Viking River Cruise: Budapest to Amsterdam in the Fall

John, We took a Viking river cruise in France about 10 years ago. My one bit of advice is that if you have a morning tour in town and the ship schedule allows it, don't go back with the rest of the group. Take your time and wander around town. Find a place to have a light lunch; ignore the fact that you have already paid for lunch on the ship. The group walk around may show you the major sights, but you may miss the essence of the town.

I am sure you will get a lot of replies from people who have done this; but if not, here are some search results narrowed down to the last year. Some will be applicable and some won’t.

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=1y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Viking+cruise+Budapest

P.S. I just read your first post from 2008 when you were getting ready to head out on your first European trip and the enthusiasm made me happy as well. I bet you have a few trips under your belt since then.

Thanks for the comments, folks.

As an aside, we are opting for the standard stateroom (we've had verandas on our Ocean Cruises...but really, we didn't spend enough time in the stateroom to lounge on those verandas, anyway). As I understand the standard staterooms has a small window above the closet. Does anyone have any idea whether or not one can see outside while standing?

Mr. E...we've been in Amsterdam before (only one day, but still...), so we opted to start in Budapest with two days there. There will be two days in Vienna, as well.

Texas Travel Mom...I totally forgot about that post in 2008! That one we were winging it all on our own...without the convenience of Viking taking care of airfare, shuttling to airport, etc.

Irish Eyes, your suggestion is exactly how we prefer it. For example, in Porto we abandoned our exclusion bus, made sure we knew where it was parked and when it was going back to the ship and had a delightful day walking around Porto.

Ok - we did this in 2018 and Viking has tweaked the day-to-day itinerary, but here’s what we experienced. We flew in and out of Amsterdam, spending 2 days there before flying to Budapest and spending 2 days there before boarding the ship. We did lots on our own, buying a tram pass in Budapest which got us everywhere we wanted to go. In looking at the optional tours offered, it would be so easy to do any of that on your own. We did the Grand Market, thermal baths, the synagogue, Castle Hill, Hospital in the Rock and a folk concert before the cruise began. I don’t see it listed, but the boat did sail the river one evening to see everything lit up. We did scout where our ship would be docked before boarding. The included panorama tour in Budapest was by bus but you could stay on Castle Hill at the end if you wanted and then transport yourself back to the boat. City felt very safe.

In Vienna our boat docked away from the center and we should have researched local transport for more flexibility. There was a stop fairly close to the dock and we could have spent more time in the center on our own. People that went to Schobrunn Palace liked it, but the Lipizzaner tour was a bust.

Check to see if the day of the week you’re visiting a town/city. We hit Passau on a day everything was closed and the courtroom in Nuremberg was closed the day we were there.

We did try a bunch of their optional tours: Bavarian cruise (OK), sausage making (fun), Rothenburg ob der Tauber (worth it), and Kinderdijk windmills and cheese making. People that did Munich & Salzburg said it was too much bus riding. The e-bike rides were pretty popular..

We enjoyed it but wish we had researched more on our own.

We have done 3 Viking river cruises. Basel to Amsterdam. Passau to Budapest. Budapest to Bucharest. We have enjoyed all 3. We were in the bottom of the boat on the first trip. FYI, there is not an elevator to this level. There is a window just above the waterline that you can see out of. I am 5’9” and I can see outside. My wife is 5’3” and has to stand on her tiptoes to see out. We were impressed how quiet it was and how we felt very little of the ships movement. The closer you get to Amsterdam on the Rhein river, the heavier barge traffic becomes. We did notice passing engine/prop noise during the day. At night we sleep like logs so for us that was not an issue. The second cruise we took, our room was on the second level (entry). It was fine. The doorwall (sliding door) was nice but we didn’t use it that often. You have a 50/50 chance of another river cruise ship docked right next to you in port. For the third cruise, we went back down to the first level.
We have always had great service and staff on each ship. Sometimes there is entertainment in the evening. We take most all of the included tours and some of the extra cost ones. Sometimes you are docked near a town, sometimes not. You will travel mostly at night except for a few scenic legs. We have taken our trips in September, December, and October. We have never had an issue with water levels. You will have a good time.
We are looking forward to our first ocean cruise with Viking this December.

