Cruise ships on the Danube
Cruise ships on the Danube

Sightseeing by boat: Exploring the 6 best river cruises of Budapest

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Buda and Pest. The Parliament, Buda Castle and the Basilica. The four bridges that criss-cross the wide-open Danube river. With so much to see in Budapest, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if you only have a few hours to properly explore. Luckily, this stunning, ancient city was built around the shores of the river, and you can see just about all of the main attractions from the comfort of a lazy river boat

Hop On- Hop Off river cruise in Amsterdam

The river cruises of Budapest are as abundant and varied as the sights you’ll see in the city itself. With so many to choose from, we’ve gathered the top six, the very best river cruises for every traveller.

1. Stargaze from a river boat with City Sightseeing Budapest

Night is arguably the best time to explore Budapest. Just after dusk, the facades of Parliament, Buda Castle and the four main bridges light up and wash the city in a warm golden glow. The river itself transforms into a sparkling ribbon of light, each building reflecting on the water like a twinkling star in the night sky. It’s a stunning, ethereal experience that you just won’t find anywhere else. So, if you’re ready to see Budapest as it’s meant to be seen, hop on the Hop on-Hop off River Night Cruise.

 Pest at night from the Danube river
Pest at night from the Danube river
  • See the city all aglow on a 1-hour night tour
  • Don’t miss the main 8 Hop on – Hop off stops
  • Take in the views from an open-air terrace
River cruise inf front of the Parliament
River cruise in front of the Parliament

With your choice of two- or three-day tickets, you can spend one hour taking in the sights of Budapest. In fact, the tour takes you past eight of the stops from the Hop on-hop off bus tour — giving you the best of both experiences!  Book now with us to get save your spot!

2. Sip a mojito on the Danube with Silverline cruises

When you’re ready to drift along the captivating shores of the Danube, make sure you go in style. Silverline cruises aren’t your average river tours, where you’re stuck on a cold, probably wet bench for hours. Fancy a cool drink on a warm summer evening? Don’t miss their Sunset Cocktail Cruise. For just €22, you can watch the sunset transform the big sky over Budapest’s most beautiful landmarks into cotton-candy clouds of pink and orange—all while sipping on not one, but three cocktails of your choice. It’d be difficult to imagine a more perfect evening in Budapest.

Cocktails on the Silverline river cruise
  • See Budapest in the soft glow of sunset
  • Enjoy 3 refreshing cocktails of your choice
  • Chill out and relax with friends on the river
Sunset in Budapest by the Danube
Sunset in Budapest by the Danube

Book your tour with us to see Budapest with a refreshing tonic in hand. Meet 15 mins before your tour begins in the heart of Budapest, below Erzsébet bridge on Pest.

3. Indulge in the pleasures of wine country on a romantic boat ride with BudapestXplore

After a long day of sightseeing, bring a little romance back into your holiday. Budapest is after all, a romantic city, and a river cruise is the perfect chance to sit back and take in the views with your sweetie. And when you’re cruising through the wine capital of Central Europe, you simply can’t plan a romantic evening without a glass of Bikavér red or Etyeki white.

Book a river cruise wine tour of Budapest with BudapestXplore. With your choice of a 90- or 120-minute tour either in the evening or at sunset, you’ll see Budapest while learning about the vast wine history and culture of Hungary – a true cultural experience. Both tours give you plenty of time to take in the views and enjoy your wine.

Hungarian wine]
Hungarian wine]
  • Sip on your choice of 7 different varieties of wine
  • Enjoy live music on the 19:00 cruise
  • Travel by their exclusive transfer service
Budapestexplore river cruise
Budapestexplore river cruise

Book with us to reserve your exclusive spot on the boat!  Then, meet your guide 30 mins before your departure time at Gróf Széchenyi Hajó, Széchenyi rkp. 6, 1054 Budapest.

4. Float past glory in a floating bus with RiverRide

Budapest is a city steeped in history. From the battles of the ancient Magyar tribes to the baroque mystique of the Austro-Hungarian empire, there is much to learn during your time in the city. With RiverRide’s Floating Bus, you’ll explore the main historical sights of Budapest by land – and by water. Perhaps you may have already seen this big yellow bus floating in the Danube. It’s known for giving tourists a fright!

