In a nutshell
- The Danube flows right through Budapest, and many of the city’s most popular attractions line its banks — which makes a boat tour one of the best ways to get to know the city.
- There are plenty of different options to choose from: classic daytime sightseeing cruises, evening cruises, dinner cruises, and party boats.
- Feeling adventurous? You can also book a stand-up paddleboard tour on the Danube. Traveling with kids? The amphibious bus tour in Budapest is an absolute hit — you’ll see why in a moment.
- Not sure where to stay in Budapest? Check out our hotel tips for Budapest or our picks for boutique hotels in Budapest.
Daytime Sightseeing Boat Tour in Budapest
Tickets: from 20 euros
Duration: 70 minutes
Language: German, English, and 28 more languages
Starting point: Dock 7, Jane Haining Rakpart (open in Google Maps)
If you’re after something totally classic and want to see the most beautiful highlights from the water, the daytime city cruise is perfect for you. If you’ve already picked up the Budapest Card, a boat tour is even included in the price.
The boats come equipped with Wi-Fi, audio guides in multiple languages, and a welcome drink is included as well.
Departures run at various times from morning through evening, so you can easily slot the Danube cruise into your sightseeing schedule whenever it suits you.
Book the Budapest daytime sightseeing boat tour online
Evening City Cruise in Budapest
Tickets: from 15 euros
Duration: 1 hour
Language: English
Starting point: Dock 42, North side (open in Google Maps)
The evening Danube cruise is one of the most affordable boat trips in Budapest we’ve come across. It’s a great pick if you want to take in the sights without any fuss.
There’s no live commentary, which actually makes this tour feel genuinely relaxed — it’s all about letting you soak in Budapest in the evening light. A welcome drink is included.
You can choose between an early evening departure or a night cruise — depending on whether you’re after the golden hour, the sunset, or the full city lights of Budapest.
Book the evening city cruise in Budapest
Dinner Cruise Budapest
Tickets: from 110 euros
Duration: 2.5 hours
Language: English
Starting point: Pier 7 (open in Google Maps)
A dinner cruise combines a river cruise with a proper sit-down dinner. It’s a seriously special experience — gliding past iconic landmarks while enjoying a 4-course meal, all with live music and attentive service.
This Budapest river cruise is a particularly wonderful choice for couples and a fantastic idea if you’re visiting Budapest for a special occasion.
You can build your own menu by choosing from a selection of different dishes.
Book the Budapest Dinner Cruise online
Party Boat Budapest
Tickets: from 23 euros
Duration: 2.5 hours
Language: English
Starting point: Akadémia Dock 2 (open in Google Maps)
Budapest is well known for its incredible nightlife. If you want to go out and party, a party boat is a super fun way to kick the night off right.
You can choose whether you want unlimited drinks on board or prefer to pay as you go. With a live DJ spinning tunes and a great crowd on deck, you’ll cruise past Budapest’s most iconic landmarks as the city lights up around you.
You’ll also meet plenty of new people to head to a club with after the cruise. And the best part? A bus transfer to a nightclub is included in the ticket price.
Book the Party Boat Budapest online
Danube River Cruise to Szentendre
Tickets: from 16 euros
Duration: 6 – 10.5 hours
Starting point: Various departure points (select at time of booking)
Not really feeling a sightseeing cruise and would rather get out of Budapest and explore the surrounding area?
Then we’d strongly recommend booking a boat trip to Szentendre. Szentendre is a charming town just outside Budapest and one of our favorite under-the-radar picks near Budapest.
You have a couple of options here: a half-day excursion to Szentendre, or a full-day tour that also takes you to the town of Visegrád.
Book the Danube River Cruise to Szentendre online
Stand-Up Paddle Tour
Tickets: from 26 euros
Duration: 2 hours
Language: English
Starting point: SUP Budapest (open in Google Maps)
Love staying active? Then a stand-up paddle tour through Budapest might be exactly your thing. Unlike the other boat tours, here you’re the one doing the work — paddling across the Danube — which makes it a seriously fun activity in Budapest!
You’ll start with a short introduction to stand-up paddling so even complete beginners know what they’re doing, and then you head out onto the water. A guide accompanies you throughout, sharing stories about the city alongside SUP technique tips. Tours always run at sunset — when the light on the Danube is really something special.
Another great perk: you can go swimming (whether intentionally or not is entirely down to your balance). In summer, the Danube is at a genuinely pleasant temperature.
Book the Stand-Up Paddle Tour online
Amphibious Bus Tour — On Land and Water
Tickets: from 24 euros
Duration: 50 – 90 minutes
Language: German, English
Starting point: Széchenyi István Square (open in Google Maps)
The amphibious bus tour gives you two city tours in one: a bus tour and a boat tour. The vehicle you’re riding in travels both on the road and on the water — which is every bit as cool as it sounds.
First, you’ll do a sightseeing tour on land, and then you head out onto the Danube. The moment the bus rolls straight into the river is especially exciting — kids absolutely love it.
That’s why we particularly recommend this Budapest boat tour for families with children.
Book the amphibious bus tour on land and water online
Extra Tip: Danube River Cruise from Passau to Budapest
Did you know you can also book a cruise that takes you from Passau all the way to Budapest? It starts in Germany and then winds day by day through Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary.
You’ll make sightseeing stops along the way — for example in Vienna and Bratislava — and otherwise enjoy the peace and quiet on board.
These Danube cruises last about a week and are run by various operators.