We did this tour from Amsterdam to Budapest a couple years back. Loved it. I recommend spending a few days in Budapest before the trip and several days in Amsterdam after the trip. Here's some of my recollections:

Vienna

If you don't like the group tours, in Vienna, the ship docks an easy walking distance to a Vienna U-bahn stop. so it is possible to skip the ship provided tour and do your own thing like visiting Schonbrunn palace on your own using the U-bahn.
In Vienna, we took Viking's tour bus to the main area, did part of their walking tour and then parted ways and did our own thing.
We had tickets to see the Lippanzer stallions at the Spanish riding school. Afterwards we wandered around on our own, visiting St. Stephens, and having torte at Cafe Central. It was an easy U-bahn ride back to the viking dock.

Kinderdijk

The included tour was good and then there was free time to wander. You could do it yourself, but you would be on your own to have an explanation of things. Easy walk back to the ship dock.

Cologne

This is an easy DIY. From the dock, you cross the bridge and walk to the Cathedral. Easy walk back to the ship.

Nuremberg

The boat docks in an industrial area and NOT near the town. So taking the viking bus is a must. This was one of the few locations that you needed to take the Ships tours.

Melk

Take the ship tour of Melk Abbey. The bus climbs the hill and drops you off at the abbey entrance. IF you DIY, you have to figure out how to walk up to the abbey entrance yourselves. After the tour, you can walk downhill to visit the town on your own and it's a walk through a forest to get back to the ship. That's what I did.

More later as I remember.....

I have a friend doing this right now. They are having a great time. The weather is almost perfect this week.

We just finished a river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. We chose AMA Waterways - all excursions, up to five at each stop, were included, bike tours, tasting tours, city tours, architectural tours, etc.

We are normally RS type of travelers, but hubby wanted a pampered experience this one time (after years of caring for elderly parents locally, we were kind of worn out). This was it - in spades. Excellent food, immaculate cabin, kind and wonderful staff. Only 90 travelers on a boat that held 150. Yay!

We booked 3 nights at the centrally located Hotel Oktogon in Budapest (thanks to rec from Mr E above, go to Hungary forum and absorb all his great ideas!). did you know that over 65 travels free on all metro/trams/buses in Budapest? Using google maps, we easily planned our days there. We booked a jazz club with gypsy performers and an Opera performance for 2 of our nights. Took a "free" tour from a local Hungarian, visited the Central Market, wandered and wandered. Rode the 2 Tram just for the scenery. Ate at authentic local restaurants. We loved Budapest!

Also booked an Airbnb in Amsterdam. We had been to Amsterdam before, and we also rented a tandem bicycle to get around while there. Amsterdam was ...very crowded. Although we enjoyed it, we saw a pickpocket event within 2 hours of arrival, our Airbnb was way overpriced (but I understand every accommodation is, with a 26% hike coming soon).

Since it was June, the water levels were too low to continue, so one week was on one ship, the second week we bussed from Regensburg to Nuremberg for our excursion, then a short hop to our "new" ship - identical to the previous ship and expertly handled by AMA - even down to getting the same room number and walking aboard and right to our cabin. Some have had worse experiences (like 2-3 days at same port), but for us it was not a problem, other than having to repack once during the 2 weeks..

We felt extremely safe the entire time (especially Budapest on our own). We were careful in Amsterdam but no problems overall. Went to some great restaurants in both cities, in Ams we took a canal tour (choose carefully, some are better than others), and visited the Rijks museum (we had already been to the Van Gogh, both recommended). One of our days in Amsterdam we rode the bike along the canals leading out of the city, had lunch in a nearby village, a great break from the crowds.

Suggest some cafe stops on your own, for lunch and beer (boy they are very serious about their beer in these towns!).

You will love this trip!

We did this trip in mid October 2015. Late enough for the water level to rise. The weather was cool and wet but we were prepared and it was wonderful. The cabin location was not important as there were lovely lounge areas. What we liked most was that in most places we were docked near the town center, so after the morning tour and lunch, we could easily go out to explore on our own. We did research in Rick Steves guidebooks, so had an idea of what else to do. We mostly moved on overnight except for particularly scenic sections. I would recommend the cruise. We stayed on in Amsterdam and time in Paris as well. It was a great trip to celebrate retirement.

go on Youtube and watch videos on river cruises. That will contrast the differences with ocean cruises.

Maybe the biggest difference, is that a river cruise is much like a bus tour. You travel and see in a town for a part of a day, and on your way. The time in each stop is really not enough to experience the city, but you get a good "taste".