RiverRide’s Floating Bus in the Danube
  • Step onto this big yellow bus for the ultimate tour of Budapest
  • Have fun splashing into the mighty Danube river at speed
  • See the Museum Quarter, Heroes Square, the Great Synagogue and more
 RiverRide’s Floating Bus by the Parliament
RiverRide’s Floating Bus by the Parliament

This bus only runs on the weekends, but you can choose between a 50-minute or 90-minute tour starting from €11. Book with us today to save your big yellow seat on this amphibious adventure!

5. Sightsee at high speed with Red Jet

As you pass beneath towering bridges and past the grand dome of the Parliament, you can’t help but feel like a real adventurer of old. Exploring Budapest by boat is an epic experience – so why not take it up a notch? If you’ve got the need for speed, don’t miss a wild ride with Red Jet. Like James Bond, you’ll zoom through the waves of a wide-open river, ready to take on whatever may come your way. Accelerate to adventure on this high-speed, 30-minute tour of the Danube.

Red Jet’s speedboat on the Danube
Red Jet’s speedboat on the Danube
  • Experience the thrill of Budapest’s fastest speed boat
  • Get a different view of the city with 360-degree turns
  • Smile for professional photos of your adventure!
 View of Budapest from beneath the Chain Bridge
View of Budapest from beneath the Chain Bridge

Get in touch to book your seat on a Red Jet speed boat today for just €25.

6. Treat yourself to luxury with Legenda

From the majesty of Castle Hill to elegant cafes and restaurants, Budapest is the pinnacle of Old-World glamour. Take advantage of that during your time in the city, by treating yourself to a bit of luxury on a Legenda candlelit dinner cruise. Known for their all-inclusive packages, Legenda offers a night to remember on the Danube, complete with a four-course meal, welcome drink and live music. With a 2-hour tour at this level of class, you’ll see all the main sights along Budapest riverbanks, while enjoying the best of Hungarian cuisine.  

Legenda’s river cruise boat
Legenda’s river cruise boat
  • Enjoy a high-class dinner as you take in the views
  • See Budapest at night by the glow of candlelight
  • Spend two hours on the river for a memorable night
A Hungarian dish on Legenda’s river dinner cruise
A Hungarian dish on Legenda’s river dinner cruise

Book your exclusive, 2-hour dinner cruise today for just €66.

+1.  Travel on the Danube like a local

If you’re travelling on a budget or just aren’t in the mood for anything over-the-top, then take a ride on the no-fuss BKK ferry operated by the city’s public transportation company. If you bought a Budapest travel card or a weekly Budapest Pass for the duration of your trip, your ride is free on weekdays – on weekends, you’ll need to buy a ferry ticket for €2/person. While the ferry may be crowded on workdays and you might not get a seat, you’ll still get to take in the views from the open-air terrace or the heated cabin below deck. You also won’t get the guided tour or the fancy drinks as you would in the other cruises on this list, but with all the money you’ve saved, go buy yourself a nice guidebook and a bottle of wine!

The BKK ferry boat in Budapest
The BKK ferry boat in Budapest

The BKK ferry stops at many spots along the Danube. Find out how to hop on for a free tour.

Keep exploring — Danube river cruise port map

Looking to extend your adventure on the Danube? This gloriously long and wide river cuts through Central Europe, opening up its shores to incredible views of Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Belgrade, Krakow and Munich. If you’d like to see more of the river and the beautiful cities that call its shores home, check out our map of the river cruise ports.

 Map of the river cruise ports on the Danube
Map of the river cruise ports on the Danube

Q & A

What’s the best river cruise in Budapest
There are 6 great river cruises in Budapest, including a sunset cocktail tour, a wine tour, a night tour and a candlelit dinner tour.
Are there free boat trips in Budapest?
Yes, the best free river cruise in Budapest is the BKK ferry boat, which you can ride for free on weekdays if you have a Budapest pass.
What is the best way to see Budapest?
The best way to see Budapest is by boat! Book one of the many varied river cruises in Budapest to see the top attractions along the Danube, such as Parliament, Buda Castle and more.
What is a unique thing to do in Budapest?
You can’t miss a river cruise tour through Budapest. Cutting through Buda and Pest, you’ll see the main sights of the city, including Parliament and Buda Castle, all from the comfort of a luxurious river boat.
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