Cruise Amsterdam to Budapest (or vice versa) on an epic river journey

Your fare excludes:

Sampe itinerary

Day 1 Amsterdam

Arrive in Amsterdam, after boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits, you may wish to visit the Rijksmuseum, or the van Gogh Museum next door. (Dinner)

Day 2 Kinderdijk

This morning we sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return on board for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions: sample handcrafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and take in a culturally enriching presentation on the Dutch Golden Age. We cruise through the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 Cologne

Begin your day with a morning tour of Cologne, Germany’s fourth-largest city. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church and see the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend your free time enjoying Cologne’s atmospheric waterfront, or perhaps join an optional excursion on which you ascend to the Dom’s roof for up-close views of the cathedral’s architecture and bird’s-eye vistas of Cologne. Afterward, return on board for dinner. Alternately, you may set off on an optional excursion to explore Cologne’s spirited beer culture, sampling Kölsch, a light, crisp beer brewed only in Cologne, and enjoying a brauhaus dinner. After, return to your ship for a late-evening departure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 Koblenz

Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine, stopping in Koblenz to visit Marksburg Castle, the only Rhine fortress never destroyed. After your tour, continue cruising this stunning stretch of the Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Lorelei Rock, which marks the river’s narrowest point and is named after the legendary Rhine maiden who lured sailors to their demise. Lunch and dinner are served on board your ship. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 Miltenberg

The morning is spent sailing along the beautiful Main River as it winds its way through the Spessart region, home of the actual Snow White. During our sail, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the region’s glassblowing traditions during a live demonstration. After lunch, we stop in Miltenberg, known for its half-timbered houses and Germany’s oldest inn. Join our walking tour that concludes with free time for you to explore. We sail through the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 Wurzburg

This morning, you may choose to join an optional full-day excursion along Germany’s picturesque “Romantic Road” to Rothenburg, with its turreted city wall and impressive Gothic and baroque architecture. Upon returning to Würzburg, enjoy a tour of the Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rejoin your ship for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 Bamberg

Continue along the Main–Danube Canal this morning, arriving in Bamberg in early afternoon. Enjoy a tour of Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, reworked in late Romanesque style in the 13th century, and the picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river. Take some free time to enjoy Bamberg and sample some of the town’s distinctive smoke-flavoured beer before returning on board. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Nuremberg

After breakfast, disembark in Nuremberg and visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, the Nazi parade grounds of the 1930s; then see the Palace of Justice, site of the infamous Nuremberg Trials. Alternately, you may take an optional World War II tour that includes the illuminating Documentation Center Museum. After lunch, spend free time exploring Nuremberg’s Old Town. Or, join an optional tour to discover the secret network of underground bunkers where priceless art was hidden in wartime. We depart just before dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 Regensburg

Arrive in Regensburg midday. After lunch, tour this wonderfully preserved medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including structures dating back to Roman times. Discover many 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peter’s Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Würstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany’s oldest restaurant. Alternately, you may choose to disembark this morning and drive with your guide to Munich for an optional full-day tour of this cultural and historic city, rejoining your ship in time to enjoy dinner on board before our evening departure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10 Passau

Arrive this morning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the town’s narrow streets takes you through Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. Admire the New Bishop’s Residence and see the impressive baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral; its ornate interior is home to one of Europe’s largest church organs. Enjoy lunch on board your ship, and return to the city for further exploration on your own before departing. Alternately, set out this morning with your guide to enjoy a full-day optional tour of picturesque Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and setting of The Sound of Music. We cruise through the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11 Melk

After breakfast, visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship; cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley this afternoon. Before dinner, you have time to explore the time-honoured town of Krems and see the Steiner Tor, the last remaining city gate, or take an optional excursion to a local winery to sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12 Vienna

Today we tour the Austrian capital of Vienna. Ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. See some of the city’s baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return to your ship for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Alternately, you may choose to join an optional excursion to see the famed Lipizzaner Stallions; or, express your creativity and create a lasting keepsake at an optional art workshop inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt. After dinner, relax or enjoy an optional classical concert. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13 Vienna

Enjoy a day at leisure in Vienna. Perhaps see an unrivalled collection of Old Masters at the Museum of Fine Arts, or visit the Albertina. Maybe ride the Riesenrad, the world’s oldest Ferris wheel. Alternately, you may join an optional tour to Schönbrunn Palace, the “Versailles of Vienna,” or enjoy a Viennese waltz lesson as well as visiting the palace during a full-day optional excursion. A cup of coffee or tea and a slice of exquisite Sachertorte are a must for any afternoon in Vienna. Later, rejoin your ship and sail for Budapest. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 14 Budapest

The Danube River divides Hungary’s capital city into the once separate towns of Buda and Pest. Explore both sides, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, walk along Castle Hill to Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch on board your ship, with the rest of the day to explore on your own. Alternately, choose one of our optional excursions designed to allow you to delve deeper into the history, culture and cuisine of this fascinating city. Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 15 Budapest

After breakfast, disembark, your 15 day river cruise has sadly come to an end. (Breakfast)

• Shore excursions are available each day of the cruise and vary by each itinerary and are subject to change.

