Enjoy a scenic Danube river cruise in the city of Budapest, taking in the dozens of beautiful sights along the riverfront, while sipping away 2 free drinks, or enjoying our lovely and rich buffet style lunch on the cruise ship.
Day Cruises Budapest Dannube – Istvan Csuhai Photography
For a more traditional sightseeing boat experience on the Danube, please read on.
The all inclusive Lunch & Cruise boat tour includes 2 free drinks by default, and you can also choose to have the optional Buffet Lunch.
Note: The 2pm boat cruise can be booked with lunch, or without lunch, with adult, and with children / student prices. Children under 6 years old are free to cruise.
Day Cruise Sights Danube Budapest – EHammerton Photography
Please take a look at our city cruise options. Danube river cruise prices start from approx. Euro 10 for the budget tourists up to Euro 75 for VIP cruises. Learn more about the Budapest river cruises or place your booking now.
Dates of Budapest Day Cruises
Each afternoon, the Budapest Lunch river cruise runs from 2pm to 3.30pm. The boats are air conditioned in the summer, and heated in winter, so the river cruises are on all year round.
Please note that the lunch cruises on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are very popular, and very often get fully booked days before the cruise date. We kindly advise you to book your day cruise in advance if you wish to include the boat ride in your Budapest visit.
Prices of Budapest Danube Cruises with Drinks or Lunch
Budapest Sightseeing Boat tours with Lunch
- Cruise Price with Lunch: 40 Euro (discount price with lunch for Students: 36 Euro).
- Cruise Price with Drinks only: 18.5 Euro (discount price with drinks only for Students: 17.5 Euro).
- Cruise Price with 7 Tier Wine Tasting: 33 Euro (discount price with 7 Wines for Students: 31 Euro).
- Cruise Price with 2 Cocktails: 26 Euro (discount price with 2 Cocktails for Students: 24 Euro).
- Cruise Price with 5 Craft Beers: 29 Euro (discount price with 5 Craft Beers for Students: 27.5 Euro).
Menu of the Budapest Lunch & Cruise
Soups on the Budapest river tour
- Goulash soup with noodles – Alfold style goulash is one of the most traditional Hungarian soups, rich in meats and vegetables
- Seasonal Soups: Vegetable cream soup from fall to spring cruises, Fruit Soup in summer cruises. Both soups are an ideal option for vegetarians. Fresh tasty Hungarian vegetables and fruits give a wonderful characteristic flavor to the soup
Taste of Local Toppings on the Budapest river tour
For a cold starter, take a gastronomical adventure: try two of the local specialties used as sandwich toppings in Hungary
- Korozott: Quark with Sweet Paprika, Caraway, Onion and Butter – usually eaten topped on fresh rolls with fresh vegetables (tomato, peppers, onions, cucumber) – ideal vegetarian option
- Tepertokrem: Pork Cracklings Cream (slightly chunky texture) with mustard, salt and pepper – hearty sandwich cream for pork lovers
Main courses on the Budapest river cruise
Budapest River Dinner Cruise
- Roasted Sea Fish with Chardonnay Sauce
- Roasted Chicken Breast with Basil & Cheese Sauce
- Pork Rib with Thyme and Mustard Sauce: slightly spicy pork ribs
- Mini Stuffed Cabbage: toltott kaposzta is a Hungarian style sweet and sour dish, the cabbage leaves are stuffed with a seasoned mixture of minced pork & rice, cooked in a rich sauce of stew sauce with lots of Hungarian pickled sauerkraut, usually served with sour cream topping – Hungarian specialty
- Chicken Leg Paprika: traditional Hungarian Chicken Paprika (csirkepaprikas) usually made with chicken legs with tomatoes, peppers, onions and sweet paprika – Hungarian specialty
- Vegetarian Courses: Homemade Dumplings with Spinach and Mustard & Mushroom Sauce, Grilled Vegetables, etc. (please see below)
Side dishes on the Budapest river trip
- Grilled Vegetables
- Homemade Dumplings with Spinach and Mustard & Mushroom Sauce
- Grilled Polenta Terrine with Feta Cheese
- Hash-brown Potatoes / Potato Lángos
- Noodles / Dumplings
- Steamed Jasmine Rice with Corn
- Steak Potatoes
Vegetarian dishes on the Budapest Danube cruise
- Grilled Polenta Terrine with Feta Cheese
- Homemade Dumplings with Spinach and Mustard & Mushroom Sauce
- Grilled Vegetables
- Soup of the Season: Vegetable Soup (Fall, Winter, Spring), cold Fruit Soup (Summer)
- Steamed Jasmine Rice with Corn
- Salads: see below
Desserts on the Budapest Late Night Cruise
Salads, Fresh Greens on the Budapest Cruise
- Salad of the Season with various Dressings
- Corn Salad with Mayo Dressing
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Caesar Salad
Desserts on the boat tour in Budapest
- Sponge Cake pudding in Somló style (Somloi Galuska) is a huge favorite in Hungary, a sweet delicacy with some rum, sultanas, sponge cake, dark chocolate, topped with whipped cream
- Home-made Strudel
- Mini Tarts
- Fresh Fruits of the Season
- Dessert Variations Európa style
- 1 Glass of wine (or juice) and 1 bottle of mineral water
How can I buy tickets for the day trip on the Budapest Boat Tour?
