Christmastime from Budapest to Vienna 2026 - 6 Day River Cruise Budapest to Vienna

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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.

Map for Christmastime from Budapest to Vienna 2026 - 6 Day River Cruise Budapest to Vienna
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Dates & Pricing

Monday 23 Nov 26 — Sunday 29 Nov 26Starting at $2,589Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Thursday 26 Nov 26 — Wednesday 02 Dec 26Starting at $2,814Check 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 Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice.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

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.

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. 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

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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Day 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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Day 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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Day 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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Day 6
VIENNA (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning

Accommodations

BudapestViennaVienna
InterContinental Budapest
Deluxe



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.