Quick answer
European river cruises run March to December: tulip sailings in April, summer on the Danube and Rhine, wine harvest in September–October on the Douro and Rhône, and Christmas markets from late November. A classic week is Budapest–Vienna–Passau on the Danube.
- Cruise season
- Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Best months
- Apr, May, Sep, Oct
- Typical length
- 7–15 nights
- Main departure ports
- Budapest, Vienna, Passau, Amsterdam, Basel, Paris, Lyon, Porto
- Popular ports
- Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Melk, Passau, Nuremberg, Cologne, Strasbourg
- Cruise lines sailing here
- 25
Why cruise here
- Dock in the city centre
- Christmas market cruises
- Low water in late summer can occasionally change itineraries
Weather by month in Vienna
Long-term averages for planning — not a forecast. Cruise season Best months
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high °C | 3 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 15 | 8 | 4 |
| Avg low °C | -2 | -1 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 3 | -1 |
| Rain days | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
Ports of call
- Budapest
- Vienna
- Bratislava
- Melk
- Passau
- Nuremberg
- Cologne
- Strasbourg
- Amsterdam
- Paris
- Lyon
- Porto
Sailings & fares
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Cruise lines sailing European rivers (Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro)
European river cruises
- Viking River Cruises
- AmaWaterways
- Avalon Waterways
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
- Scenic River Cruises
- Emerald Cruises
- Tauck River Cruises
- CroisiEurope
- A-ROSA River Cruises
- Riviera Travel
- APT
- Phoenix Reisen
- Amadeus River Cruises
- Nicko Cruises
- VIVA Cruises
- Scylla
- Grand Circle Cruise Line
- Vantage Deluxe World Travel
- Riverside Luxury Cruises
- DouroAzul
- TUI River Cruises
- Plantours
- 1AVista Reisen
- Gate 1 Travel
- Rivages du Monde
Visas for European rivers (Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro) cruises
The Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône and Douro are almost entirely in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa usually covers the whole cruise; lower-Danube trips into Serbia need separate entry.
Guides: Schengen visa (Europe).
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to cruise European rivers (Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro)?
The cruise season is Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec; the best months are April, May, September, October.
Do I need a visa for a European rivers (Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro) cruise?
The Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône and Douro are almost entirely in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa usually covers the whole cruise; lower-Danube trips into Serbia need separate entry.
How long is a typical European rivers (Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro) cruise?
Most are 7–15 nights, usually from Budapest, Vienna, Passau.
Which cruise lines sail European rivers (Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro)?
Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Scenic River Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Tauck River Cruises, CroisiEurope, A-ROSA River Cruises, Riviera Travel, APT, Phoenix Reisen and 13 more.
Which river is best for a first river cruise?
The Danube between Budapest, Vienna and Passau is the classic first river cruise: grand cities, the Wachau wine valley and short sailing days. The Rhine suits castle lovers; the Douro suits food and wine lovers.