Special Bookings for Groups, Clubs, Friends & Couples
Special Group Offers on Budapest Danube tours
Great Chefs on our River Cruises
Fruits on the Budapest boat tours
* on the former day river cruises, guests had the pleasure to eat the meals made by the former chef, Klöter Gregor-Grex, Gault Millau rated chef. There is great emphasis on the quality of the meals (lunch and dinner cruises) to make boat tours unforgettable.
Gault Millau is one of the most influential French restaurant guides founded by two restaurant critics, Henri Gault and Christian Millau in 1965. Gault Millau restaurant guide is as well known and respected in Europe as Zagat is in the US, Harden’s in the UK or the Michelin Guide all over Europe (though each have their own rating system and distinctive style).
Since September 2012, the lunches and dinners feature more traditional Hungarian foods as well as a wide range of options of healthy and popular meals of the international meals. The dishes are made by Attila Tanacs, local star chef.
In the 90 minute Lunch & Cruise river cruises, you can see many of the top Budapest attractions like the majestic Hungarian Parliament building, the fairy tale Fisherman’s Bastion, the historical Buda Castle, the impressive Great Market Hall, the popular indoor Budapest market hall of the inner city, and many more less known gems, like the University of Economics, the Vigado Concert Hall, the Technical University, etc.
Hi
Please can you tell me where the boarding point is for the river lunch cruise?
Thanks
Rachel
Hello Rachel, the Budapest lunch cruise normally leaves from the Dock near the Chain Bridge (Pest side of the city of Budapest). The meeting point however is 30 minutes before the cruise starts at 1.30 pm in the Danube Palace office (Zrinyi Street 5, District 5)
If you wish to have guaranteed seats, we suggest making an online reservation to secure your seats. Especially in the high seasons (May – September, December, Easter season)
hi, are you able to please provide a phone number that I can call to ask a few details about the christmas day lunch cruise.
thanks, alisha
Dear Alisha,
should you have any questions or inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at info [at] budapestrivercruise.com. Thank you.
Hello, Do you have an office location to come book tickets and ask a few questions?
Hello Sunny, the various programs have different offices at the docks depending on which cruise you are interested in. You may contact us via email for the fastest / most up to date and comprehensive reply on Budapest river cruises on the Danube (regardless of which cruise program you wish to take), including prices, frequency, discounts, ships, lengths, guides, accessibility, surprises and gift vouchers, etc.
Please contact [info] at [budapestrivercruise] dot [com].
Hi
Is there any boat cruises today for a group of 10, some of us are students, would you be able to tell me the cheapest option?
Many thanks
Hi Eloise,
the cheapest daytime sightseeing cruise is the 2 pm cruise & guide.
The price is €13 per person for adults and €11.7 per person for students. It includes 70 min cruise with guide (earphones, 30 languages), 1 free drink (options: wines, beers, sparkling wines, soft drinks) and 1 lemonade, free wifi.
Booking: /2pm-sightseeing-cruise-in-budapest
Hi,
We are a group of 14 from Finland. We could possibly come to day cruise which leaves at 2 pm 22nd march. We are a group of people where there are three birthday people. Is there a possibility organise gluteinfree Food for two people or do you have it already in your menu. For the birthday there could be sparkling wine served too.
Yours sincerely Erkki Kärkkäinen
Dear Erkki,
thank you for your inquiry.
