Most people think river cruising is some fancy pastime for retirees with bottomless wallets. But the Danube — with its castles, beer halls, and moody Iron Gates gorge — can actually be done on the cheap. You just need to know which lines don’t bleed you dry.
The Budget Cruise Lines
Here’s the deal. Three operators consistently show up as the affordable crowd-pleasers:
CroisiEurope — Best Overall Budget Option
- Pricing: €399–846 (4–7 nights)
- Ships: MS Modigliani, MS Belvedere (100–180 passengers)
- Highlights: French food, unlimited drinks (April–October), multiple boarding points (Vienna, Passau, Budapest).
- Routes: Vienna → Melk → Dürnstein → Bratislava → Esztergom → Budapest → Vienna. Note: Esztergom lies northwest of Budapest on the Danube (part of the “Danube Bend”). On most Vienna–Budapest itineraries ships call at Esztergom before descending to Budapest.
Honestly, if you just want good value and don’t care about flashy spas or cocktails-with-gold-dust, go with CroisiEurope.
A-ROSA — German Budget Operator
- Pricing: €487–854 (4–7 nights)
- Ships: A-ROSA Donna, A-ROSA Basic fleet
- Highlights: Pools, spa, family-friendly, upgradeable drinks package (+€39/night).
- Transfers: €40 from Passau station, €30 from Cologne.
Good for families, and a little more relaxed. Germans know how to run a tight ship (literally).
Nicko Cruises — Modern Budget Choice
- Pricing: from €599 (short trips) to €2,000+ (long hauls)
- Ships: nickoVISION, Bellejour
- Highlights: 3 restaurants, modern design, itineraries up to 15 nights (all the way to the Black Sea).
If you want something a bit fresher design-wise but still reasonably priced — Nicko fits.
Quick Price Comparison
Here’s how things stack up across a few popular routes:
| Route | Duration | CroisiEurope | A-ROSA | Viking | Emerald | Amadeus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budapest – Vienna – Passau | 7 nights | €399–846 | €487–854 | $2,199–3,392 | €1,670–5,895 | $2,126–2,567 |
| Passau – Budapest (Classic) | 7 nights | €599–899 | €648–999 | $2,299–4,099 | €2,425–4,745 | $2,407–2,649 |
| Lower Danube (Budapest – Bucharest) | 8–10 nights | €1,200–1,800 | N/A | $3,499–5,999 | €3,500–6,000 | $3,516–4,344 |
| Grand Danube (Germany – Romania) | 15–16 nights | €2,400–3,600 | N/A | $8,000–12,000 | €8,000–15,000 | $4,945–6,500 |
See that? You can pay €399 for a week with CroisiEurope — or ten times that with Viking. Depends if you want bragging rights or just, you know, a cruise.
Boarding Cities and Ports
You’ll most likely start in Budapest, Vienna, or Passau, but there are other cities worth knowing.
| City | Country | Boarding Point | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budapest | Hungary | Mahart terminals (Nr. 1–9) | Parliament, Castle District, Széchenyi Baths |
| Vienna | Austria | Handelskai terminal | Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Old Town |
| Passau | Germany | Donau Lände (14 moorings) | Three Rivers confluence, St. Stephen’s Cathedral |
| Bratislava | Slovakia | Novy most bridge area | Castle, Old Town, Devin Castle |
| Regensburg | Germany | City center docks | Medieval Old Town, Stone Bridge, UNESCO heritage |
| Nuremberg | Germany | Europakai 10, Hafenstrasse | Imperial Castle, WWII sites, Old Town |
Boarding is usually painless, but moorings can be way outside town (Passau especially). Budget a little for buses or taxis.
Lower Danube? Worth It.
Everyone does the Vienna–Budapest loop. It’s safe, gorgeous, full of wine. But if you want bragging rights? Push further down to Belgrade, Bucharest, and the Iron Gates.
- Belgrade: Fortress, nightlife, and rakija (plum brandy that’ll burn your throat).
- Iron Gates Gorge: A wild stretch with cliffs and eagles. Feels nothing like Vienna’s pastry cafés.
- Bucharest: Transfer from Oltenita port. The Parliament Palace looks absurdly big — because it is.
This stretch has fewer crowds, cheaper beer, and a rawer atmosphere. Less polished, more memorable.
What’s Included (and What Isn’t)
| Cruise Line | Meals | Drinks | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| CroisiEurope | All meals | Unlimited wine/beer (Apr–Oct) | Port charges, entertainment |
| A-ROSA (Basic) | Buffets | Water dispensers, tea time | Sauna, fitness |
| Nicko Cruises | Full board | Paid drinks | Modern restaurants |
Not included (anywhere): shore excursions (€25–75 each), gratuities (€5–10 pp/day), transfers, and premium drinks packages.
Best Time to Cruise (and When to Avoid)
- Budget Season (Nov–March): Cheapest rates, sometimes as low as €399. Downsides? Cold weather, fewer daylight hours, occasional fog. Upside: Christmas markets — sailing into Vienna or Passau lit up for the holidays feels unreal.
- Shoulder Season (April–May, Sept–Oct): Best balance of price and weather. CroisiEurope and A-ROSA throw discounts, and crowds aren’t overwhelming.
- Peak Season (June–Aug): Prices jump 30–50%. Ships sell out early, balcony cabins vanish months in advance. If you hate heat and crowds, maybe skip it.
Extra Costs Nobody Tells You About
- Wi-Fi: Sometimes free, often spotty. Some operators charge €5–10/day.
- Drinks packages: A-ROSA’s premium cocktails are €39/night. Can add up fast.
- Taxis to ports: Passau, Regensburg, and Nuremberg terminals aren’t always near train stations.
- Laundry: Expect €2–3 per item. Pack extra socks.
Tips for Saving More
- Book in shoulder season (April/May, Sept/Oct) — prices dip by 30–40%.
- Interior cabins save you 20–30% vs. balcony.
- DIY your excursions (half the price of ship tours).
- Group travel can net discounts (8+ passengers).
- Don’t ignore last-minute deals — A-ROSA sometimes unloads cabins for peanuts.
- Fly into Munich, Vienna, or Budapest — budget airlines keep prices down.
- Repositioning cruises (ships moving between routes) can be way cheaper.
Bottom Line
If you want the best mix of value and experience, CroisiEurope is king. A-ROSA’s good if you’re family-traveling. Nicko if you want a slightly trendier vibe. The rest? Pay more if you like — but the Danube itself doesn’t change. Same river, same castles, same beers at dockside taverns. Only your wallet feels different.
One last thought: don’t overthink it. Whether you’re sipping cheap wine on CroisiEurope or champagne on Viking, you’re still watching the same sunset over the Wachau Valley. The river doesn’t care how much you paid.