The best time to visit Austria on a Danube River cruise is during the shoulder season, either March-May or September-November, when the weather is warm but not too hot and there is noticeably less tourist crowding in the major cities.
Summer can also be a great time to visit if you don’t mind the hotter weather and crowds. Unless you are an avid skier, then we recommend avoiding the frigid winter months in Austria.
At a Glance:
Peak season (June-August): Warmest weather, but also most crowded Shoulder seasons (Spring and Fall): Fewer hours of daylight, cooler temperatures, and less crowded tourist areas. Ski season (December, January, and February): Very limited selection of cruises but ideal for winter sports.
Church of St. Francis of Assissi in Vienna
Spring
March through May marks the beginning of cruising season on the Danube River. Travelers in Austria during the spring will have the chance to take walking city tours, nature hikes, wine tastings, and concerts.
However, it’s worth noting that due to higher levels of rainfall and snow melting, some rivers will have higher water levels. The flooding might make it impossible for cruise ships to navigate under some of the lower bridges and through locks along the Danube. If this happens, the operator will dock the riverboat until water levels go down and use luxury motor coaches to transport travelers through their itinerary.
Visit the ornately decorated Melk Abbey
Summer
If you’re planning on cruising the Danube River through Austria in June, July, and August, know that it tends to get hot and crowded during this time of year in central Europe. The weather reaches the highest temperatures of the year along with the most hours of daylight.
This is a great time of the year to hike as the temperatures are at their warmest. It’s a good idea to pack a small jacket and a raincoat to keep you comfortable in any weather, as it may occasionally get a little chilly, with a chance of rain. Activities such as city tours, concerts, and wine tastings are the most popular attractions during this time.
Rathaus in Vienna
Fall
Austria from September to early November is great for visiting, as there is little rainfall and the water levels are generally navigable. Warm temperatures during the daytime and little rainfall make autumn a very comfortable season. Activities and attractions available during this season are largely the same as the summer.
Enjoy stunning views of the Austrian countryside
Winter
There are very few Danube River cruises during the month of December and no cruises between January and February. The vibrant Christmas markets are the main attractions during the month of December, featuring traditional hot food and drinks, handmade souvenirs, and cultural celebrations everywhere.
Balls are also in season during winter time for those who are interested in arts. Visitors hoping to ski can enjoy the sport until March in Austria, yet the best snow is typically during January and February.
Get in touch with our travel experts to design the best experience cruising the Danube River!
The persons I spoke with knew the material. I wont know until I actually take the trip if it was all correct but at this point they were helpful in finding a trip that met my criteria
SS
4 days ago
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
5 days ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
Petrina Sta
1 week ago
Adventure Life has been great throughout my planning process for our up and coming Galapagos cruise. Kevin Moore, in particular, was very helpful in assisting me in making choices and providing me with options. He was also very patient, as I worked through figuring out what I really wanted in this vacation.
Lucy Greenway
1 week ago
Adventure Life was a pleasure to work with. They helped us find different options for our charter and answered a lot of questions with patience and clarity.
