Budapest Danube Cruise with Kisfaludy Paddle Steamer
Recommended by 93% of travelers
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Budapest, Hungary
- 1 hour (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Journey down the river in style on this Budapest cruise experience. Hop aboard the Kisfaludy paddle steamer with period-accurate design evoking historic steam travel. Enjoy a welcome drink of Prosecco or orange juice, or redeem a €2 discount voucher at the onboard bar. Listen to a 30-language audio guide as you take in views of the city. Around sunset, the route adjusts to showcase the Parliament building at its best light.
- Budapest river cruise aboard an authentic 19th-century paddle steamer
- Learn more from your audio guide than you would sightseeing alone
- Guaranteed seating inside or outside (unassigned) for comfort
- Includes a welcome drink of Prosecco or orange juice, or €2 off at the bar
What's Included
- 60-minute Budapest Danube sightseeing cruise
- A historic-style cruise experience
- Welcome drink (Prosecco or orange juice) or €2 off at the bar
- Budapest’s top 10 most beautiful landmarks
- 30-language online audio guide via your smartphone
- A lively, social atmosphere aboard a larger paddle steamer
- Guaranteed seating: indoor or outdoor, first-come, first-served
- Outdoor viewing deck with Budapest panoramas
- Fully heated deck during winter
- Onboard bar, with cash and card payments accepted
- Weather-ready comforts: blankets, umbrellas and parasols
- Restroom and free Wi-Fi on board
- Dog-friendly cruise
- Hotel pickup or drop-off
- Table Sevice
- Earphones
- MealsSnacks available for purchase on board
- Live Guide
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Budapest, Jane Haining rkp. 10, 1056 Hungary
Meet nearby the Elizabeth Bridge (white suspension bridge) on the Pest side. To get to the departure place take tram 2, get off at Március 15 square and walk to Dock 10. Look for Duna Cruises.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Inner City Parish Church Budapest (Pass By)
Gresham Palace (Pass By)
Hungarian Parliament Building (Pass By)
Margit hid (Pass By)
Fisherman's Bastion (Pass By)
Buda Castle (Pass By)
Rudas Baths (Pass By)
Erzsebet Bridge (Pass By)
Liberty Statue (Pass By)
St. Gellert Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool (Pass By)
Liberty Bridge (Szabadsag hid) (Pass By)
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Pass By)
Balna (Pass By)
Central Market Hall (Pass By)
Szechenyi Lanchid (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- No alcohol will be served to anyone under age 18. Proof of age may be required.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
This was a great cruise! It definitely is the most beautiful boat on the river as it’s modeled after a classic paddle steamer. They offer you orange juice or sparkling wine/champagne when you board. It’s chilly at night, but I definitely recommend the evening cruises because you see the sunset and everything lights up. The top deck was closed, but the front desk was open and I sat in the very front. They give out blankets. The view is outstanding and it’s just almost overwhelming to see how gorgeous Budapest is at night with everything lit up from the river. I went by myself and had a great time; people and staff are friendly. Definitely a must do if it’s uoir first time in Budapest..
Reviews
4.6
based on 490 reviews
Review summary
Last 12 months
96 reviews
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Travelers consistently praise the cozy comfort and thoughtful amenities, including complimentary drinks and clean facilities, which enhance the relaxing atmosphere of this one-hour Danube river cruise. The scenic urban and natural landscapes, especially Budapest’s illuminated landmarks and sunset views, provide ample photo opportunities and visual enjoyment. The leisurely pacing allows for a well-balanced experience, while reasonable pricing and quality service contribute to strong value for money.
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This is a great trip, one I’d recommend whilst visiting Budapest. We are a family of four and booked this in advance of arriving in the country.
We took the night (20:30) cruise which was great. All the buildings and bridges lit up and thankfully a clear night.
The crew were all very friendly and helpful. The boat itself is great and full of character. It capped a great trip to the city for us
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Thank you for choosing us!☺️
This was an amazing river cruise! The views are incredible and details like lights and blankets at the tables made for a very comfortable and romantic setting. We definitely recommend it. Tip - if you accept the “welcome champagne”, you forfeit your drink ticket. You may want to just wait and use it for a different drink once you get seated.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback. We hope to see you again!☺️
A very relaxing cruise down the Danube,paddle steamer made it that little bit more special, staff were nice an drinks service was swift and 2 euros off your drink as well.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Thank you for your review! We hope to see you again! 😊
Was given incorrect info that caused us not to be able to attend .. was told it was much closer than it was 20 minutes vs 1 1/2 hrs
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Dear Karen,
We’re a little confused by this review, as according to our records you did attend the cruise. For this reason, we’re not sure what information you are referring to or how it prevented you from attending. If there was any misunderstanding before the cruise, please contact us at info@dunacruises.com with the details so we can look into it properly.
