vienna bratislava catamaran

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Ferry from vienna to bratislava.

There is usually 2 daily and 19 weekly sailings between Vienna and Bratislava. This ferry route is operated by Twin City Liner . Ferry timetables change seasonally, use our Deal Finder to get live pricing and availability for Vienna Bratislava ferries.

Ferry times from Vienna to Bratislava

The earliest Vienna Bratislava ferry sailings typically depart Vienna at around 08:30. The average sailing time is approximately 1h 15m and the fastest sailing time is approximately 1h 15m.

Ferry prices from Vienna to Bratislava

Vienna Bratislava ferry prices typically range between $47* and $280*. The average price is typically $147*. The cheapest Vienna Bratislava ferry prices start from $41*. The average price for a foot passenger is $148*.

Pricing will vary depending on number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times.

How far is Vienna to Bratislava?

The distance between Vienna to Bratislava is approximately 50.6 miles (81.4km) or 44.0 nautical miles for the mariners!

Can I travel by car on the Vienna Bratislava ferry?

No ferry operators currently do not allow cars to travel onboard between Vienna and Bratislava.

Can I travel as a foot passenger from Vienna to Bratislava?

Yes, foot passengers can travel with Twin City Liner between Vienna and Bratislava.

* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 2024-04-02.

Most popular questions

How long is the ferry from vienna to bratislava, how much is the ferry from vienna to bratislava, which ferry companies operate between vienna to bratislava.

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Twin City Liner

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The best way to visit a city? Discover it from the water! The Twin City Liner, a highspeed catamaran, is by far the most attractive connection between Vienna and Bratislava.

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Additional information on the offer: 10% discount on tickets with the Twin City Liner. One child up to the age of 17 travels free of charge. All special trips and the New Year's Eve trip are excluded. Bookable by phone +43 1 904 88 80

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Twin City Liner

Regular boat line between bratislava and vienna.

Flora Tour – General partner and the official Twin City Liner seller

Are you looking for the best way to get to the centre of Vienna? We offer you an unforgettable experience aboard a catamaran with the wind in your hair. Take a high-speed catamaran Twin City Liner and travel comfortably and fast on the Danube River. Besides high standard of travelling, you surely appreciate enchanting views of the Danube bank with its beautiful nature and splendid monuments. You have space to relax and enjoy the views in nice weather on external decks. In case of bad weather, you take a cruise from the comfort of a fully air-conditioned inside deck with premium seats, information displays and panoramic windows. The bar on board offers small snacks, drinks and souvenirs.

75 min / 90 min

TYPE OF VECHICLE

Highspeed catamaran

PRICE - ADULTS

from 25 euro / way

PRICE - CHILDREN (2-11 years old)

from 17 euro / way

Special offers and conditions

Schedule and fares.

* In the season from 29.04. – 29.09.2024 runs daily. In the season from 30.09. – 03.11.2024 runs only Fridays, during weekends and Austrian public holidays.

** In the season from 30.09. – 03.11.2024 runs Mondays – Thursdays. From 29.04. – 29.09.2024 doesn’t run.

*** In the season from 22.11. – 22.12.2024 runs during Fridays, weekends and Austrian public holidays. Till 21.11.2024 doesn’t run.

In case you are interested in better seats on board, e.g. by the window or in Captains Lounge, please inform us.

PH = Austrian public holiday  (01.05., 09.05., 20.05., 30.05., 15.08., 26.10., 01.11., 08.12.2024)

Special seating options:

Captain´s Lounge – exclusive space for up to 35 people – Price € 52, -* / person / direction.

Seats on the open deck – bookable in good weather only, as long as the shipmaster gives his approval.  Tickets are available 1 hour before departure for € 32, –* / person / direction.

*No discounts applicable for these seats.

Selling points: The tickets can be purchased in the FLORA TOUR Headquarters Kúpeľná Street (Bratislava) or on the pontoon Twin City Gate – HUMA 6, Rázusovo nábrežie (Bratislava) .

Boarding points:   Twin City Gate – HUMA 6  in Bratislava Old Town (Rázusovo nábrežie) and  Ship Station City at Vienna Schwedenplatz  between Marienbrücke and Schwedenbrücke (Bridge) (subway line U1, U4).