The schedule is much more regulated than an ocean cruise. Up at a specific time, eat breakfast at a specific time, off on the morning tour, then back to the boat for lunch together, then to the afternoon activity, then back to the boat for dinner and entertainment.

You do not have eating or drinking options when you wish. You can certainly forgo meals and tours, and do what you wish, but you are obviously paying for meals and tours already, so figure out what the value is to you.

There are lots of other things regarding social structures, demographics, where you dock, the scenery or lack thereof, and a dozen other things.

I might also add, I am not trying to be negative, just saying to have a realistic attitude. What they offer can be great, but people see the commercials, have been on ocean cruises, and just build unrealistic expectations.

Thank you all for the commentary and advice.

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether or not a pre-cruise extension in Budapest is a good thing? When we did our Routes of the Middle Ages Cruise (Bergen to Barcelona), we added a pre-cruise extension in Oslo and thoroughly enjoyed that.

Thanks again.

John

I would absolutely think it’s a good thing, if possible.

Correct me if I am wrong but the pre-cruise part of the Viking ship is you arrive on one day ... so maybe you have the evening, then you have the entire next day and then you sail in the evening? So you get one not jet lagged day and only one jet lagged evening.

So adding two nights give you the time to at least walk past the major reasons for visiting Budapest and gives you two not-jet-lagged evenings to enjoy music or food.

So,

Extension Day 1 / Night 1: if you are coming from the states, you will arrive mid-afternoon most likely. By the time you check into your hotel you will be left with the very late afternoon and evening. Thats fine if you are jet lagged. Lower Andrassy ut (because your hotel is on lower Andrassy ut) and a run on the M1 metro to the river for the lights, dinner and bed.

Extension Day 2 / Night 2: a trip to the Buda Castle District for about a half day then Pest outside the 47/49 Tram line (Jewish Budapest, Great Synagogue, Ruin Pubs maybe, some interesting architecture and a few good museums, antique book / print shops. Evening activity: Evening boat on the Danube (you will see more than the Viking boat will let you see), Opera or theater, jazz concert/dinner, dinner with a gypsy band, wine bar options are endless. But its good to get into the culture a bit.

Viking Day 1 / Night 1: The Pest waterfront from the Great Market Hall to the Parliament and parts of District V and the Basilica. This is all close to the boat. Evening activity: Evening boat on the Danube (you will see more than the Viking boat will let you see), Opera or theater, jazz concert/dinner, dinner with a gypsy band, wine bar options are endless. But its good to get into the culture a bit.

Viking Day 2 / Night Sail: A perfect day for Andrassy ut, Opera House tour, House of Terror tour, magnificent architecture, Bath house cultural event, city park and a Hungarian House of Music. Or pursue something of particular interest to you, like Architecture, Jewish Budapest, Cold War Budapest, Cooking or Food or Wine. Evening Activity: Not sure what time you have to be back on the boat so dinner might have to be on the boat. so no, evening Hungarian cultural activities.

How to do the extension? I am not going to say not to use the Viking extension package. I took a quick look and it appears that you have two choices for hotels: the Intercontinental or the Four Seasons. The Intercontinental I think a good place to stay if you have one, or two nights, total in Budapest because with such little time you don’t have time to see the city anyway, so might as well have a pretty view. You now have 4 nights, so there is no advantage. Otherwise, it’s a 1980's megalith concrete box hotel in Tourist Central. There are better locations if you want to experience the city. That hotel Viking package is $700. The Four Seasons, except for being drop dead gorgeous, isn’t any better for location but the Viking Package is $1400. With both Viking does the transfers from the airport. Thats great, saves $30 but I have seen the groups at the airport. Viking turns what should be 40 minutes from exit door to hotel in to an hour or more because they have to gather the group then wait for and then put you on the bus. I wonder if it stops at both hotels? So maybe longer yet.

So, a well located for experiencing the city four-star hotel, like the Up Hotel or the Oktogon Hotel, might cost $350 for two nights, depending on the dates and when you book. A taxi from the airport will set you back another $30 (or there is an express bus for about $8). If you want a five-star like the Four Seasons, the Hotel W on Andrassy ut across the street from the Opera House will set you back maybe as little as $700, again depending on the date and when you book.

Viking is an excellent river cruise company.
However, I always compare several prior to booking a river cruise.
Gate 1 Travel always has lower prices, much of the time significantly lower.