Austria Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
104 ships from 12 cruise lines
Austria cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 768 upcoming sailings on 104 ships from 12 cruise lines visiting Austria, calling at 13 places. Cruises can start in Vienna and end in Vienna. Of 773 upcoming sailings, 69 start in Austria and 68 end there. More Western Europe cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Austria cruise lines
See every Austria cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Austria
Austria is the cultural and scenic heart of European river cruising. The Danube crosses the country for roughly 350 kilometers, passing through Linz, the terraced vineyards of the Wachau, the Baroque abbey at Melk, the fairy-tale mooring at Dürnstein, and the imperial capital Vienna. The result is a compact, visually stunning, and safe destination where a traveler can experience Alpine grandeur, Habsburg history, wine-country calm, and world-class music without changing hotels every night. For the milestone American traveler who dislikes being herded, Austria offers flexible excursions, easy independent exploration, and a relaxed pace along one of the world's most beautiful river landscapes.
Typical routes
- Danube Classic: Passau–Vienna–Budapest, with Austrian calls at Linz, Grein, Melk, Dürnstein or Krems, and Vienna.
- Nuremberg–Vienna–Budapest and Bavarian–Austrian Danube, which adds Regensburg, Passau, and often a longer Wachau transit before Vienna.
Ports overview
Austria's Danube runs from the German border near Passau through Linz, the Wachau, and Vienna before crossing into Slovakia. Ships dock in the center of Vienna, at municipal quays in Linz, at village landings in the Wachau, and occasionally at smaller towns such as Grein. Because Austria is in the Schengen area, domestic Danube sailings involve no border formalities.
Cruise season
March through January; peak season is April through October. Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer the best combination of mild weather, vineyard color, and smaller crowds. Christmas market cruises run from late November through December.
Find your Austria sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Austria, earliest departure first.
23 Days One-Way from Prague to Bucharest
Visits Austria. Also visits Czechia - Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia
Scenic Amber
16 Days One-Way from Nuremberg to Bucharest
Visits Austria. Also visits Germany, Slovakia, Hungary
Scenic Amber
21 Days One-Way from Prague to London-Greenwich
Visits Austria. Also visits Czechia - Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany
Scenic Jade
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11 Days One-Way from Budapest to Prague
Visits Austria. Also visits Hungary, Germany, Czechia - Czech Republic
Avalon Expression
9 Days One-Way from Budapest to Vilshofen an Der Donau
Visits Austria. Also visits Hungary, Germany
Avalon Expression
18 Days One-Way from Budapest to London-Greenwich
Visits Austria. Also visits Hungary, Germany, Netherlands
Scenic Jade
19 Days One-Way from Prague to Bucharest
Visits Austria. Also visits Czechia - Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia
SS Marlene
15 Days One-Way from Amsterdam to Budapest
Visits Austria. Also visits Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia
MS Esprit
10 Days One-Way from Vienna to Kehl-Strasbourg
Starts in Austria. Also visits Germany, France
ms Beethoven
16 Days One-Way from Basel to Budapest
Visits Austria. Also visits Switzerland, Germany, France
Avalon Tranquility II
13 Days One-Way from Kehl-Strasbourg to Budapest
Visits Austria. Also visits France, Germany, Hungary
ms Douce France
27 Days One-Way from Bucharest to Amsterdam
Visits Austria. Also visits Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia
Scenic Amber
Where Austria cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (1)
Vienna (772) (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (1)
Vienna (772)
Ships by type: 104 river · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your Austria cruise
Austria cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Austria cruise port guide →More Western Europe cruises
France · Germany · Netherlands · Spain · Portugal · Italy · Belgium · Switzerland
Frequently asked questions about Austria cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Austria?
13 Austria places are visited by 104 ships from 12 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Austria cruise?
March through January; peak season is April through October. Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer the best combination of mild weather, vineyard color, and smaller crowds. Christmas market cruises run from late November through December.
Sources and further reading
Background on Austria draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Austria
- CIA World Factbook: Austria
- Austrian National Tourist Office: Austria.info – Official Travel Guide
- Vienna Tourist Board: Official Vienna City Travel Guide
- Wachau Tourism: Wachau Nibelungengau Strudengau
- Salzburg Tourism: Visit Salzburg
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
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