Check-in: Always 30 minutes before departure. Valid Passport or Identity card (EU citizens) for all the passangers is required. Information about entry conditions for Non-EU citizens at the Consulate.

Boat capacity:

• 184 in main deck + 2 wheelchair places
• 35 seats in the Captain’s Lounge
• 29 outdoor seats on sun deck

Wheelchair spaces/2 spaces: Due to limited spaces advance booking is compulsory. Wheelchair users must travel with an accompanying person. Motorised wheelchairs must be equipped with a wheel hub motor and not exceed the weight of 60 kilograms.

Children: 0-2 years accompanied by parents free of charge (no separate seats but reservation required), 2-11 years 50% discount. 

Luggage: Up to 9 kg included. Heavy and big luggage (items) on request.

Dogs: Surcharge of € 5,–. Valid EU vaccination pass, muzzle and lead necessary.

Bicycles: Carrying for an extra charge of € 5,- / bike. 12 places available, reservation required. Following types of bicycles can not be transported: tandem, fatbikes and bikes with trailer.

Reservations are binding.

• Up to 48 hours before start of the journey: 50% cancellation fees
• From 48 hours onwards before start of the journey: 100% cancellation fees
• No-show: 100% cancellation fees

Re-booking possible for 10,-EUR per person up to 48 hours before departure.

Contact us to book a ticket by phone  +421 903 505 505 , via e-mail:  [email protected]  or online.

• Port MON – SUN 9:00-17:00
• +421 2 529 32 226

• Regular cruises
• Dinners on Danube river
• Music cruises
• Special offers

Bratislava - Vienna - Bratislava

Cruise Bratislava - Vienna - Bratislava by catamaran during which you can enjoy not only the views of the city of Bratislava and Vienna, but also the panorama of Devín Castle or the small town of Hainburg.

Twin city liner's speedboat provides open and closed deck. The closed deck of the ship provides panoramic windows, which means that the cruise will take place in any weather. Small refreshments are available on the board.

Cruise duration: 75 minutes (Vienna → Bratislava) / 90 minutes (Bratislava → Vienna)

Boat type: speed catamaran

First Class: from 40 € / adult / one-way

Economy View: from 38 € / adult / one-way

Economy Plus:  from 36 € / adult / one-way

Economy: from   34 € / adult / one-way

Captain´s Lounge: 52 € / adult / one-way

The price is higher during the weekends and holidays (except the tickets for Captain´s Lounge).

Price for a child 2-11 years old:  a discount of 50% from the price of an adult (a child under the age of two travels for free without the right to a seat when accompanied by one adult)

Boarding point : HUMA 6, Twin City Liner pontoon (opposite Hotel Devín)

Check-in: 30 minutes before departure. All passengers, including children, must have a valid travel document, i.e. identity card or passport. Passengers who need visas can get all the necessary information at the relevant embassy.

Luggage : hand luggage up to 9 kg is included in the price. Transportation of larger luggage upon request.

Dog : 5€ / one way - European vaccination certificate, muzzle and leash required.

Bicycle:  5€ fee, capacity 12 places, reservation required in advance. It is not possible to transport the following types of bicycles: tandem, electric bicycles and bicycles with a trailer.

RESERVATION OF TICKETS IS REQUIRED IN ADVANCE AT THE TRAVEL OFFICE: FAJNOROVO NÁBREŽIE 2, EMAIL: [email protected], PHONE NUMBER: +421 2 529 32 224-6

Ship capacity:

186 on the main deck 35 seats in the captain's lounge 29 seats on the outer upper deck

2024 timetable for TWIN CITY LINER

Low season (22.03. - 28.04.2024 / 30.09. - 03.11.2024).

Seat reservation: Please inform us if you are interested in better seats on board, e.g. by the window or in the captain's box. Holidays in Austria: 10.04./ 01.05./ 18.05./ 29.05./ 08.06./ 15.08./ 26.10./ 01.11./ 08.12.2024.

