Danube and Rhine River Cruises for Canadians
Pick the Rhine if you want scenery: castles, vineyards and cathedral towns from your window. Pick the Danube if you want cities: Vienna, Bratislava and a famous night-time arrival in Budapest. Both are excellent first river cruises and both are easy to reach from Canada.
Rhine or Danube: how they compare
| Rhine | Danube | |
|---|---|---|
| Classic 7-night route | Amsterdam to Basel, or reverse | Passau to Budapest, or Nuremberg to Budapest on longer trips |
| Highlights | Kinderdijk windmills, Cologne Cathedral, the Middle Rhine gorge, Strasbourg | Melk Abbey, Wachau Valley, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest |
| Best for | Scenery from the deck | Cities, music and history |
| Currencies | Euro, Swiss franc in Basel | Euro, Hungarian forint in Budapest |
| Gateway airports | Amsterdam, Zurich or Basel | Munich, Nuremberg, Vienna or Budapest |
| Canadian flight options | Nonstops to Amsterdam from several Canadian cities | Usually one stop to Vienna or Budapest |
The Rhine in brief
The UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine, between Rüdesheim and Koblenz, is the stretch people picture: a castle on nearly every bend and the Lorelei rock. Add Cologne's cathedral, Alsatian villages near Strasbourg and the Black Forest from Breisach, and it's the best river for watching from a lounge chair.
The Danube in brief
The Danube stacks capitals. Vienna is a classic evening for concerts, Bratislava is compact and walkable, and the sail into Budapest with the parliament lit up is a highlight of European river cruising. The Wachau Valley, between Melk and Krems, gives you vineyards and apricot orchards between the cities.
When to go
- April to May: fresh green banks, fewer crowds, cool evenings. Spring floods can occasionally disrupt sailings.
- June to August: long days and warm weather, but busier towns and the chance of heat.
- September to October: harvest season in the vineyards and pleasant walking weather, though late summer is when low water is most likely.
- Late November to December: Christmas-market sailings to Nuremberg, Vienna, Cologne and Strasbourg. Short, cold days and very popular, so book early.
What river cruise fares include
River cruises bundle more than most ocean fares: often a guided walking tour in each port, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, wifi, and sometimes airport transfers. Some lines also include all drinks and gratuities. Compare what's included rather than headline fares, as explained in what's actually included in a cruise fare.
Cabins are compact. A "French balcony" is a sliding glass door with a railing, while a full step-out balcony costs more and sells out first. If you're weighing river against ocean, river cruise vs ocean cruise for couples over 50 has the trade-offs.
Getting there from Canada
Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Munich have nonstop flights from several Canadian cities, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary, depending on season. Basel, Vienna and Budapest usually mean one connection. Since river cruises are one-way, book an open-jaw ticket: into the start city, home from the end city.
Canadians can visit Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Check whether the EU's new travel authorisation is required by your travel dates.
Booking a river cruise, step by step
- Choose the river first, then the line, since inclusions differ more than ships do.
- Pick dates, keeping water levels and Christmas markets in mind.
- Book a full balcony early if you want one; they often go a year ahead for peak dates.
- Arrange open-jaw flights, ideally landing a day or two early.
- Buy insurance at deposit time, with cancellation and interruption cover.
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →Choosing your first European river
Castles and scenery point to the Rhine; capitals and music point to the Danube. For more European ideas, see Mediterranean itineraries for couples and Christmas and New Year at sea.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Which is better, a Rhine or Danube river cruise?
Scenery lovers usually prefer the Rhine, with its castle-lined Middle Rhine gorge. City and culture lovers usually prefer the Danube, with Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest close together. Many couples do one, then book the other.
What happens if river water levels are too low or high?
Lines may bus you between stops, swap you onto a sister ship on the other side of the problem section, or change the itinerary. Low water is most likely in late summer and early fall, and high water after heavy spring rain, which is why good travel insurance matters on rivers.
How much does a Rhine or Danube river cruise cost from Canada?
At recent prices, a 7-night sailing commonly runs roughly US$2,500–5,000+ per person (about C$3,400–7,000), depending on line, cabin and season, plus flights. Many fares include a guided tour in each port, wine with dinner and wifi.
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