Danube Cruises from Bucharest
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10 best Danube river cruises from Bucharest
Compiled by

MelissaBucharest travel expert at TourRadar
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- The Danube from Romania to Germany with 1 Night in Bucharest and 2 Nights in Transylvania 2025
The Danube adventure from Bucharest to Budapest includes stops at Giurgiu, Silistra, and Rousse. Passengers pass through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge before exploring Belgrade, Osijek, and historic Mohacs, with luxury accommodations throughout.
Duration 9 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships Scenic JasperScenic Opal River Danube Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $7,330
14% Off- NZ$6,330You save $1,000
The adventure starts in Bucharest with visits to People's Palace before boarding S.S. Beatrice at Giurgiu port. This route covers 1,500 miles along the Danube through Iron Gates gorge, visiting historic river towns en route to Prague.
Duration 19 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic Age Range up to 100 year olds Ship S.S. Beatrice River Danube Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
14% Off- NZ$17,999
A visit to Bucharest's Spring Palace precedes cruising from Giurgiu port along the Danube for 836 miles. Riverside attractions include Baba Vida fortress and Lepenski Vir before reaching Budapest's Chain Bridge.
Duration 11 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range up to 90 year olds Ship Emerald Star River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From $22,924
59% Off- NZ$9,470You save $13,454
A grand Danube adventure takes you from Bucharest airport to Giurgiu port. The 1,200 km route passes through Iron Gates gorge, visiting historic riverside towns before reaching Budapest's stunning Parliament Building.
Duration 8 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary Age Range up to 99 year olds River Danube Operator Travel Marvel From
59% Off- NZ$4,645
Duration 15 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range up to 90 year olds Ships Emerald DawnEmerald Star River Danube Operator Emerald Cruises From $18,445
43% Off- NZ$10,534You save $7,911
Duration 15 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
43% Off- NZ$7,076
The route opens in Bucharest with city tour and Parliament Palace visit, proceeding to Fetesti port for embarkation. Passing through Iron Gates gorge and multiple locks, the journey ends in Vienna, covering approximately 1,200 river kilometers.
Duration 14 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria Age Range 5 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Danube Operator Lueftner Cruises From
43% Off- NZ$7,235
The grand route from Bucharest's Victory Avenue covers 18 cities across 5 countries over 12 days. Views unfold from the Carpathians to Peles Castle in Sinaia, through Dracula's Bran Castle in Brasov, before boarding the Avalon Suite Ship in Oltenita for an 8-night Danube cruise to Budapest's historic harbor.
Duration 12 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Ships Avalon ExpressionAvalon Passion River Danube Operator Avalon Waterways From
43% Off- NZ$8,988+$396 upfront costs
Royal Palace Square in Bucharest opens this grand tour, flowing through the Iron Gates Gorge to Dürnstein's castle ruins. The path leads from Vienna's Hofburg Palace to Prague via Regensburg's medieval center, encompassing 28 cities along the Danube.
Duration 19 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Ship Avalon Passion River Danube Operator Avalon Waterways From
43% Off- NZ$15,221+$742 upfront costs
A Palace Square tour in Bucharest precedes embarkation in Oltenita. The ship sails through Iron Gates Gorge to Vidin's Belogradchik rocks, Belgrade's Saint Sava Church, and Budapest's Heroes' Square, covering 1,200 nautical miles of Danube River.
Duration 19 days Destinations Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Ship Avalon Passion River Danube Operator Avalon Waterways From
43% Off- NZ$15,421+$742 upfront costs
What people love about Danube Cruises from Bucharest
- Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Turnu Magurele (Bucharest) to Vienna, MS Fidelio
The overall tour and its organization was excellent. The package included tours and the optional tours were well organized and the tour guides were well informed and covered the most important aspects of each city that we visited given the time frame that the ship was docked. It was unfortunate that the tour group was unable to embark in Romania due to the recent floods and the likelihood of the Danube flooding around Turnu Magurele, necessitating the tour organizers transferring the group via bus to Port Vidin, Bulgaria to board the ship. The crew when approached were diligent, responsive and attentive to the guests requests and needs. The ship was kept in a hygienically clean condition and the food not only varied and generous but of a very high standard. All in all, I loved this cruise experience.
What our customers ask about Danube Cruises from Bucharest
What are the most common stops after departing Bucharest on Danube cruises?
The journey begins with stops at Bulgarian ports starting with Rousse often called "Little Vienna" for its elegant architecture. Travelers then visit Veliko Tarnovo where an ancient fortress overlooks the city and Vidin home to the distinctive Belogradchik Rocks. The route continues through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge before reaching the Serbian cities of Belgrade and Novi Sad. A TourRadar traveler on an Avalon cruise noted: "The sequence from Bucharest through Bulgaria's historic towns before reaching Serbia gave us a perfect introduction to the region's diverse cultures."
What is the best time of year to start a Danube cruise from Bucharest?
Plan your Danube cruise from Bucharest between May and September when pleasant temperatures range from 20-25°C (68-77°F). Summer months of July and August bring warmer days with temperatures around 30°C (86°F). For comfortable sightseeing and smaller crowds at major sites like the Palace of Parliament choose May or September. A TourRadar traveler shared on their Avalon Waterways cruise: "Traveling in May gave us perfect weather for exploring Bucharest's outdoor cafes and gardens before beginning our cruise."
What are the must-see attractions during the first days in Bucharest?
Start your Bucharest experience with the essential landmarks: the massive Parliament Palace the grand Romanian Athenaeum the stately Arch of Triumph and the authentic Village Museum (Muzeul Satului). City tours take visitors through the historic center where you'll find the Old City centre Royal Court and the lively Lipscani district. As one TourRadar traveler noted "The Parliament building is incredibly impressive and the guided city tour gives you a fascinating combination of Communist grandiosity and elegant French-influenced 19th-century buildings."
What is the typical length of Danube river cruises starting in Bucharest?
Danube cruises from Bucharest span from 8 to 27 days. Most travelers choose 10-13 day itineraries. Scenic Luxury Cruises offers a concise 8-day "Legends of the Balkans" route from Bucharest to Budapest while Avalon Waterways runs extended 27-day voyages to Amsterdam. One TourRadar traveler shared: "the 13-day itinerary was perfect to experience both Romania's highlights and the Danube's treasures."
What cultural experiences are available in the Bucharest region before embarking?
Before setting sail experience Romanian culture through traditional folkloric shows during local restaurant lunches visits to the Village Museum's authentic rural buildings and walks through the historic Old Town. Some itineraries include trips to Snagov Palace and local markets. TourRadar travelers have noted: "The folkloric performance during lunch was a lively showcase of rural life traditions and really enhanced our understanding of Romanian culture."
How does the transfer from Bucharest to the cruise ship work?
Coach transfers to the cruise ship in Giurgiu take place after morning city tours on day 2 or 3 with a travel time of 1-2 hours. Companies like Viking Cruises and Emerald Cruises add value with guided stops at places like the Village Museum or local points of interest. Book flights arriving before 3 PM as one TourRadar traveler advised "The transfer was well-organized though it's important to book flights arriving before 3 PM to ensure a smooth transition to the ship."