A delightful one hour cruise is perfect. We sat on the upper level and it was ideal. A fun cruise on a beautiful weather evening. It gives you a great perspective in view of many of the Budapest important landmarks.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Thank you for your kind review!
Overall the experience was good! The 1730 cruise allowed you to experience the sunset on the Danube. I just wished they had more seating outside.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Thank you for your feedback!
Well worth the trip nice and slow to enjoy the views all lit up and take pictures most boats were much faster
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Thank you for your feedback! Hope to see you onboard again!
Awesome. I might do it again! Easy departure. Cute steam boat compared to other ships. Smaller size which was also nice.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you very much! We hope to see you on board again!
Beautiful, smaller boat, with great viewing area areas! I've never been on a towel though so that would be fun. The boat was absolutely beautiful they keep in mind there are no enclosed areas. Although it was very chilly we sat in the back of the boat that had a cover on top and we were not cold at all. We had breathtaking views!
This is an absolute must do when you're in Budapest and it was the highlight of our trip!!!!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re happy to hear that the cruise became one of the highlights of your trip to Budapest.
We know the colder weather can be a concern, which is why our boats are prepared for the winter season with covered areas and heating to keep the experience comfortable even on chilly days. Hope to see you on board again!
Exactly what we’re looking for to see the parliament building during daylight hours. Very comfortable, great beverage service and reasonably priced.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you! Hope to see you onboard again!
Nice ride on the paddle steamer. Good value, seen all the sights without needing to walk in the heat.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you very much for your feedback!
Absolutely loved it. It’s totally worth every penny. We enjoyed the experience and highly recommend.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you very much! Your recommendation means a lot to us! We hope to see you again!
Here you go - ready to copy:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of the highlights of our Budapest trip. The paddle steamer is a brilliant, reasonably priced way to see the city. We opted for the afternoon cruise and loved it - so peaceful on the Danube. Can only imagine how magical the evening cruise must be! Don't miss it.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for the 5 stars! We hope to see you again, maybe for an evening cruise next time!
The cruise itself was nice and the orange juice was good. The views were incredible and it was pretty cheap. It would have been a 5 star review but one of the servers/workers on board was very rude. There was not enough space for about four adults to sit, myself included, and when I went to ask if there was additional seating she refused to speak to me. Then a couple who also didn’t have seats went to ask and she ignored them also and kept speaking in Hungarian to her coworkers, even when all three of us kept asking if anyone spoke even a little English or another language so we could ask. She turned to us and said “go share a table” very rudely. I turned to another worker and they were very kind and explained that there were no other seats and I could ask other tourists, but then he proceeded to help all four of us find seats. I think had it not been for this young man, the experience would have been tainted significantly. Even when she was going around taking drink orders, she ignored me and the other 3 adults and only asked those around us. But im glad I chose to take the high road, assume she was having a bad day, and just enjoy it.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Diana!
We’re very sorry that this interaction affected your experience, and we sincerely apologize. We have looked into what happened and addressed the matter internally. While there may have been a language barrier involved, we fully understand that every guest should feel acknowledged and welcome when approaching our crew for assistance.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, as feedback like yours helps us improve our service. We truly appreciate that despite this experience, you still gave us 4 stars and were able to enjoy the cruise. We hope to welcome you on board again for an even better experience! 😊
Superb value excellent service great views great timings
Friendly staff all on time would go again 👍👍👍👍
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you! We hope to see you again!
Lovely river cruise with complimentary drink, leisurely speed up and down the Danube. Lovely well kept boat.
Perfect.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your lovely review and recommendation! We’re very happy you had such a great experience with us. We hope to welcome you on board again!😊
Really enjoyable and relaxing trip in the Danube. Good service, excellent value and a great chance to see the site from the river.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your kind review! We’re very happy you had a great time with us. We hope to welcome you on board again!
