If you’re thinking about taking your first river cruise, chances are you’ve narrowed your choices down to the Danube or the Rhine – Europe’s most popular routes.
Both offer vineyard-clad valleys, medieval towns, towering castles, a dramatic gorge or two and a clutch of iconic cities – but which one will suit you best? Our expert breaks down your choices.
In this guide:
The routes
Where does a Danube cruise sail?
The 1,770-mile Danube is the longest river in western and central Europe. It meanders through 10 countries, namely Germany, Austria and Hungary, and spans from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. It also takes in four capital cities: Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Belgrade. Classic Danube itineraries usually sail round-trip from Passau or between Passau and Budapest.
Where does a Rhine cruise sail?
Measuring in at nearly 800 miles, the Rhine flows from the Swiss Alps to the Netherlands. Most of its river cruises focus on Germany, but the Rhine also runs through parts of Austria, France and the tiny principality of Liechtenstein. Rhine sailings typically run round-trip from Cologne or from Cologne to Basel.
While the Rhine doesn’t lay claim to any capitals, it boasts several major cities and connects to Amsterdam’s canals. There’s Cologne, with its towering cathedral, and Strasbourg, which has a unique Franco-German culture having repeatedly switched nationality.
What are the highlights?
Its grand imperial cities shaped European history and were home to some of the greatest classical composers, including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Strauss. The Danube also has plenty of big-hitting sights, such as Melk Abbey, a towering masterpiece of baroque architecture, and picture-postcard towns, including Dürnstein with its powder-blue church tower.
The prettiest stretch of the Danube is the Unesco-listed Wachau Valley between Melk and Krems, which is lined with vineyards and apricot orchards. The nature-rich Danube Delta, reached through the spectacular Iron Gates gorge, is a Unesco wetland and habitat for 300 species of birds, including Europe’s largest colony of great white pelicans.
The Middle Rhine Valley is a scenic Unesco World Heritage site that is crowned by more than 40 castles, the highest density in the world. The 40-mile riverscape between Bingen and Koblenz is dotted with charming wine-growing towns, including Rüdesheim, and natural marvels, including the legendary Lorelei rock, where a siren is said to have lured passing sailors to their doom.
The verdict: Choose the Danube for wildlife and culture and the Rhine for history.
How long can I go for?
The most popular cruises on both rivers typically last a week, but there are many other options. Longer Danube sailings navigate the lesser-known and quieter Lower Danube, through Slovakia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, all the way to the river mouth at the Black Sea.
Extended sailings on the Rhine can take in the pretty Moselle, which joins the Rhine at Koblenz, or even combine the Rhine and the Danube, which the 106-mile Rhine-Main-Danube Canal connects.
The ships
Which lines sail there?
As the two leading river cruise destinations, the Danube and the Rhine attract the highest concentration of cruise lines and ships. You’ll find all the key players, such as Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, APT and Emerald Cruises.
You can find something to suit every budget, from affordable sailings on the likes of CroisiEurope, the largest European-based line, to luxury lines that include Uniworld, Scenic, Amadeus and Riverside Luxury Cruises.
One thing to bear in mind is that every Danube and Rhine ship has length, height and width restrictions to fit into locks and beneath low bridges. So whatever the line’s description of its vessels, they are all exactly the same size. The difference is the number of passengers, as the fewer the guests, the more spacious the ship will feel.
The only exceptions size-wise are AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna and Riverside Luxury Cruise’s Riverside Mozart. These ships are both double width, yet carry only 196 and 162 passengers. Because of their size, they can sail only a section of the Danube, which includes Vienna and the Wachau Valley.
The expert view
When is the best time to go?
Spring, late summer and autumn are pleasant times to sail, while it can be better to avoid the hottest months of July and August. As with all river cruises, it’s best to pack layers and be prepared for changes in the weather, whatever the season.