HIGH SEASON (01.05. - 01.10.2023)

TELEPHONE (+43)-1-71-21-981

[email protected].

telEPHONE (+43)-1-71-21-981

• Notice published on 11. 03. 2019

Vienna – Bratislava by boat

Starting from March, 29th passengers can enjoy a ride on the brand new Twin City Liner – a high speed catamaran that departs right from Vienna’s historic city center to the center of Bratislava. So, the Slovak capital is the perfect destination for a one day excursion or a post-tour after your stay in Vienna!

The new catamaran provides room for up to 250 passengers in three different classes: First, Economy View and Economy. During high season the passengers can choose from a range of three departure times every day.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for further information/prices and booking: [email protected]

From Vienna to Bratislava by boat

Are you planning a visit to Bratislava from Vienna, or do you want to combine your visit to Bratislava with a trip to Vienna? Turn this journey into a unique experience! Instead of ordinary travel by train or bus, board the high-speed catamaran and reach your destination on the waves of the Danube. In our guide, we have gathered all the information you could need when travelling from Vienna to Bratislava by boat. 

Note: Although we mostly use the phrase “ from Vienna to Bratislava” in this article, all the information is of course valid for the opposite direction, i.e. when travelling from Bratislava to Vienna, too.  

Bratislava - Vienna boat trip: places of departure

When getting from Vienna to Bratislava by boat, two places are important to you: In Bratislava , it's the Pontoon Twin City Gate - HUMA 6 on Rázusovo nábrežie opposite the Devin Hotel. In Vienna , the departure dock is situated near Schwedenplatz between Marienbrücke and Schwedenbrücke. Both places are close to the city center and are easily accessible by public transport.  

From Vienna to Bratislava comfortably with Twin City Liner

Currently, there's just one company operating regurarly on this route, Twin City Liner. There used to be boats from Vienna to Bratislava operated by Slovak company Lod.sk, nevertheless, a few years ago, they stopped operating trips between Vienna and Bratislava and only organize sightseeing tours in Bratislava and its surroundings now. 

The Twin City Liner can carry up to 250 people and offers a comfortable way of getting from Bratislava to Vienna and vice versa. There are more seat categories from first class to economy.  The catamaran is fully air-conditioned, equipped with charging stations for cell phones, free wi-fi and a buffet for some refreshment.

Getting from Vienna to Bratislava by boat: How long, how often

The distance between Vienna and Bratislava is about 55 kilometers, along the river it´s approx. 70 kilometers . However, the travel time depends on the direction: from Vienna to Bratislava, which means down the Danube stream, it takes just 75 minutes . From Bratislava to Vienna, you have to count for additional 15 minutes. 

The frequency of boat transport highly depends on the season . Generally, there´s no boat transport from November to February . During the off-peak season (March/April, October), Twin City Liner operates on a limited schedule, i.e. only a few days a week. In the peak season, there are regular journeys several times a day. In 2023, the official season lasts April - October , during which up to 6 trips a day  (meaning in both directions) are planned. In March and October, it's possible to get by boat to Bratislava from Vienna (and vice versa) mostly just during weekends (Fri-Sun).

The schedule varies according to the season, for up-to-date information it's better to check departures on this website . 

Vienna - Bratislava by boat: How much does it cost?

We know that getting by boat from Bratislava to Vienna is more expensive than any other means of transport, however, trust us, it's worth it.

The ticket price for this adventure depends on the day you would like to sail. A one-way ticket from Bratislava to Vienna by boat costs €34 on Mon-Fri , during weekends it´s €39. The same goes for the opposite direction. There are some differences also according to the seat on the boat you would like to book (main deck / main deck economy view, main deck economy plus, exclusive captain's lounge, etc.). 

There are some special discounts for children (0 - 2 years free of charge, 2-11 years 50% discount), students and older people can get the ticket 50 % cheaper on so-called Super Tuesday. Will you travel with the family? Depending on the date of the trip, there's a possibility to apply for a family offer including a free ticket for 2 children up to 17 years accompanied by one adult. Therefore, it is advantageous to ask about this discount when buying tickets.

Tickets are available online on the  Twin City Liner website or the official Twin City Liner partner Flora Tour . In Bratislava, tickets can be purchased directly on the pontoon at Rázusovo nábrežie or Flora Tour office at Kúpeľná street 6. In Vienna, visit the “Vienna City” ship station near the already mentioned Schwedenplatz, where boats anchor. Booking via phone is possible as well, the phone number is to be found on the Twin City Liner website.