The boat was so cute! There were two - we got the one with the upper deck, which we really recommend! It offered protection when it rained but also just gave us a height advantage for pictures. Drinks were delicious.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your time on board and had a great experience with us. We hope to welcome you again!😊
A nice relaxing hour on the water a nice welcome drink as boarding and a good way to see things from a different view point.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you very much!
Lovely evening. Buildings lit with lights transforming the Parliament Building into a postcard!
Worth every penny!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you very much! Hope to see you again!
It was a great experience. The nighttime cruise covers all of Hungarian history. I just loved it. The commenter was great and spoke American English, so it was easy to understand. I learned many things through this cruise.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback! We are happy taht you enjoyed the experience!
Great way to see the sites of Budapest ona relaxing river cruise. With very friendly staff
On a traditional paddle boat
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you very much!
Very casual, relaxing. We were served procecco not Tokai. No narration so it relied on our knowledge to identify objects. Would do it again.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your review! We’re glad you had a relaxing time with us. Just to clarify, the welcome drink served on this cruise is Tokaj Frizzante, which is the sparkling wine version of Tokaji.
The audio guide can be accessed via QR codes displayed on the tables and walls, with a tutorial also provided inside the drinks menu. We’re sorry you missed it during your cruise.
We’re very happy to hear you would join us again, and we hope to welcome you back for an even more complete experience next time!😊
We were allowed to take an earlier cruise which was great so thank you it saved us waiting an hour. It was very enjoyable watching the sun coming down on the open top deck, while sipping a glass of bubbly, and a second glass was good value too.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re glad our staff could help you on the spot and arrange an earlier cruise for you. We’re very happy you enjoyed your time on board, and we hope to welcome you again!😊
Great!!!! .... Beatifull night, beatifull moon shining, the boat on Time , Only from our table the visibility was a 50% because of the Black metal Cover of the Aspas blocked Part of the nice view... Anayway very recomended experience
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your lovely review and recommendation! We’re very happy you had such a beautiful evening with us. We’re sorry the paddle wheel cover partly blocked the view from your table, but we’re glad it didn’t take away from the overall experience. We hope to welcome you on board again!😊
This was listed as a Danube River cruise with audio. We never had any audio, nor were we ever instructed how to hear audio. The first boat filled up so we got on the second, smaller one. The boat left unceremoniously with no announcements, went north to Margaret Island, turned around and went a few bridges south then returned. The boat is cool, but this is in no way shape or form a tour. The whole experience was soured by the fact that one of the workers on the boat (a guy in his 20s with hand and neck tattoos) kept coming over to this passenger and hitting on her. Bringing drinks, a blanket, saying ridiculous stuff. Fine whatever, but this guy was physically blocking our views while he was trying to get a hook up secured for later that night. It was cool to see the Danube at night, but this was pretty low end.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
We’re sorry that the experience didn’t meet your expectations, but we would like to clarify a few points. Our cruise is listed with an audio guide because an audio guide is available on board. The QR codes leading to it are displayed on the tables and walls, with instructions also provided inside the drinks menu. We mention in several places that guests are welcome to ask our staff for help if they have any difficulty accessing it.
Regarding the route, our exact itinerary is displayed on our website, including a map, so the route you described is the route planned for the cruise. There are no announcements when the boat departs or as it passes each landmark, as the sightseeing information is provided through the audio guide.
As for your comments about our crew member, we take any concerns regarding our staff seriously. At the same time, based only on what was observed from a distance, neither you at the time nor we now can know the nature of the interaction between our colleague and the other guest. Our crew regularly assists guests with drinks, blankets and other requests, so we would not want to draw conclusions about the situation without knowing the context.
We’re sorry that these points affected your overall impression, and we hope to welcome you again for a better experience in the future.
Great experience, a different boat to all the others on the river, drink on arrival, great seat and view of the riverside
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your feedback!
Very pleasant - enjoyed our free drink it was a great way to spend an hour looking at everything from the river
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review!
We took the 10pm trip and it was absolutely stunning. There are so many river cruises to choose from but the paddle steamer gave us plenty of time to take photos of the stunning buildings, whereas some of the more ‘modern’ boats looked like they were moving pretty quick. The boat, the staff and the experience were outstanding. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your kind recommendation! We hope to see you again!
Good location & ideal length of time for early evening cruise, glass of fizz on arrival & bar onboard for extras
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed our evening cruise. We hope to see you again!
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up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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