From late November to Christmas Eve, cities, towns and villages lining the banks are filled with enchanting markets selling gingerbread, warming glühwein, crafts and gifts.
As the Rhine flows farther north, you can expect colder weather in winter. There can be snow on both rivers, creating an even more magical atmosphere for festive sailings.
The verdict: There’s not a huge difference in weather between the two.
Do they cater for solo travellers?
More and more lines are wising up to the fact that solo guests don’t want to be hit with the dreaded single supplement, so keep an eye out for regular deals in which surcharges are waived or reduced.
While a handful of lines, such as Emerald Cruises, have the odd single cabin, Riviera Travel offers the best options on both rivers, as the line puts aside several rooms for single occupancy on every sailing. Tauck also does the same, while Saga has 12 dedicated cabins for solo guests.
In 2027, Riviera plans to introduce the world’s first solo-exclusive river cruise ship. The George Eliot, which sails on both the Danube and Rhine, is expected to accommodate 68 guests in solo-occupancy cabins with no single supplements.
The verdict: With small ships and a friendly atmosphere, a river cruise on either the Danube or the Rhine is a great choice for those travelling alone.
Can I take the family?
Luxury lines Uniworld and Tauck offer multigenerational sailings during the school holidays through the respective Generations Collection and Tauck Bridges programme, where regular itineraries are supplemented with family-friendly activities, such as treasure hunts, cookery classes, language lessons and hosted children’s mealtimes.
In 2022, A-Rosa introduced a game-changer with the launch of the 280-passenger A-Rosa Sena. Sailing on the Rhine, it is the only dedicated family river vessel and has cabins sleeping up to five, a separate children’s swimming pool, longer dining hours, and a special children’s buffet section to suit even the pickiest of eaters.
Also, children up to the age of 15 travel free of charge on all Danube and Rhine sailings with A-Rosa when accompanied by at least one adult sharing the same cabin.
The verdict: Once upon a time, you’d never hear the words “children” and “river cruise” in the same sentence, but over the past decade, all of that has changed. Either a cruise on the Danube or the Rhine offers something for the youngest of travellers.
What about food and drink?
Visiting up to four countries within a week – even more on a longer cruise – and sailing through different wine regions make the Danube and the Rhine top choices for food and wine lovers.
Alongside plenty of familiar favourites, ships always offer regional dishes and local specialities, which are often themed to the ports of call on a particular day, such as Wiener schnitzel in Vienna.
On the Danube, Vienna is also known for chocolate Sacher torte and Wachau Valley apricots, which are used in all manner of dishes such as sweet dumplings, jam and brandy. Linz also has its own sweet treat, Linzer torte, said to be the world’s oldest cake recipe.
Germany is renowned for sausages, and banger aficionados will want to stop by the historic sausage kitchen close to the docking spot in Regensburg on the Rhine. German beer is equally celebrated, and one of the most unusual is Bamberg’s smoked beer. And no Rhine sailing would be complete without a slice or two of Black Forest gateau.
When it comes to tipple, the Rhine, Germany’s largest wine-growing region, is also renowned for fruity and aromatic whites such as Riesling, Müller-Thurgau and Gewürztraminer.
The verdict: Whether your drink of choice is a crisp white or a pint, a Rhine cruise will suit you. Those after schnitzels and sweet treats should look to the Danube.
The final say
Both rivers are filled with history, beautiful countryside, castles, cathedrals and cultural cities, so choosing between the Danube and the Rhine boils down to personal choice of itinerary.
If you enjoy capital cities, such as Vienna and Budapest, classical music and rural landscapes, the Danube fits the bill. If it’s vibrant, cosmopolitan cities, such as Amsterdam and Cologne, and Second World War history you’re looking for, opt for the Rhine.
About our expert
Jeannine Williamson
Jeannine has clocked up thousands of nautical miles on an A to Z of worldwide rivers, from the Amazon to the Zambezi. When she’s not afloat, you can find her beside the water at home on England’s south coast.