Austria · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Cruises & Boat Tours in Austria

43 tours  ·  from $17

Good cruises & boat tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Vienna: City Cruise with Optional Lunch - The landmarks along the 75-minute loop
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Vienna: City Cruise with Optional Lunch

1.City Cruise with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 3,982 reviews · 1h 15m · from $38Our pick

Board the MS Wien, MS Blue Danube, or MS Vindobona at Schwedenplatz for a 75-minute loop along Vienna’s Danube Canal. You’ll pass the Urania Observatory, Ringturm, Zaha Hadid House, and other modern landmarks, with English and German information on large screens. Add a freshly prepared two-course lunch or Wiener Schnitzel, served in Roman Loos’s onboard restaurant.

“Really good guide as very informative and knew their stuff. Decent views from outside boat too. Friendly staff. Didn't go for the food option as didn't any. But it certainly looked tempting.”

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Vienna: City Cruise - The 75-minute loop along the Danube Canal
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Vienna: City Cruise

2.City Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 2,978 reviews · 1h 15m · from $38

Board the MS Wien, MS Blue Danube, or MS Vindobona at Schwedenplatz for a 75-minute loop along Vienna’s Danube Canal. You’ll pass the Urania Observatory, Ringturm, Zaha Hadid House, and other city landmarks. Add apple strudel with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, or pair the cruise with a Heidi Horten Collection ticket.

“The tour guide Chris was very engaging and entertaining and rhe night tour gave the opportunity for some great photos The t”

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Vienna: 3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise - What happens from boarding to dessert
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Vienna: 3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise

3.3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 1,655 reviews · from $85

Spend three hours aboard an elegant DDSG Blue Danube vessel, with a sparkling elderflower aperitif, reserved table, and freshly prepared three-course dinner. Choose pork, red mullet, or a vegetarian main. The cruise uses the Danube Canal and reaches the Danube, with illuminated views, sunset light, and a lock passage along the way.

“Excellent customer service, food also very good, weather did not let us see much outside but it was good”

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Vienna: Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip - Starting beside the Vienna State Opera
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Vienna: Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip

4.Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,413 reviews · 8h 30m · from $151

Spend about eight and a half hours touring the Wachau Valley from Vienna by air-conditioned bus and, in summer, boat. Visit Krems and Dürnstein, enjoy free time in Melk, and tour Melk Abbey with the all-inclusive option. English and Spanish guides, including Tommy, Ava, Eric, and Claudia, have led recent departures.

“I loved the trip to Wachau Valley and to Melk Abbey. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, talking to us in English and Spanish. Everything run smoothly. Thank you. :-)”

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From Vienna: Guided Tour to Bratislava with Speed Boat Ride - The morning coach from Vienna
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From Vienna: Guided Tour to Bratislava with Speed Boat Ride

5.Guided Tour to Bratislava with Speed Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,404 reviews · 11h 30m · from $111

Travel from Vienna to Bratislava by modern coach, tour the old town with a local English- or German-speaking guide, then return on the Danube by Twin City Liner. You get about six hours to explore independently, eat, shop, or visit the castle. An optional one-hour oldtimer ride to the castle is available.

“Our guide Victoria was amazing, she was really knowledgeable and patient answering all questions.”

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Hallstatt Guided Day Trip from Vienna With Boat Ride Option - Strengberg: a short coffee break
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Hallstatt Guided Day Trip from Vienna With Boat Ride Option

6.Hallstatt Guided Day Trip from Vienna With Boat Ride Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,301 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $139

Travel from Vienna to Hallstatt by air-conditioned coach, stopping at Ort Castle and Salzkammergut viewpoints along the way. Your guide, often Sofia, Dasha, Lily, or Sabrina, keeps the long drive lively with local stories. You get free time in Hallstatt, Skywalk lift access when open, and a lake boat option during the lift closure.

“Great experience seeing Hallstatt and taking the boat trip. Our tour guide Sophia was excellent !! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

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Vienna: Evening Cruise Along The Danube - The route from canal to Danube
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Vienna: Evening Cruise Along The Danube

7.Evening Cruise Along The Danube

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 1,280 reviews · 3 hours · from $55

Spend three hours aboard the MS Vindobona, MS Blue Danube, or MS Wien as Vienna’s canals and Danube glow after sunset. You can watch the scenery from the upper deck, follow live camera views on a screen, and order freshly prepared Viennese food from Roman Loos’s onboard restaurant. Food and drinks cost extra, and sightseeing commentary is not provided.

“Amazing trip, not too long, or too short. Some amazing photo opportunities. The crew were amazing”

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Vienna: 3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise - Danube Island and Vienna’s modern skyline
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Vienna: 3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise

8.3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 1,151 reviews · from $51

Board the MS Wien or Hundertwasser-designed MS Vindobona at Schwedenplatz for a 3.5-hour cruise through Vienna’s Danube and Danube Canal. You’ll see Prater greenery, Danube Island, modern towers, two lock systems, and historic canal architecture. German and English assistance is available, with food and drinks sold onboard.

“A very enjoyable afternoon cruising the Danube with a very attentive staff taking care of delivering food and drinks quickly and efficiently.”

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Vienna: Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties - Starting at the DDSG Blue Danube ticket office
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Vienna: Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties

9.Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 1,017 reviews · from $36

Cruise from the DDSG Blue Danube ticket office past Vienna’s modern skyline, Danube Tower, Millennium Tower, and canal sights. Choose the shorter route to Schwedenplatz or continue through the Prater area on the longer cruise. Viennese food is optional, drinks cost extra, and children ages 0 to 9 cruise free.