Additional information

Good news! If you would like to travel with your four-legged family member or take a bike, no problem! A ticket for dogs costs 5 EUR  and a valid EU vaccination certificate, muzzle and leash are required. For bikes there are 12 spaces on board, the fee is €5 and a reservation in advance is required as well.  Regarding baggage, hand luggage up to 9 kg is included in the price.

Brief summary:

Travelling from vienna to bratislava by boat (and vice versa).

Distance : 55 km as the crow flies, approx. 70 km along the river Departure/Arrival stations :  Pontoon Twin City Gate, Rázusovo nábrežie, Bratislava - Vienna City Port, Schwedenplatz Travel time: 1:15 (Vienna to Bratislava) or 1:30 (Bratislava to Vienna) Direct connection: yes Frequency of boat trips: depending on the season, in peak season up to 6 trips a day. No trips during Nov - Feb. Timetable : available HERE Ticket price: starts at €25 (Red ticket) / €34 for an adult (depending on the day, seat etc.) Ticket purchase: online (recommended) here , directly at the ship stations or via booking agency

Other transportation options

Bratislava and Vienna are very well connected by all means of transport. Check THIS guide to choose the best one to fit your needs. Basically, in addition to travelling by boat, you can choose between train , bus , taxi ... ...or if you are a cycling lover, just grab your bike and ride! :)  

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Riding the Twin City Liner Ferry from Vienna to Bratislava

Note: this post is part of my trip report series covering my visit to Austria in May, 2022.  Click here for the trip report index and introductory post.

Taking the Twin City Liner Ferry From Vienna to Bratislava

There’s really not much to getting between the two cities. It’s only about 5o miles (80 kilometers) by road, after all.

Both buses and trains run every 30-60 minutes all day long, with the trip taking 60-90 minutes. In fact, I took an ICE train back to Vienna in the evening. But there is another option from late March through October – the Twin City Liner ferry. Prices range from €25 to €52, depending on booking class. If you’re going to Bratislava specifically to visit Bratislava Castle and old town, the ferry works quite well. The ferry docks at the edge of old town, a 15-20 minute walk to the castle.

During low season (late March through April and October), ferries depart at 9 am from Bratislava, with a return trip at 4 pm. During high season, ferries depart Vienna at 8:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. They return from Bratislava at 10:30 am, 2:30 pm, and 6:30 pm. The sailing takes 75 minutes to Bratislava and 90 minutes to Vienna.

Twin City Liner ferries depart not from the Danube itself, but from Schwedenplatz on one of the city’s canals. As a frame of reference, it’s a 10-15 minute walk from St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Old Town Vienna. If arriving on the Metro or Underground at Schwdenplatz, first head above ground to the Schwedenbrucke (Sweden Bridge).

Then walk follow the stairs/ramp to the restaurant and ticket area. You can’t miss the signs for the Twin City Liner on the southwest corner of the bridge.

If walking along the canal path, look for the pier between Marienbrucke and Schwedenbrucke.

Should you miss the pier, look for the Twin City Liner ticket signs along the canal.

Twin City Liner Ferry, Vienna to Bratislava – Check-In and Seating

If you purchase tickets online, there’s not much of a check-in process. You just wait by this sign for boarding to begin, and an agent checks your ticket and passport as you board. You can also purchase walk-up tickets at the ticket office upstairs. The boat was maybe 1/2 full the day I traveled, so there were plenty of walk-up tickets available. Boarding begins about 10-15 minutes before scheduled departure. On our sailing, the inbound craft experienced about a 10-minute inbound delay, so boarding began at about the scheduled departure time of 12:30.

I decided to pay the extra money (50 euro at the time) for the top level “Captain’s Lounge” seats. So what does the extra money get you? Slightly wider seats on the upper deck, with easier/quicker access to the outdoor observation decks. A TV screen at the back alternates between displaying announcements and a moving map.

At the front of the cabin is a communal mobile phone charging box, along with another announcement screen/moving map. Also at the front is a pretty cool forward camera.

