudapest (hotel)45 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*
  • Free drinks package
  • Complimentary on-board tea and coffee
  • 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

*Please note: lunch is not included on this full day excursion to Salzburg; however, the ship will offer a packed lunch.

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

The deposit for this holiday is £500pp, then the remaining balance of the holiday is due a minimum of 101 days before you depart.

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.

holiday summary

River Cruise


11 days from

£2768 pp based on 2 people sharing

View dates & prices
11 days from
£2768 pp
based on 2 people sharing
View dates & prices

Availability

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We've found you 55 holidays

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Tour style Date Departs Departing from Accommodation Price from Call to action
River Cruise
25 08 2025 08:30
  • Outbound:
    Date:
    25 08 2025
    Travelling with:
    Wizz Air
    From:
    London Luton Airport
    Departure:
    08:30
    To:
    Budapest Airport
    Arrival:
    12:00
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
  • Inbound:
    Date:
    04 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Wizz Air
    From:
    Budapest Airport
    Departure:
    13:25
    To:
    London Luton Airport
    Arrival:
    15:10
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
MS Riviera Radiance £3,268 pp Enquire now
Outbound:
Date:
25 08 2025
Travelling with:
Wizz Air
From:
London Luton Airport
Departure:
08:30
To:
Budapest Airport
Arrival:
12:00
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
Inbound:
Date:
04 09 2025
Travelling with:
Wizz Air
From:
Budapest Airport
Departure:
13:25
To:
London Luton Airport
Arrival:
15:10
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
River Cruise
25 08 2025 16:20
  • Outbound:
    Date:
    25 08 2025
    Travelling with:
    Jet2
    From:
    Manchester Airport
    Departure:
    16:20
    To:
    Budapest Airport
    Arrival:
    20:05
    Class:
    Flight - A (Series)
  • Inbound:
    Date:
    04 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Ryanair
    From:
    Vienna Airport
    Departure:
    12:10
    To:
    Manchester Airport
    Arrival:
    13:45
    Class:
    Flight - A - 20kg
MS Riviera Radiance £3,268 pp Enquire now
Outbound:
Date:
25 08 2025
Travelling with:
Jet2
From:
Manchester Airport
Departure:
16:20
To:
Budapest Airport
Arrival:
20:05
Class:
Flight - A (Series)
Inbound:
Date:
04 09 2025
Travelling with:
Ryanair
From:
Vienna Airport
Departure:
12:10
To:
Manchester Airport
Arrival:
13:45
Class:
Flight - A - 20kg
River Cruise
01 09 2025 07:50
  • Outbound:
    Date:
    01 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Ryanair
    From:
    London Stansted Airport
    Departure:
    07:50
    To:
    Budapest Airport
    Arrival:
    11:15
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
  • Inbound:
    Date:
    11 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Ryanair
    From:
    Budapest Airport
    Departure:
    16:15
    To:
    London Stansted Airport
    Arrival:
    17:50
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
MS Riviera Radiance £3,868 pp Enquire now
Outbound:
Date:
01 09 2025
Travelling with:
Ryanair
From:
London Stansted Airport
Departure:
07:50
To:
Budapest Airport
Arrival:
11:15
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
Inbound:
Date:
11 09 2025
Travelling with:
Ryanair
From:
Budapest Airport
Departure:
16:15
To:
London Stansted Airport
Arrival:
17:50
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
River Cruise
01 09 2025 11:15
  • Outbound:
    Date:
    01 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Wizz Air
    From:
    London Gatwick Airport
    Departure:
    11:15
    To:
    Budapest Airport
    Arrival:
    14:50
    Class:
    Flight - A - 20kg
  • Inbound:
    Date:
    11 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Wizz Air
    From:
    Budapest Airport
    Departure:
    16:45
    To:
    London Gatwick Airport
    Arrival:
    18:35
    Class:
    Flight - A - 20kg
MS Riviera Radiance £3,868 pp Enquire now
Outbound:
Date:
01 09 2025
Travelling with:
Wizz Air
From:
London Gatwick Airport
Departure:
11:15
To:
Budapest Airport
Arrival:
14:50
Class:
Flight - A - 20kg
Inbound:
Date:
11 09 2025
Travelling with:
Wizz Air
From:
Budapest Airport
Departure:
16:45
To:
London Gatwick Airport
Arrival:
18:35
Class:
Flight - A - 20kg
River Cruise
15 09 2025 07:45
  • Outbound:
    Date:
    15 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Aer Lingus
    From:
    Dublin Airport
    Departure:
    07:45
    To:
    Budapest Airport
    Arrival:
    11:50
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
  • Inbound:
    Date:
    25 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Ryanair
    From:
    Budapest Airport
    Departure:
    17:00
    To:
    Dublin Airport
    Arrival:
    19:10
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
MS Riviera Radiance £3,918 pp Enquire now
Outbound:
Date:
15 09 2025
Travelling with:
Aer Lingus
From:
Dublin Airport
Departure:
07:45
To:
Budapest Airport
Arrival:
11:50
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
Inbound:
Date:
25 09 2025
Travelling with:
Ryanair
From:
Budapest Airport
Departure:
17:00
To:
Dublin Airport
Arrival:
19:10
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
River Cruise
15 09 2025 17:00 Budapest - Cruise Only MS Riviera Radiance £3,618 pp Enquire now
River Cruise
15 09 2025 11:15
