Austria · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in Austria

33 tours  ·  from $17

The Danube runs through Vienna and out past the Wachau, and the lakes east of Salzburg have their own small ferries. The 15 below range from an hour’s loop to a full day on the water, each priced and clear about what is included.

Vienna: City Cruise with Optional Lunch - What you see along the canal
City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Vienna Tours

Vienna: City Cruise with Optional Lunch

1.City Cruise with Optional Lunch

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

Cruise Vienna’s Danube Canal in a loop from Schwedenplatz aboard the MS Wien, MS Blue Danube, or MS Vindobona. Large screens explain landmarks such as the Urania Observatory and Zaha Hadid House. Add a fresh two-course lunch or house-made Wiener Schnitzel for a more satisfying outing.

“Amazing trip. Very informative We had lunch on board and it was delicious. Our waitress was very attentive... this is defo a must do trip when you visit Vienna.. next time I go I want to take the cruise down to Bratislava..”

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Vienna: City Cruise - Schwedenplatz departure and the first city views
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Vienna: City Cruise

2.City Cruise

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

Cruise the Danube Canal from Schwedenplatz aboard the MS Wien, MS Blue Danube, or MS Vindobona. Expect a calm 75-minute loop past modern architecture, graffiti, greenery, and city landmarks. Add apple strudel with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, or pair the cruise with the Heidi Horten Collection.

“Excellent cruise well organised and service was st the table and was served in an orderly manner was impressed with the whole trip”

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Vienna: 3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise - From the canal to the Danube
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, Vienna Tours

Vienna: 3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise

3.3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise

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

Spend three hours aboard an MS Blue Danube, MS Vindobona, or MS Wien evening cruise. You’ll enjoy an elderflower sparkling aperitif, a three-course dinner, and views from Vienna’s canal and Danube. Choose pork, red mullet, or a vegetarian main course, with German and English-speaking staff onboard.

“We had a lovely evening cruise on the Danube and the food served was delicious. Hope to see you again sometime.”

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Vienna: Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey Tour with Danube Boat Trip - The coach ride from Vienna to Lower Austria
Cruises & Boat Tours, Danube River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Vienna Tours, Wachau Valley and Melk Tours

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 510 minutes exploring Lower Austria by air-conditioned coach and summer boat. Visit Krems, Dürnstein, Melk, and the Baroque Abbey of Melk with an English or Spanish guide. Choose carefully: summer basic includes the boat but not the abbey, while the all-inclusive option adds the abbey visit.

“Really enjoyed this day trip to see a few places outside of Vienna. We went for the option without the tour of the Abbey & enjoyed the amount ot free time we were able to have in Melk on our own. Highlight of the day was the cruise along the Danube, nice and relaxing.”

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From Vienna: Guided Tour to Bratislava with Speed Boat Ride - Walking into Bratislava’s old town
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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

Spend a full day crossing from Vienna into Slovakia, with a guided walk past Michael’s Gate, Primate’s Palace, and St. Martin’s Cathedral. You’ll have about six hours to explore alone before returning by high-speed catamaran. An oldtimer ride to Bratislava Castle is available as an upgrade.

“maybe not too much free time as there weren't any shops open”

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Hallstatt Guided Day Trip from Vienna With Boat Ride Option - The early ride from Vienna
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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 scenic Salzkammergut viewpoints. Your guide, often Sofia, Dasha, Lily, or Sabrina, leads the day in English. Skywalk access is included except during renovation, when a lake boat ride is offered instead.

“My experience on the Hallstatt day trip was amazing! Our guide was Dasha, and she was so informative, humorous, and helpful. She facilitated an amazing experience. Hallstatt itself was incredibly gorgeous and the boat ride around the lake to see the sights was perfect. I highly recommend going in the fall when the leaves start to change. It was breathtaking!”

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Vienna: Evening Cruise Along The Danube - Sunset, city lights, and the best place to sit
Cruises & Boat Tours, Danube River Cruises, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, Vienna Tours

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, cruising from Vienna’s canal toward the Danube at sunset and after dark. You’ll find an onboard restaurant, upper-deck views, live-camera images, and German- and English-speaking staff, but no regular sightseeing commentary.

“We really enjoyed this cruise, the food and beverages were excellent. There isn’t much to see through the journey though in comparison to other cruises we gave done, but it was nice to do something different and have time with family. There is quite a long period where you go through the locks. All in all it was a pleasant experience.”