There are 220v European plug sockets along the wall if you brought a wall charger.

Seats in the Captain’s Lounge are named, with four seats per table at the window and six in the middle. I assigned myself Carnuntum Seat D, next to the window. Nobody else showed up to my table, so I ended up having the whole thing to myself. There was a snack/drink menu waiting at the table; a Captain’s Lounge ticket does not include snacks or drinks. It does include waiter service, though, so you don’t have to walk up to the snack bar.

As a frame of reference, here’s what standard seats look like.

All passengers receive the same access to the outdoor observation deck, in the aft section which wraps around both sides. You can buy a seat out on the open deck for 32 euro. These seats can’t be reserved online, though; you can only buy at the ticket office from one hour before departure. Or, you can take a chance on empty seats remaining and sit outside for a bit after departure. Despite pretty nice early May weather (mid-60s and overcast), these seats remained mostly empty on this sailing.

If you head out on the walkways on the sides of the ship, beware that there’s quite a bit of splash at full speed. Also, the crew make periodic announcements about significant landmarks en route.

So is it worth the extra money for the Captain’s Lounge?  Not really, especially if you plan on spending a lot of time out on deck anyway. The table is nice to have, though.

The Twin City Liner Ferry Sailing to Bratislava

As mentioned, I took the 12:30 sailing from Vienna, which ended up leaving about 10 minutes late. The first 20 minutes or so of the ride goes down a narrow canal through the city. At that point, you reach the Danube – near the airport ironically enough, though you can’t actually see it.

We soon passed an odd landmark, Barbara Rohrbrücke (Barbara Bridge). It looks a like a pedestrian bridge, though seems too narrow to actually walk across.

The area around the Danube east of Vienna makes up a very large nature reserve. As a result, it’s heavily forested countryside. And you probably wouldn’t guess you’re only a few miles from Vienna if you didn’t know better.

Soon, a Viking River Cruise ship passed us going the other direction towards Vienna. Several Viking cruises ply these waters between Germany and Romania. I looked into one of these cruises several years ago, but ultimately didn’t go through with it. Maybe we can try again in the next few years.

About 20 minutes or so before reaching Bratislava, you pass the only bridge across the Danube between the two cities. This is the Andreas Maurer Bridge approaching Hainburg.

After crossing the bridge, you reach the historic town of Hainburg an der Donau on the right bank. Permanent settlements date back to Roman times, with the city of Carnuntum nearby to the west.

Once past the cathedral, you get a really nice view of Hainburg Castle on the hill overlooking the town. The castle originally dates to the 11th century, though it was destroyed by the Ottomans in 1683, then rebuilt about 25 years later.

Not long after passing Hainburg are the ruins of Röthelstein Castle, also on the right bank. This castle dates to the late 12th century, but was abandoned in the early 16th century. You can hike to the top of the hill to explore the ruins.

Just before arrival in Bratislava is perhaps the most interesting landmark of the short trip. That’s Devinsky hrad (Devin Castle), on the border of Austria and Slovakia at the confluence of the Danube and Morava Rivers. This castle has quite a history, with original construction dating to the mid-9th century. The last fortification was built in the 17th century. It also carried historical significance during the Cold War era. The Iron Curtain ran just in front of the castle. Though the castle itself remained open to the public, the surrounding area was a heavily fortified military zone. Numerous watchtowers kept a close eye on visitors. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the newly independent government dismantled the fortifications, much as with the Berlin Wall.

The best view of the castle occurs as you pass in front of the Port of Devin and the Devin Lighthouse. You can see why this made an effective fortification spot. The cliff above the port provides an expansive view of the Danube below, making it an excellent way for those who controlled the castle to also control river traffic.

Present-day Devin is on the outskirts of Bratislava, so it’s not long before you reach the city. Before long the unmistakable towers of Bratislava Castle appear on the left bank.

There’s also a public art installation of some kind along the river.

Finally, we stepped off the ship and bid adieu to our vessel, about 10 minutes behind schedule.

The dock is essentially directly across the street from Old Town Bratislava. If you’re just here to see the castle and Old Town, there’s clear signage to both. There’s also a trolley and bus station on the street directly in front of the dock if you’re headed elsewhere in the city.

