Danube Dreams (Westbound) 2026 - 8 Day River Cruise Budapest to Vilshofen

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Danube Dreams (Westbound) 2026

8 Day River Cruise Budapest to Vilshofen



Tour Description:

Cruise along the peaceful Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany—discovering some of Central Europe’s most splendid capitals and charming towns along the way. Begin this timeless European river cruise in Budapest, where guided sightseeing acquaints you with the highlights of the vibrant capital of Hungary. Set sail on the Danube, take pictures of the impressive Parliament Building as you leave Budapest, and head for Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Here, enjoy a guided walk through the delightful Old Town and visit the Gothic-style St. Martin’s Cathedral. Vienna, Austria, the “City of Music,” makes an immediate impression with its lavish Habsburg Imperial Palace and neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House.

Enjoy the magnificent views as your river cruise takes you through the picturesque wine region of the Wachau Valley, with stops for a guided walk in Dürnstein and a visit to the impressive Benedictine Abbey of Melk. In Linz, walk around the Hauptplatz— Austria’s largest medieval square, which forms the center of the city, and be sure to photograph the splendid Trinity Column. Passau, Germany, the “City of Three Rivers,” is uniquely located where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube rivers converge. See its maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful Patrician houses, and marvel at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. A memorable conclusion to this delightful Danube River cruise!

Map for Danube Dreams (Westbound) 2026 - 8 Day River Cruise Budapest to Vilshofen
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Dates & Pricing

Wednesday 25 Mar 26 — Thursday 02 Apr 26Starting at $1,799Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 28 Mar 26 — Sunday 05 Apr 26Starting at $1,899Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 06 Apr 26 — Tuesday 14 Apr 26Starting at $2,349Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 11 Apr 26 — Sunday 19 Apr 26Starting at $2,449Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 18 Apr 26 — Sunday 26 Apr 26Starting at $2,699Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 25 Apr 26 — Sunday 03 May 26Starting at $2,899Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 09 May 26 — Sunday 17 May 26Starting at $3,449Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 18 May 26 — Tuesday 26 May 26Starting at $3,449Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 27 May 26 — Thursday 04 Jun 26Starting at $3,199Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 12 Jul 26 — Monday 20 Jul 26Starting at $2,499Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 20 Jul 26 — Tuesday 28 Jul 26Starting at $2,499Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 22 Jul 26 — Thursday 30 Jul 26Starting at $2,499Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 26 Jul 26 — Monday 03 Aug 26Starting at $2,499Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 11 Aug 26 — Wednesday 19 Aug 26Starting at $2,499Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 26 Aug 26 — Thursday 03 Sep 26Starting at $3,149Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 22 Sep 26 — Wednesday 30 Sep 26Starting at $3,499Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Friday 09 Oct 26 — Saturday 17 Oct 26Starting at $3,399Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Friday 23 Oct 26 — Saturday 31 Oct 26Starting at $2,949Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 26 Oct 26 — Tuesday 03 Nov 26Starting at $2,949Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 09 Nov 26 — Tuesday 17 Nov 26Starting at $2,399Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Budapest (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Budapest: Choice of guided tour, see Heroes’ Square or hike with your Adventure Host
Day 3 Bratislava: Choice of guided sightseeing in Bratislava, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral or hike up to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host
Day 4 Vienna: Choice of guided sightseeing, or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 5 Dürnstein. Excursion to Melk-Wachau Valley: Choice of guided walk or guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; cruise through the Wachau Valley
Day 6 Linz: Guided sightseeing, see Hauptplatz and the Trinity Column; biking in Linz with your Adventure Host
Day 7 Passau: Schlögen Oxbow scenic cruising; choice of guided tour or hike with your Adventure Host
Day 8 Vilshofen (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
Notes:
  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

ITINERARY

Day 1
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Budapest must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. The day is yours to relax and enjoy the city with time for photographs, cafés, and confections. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST BUDAPEST-PARLIAMENT.jpg

Day 2
BUDAPEST The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. This afternoon, choose among a wide selection of Optional Guided Excursions or take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying some free time exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs or take a hike through the hills above the Danube. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA BUDAPEST-HEROS-SQUARE.jpg
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Day 3
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin’s Cathedral. This afternoon, enjoy free time to discover on your own Bratislava, the beautiful capital of Slovakia, rich in history and culture, but also a green city with its forests and parks just a hop away from the city center. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA BRATISLAVA.jpg
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Day 4
VIENNA Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel, and Sachertorte ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—Winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—the former imperial summer home of the Habsburg monarchy. Spend free time strolling in the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna or take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café to enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. This evening, enjoy an unforgettable musical performance with an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN VIENNA-HOFBURG-PALACE.jpg
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Day 5
DÜRNSTEIN. EXCURSION TO MELK–WACHAU VALLEY A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades. Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Linz. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LINZ DURNSTEIN.jpg
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Day 6
LINZ Legendary, Lovely Linz Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria’s largest medieval square—and the towering white-marble Trinity Column. ACTIVE Experience Danube's cycle path, follow your Adventure Host for a bike ride around the area of Linz Alternatively, consider a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ LINZ.jpg
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Day 7
SCHLÖGEN OXBOW–PASSAU, GERMANY Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet This morning, cruise through the Schlögen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river. ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk into Passau, the beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Before sailing to Vilshofen, take a little free time to explore Passau’s cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists’ Alley. Maybe stop at St. Stephen’s Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal. EVENING CRUISE TO VILSHOFEN PASSAU.jpg
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Day 8
VILSHOFEN (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Munich airport before 8 am. VILSHOFEN-SUNRISE.jpg

Accommodations

BudapestBudapest
InterContinental Budapest
Deluxe

Hotel as shown or similar

Apaczai Csere Janos utca 12-14 Budapest Hungary

Few would argue the InterContinental Budapest is in the city's best location: right on the Danube across from Castle Hill and the Royal Palace. With the Chain Bridge and the Parliament just steps away, there's no shortage of superb sightseeing opportunities. The Váci Utca shopping street, Central Market Hall and the Gellért Baths are also nearby.
Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

FAQ Avalon Cruises Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Pavlus Travel tells you there's a wide World out there just waiting to be explored on river cruises by you, and Avalon Waterways like Pavlus Travel knows there is more than a river cruise for you and your family to see it all. Why not experience local cities, villages, and countrysides your way with a wide selection of active excursions and activities brought to you by Avalon River Cruises that put you right in the middle of it all. Borrow a bike to ride through the streets of Amsterdam, grab a Nordic walking stick to capture the castle with a hike up the vineyard off the Rhine River, or paddle a canoe along Austria’s river shores. Pavlus makes it easy to turn sightseeing into doing your adventure in real time. You’ll find all the guidance and gear you from Avalon Waterways staff to embark on an expedition of your own. From a complimentary yoga class aboard your Avalon River Cruise to a jogging tour of Vienna or an optional kayaking excursion. Know that Pavlus Travel discounts Avalon River Cruises be they in Europe or the Far East. You'll enjoy every Avalon River Cruises Ship.