River Cruises from Amsterdam to Budapest
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27 River cruises from Amsterdam to Budapest with 72 reviews
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MelissaAmsterdam travel expert at TourRadar
- Magnificent Europe Amsterdam → Budapest (2025)
- Christmas Markets 2025 - 15 Days (from Amsterdam to Budapest)
- Splendours of Europe 2025|2026 - 15 Days (from Amsterdam to Budapest)
- European Jewels (2026) (Amsterdam to Budapest, 2026)
- Magnificent Europe 2026 Start Amsterdam, End Budapest (16 destinations)
- European Gems Amsterdam → Budapest (2027)
- Magnificent Europe 2026 Start Amsterdam, End Budapest (14 destinations)
- Christmas Markets of Europe 2026
- Across Europe - Amsterdam to Budapest (Amsterdam - Budapest)
- Magnificent Europe with Christmas and New Years Eve Amsterdam → Budapest (2025)
Duration 15 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary Age Range Ages 8+ Operator APT From
- NZ$8,095+$1,700 upfront costs
Scenic's Space-Ships transport you from Amsterdam to Budapest over 15 days, stopping at 16 historic ports. The itinerary features Cologne Cathedral, the castle-lined Rhine Gorge, and Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace before reaching Budapest's Christmas markets.
Duration 15 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $15,690
16% Off- NZ$13,190You save $2,500
Duration 15 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $21,130
58% Off- NZ$8,873You save $12,257
S.S. Beatrice navigates 1,100 miles from Amsterdam to Budapest along three rivers. The route visits 18 cities showcasing Cologne's Gothic Cathedral, Vienna's Hofburg Palace, and Budapest's Parliament. The Main-Danube Canal's 16 locks demonstrate engineering excellence.
Duration 15 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $12,999
10% Off- NZ$11,699You save $1,300
Magnificent Europe 2026 Start Amsterdam, End Budapest (16 destinations)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Food was excellent. Would have no hesitation in booking another Cruise with Amawaterways.”
William, traveled in August
AmaLea or AmaStella connect Amsterdam to Budapest across 16 destinations. Highlights include Cologne Cathedral, Vienna's historic center, and Budapest's Castle Hill. Luxury twin-balcony accommodations complement daily excursion choices from hiking to wine tasting.
Duration 15 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator AmaWaterways From
10% Off- NZ$11,877+$849 upfront costs
Duration 15 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Travel Marvel From
10% Off- NZ$7,695+$1,700 upfront costs
Magnificent Europe 2026 Start Amsterdam, End Budapest (14 destinations)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelersAmaWaterways' luxury vessel links Amsterdam to Budapest through 14 destinations. Notable stops include Cologne Cathedral, Rhine Gorge UNESCO site, and Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral. Budapest's Fisherman's Bastion provides the finale, complemented by regional cuisine.
Duration 15 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator AmaWaterways From
10% Off- NZ$11,877+$832 upfront costs
Embark Emerald Dawn in Amsterdam for a 15-day journey through three rivers to Budapest. Visit Cologne Cathedral's market, cruise the Rhine Gorge, and explore Vienna's Ringstrasse before reaching Chain Bridge, spanning 1,800 kilometers of Europe's waterways.
Duration 15 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $22,483
50% Off- NZ$11,242You save $11,242
Duration 15 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From $7,914
15% Off- NZ$6,727You save $1,187
APT Ostara connects Amsterdam's canals to Budapest's Castle Hill. The route winds through the Rhine Gorge, showcases Würzburg's Residence, reveals Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace, and concludes at Budapest's thermal baths during this 15-day luxury river cruise.
Duration 15 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary Age Range Ages 8+ Operator APT From
15% Off- NZ$12,695+$1,700 upfront costs
What people love about River Cruise Tours from Amsterdam to Budapest
- Jewels of Europe 2025 - 15 Days (from Amsterdam to Budapest)
Best trip ever. We can’t think of what we can do to top this trip.
- Magnificent Europe 2025
Avalon Waterways were 10/10 in every way. Suites were spacious with luxurious beds and accessories. We have since been on two more river cruises with Avalon
- Grand European Tour Amsterdam to Budapest
This was our first Viking cruise and loved the River Cruise as there are less than 200 guests on board. The staff were friendly and very professional, the food was amazing and the Tours each day were special. Met some other guests on board who made it a fun experience - lots of laughs.
What our customers ask about River Cruises from Amsterdam to Budapest
How long are river cruises from Amsterdam to Budapest?
Most river cruises between Amsterdam and Budapest take 15 days to travel the 1,100-mile journey along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. Your trip includes stops in cities like Cologne, Nuremberg and Vienna, plus you'll cruise through some beautiful spots like the Rhine Gorge and Wachau Valley. "The cruise was excellent with friendly staff and amazing food, making it a very pleasant experience through multiple European countries," as one TourRadar traveler told us.
What's the actual distance covered on the Amsterdam to Budapest route?
The full journey covers 932 miles as you cruise along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. You'll pass through the Main-Danube Canal, an impressive waterway that took 32 years to build and connects the North Sea to the Black Sea. The route takes you through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary, with stops in about 15 different cities like Cologne, Würzburg and Vienna before reaching Budapest. Each day brings different views, from Dutch countryside to Austrian river valleys.
Which places do you visit between Amsterdam and Budapest?
You'll stop at about 15 or 16 places across four countries. The trip includes Amsterdam's canals, the big Gothic cathedral in Cologne, the old medieval streets of Bamberg, classical music performances in Vienna's Palais Liechtenstein, and the historic Castle District in Budapest. Your ship - maybe the Scenic Opal or AmaLea - will dock right in the middle of cities, like at Vienna's Handelskai port or Budapest's Batthyány Square.
What special experiences are included on these river cruises?
You can attend private concerts in Vienna's Palais Liechtenstein, try local wines in the Wachau Valley, and visit famous places like the Rhine Gorge and Bamberg's Old Town. In winter, you can explore Christmas markets in Nuremberg and Vienna. The trip includes tours of old castles like Namedy Castle, and you can try Budapest's thermal baths. Many ships, like the Scenic Opal, have extras like salt therapy rooms and bikes you can use in port. One TourRadar traveler shared: "The combination of cultural experiences, from private palace concerts to local wine tastings, made this journey truly unforgettable."
When is the best time to take this river cruise?
Most people cruise between April and October when the weather's best. Spring trips in April and May give you mild weather and Dutch tulips in bloom. Summer (June through August) is warmest with temperatures around 75°F (24°C), but it's also the busiest time. Fall cruises in September and October offer pretty autumn colors and wine harvest season along the rivers. December trips let you visit Christmas markets, though temperatures drop to about 40°F (4°C).
What are the must-see spots between Amsterdam and Budapest?
You'll visit several historically important cities and sites along the way. The trip takes you to Cologne's huge Gothic cathedral, the medieval town of Bamberg, baroque-style Würzburg, the beautiful Melk Abbey in Austria's Wachau Valley, and historic Vienna. Your boat might be something like the Amadeus Queen, and you'll get to see Amsterdam's canals, Nuremberg's Old Town, and Budapest's Castle Hill. One TourRadar traveler put it well: "The variety of destinations was incredible - from Dutch windmills to German castles to Hungarian thermal baths, each stop offered something unique."