Final Thoughts – Vienna to Bratislava by Ferry

While I enjoy boat rides, do I necessarily recommend the ferry from Vienna to Bratislava? Probably not, unless you just like to experience sailing down the Danube. In fairness, it’s also a fair way to survey some of the important landmarks between the two cities. It’s considerably more expensive than going by train or bus, though. Nor is it any faster than either. I definitely wouldn’t spend the extra money on the Captain’s Lounge, which doesn’t offer anything in particular over the cheap seats.

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About Sriram Srinivasan

Sriram is an aficionado of all modes of travel, by land, air, and sea. A recovering frequent business traveler, he shows how to make the most of your vacation time, even without status.

Vienna Boat Tour: Cruise the Danube River with these Day Tours

Let’s help you choose the right Vienna boat tour for your trip!

The Danube River runs through Vienna, but because it doesn’t cross right through the Innere Stadt or District 1, which is the old town, it can be easy to miss.

Between the palace, cathedral, museums, art galleries and famous cafes, you could very easily come to the end of your trip in Vienna and realize, you haven’t yet walked along the Danube Canal, let alone the Danube River!

So if you want to cruise the Danube, you’re going to have to be proactive and book a tour. But which one should you pick and where should you cruise?

When it comes to picking a Vienna boat trip, there are no shortage of options. You can take a day trip to Bratislava and then travel back by boat, spend the day exploring the Wachau Valley vineyards on a cruise, enjoy a boat tour with dinner and live music, try out a private e-boat and so much more.

So we’re going to help you figure out which of these Vienna boat tours is right for you! Let’s narrow it down.

My Top 3 Picks: Vienna Boat Tour

Vienna to Bratislava Tour by Bus and Boat

✅ Day trip to Bratislava

✅ Full-day tour

✅ Plenty of time for exploration

Wachau Valley Day Tour with Wine Tasting

✅ Scenic boat ride

✅ Great summer tour

✅ Visit wineries

Heurigen Cruise with Viennese Songs and Buffet

✅ Viennese songs

✅ Buffet dinner

✅ Sunset views

Best Vienna Boat Tour

1. vienna to bratislava tour by bus and boat.

⭐️  RATING:  4.2/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  11.5 hours | ✅  Book it!

This Vienna boat tour is an exciting one because it takes you all the way to Bratislava, Slovakia! That means you can add another European country to your list!

On the way to Bratislava, you travel by bus. This is a 1-hour journey aboard a coach bus.

Once you arrive in Bratislava, you will meet a local guide who will take you on a guided walking tour of the old town. The tour will last about 2 hours and afterwards, you’ll have additional time to explore Bratislava on your own and perhaps retrace your steps to some of the attractions that most interest you.

A few attractions not to be missed in Bratislava’s old town include:

St. Martin’s Cathedral, a Gothic cathedral that’s been the site of many coronations; Michael’s Gate, the only gate that has been preserved in the city; the Bratislava Fortifications, the last remaining stretch of the medieval city walls; and Roland Fountain, a fountain topped by Knight Roland who was the legendary defender of the city.

I would suggest making time to visit Bratislava Castle. Built in the 9th century and modified many times over, this 4-towered castle sits perched on a hill overlooking the Danube River.

It’s a beautiful walk to the top offering nice views over the Old Town, plus you also have the Slovak National Museum and the Baroque Gardens on the north side.

You’ll also have plenty of time to try Slovak food during the day. I really enjoyed a restaurant called Modrá Hviezda which is set in a cave at the foot of the castle hill. It’s a pretty unique dining experience so ask to be seated in the back if there’s room.

We ordered pork chop covered in crushed walnuts with a honey-mustard sauce and a side of roasted potatoes, and duck cooked in a wine sauce with forest mushroom and potato pancakes.

After enjoying your day trip to Bratislava , you’ll make your way down to the pier to board the boat to Vienna. You’ll travel aboard the Twin City Liner, which is a catamaran. The journey time back to Vienna is 1.5 hours.

Bring your passport on this boat trip as you are entering another country and you may be required to present it.