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Vienna: 3.5-Hour Grand Danube River Cruise - Schwedenplatz and the first stretch along the Danube
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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

Cruise Vienna aboard the MS Wien or Hundertwasser-designed MS Vindobona on a 3.5-hour loop through the Danube, Danube Canal, Prater greenery, modern skyline, and historic city center. German and English service, onboard dining, card payment, and wheelchair access make this a relaxed city outing.

“Good food in comfortable surroundings, the sun didn’t shine but that didn’t matter as it was nice and warm inside. The staff where very helpful. It would of been better if the boat had gone a little further but I don’t know if it could.”

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Vienna: Danube River Cruise w/ optional Viennese Specialties - The shorter route and modern Vienna
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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

See Vienna from the Danube on a 1.5 to 3.5-hour DDSG Blue Danube cruise. Choose a shorter route through modern Vienna or continue through the Prater area and Danube Island. Optional Viennese specialties are served on board, while drinks cost extra.

“A great Way to see Vienna from the seaside. Very nice cruise ship and good service”

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Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube - Entering Bratislava through the Old Town
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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 coach, tour the Old Town with a local guide, then enjoy several hours for lunch, the castle, cafes, and shops before returning on the Twin City Liner catamaran. Expect an 8 to 11 hour day, with no guide on the outward bus ride.

“The local guide did a job in showing us the major sites in the old city. He also gave us great advice about the other sites in the and where they were.”

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Salzburg: Boat Ride on the Salzach River - The old city skyline from the water
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Salzburg: Boat Ride on the Salzach River

11.Boat Ride on the Salzach River

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

You’ll cruise Salzburg’s Salzach River for 40 minutes, passing the old city skyline, southern villas, and views toward the Hagen and Tennen ranges. The captain provides live commentary in English or German, with reserved seating and Prosecco available as optional upgrades.

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

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Vienna: Cruise and Schnitzel Tour - MS Vindobona and MS Wien offer different onboard moods
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Vienna: Cruise and Schnitzel Tour

12.Cruise and Schnitzel Tour

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

Start near St. Stephen’s Cathedral at Schwedenplatz, then cruise the Danube and Vienna’s canal for 3.5 hours aboard MS Vindobona or MS Wien. Your ticket includes pork Wiener Schnitzel with parsley potatoes. German and English hosts are available, while drinks and pastries cost extra.

“Sehr schöne Rundfahrt mit 2 Schleusen-Durchfahrten. Aufmerksames Personal am Schiff. Gutes Schnitzel.”

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Vienna: Sightseeing Boat Tour with Lunch - Vienna Architecture Along the Water
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Vienna: Sightseeing Boat Tour with Lunch

13.Sightseeing Boat Tour with Lunch

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

Cruise from Schwedenplatz aboard the air-conditioned MS Blue Danube, with a seasonal two-course lunch and views of Vienna’s modern and historic canal-side buildings. GPS screens and free maps explain the sights in German and English, but the route is mainly along the Danube Canal.

“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 Salzach cruise: pretty setting, modest sightseeing
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Salzburg: River Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert

14.River Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert

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

Begin with a 40-minute Salzach River cruise, then make your way to Hohensalzburg Fortress for dinner at the Panorama Restaurant and a Mozart ensemble concert. The funicular ride is included, but expect walking, stairs, separate meeting points, and no included drinks.

“This is a great way to combine 3 experiences in one. A boat ride, great dinner with a wonderful view and a concert! We loved this combined event!”

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Salzburg: Boat Ride to Hellbrunn and Palace Visit - The Double-Decker Bus Adds Fun, Not Luxury
Cruises & Boat Tours, Salzburg Tours, Tour Reviews

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, then ride a London-style double-decker bus to Hellbrunn Palace. You’ll get quick entry to the famous trick fountains and tour the palace with an audio guide. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes, and the full outing returns you to the city.

“WHAT A FUN TOUR! The boat ride was stunning and then the connecting bus was so much fun, the man driving it had such a great energy it boosted my mood! The trick gardens are incredible, I had so much fun! Definitely recommend… though it would be nice to get a bit more time in the gardens to explore”

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New in Cruises & Boat Tours

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★ 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
★ 5.0Customized Private Tour to Salzburg for Cruise Guests from Linz or Passau19 reviews
★ 3.9River Cruise & Best of Mozart Fortress ConcertFrom $7714 reviews
★ 4.8Retro Boat Tour on the Danube River with Picnic9 reviews
★ 4.55-Hour Wachau River CruiseFrom $53103 reviews
★ 4.4Private Floating Island E-Boat Rental on Danube12 reviews
★ 4.1Sunset Summer Cruise153 reviews

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