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Christmastime from Budapest to Vienna 2026
6 Day River Cruise Budapest to Vienna
Tour Description:
Make your holiday wishes come true with special departures for the festive season to experience Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets and festivities. Enjoy the jolly atmosphere on our decorated Suite Ships® as you delight in the sights, smells, and tastes of local Christmas traditions along your Danube River cruise. Enjoy stunning winter views on the Danube with the warm glow of Christmas markets, beautifully adorned with ageless traditions.Begin your cruise in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, with guided sightseeing and free time to explore one more Christmas market and buy one-of-a-kind gifts. Next, you’ll sail to the centuries-old Slovakian city of Bratislava with guided sightseeing and time to browse the beautiful Christmas markets. Take a guided tour of its cobblestone streets and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. Next, cruise to wonderful Melk for guided sightseeing in Austria’s Wachau Valley, including the magnificent Benedictine Abbey perched above the Danube. Continue your festive Danube River cruise to Vienna—the “City of Music.” Enjoy guided sightseeing and the glow of sparkling Christmas markets while exploring the Imperial Palace, Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
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Dates & Pricing
| Monday 23 Nov 26 — Sunday 29 Nov 26 | Starting at $2,224 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 26 Nov 26 — Wednesday 02 Dec 26 | Starting at $2,599 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
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 Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice.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
Destination & Sightseeing| Day 1 Budapest (Embarkation): | onboard welcome reception |
| Day 2 Budapest: | guided tour, see Heroes’ Square; free time for Christmas market |
| Day 3 Bratislava: | guided city sightseeing; free time for Christmas market |
| Day 4 Melk–Wachau Valley–Vienna: | guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; onboard Austrian cookies tasting |
| Day 5 Vienna: | city sightseeing; free time for Christmas market |
| Day 6 Vienna (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•Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December.
•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•Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 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.
With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition before boarding your Suite Ship®.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
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Day 2
BUDAPEST Christmas Lights and Classic Sights
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour to see majestic Heroes’ Square and Budapest’s classic sites.
Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs, and don’t miss the unique Christmas markets that Budapest hosts every year during the Festive season.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment onboard
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 3
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Old Town’s cobblestone streets to Town Hall. Visit the Gothic halls of St. Martin’s Cathedral—Hungary’s centuries-old coronation church.
Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Bratislava.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 4
MELK, AUSTRIA Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookies Tasting while sailing through the splendid Wachau Valley to Vienna.
VIENNA
Vienna’s Winter Wonderland
This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 5
VIENNA Royal Collections and Christmas Confections
CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening.
Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg Empire.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 6
VIENNA (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
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Accommodations
Accommodations| Budapest | Vienna |
Budapest Marriott
Deluxe
Apaczai Csere Janos U.4 Budapest Hungary
This modern 364 room property enjoys a prime downtown location and offers convenience blended with style. Free Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby and the hotel has a fitness center with sauna and Jacuzzi. The trendy Mediterranean Grill restaurant serves tasty Hungarian dishes and the stylish lounge bar offers tapas style food and cocktails.
Deluxe
Apaczai Csere Janos U.4 Budapest Hungary
This modern 364 room property enjoys a prime downtown location and offers convenience blended with style. Free Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby and the hotel has a fitness center with sauna and Jacuzzi. The trendy Mediterranean Grill restaurant serves tasty Hungarian dishes and the stylish lounge bar offers tapas style food and cocktails.
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.