Frequent departures from Amsterdam to Budapest or Budapest to Amsterdam from August 2023 to 18 December 2025 - Book before 28 August 2023

Travel from Amsterdam to Budapest on 26 November to 10 December 2025
OR: Travel from Budapest to Amsterdam on 26 November to 10 December 2025

• Standard Stateroom from WAS $8,295 NOW $4,995 per person twin share*
• French Balcony Stateroom from WAS $10,395 NOW $8,095 per person twin share*
• Veranda Stateroom from WAS $11,395 NOW $9,095 per person twin share*
• Veranda Suite from WAS $15,195 NOW $12,895 per person twin share*
• Explorer Suite from WAS $18,095 NOW $15,795 per person twin share*

Travel from Budapest to Amsterdam on 24 October to 7 November 2024
OR: Travel from Amsterdam to Budapest on 28 October to 11 November 2024

• Standard Stateroom from WAS $8,495 NOW $6,195 per person twin share*
• French Balcony Stateroom from WAS $10,295 NOW $7,995 per person twin share*
• Veranda Stateroom from WAS $11,495 NOW $9,195 per person twin share*
• Veranda Suite from WAS $15,295 NOW $12,995 per person twin share*
• Explorer Suite from WAS $18,095 NOW $15,795 per person twin share*

Call today and speak with one of our experienced Travel advisors to discuss this outstanding travel opportunity on 1300 414 198

NOTE: all prices correct at the time of publishing, prices are subject to availability and change at the time of booking.

Stateroom - Standard, Veranda, French Balcony - A private sanctuary on the river. Each of the spacious staterooms offers deluxe comfort during your river cruise. All staterooms have a hotel-syle bed topped with European linens and duvets providing the perfect place to turn in after a full day of exploring Europe's great towns and cities. You will feel pampered by bathrooms equipped with heated floors and premium Freyja bath products.

Suites - Veranda Suite & Explorer Suite - The ultimate in lavish comfort, enjoy two full size rooms. These outstanding spaces are amount the largest two person suites on Europe's River and provide commanding views.

All staterooms feature:

• Outside staterooms with river view
• Bottled water replenished daily
• Voltage: 220V & 110V (US outlet), plus USB ports
• Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed with optional twin-bed configuration
• All Upper & Middle Deck staterooms have a full veranda or French balcony (a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door)
• Private bathroom with shower; heated floor & anti-fog mirror; premium Freyja toiletries; robes & slippers (upon request)
• 40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more
• Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control
• * All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.

Vaccine Requirement - Viking requires that all guests be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to travel. For added protection, we strongly recommend that guests who are eligible for a booster receive one before departing. All crew are required to be up-to-date with their immunisation. This policy is aligned with current guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You may be required to show proof of vaccination for embarkation on a Viking ship. Please note, some countries along your journey may require a booster dose.

Sanitisation - Rest assured that the surfaces on your ship will be cleaned and sanitised continuously with daily scheduled deep cleanings. You will notice more hand sanitisation stations throughout your ship. And on our ocean and expedition ships, we are using new sanitisation robots that utilize UV-C light to treat surfaces in guest and crew public areas—an industry first.

Dining & Entertainment- On your ship, you can expect spacious, airy public areas and abundant options for al fresco dining. Also, on our ocean and expedition voyages, as always, you can enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service. Now, more options for spaced seating in all dining venues will allow for physical distancing; there will be additional table service at all bars and lounges; and new capabilities will allow you to watch more live events and enriching content through your in-room entertainment system.

Physical Distancing & Face Masks - Public health experts agree that proper physical distancing and the use of face masks are effective in helping slow the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Face masks are optional while moving about the ship. Please note: Viking’s Medical Team continually monitors conditions and may deem face masks to be necessary while moving about the ship, based on conditions at the time of travel. While ashore, guests will need to comply with any local guidelines for face masks and physical distancing. Face masks continue to be required for all crew.

Shore Excursions & Exploration- We have redesigned our land program, limiting group size and will continue to monitor conditions in each destination. All shore excursion motor coaches are fully sanitised. Face masks are recommended for guests on shore excursions, unless otherwise required to comply with local regulations. Guests may explore independently while following requirements in the country they are visiting.

What happens if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on their Viking cruise?

Guests with a positive COVID-19 test may be isolated on board or ashore—depending on local guidelines and symptoms, if any. Should the destination where the ship is located require those who test positive be disembarked—or should guest choose to isolate ashore—Viking will arrange for the guest to recover ashore before returning home once their recovery is complete. Upon their return home, Viking Customer Relations will contact the guest and their travel advisor directly regarding any necessary refunding or rescheduling. Please Note: Guests who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 10–90 days should bring either a physician certificate of recovery or a positive PCR test result from within that time window.