We are finding the Viking River Cruises to be too expensive and would like to put together our own trip using ferries to visit some of the towns along the Danube - starting perhaps in Passau and continuing all the way to Budapest. Does there exist a network of ferries connecting the towns along the Danube, and where can we find schedules and prices? We speak and read German.
Sue and Peter
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
156 posts
I have wondered about this myself and don't think there is any one place that you can go to get your answer. I did find this website which I think may be helpful - gotocentraleurope.com - and look under Getting There & Around and then By Boat. This gives a pretty comprehensive outline about what is available, but I think you will have to do a fair amount of research and planning yourself. If you do decide to pursue this, please share. Thanks!
Posted by
OP
Mesa, AZ, USZ
3 posts
Kathy,
What a great website! I'm on a driving trip in the US right now so can only do sporadic research. Thanks.
Posted by
Indy, IN, USA
4 posts
We have only taken two ferries on the Danube, and both were spur of the moment kinds of decisions. One was ten years ago in the Wachau section from Melk to Krems - absolutely beautiful scenery and the ferry went pretty slowly. I don't honestly remember if you could continue with a ferry from Krems to Vienna, but you could certainly take the regional train. Four years ago, we took a high-speed catamaran type ferry from Bratislava to Vienna. If memory serves me correctly, there were multiple ferries on the waterfront at Bratislava, but I don't honestly remember where the others went.
Posted by
OP
Mesa, AZ, USZ
3 posts
Thanks, Dave. It looks like your suggestion might be our best choice for scenic beauty on The Danube.
Sue
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
Susan... while I am sure you can do it on your own, you might want to take a look at Goahead tours... I think they are a lot less than Viking... have never been on one but I have been on a few short cruises and a hydrofoil on the Danube and the scenery is indeed stunning. You will love it.