  • Outbound:
    Date:
    15 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Wizz Air
    From:
    London Gatwick Airport
    Departure:
    11:15
    To:
    Budapest Airport
    Arrival:
    14:50
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
  • Inbound:
    Date:
    25 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Wizz Air
    From:
    Budapest Airport
    Departure:
    16:45
    To:
    London Gatwick Airport
    Arrival:
    18:35
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
MS Riviera Radiance £3,918 pp Enquire now
Outbound:
Date:
15 09 2025
Travelling with:
Wizz Air
From:
London Gatwick Airport
Departure:
11:15
To:
Budapest Airport
Arrival:
14:50
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
Inbound:
Date:
25 09 2025
Travelling with:
Wizz Air
From:
Budapest Airport
Departure:
16:45
To:
London Gatwick Airport
Arrival:
18:35
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
River Cruise
30 09 2025 08:30
  • Outbound:
    Date:
    30 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Wizz Air
    From:
    London Luton Airport
    Departure:
    08:30
    To:
    Budapest Airport
    Arrival:
    12:00
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
  • Inbound:
    Date:
    10 10 2025
    Travelling with:
    Wizz Air
    From:
    Budapest Airport
    Departure:
    13:15
    To:
    London Luton Airport
    Arrival:
    15:00
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
MS Emily Brontë £3,268 pp Enquire now
Outbound:
Date:
30 09 2025
Travelling with:
Wizz Air
From:
London Luton Airport
Departure:
08:30
To:
Budapest Airport
Arrival:
12:00
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
Inbound:
Date:
10 10 2025
Travelling with:
Wizz Air
From:
Budapest Airport
Departure:
13:15
To:
London Luton Airport
Arrival:
15:00
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
River Cruise
30 09 2025 09:10
  • Outbound:
    Date:
    30 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    KLM
    From:
    Edinburgh Airport
    Departure:
    09:10
    To:
    Amsterdam Airport
    Arrival:
    11:40
    Class:
    Flight - Economy
  • Inbound:
    Date:
    10 10 2025
    Travelling with:
    KLM
    From:
    Amsterdam Airport
    Departure:
    21:20
    To:
    Edinburgh Airport
    Arrival:
    21:45
    Class:
    Flight - Economy
MS Emily Brontë £3,268 pp Enquire now
Outbound:
Date:
30 09 2025
Travelling with:
KLM
From:
Edinburgh Airport
Departure:
09:10
To:
Amsterdam Airport
Arrival:
11:40
Class:
Flight - Economy
Inbound:
Date:
10 10 2025
Travelling with:
KLM
From:
Amsterdam Airport
Departure:
21:20
To:
Edinburgh Airport
Arrival:
21:45
Class:
Flight - Economy
River Cruise
30 09 2025 11:15
  • Outbound:
    Date:
    30 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    Wizz Air
    From:
    London Gatwick Airport
    Departure:
    11:15
    To:
    Budapest Airport
    Arrival:
    14:50
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
  • Inbound:
    Date:
    10 10 2025
    Travelling with:
    Wizz Air
    From:
    Budapest Airport
    Departure:
    16:45
    To:
    London Gatwick Airport
    Arrival:
    18:35
    Class:
    Flight - R - 20kg
MS Emily Brontë £3,268 pp Enquire now
Outbound:
Date:
30 09 2025
Travelling with:
Wizz Air
From:
London Gatwick Airport
Departure:
11:15
To:
Budapest Airport
Arrival:
14:50
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
Inbound:
Date:
10 10 2025
Travelling with:
Wizz Air
From:
Budapest Airport
Departure:
16:45
To:
London Gatwick Airport
Arrival:
18:35
Class:
Flight - R - 20kg
River Cruise
30 09 2025 17:00 Budapest - Cruise Only MS Emily Brontë £2,968 pp Enquire now
River Cruise
30 09 2025 09:10
  • Outbound:
    Date:
    30 09 2025
    Travelling with:
    KLM
    From:
    Edinburgh Airport
    Departure:
    09:10
    To:
    Amsterdam Airport
    Arrival:
    11:40
    Class:
    Flight - R - 23KG
  • Inbound:
    Date:
    10 10 2025
    Travelling with:
    KLM
    From:
    Amsterdam Airport
    Departure:
    21:20
    To:
    Edinburgh Airport
    Arrival:
    21:45
    Class:
    Flight - R - 23KG
MS Emily Brontë £3,268 pp Enquire now
Outbound:
Date:
30 09 2025
Travelling with:
KLM
From:
Edinburgh Airport
Departure:
09:10
To:
Amsterdam Airport
Arrival:
11:40
Class:
Flight - R - 23KG
Inbound:
Date:
10 10 2025
Travelling with:
KLM
From:
Amsterdam Airport
Departure:
21:20
To:
Edinburgh Airport
Arrival:
21:45
Class:
Flight - R - 23KG

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Book with confidence

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24/7 access to UK based team

We’re on hand before and during your holiday. If anything were to go awry during your travels, you can call our emergency number at any point.

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Price promise

Book early confident in the knowledge it will be our lowest price. In the very rare event we do reduce the price after you've booked, we'll automatically send you a Future Travel Voucher for the difference in value, plus an extra 25%

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Happiness guaranteed

You’re always protected by our Happiness Guarantee; if you’re not happy by day two of your holiday, we’ll bring you home with a full refund.

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Quality promise

You cannot find the same quality experience for less with a competitor – and if you do, we’ll match the price.

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Your money is safe and secure

No matter what, your money is safe and secure and fully protected by ABTA and ATOL.