Sightseeing Cruises

Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Cruise

Name: Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Cruise
Start: 2026-01-09T16:55:00
End: 2026-01-09T17:55:00
Location: Budapest

Cruise ship on the Danube River with Budapest Parliament in the background.

Cruise ship on the Danube River at sunset with Budapest skyline in the background.

Nighttime cruise on the Danube River by the illuminated Hungarian Parliament in Budapest.

Danube River cruise passing Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church in Budapest.

Duration

1 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Operator: Silverline Cruises

4.2/5

(3,595)

Clarence

Dec 2025

Verified booking

5/5

I took a Danube River cruise in Budapest, and it ended up being one of the highlights of my trip. I’d seen photos of the Hungarian Parliament Building before, but nothing compares to watching it appear from the water glowing gold against the night sky and stretching endlessly along the riverbank. The cruise itself was smooth and relaxing. As we passed under the bridges, each one lit differently, Budapest felt like it was putting on a show. The Parliament was the star of it all massive, perfectly symmetrical, and almost unreal when you see it reflected in the Danube. I must have taken a hundred photos, but honestly, it’s the kind of sight that’s better in person.

Loris

Dec 2025

Verified booking

5/5

The Danube cruise in Budapest was a magical experience, made even more special by the Christmas atmosphere that enveloped every detail. Cruising through the city's already gorgeous lights, while admiring the illuminated Parliament and Buda Castle from the boat, was truly exciting. On the ship, the large decorated Christmas tree created a warm and festive atmosphere, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. A unique mix of elegance, romance and Christmas magic that makes this cruise unforgettable.

Georgi

Dec 2025

Verified booking

5/5

The Budapest Danube River Nighttime Sightseeing Cruise with Purpleliner was a truly magical experience. The city lights reflecting on the water created a breathtaking panorama of Parliament, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge. The boat was modern, comfortable, and offered both indoor and open-deck seating. Smooth check-in process via the Headout app, with friendly staff and informative audio guides. A perfect way to end the evening and admire Budapest’s charm from the river. Highly recommended for first-time visitors and couples!

Enjoy a 1-hour Danube cruise with audio guide and an optional drink, perfect for seeing Budapest’s landmarks from a scenic, relaxing setting.

Cruise past the Parliament Building, Buda Castle, and Chain Bridge while learning their stories through a multilingual audio guide.

Admire panoramic views of Gellért Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion from the water, capturing Budapest’s skyline in daylight or by night.

Choose a night-time cruise for a magical view of the city’s lights or a daytime ride with a complimentary drink for a refreshing journey.

1-hour daytime or evening sightseeing cruise

Complimentary audio guide in English, German, Hungarian, Italian, French, Spanish, Slovak, Russian & Korean

1-hour night-time sightseeing cruise (as per option selected)

1 drink (as per option selected)

TOTAL DURATION60 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
1 Boarding point
Sights covered
Chain Bridge
Bronze Shoes Memorial
Parliament
Margaret Island
Fisherman’s Bastion
Buda Castle
Castle Garden Bazaar
Elizabeth Bridge
Gellért Hill
National Theatre
Central Market Hall

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

4.2
3,595 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Spain, Italy, France and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
İlknur
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
Great route, great scenery and extremely attentive staff. When it snowed just as we boarded, we had great views.
Mariia
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
Attentive staff, welcome drinks as a nice touch, comfortable seats. The departure was on time, the audioguide worked perfectly.
Joaquin
Jan 2026
Verified booking
4/5
The starting point is magnificent. With the Parliament in front. Convenient boat. Metro 100 meters to return to Pest. The scenery is magnificent at night with buildings, churches and bridges illuminated. The only downside is that with the cold outside and the higher temperature inside some crystals are covered for photos. Recommended activity at that price.
Juan
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
The night cruise is definitely one of the experiences you must have when visiting Budapest. Seeing the city lit up from the Danube is truly fascinating. The trip is very peaceful on board and can be enjoyed outdoors or in a covered lounge where you can make use of the bar. I highly recommend it.
Bartosz
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
A pleasant cruise with historical commentary. The service was excellent. A small minus point is the seats in the middle, unfortunately the elevation of the first rows at the top which have the best view does not allow you to see the front view well, which in my opinion

Cruise Along the Danube

Marvel at the wonderful sights of Budapest on the Danube as you enjoy this 1-hour cruise. See the hidden nature of the riverbanks from this sightseeing cruise that one can only see from the water. Bridges over the River Danube were built in many rounds. Take in the fascinating architecture of the Chain Bridge and the Margaret Bridge. Passing by Margaret Island will allow you to see locals walking and jogging on this calm and relaxing favorite getaway within the city.

Sail Past Famous Bridges

The evening sightseeing cruise will continue under two famous bridges, including the Chain Bridge with illuminated guardian lions on either street side. See the beauty of the Buda castle, the residence of Hungarian Kings, and the opulence of the Matthias Church, characterized by its neo-Gothic style. On the Buda side of the river, you can see the statue of Szent Gellért after whom the hill was named. On top of the hill, you will see the beautiful Hungarian woman, Citadella, standing proud with her arms open. Imagine these sights in the soft glow of the lights at night.

Itinerary

Main Budapest attractions covered:

Chain Bridge

Bronze Shoes Memorial

Parliament

Margaret Island

Fisherman’s Bastion

Buda Castle

Castle Garden Bazaar

Elizabeth Bridge

Gellért Hill

National Theatre

Central Market Hall

What to bring

Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

Dress warmly in winter months and carry a jacket or layers during evenings, even in summer.

What's not allowed

Outside food and beverages are not permitted onboard.

Unfortunately, self-balancing wheelchairs or scooters cannot be accommodated due to safety considerations.

Accessibility

The experience is not wheelchair or stroller-accessible. Guests must walk a short flight of steps leading to the cruise.

Your guide dogs are welcome on the ship.

Additional information

Children aged 17 years and under must be accompanied by an adult.

The boarding point depends on the type of cruise you choose.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.

Please arrive at the boarding point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Boarding point

Please check your final voucher for the boarding point details and specific instructions.