River Cruises from Budapest to Bucharest

What our customers ask about River Cruises from Budapest to Bucharest

• What would be a typical day-by-day itinerary on a river cruise between Budapest and Bucharest?

  The journey begins with 2-3 days in Budapest where you'll explore Heroes' Square and Fishermen's Bastion while staying at the Hilton Budapest. You'll then spend days 3-4 watching traditional Hungarian horse shows in Kalocsa and experiencing Croatian culture in Osijek. Moving on to Belgrade for days 5-6, you'll explore Kalemegdan Fortress and get a taste of Serbian life. Days 7-8 take you through the Iron Gates gorge and to Vidin's Belogradchik Fortress. The final days include visits to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi in Bulgaria before ending your trip at the Radisson Blu in Bucharest. One TourRadar traveler shared, "Each day brought new discoveries, from morning city tours to afternoon cultural experiences, with comfortable cruising in between."

• What are the most common destinations visited between Budapest and Bucharest on river cruise tours?

  Your cruise along the Danube River takes you through five countries with several interesting stops. You'll visit Kalocsa in Hungary to watch traditional horsemanship shows, then head to Osijek in Croatia for some local culture. In Serbia, you'll discover Belgrade's 6th-century Kalemegdan Fortress. Bulgaria offers two highlights: Vidin with its unique Belogradchik rock formations and the historic town of Veliko Tarnovo. One TourRadar traveler noted, "The variety of ports was excellent - from the grand cities like Belgrade to charming towns like Vidin, each stop offered something unique and memorable." Most trips begin at the Hilton Budapest and end at the Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest.

• What are the key destinations visited between Budapest and Bucharest on these river cruises?

  Your journey takes you to several must-see spots along the Danube through five countries. You'll stop at Vukovar and Osijek in Croatia, then visit Belgrade and Novi Sad in Serbia. In Bulgaria, you'll explore Belogradchik and Veliko Tarnovo, before visiting various Romanian ports on your way to Bucharest. A real highlight is sailing through the Iron Gates gorge between Serbia and Romania. TourRadar travelers say "stopping at medieval fortresses like Golubac Castle and exploring the rock formations at Belogradchik were incredible experiences unique to this route."

• What is the average cost I can expect to pay for a Budapest to Bucharest river cruise?

  You can expect to pay between 3,120 USD and 18,210 USD per person, with most cruises costing around 5,000-6,000 USD for a 10-day trip. Your final price will depend on which cruise line you choose, your cabin type, and how long you want to travel. Companies like Scenic and Uniworld offer luxury experiences at higher prices, while CroisiEurope has more affordable options. One TourRadar traveler mentioned, "the Panorama Suites on Avalon ships, though pricier, were worth it for the floor-to-ceiling windows and extra space."

• What would be a typical day-by-day itinerary on a Budapest to Bucharest river cruise?

  Your journey starts in Budapest, then takes you to Vukovar, Croatia, where you'll taste local wines. Next, you'll visit Novi Sad and Belgrade in Serbia to see medieval fortresses and Orthodox churches. Around days 5-6, you'll cruise through the Iron Gates and stop in Vidin, Bulgaria. After that, you'll head to Rousse and take excursions to Veliko Tarnovo. The trip ends in Bucharest with city tours and a visit to the Palace of Parliament. TourRadar travelers say "the itinerary perfectly balanced historical sites, cultural experiences, and scenic cruising, with the InterContinental Bucharest providing an excellent base for the final days."

• What are the average tour lengths for river cruise tours from Budapest to Bucharest?

  Most trips last between 8 and 20 days, but 11 days is the most common length. Viking River Cruise offers an 11-day trip where you'll see highlights like the Iron Gate Gorge and Kalemegdan Fortress. If you want a longer experience, Scenic Luxury Tours has a 20-day trip with extended stays in cities like Belgrade and Brasov. TourRadar travelers often mention that these timeframes work well, with one saying "the 11-day format allowed enough time to really experience each destination without feeling rushed."