• You get to visit another country
• Full-day activity
• Plenty of time for solo exploration

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2. Wachau Valley Day Tour with Wine Tasting

⭐️  RATING:  4.8/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  9 hours | ✅  Book it!

This day trip to the Wachau Valley isn’t a full-day boat tour, however, it does include a boat tour segment in the itinerary when you do this trip during the summer months!

You’ll start the day leaving Vienna and travelling by van down narrow countryside roads deep into the heart of the Wachau Valley.

Along the way, your driver and guide will teach you all about the history of wine-making in the region which dates back to the time of the Romans!

During the tour, you’ll get to taste a variety of dry and fruity white wines from the Wachau Valley and sample other local delicacies like apricot jams and liqueurs.

If you take this tour during the summer months (technically mid-May to mid-October), you’ll be able to enjoy a boat ride on the Danube River from Spitz to Melk. Since this isn’t possible during the winter months, this activity gets replaced with a guided tour of Melk Abbey.

Once you arrive in the medieval town of Dürnstein, you’ll get free time to explore. The castle ruins are an important attraction in the area since this is where Richard the Lionhearted was once held prisoner.

Finally, you’ll get to visit a heuriger , which is a traditional family-run Austrian wine tavern. Here you’ll enjoy a wine tasting!

You can browse more wine tours in Vienna here.

• Great way to explore an Austrian wine region
• Visits beautiful medieval towns
• Scenic boat ride during the summer months

3. Heurigen Cruise with Viennese Songs and Buffet

⭐️  RATING:  4.1/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours | ✅  Book it!

This Vienna boat tour down the Danube River is an opportunity to enjoy live music with an Austrian dinner.

During the cruise, you circle Vienna’s 2nd district which offers scenic views of the illuminated skyline. You get to see landmarks like the Danube Tower, the Danube Plate, and the DC Tower.

Plus, you can also see historic buildings such as the Anniversary Church, the Ringturm and the Rossauer Barracks.

The performance is all Viennese Heuriger music. If you’re wondering what that is, you’re not alone! Heuriger refers to a wine tavern, so these are traditional songs played mainly on guitars and accordions which add to the merriment of the place.

Dinner is served buffet style featuring classic Viennese dishes.

• Get to listen to traditional wine tavern music
• Scenic views of Vienna
• Buffet dinner featuring Austrian cuisine

4. Floating Dinner Vienna: Private Dining Experience on Danube

⭐️  RATING:  NEW! | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour | ✅  Book it!

If you’re looking for the most unusual Vienna boat ride, this one here might be it!

This is a very unique setup where you get your own e-boat Island. Picture something like a round floating deck complete with comfortable patio furniture and a palm tree.

Dinner is served before the cruise and includes a main course meal, either Viennese Schnitzel or a vegetarian option, and one bottle of red or white wine.

You then begin your e-boat sail down the Danube River, but it’s not as tricky as it sounds. The e-boats are extremely easy to drive using a joystick control.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind boat cruise in Vienna, this one fits the bill.

• Unique boat experience
• Get your own private e-boat island
• Viennese Schnitzel and wine for dinner

5. Vienna: Sunset Barbecue Cruise with Fireworks Display

⭐️  RATING:  4.3/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3.5 hours | ✅  Book it!

This Vienna boat cruise takes place aboard the MS Kaiserin Elisabeth.

During the tour, you’ll get to enjoy the Danube River from a unique perspective as well as iconic landmarks like the Donauplatte, the Danube Tower, and the Millennium Tower.

This cruise also features live Heuriger music which creates a very lively environment with the musicians encouraging participation from the public.

Dinner is BBQ served buffet style and the grand finale is a beautiful fireworks display to end off the evening.

• BBQ dinner buffet
• Live Austrian wine tavern music
• Fireworks display while cruising the Danube River

Choosing a Vienna boat tour

So what’s the best Vienna boat tour, you ask?

As you’ve seen, there are all sorts of different options: you can enjoy a river cruise on the Danube River with dinner and live music, a scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley wine region, a private tour on your own e-boat island, or a boat tour coming back from Bratislava to Vienna.

You have lots of choices and hopefully, this blog post has helped you narrow it down to the right one for you!