“Excellent! The food was delicious, the boat, crew, journey and views were fantastic. I would recommend this excursion. ☀️😝😁”

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Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube - Starting in Vienna and crossing into Slovakia
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Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube

10.Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 723 reviews · from $115

Travel from Vienna to Bratislava by air-conditioned coach, meet a local guide such as Adela, and see Michael’s Gate, St. Martin’s Cathedral, Primate’s Palace, Grassalkovich Palace, and more. You’ll have several hours to explore alone before returning to Vienna by Twin City Liner catamaran. Lunch and the optional castle ride cost extra.

“Good tour with plenty of spare time to look around Bratislava on your own. The tour guide was very informative and amusing and she gave us a good introduction to the main sites in Bratislava.”

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Salzburg: Boat Ride on the Salzach River - A closer look at the 40-minute route
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Salzburg: Boat Ride on the Salzach River

11.Boat Ride on the Salzach River

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 559 reviews · from $20

Take a 40-minute boat ride along Salzburg’s Salzach River with an English- or German-speaking host. You’ll see the old city from the water, pass southern villas, face the Hagen and Tennen ranges, and finish with a playful Mozart music moment. Reserved seating and Prosecco are available with selected options.

“The concert was excellent and the venue is lovely.”

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Vienna: Cruise and Schnitzel Tour - Choosing between MS Wien and MS Vindobona
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Vienna: Cruise and Schnitzel Tour

12.Cruise and Schnitzel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 536 reviews · from $66

Start at Schwedenplatz, just minutes from St. Stephen’s Cathedral, for a 3.5-hour DDSG Blue Danube cruise through Vienna’s canal and the Danube. Your ticket includes freshly prepared pork Wiener Schnitzel with parsley potatoes. Choose the MS Wien for its outdoor deck or MS Vindobona for its distinctive design. German and English service is provided.

“The boat is really old and in need of a facelift. We sat outside and couldn't hear anything over the speakers. The schnitzel was excellent.”

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Vienna: Sightseeing Boat Tour with Lunch - A 3.5-hour loop along the Danube Canal
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Vienna: Sightseeing Boat Tour with Lunch

13.Sightseeing Boat Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 535 reviews · from $69

Start and finish at Schwedenplatz aboard the air-conditioned MS Blue Danube. You’ll cruise Vienna’s Danube Canal, pass modern and historic buildings, and enjoy a seasonal two-course lunch. GPS information appears on onboard screens, with German and English assistance and printed guides in 10 languages.

“The service was wonderful on this river cruise and made up for the bland food, would recommend as it’s good value”

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Salzburg: River Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert - The 40-minute Salzach River cruise
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Salzburg: River Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert

14.River Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 406 reviews · 5 hours · from $128

Start with a 40-minute Salzach River cruise past Salzburg’s old town, villas, and mountain views. Then take the funicular to Hohensalzburg Fortress for dinner at the Panorama Restaurant and a Best of Mozart chamber concert. The evening lasts about five hours, with classic and VIP menus, vegetarian meals by request, and smart-casual dress required.

“Stunning concert in the fortress performance hall overlooking the city.”

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Salzburg: Boat Ride to Hellbrunn and Palace Visit - The double-decker bus adds character, with a few rough edges
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Salzburg: Boat Ride to Hellbrunn and Palace Visit

15.Boat Ride to Hellbrunn and Palace Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 367 reviews · from $49

Cruise from Salzburg along the Salzach River, then ride a London-style double-decker bus to Hellbrunn Palace. You’ll receive quick entry to the trick fountains, tour the palace with an audio guide, and return to the city by bus. The route is well planned, but time at Hellbrunn can feel tight.

“You have to exchange your voucher for the actual tix at the hut along the river. Taking the boat as transportation was way nicer than trying to go by public bus. The trick fountaion tour was so much fun especially on the hot summer day, keep your electronics safe and dry”

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New in Cruises & Boat Tours

★ 4.2Sunday Brunch Danube Cruise & Live MusicFrom $7842 reviews
★ 4.1Schönbrunn, Belvedere, Big Bus, Giant Wheel & CruiseFrom $9578 reviews
★ 4.13,5-Hour Danube Cruise “Greek Night”From $8811 reviews
★ 4.1Hop-on Hop-off, Ferris Wheel, and River CruiseFrom $88116 reviews
★ 4.23.5-Hour Danube Cruise with Live Music & BBQ BuffetFrom $8819 reviews
★ 4.53,5-Hour Danube Cruise “Abba Night”From $8511 reviews
★ 3.73.5-Hour Danube 70s, 80s, 90s Party Cruise w/ DinnerFrom $787 reviews
★ 4.13,5-Hour Danube Cruise “Italian Night”From $8812 reviews
★ 4.02-hour Danube Panorama Tour (Cruise Only)From $4411 reviews
★ 5.0small group tour Hallstatt with skywalk, boat, mineFrom $36110 reviews
★ 4.0Best of Vienna Pass: Schönbrunn, Belvedere, Big Bus & CruiseFrom $10828 reviews
★ 3.524-hour Hop-On Hop-Off with Ferris Wheel and River CruiseFrom $9059 reviews
★ 3.5Salzburg Panorama Cruise on the Salzach riverFrom $2446 reviews
★ 3.0Best of Mozart Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg with River CruiseFrom $825 reviews
★ 4.5River Cruise to Hellbrunn, Palace & world-famous trick fountainsFrom $5431 reviews

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Explore Austria

Pick a palace, a mountain or a concert hall.

Palaces & museums

SchönbrunnThe HofburgThe BelvedereSisi MuseumKunsthistorischesMuseums

Music

ConcertsMozart NightsStrauss NightsOperaThe Lipizzaners

Out of town

HallstattThe WachauDanube CruisesEagle’s NestSalt Mines

Eat and drink

Food ToursCoffee HousesStrudel ClassesWine TastingsChristmas Markets