Read More about Austria:

• 10 Delectable Vienna Food Tours
• 10 Vienna Restaurants to Visit
• 5 Best Vienna Bike Tours
• Where to Eat in Salzburg
• Must-Try Tyrolean Dishes
• Sachertorte: Vienna’s Famous Dessert

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Visiting Vienna

Boat tours and river trips

Vienna is one of the great cities on the Danube river. So no surprise to find a few boat tours and excursions available to visitors.

• Local trips take in the Danube and its city centre arm
• Direct connection to Bratislava by ship
• Wetland tours also available
• Many services are seasonal
• Most leave from a very central location
• Book a river experience * in/from Vienna
• Where is the Danube?
• Tours in Vienna
• Good for tours and activities
• Danube & Donaukanal tours
• Lobau wetlands
• Bonus: Alte Donau
• Bonus: VR boat ride

The Danube & beyond

(The Danube close to where it leaves the city)

Since one of Europe’s longest rivers passes through it, you’d imagine Vienna full of local boat tours and river trips. That’s not quite the case.

The fault lies with geography, I suspect. The Danube actually flows to one side , away from the city centre where most of the visitor action takes place.

European river cruises, of course, stop off for shore excursions, but many local boat experiences involve a more central stretch of river known as the Donaukanal .

This channel breaks off from the Danube where the latter enters Vienna, curves along the edge of the old town, then rejoins the main river on the other side of the city.

With that in mind, here some popular alternatives for enjoying trips on the water in Vienna…

Danube & Donaukanal

(One of the DDSG boats)

The DDSG Blue Danube service has various options on good-sized ships with onboard catering. The choice at any one time depends on the season. Examples include:

• Simple trips around the Donaukanal
• Longer options that also take in the Danube in Vienna
• Special day trips outside of Vienna to locations such as Dürnstein (where England’s King Richard I once languished in prison)
• Themed excursions such as the Heurigen Cruise with live Viennese music

Most of the shorter DDSG services depart from the main landing stage on the Donaukanal opposite Schwedenplatz at the edge of the old town (Franz-Josefs-Kai 2), but boarding locations depend on the trip.

More info: Website

Bratislava & back

(The landing stage is clearly marked)

The Twin City Liner catamaran has regular scheduled services that travel out to Bratislava along the Danube and back again. The capital of Slovakia is only about 55km from Vienna as the crow flies.

The journey takes about 75 minutes with on-board drinks, snacks and meals available. The service runs throughout the year, but operates a reduced timetable in the colder seasons.

In the summer months, an organised day tour * to Bratislava actually uses the catamaran to return to Vienna.

The ship also leaves from the main Donaukanal landing stage at Schwedenplatz.

The Lobau wetlands

(Boarding point and boat for local wetland tours)

The protected Lobau wetlands area is part of the Donau-Auen National Park that lies on the northern side of the Danube and spans the city border. As you might imagine, the park provides a rich habitat for plant and animals (including beavers).

Municipal bus lines get you close enough to walk into the area, which has a visitor centre open on selected days during the warmer seasons at Dechantweg 8 in the 22nd district. But the city also has a waterborne alternative.

The Vienna National Park boat offers half-day excursions that take you out to the Lobau for a guided walking tour, then return you to the city centre afterwards.

Note that these trips only run on selected days from late spring to autumn. I’m not sure how much English is involved, as this is more of a service for locals. You book a place by telephone or email.

The boat leaves from the Donaukanal, close to the Salztorbrücke bridge and not far from the Schwedenplatz jetty.

More info: Website (German)

Bonus 1: the Alte Donau

(Boat hire facilities on the Alte Donau lake)

Surprisingly, Vienna also has its very own giant lake: the Alte Donau (a part of the Danube that became isolated after water regulation measures).

The “Old Danube” has riverside walks, restaurants, public bathing areas, and (drum roll) various watersport facilities that include boat hire, sailing courses, paddleboard rental, and similar.

Bonus 2: a VR boat ride

(The VR ride also takes you places boats don’t normally go)

Should you wish a boat trip without having to leave dry land, then consider Sisi’s Amazing Journey in the very centre of town.

This indoor experience includes a 5D VR boat ride in the company of none other than Empress Elisabeth.