The Buffet Menu of the 2 pm Lunch Cruise includes the following gluten free meals:
Soups
Goulash soup (without noodles) – Alfold style goulash is one of the most traditional Hungarian soups, rich in meats and vegetables
Seasonal Soups: Vegetable cream soup from fall to spring cruises, Fruit Soup in summer cruises. Both soups are an ideal option for vegetarians. Fresh tasty Hungarian vegetables and fruits give a wonderful characteristic flavor to the soup
Taste of Local Toppings
For a cold starter, take a gastronomical adventure: try two of the local specialties used as sandwich toppings in Hungary
Korozott: Quark with Sweet Paprika, Caraway, Onion and Butter – usually eaten topped on fresh rolls with fresh vegetables (tomato, peppers, onions, cucumber) – ideal vegetarian option
Tepertokrem: Pork Cracklings Cream (slightly chunky texture) with mustard, salt and pepper – hearty sandwich cream for pork lovers
Main Courses
Roasted Sea Fish with Chardonnay Sauce
Roasted Chicken Breast with Basil & Cheese Sauce
Pork Rib with Thyme and Mustard Sauce: slightly spicy pork ribs
Mini Stuffed Cabbage: toltott kaposzta is a Hungarian style sweet and sour dish, the cabbage leaves are stuffed with a seasoned mixture of minced pork & rice, cooked in a rich sauce of stew sauce with lots of Hungarian pickled sauerkraut, usually served with sour cream topping – Hungarian specialty
Side dishes
Steamed Jasmine Rice with Corn
Steak Potatoes
Grilled Vegetables
Hash-brown Potatoes
Salads
Salad of the Season with various Dressings
Corn Salad with Mayo Dressing
Desserts
Fresh Fruits of the Season
Dessert Variations Európa style
Drinks:
The prices includes 1 welcome drink (sparkling wine), 1 free drink (wine, beer or soft drink) and 1 bottle of water.
Hello!
I wanted to ask, how do you book the “Almost open bar” lunch cruise? Does that also include the 2 free drinks as the normal lunch cruise?
Dear Nina,
thank you for your inquiry.
We have contacted you via email regarding your booking.
Im trying to book a lunch cruise but I dont see an option to buy kids tickets. Which option do I choose?
Dear Estela,
thank you for contacting us.
The 2 pm Lunch Cruise is free for Children under the age of 6 (that is you do not need to buy tickets for them), while students can buy student tickets for a reduced price.
First, choose the preferred date of your cruise then you will be able to choose between Adult, Student or Adults and Students tickets.
Booking is on:
/day-cruise-budapest-with-drinks-or-lunch
Have a brilliant time on the 2 pm Lunch Cruise in Budapest!
Please could you provide a quote for private boat trip including buffet lunch and drinks.
Hello Alex,
thank you for your comment.
We will send you an email from soon.
Waiting for your kind reply.
Hi, I cant deside between lunch cruise or coctail cruise. Is there a possibility to buy cocktails on the lunch cruise?
Hello Kamelia,
thank you for your comment.
Yes, of course, drinks and cocktails can be bought at the bar on board during the lunch cruise.
Booking for the Lunch Cruise:
/day-cruise-budapest-with-drinks-or-lunch
Looking forward to your reservation.
Hi, are 1 year olds allowed on the cruises at all? And if so, are they allowed on both day and evening cruises? My family is coming over Christmas and we are trying to plan some Christmas activities!
Thank you.
Dear Dana,
yes, children are allowed on the Christmas Buffet Cruises (at 2pm, 6pm and 9pm). Please kindly note though that on the Christmas Eve Cruise with 4-course Dinner has an age limit of 6 years. Thank you for your understanding.
Hello
Please could you provide some information on the drinks and lunch packages you offer?
I am hoping to book a river cruise on 25th January 2019
thanks
Abbie
Dear Abbie,
if you purchase a ticket with buffet lunch, there will be 3 drinks included (1 welcome drink of soft drink or sparkling wine), 1 free drink of your choice (beer, wine or soft drinks) and 1 bottle of water.
If you purchase the ticket with 2 drinks, you will receive 1 welcome drink and 1 free drink of your choice.
Hi,
I would like to ask the best package for a cruise that is around the sunset time and with drinks included as well!
The day I would like to book the cruise for is on Sunday, 16th of June 2019!
Please would you be able to help me?
miranda
Hi Miranda,
the sun will set around 8.45pm on Jun 16.
Our recommendation would be the 8.15pm sightseeing cruise: /8-15pm-evening-cruise-on-the-danube-in-budapest
Hi,
I have booked the time 8:15pm time slot for that day. How long before the departure time (which is 8:15pm) do we need to be at the departure place?
Miranda
Hello Miranda,
please arrive about 15 minutes before the Budapest river cruise starts, at 8 pm for the 8.15 pm evening boat tour.
Have a nice time in Budapest and enjoy the Danube sights!
Just been on the river cruise with drinks – if you are al all interested in hearing the commentary (which is really the whole point), do not take this cruise. There is (loud) background music playing throughout the whole tour, even when the commentary is playing. The music is much louder that the information, therefore you cannot hear anything that is being said. We did ask for the music to be turned off or at least turned down to enable us to hear and we were told that this would be done, but it never happened during the whole trip. Would definitely not recommend if you are interested in what you are seeing.
Dear Sir/Madam,
thank you for your valuable feedback.
We are terribly sorry that this program could not live up to your expectations. We are striving to improve services and appreciate any feedback from our guests, and certainly appreciate your time and effort for sharing your observations about this cruise program.
However, please note that this program is rather a lunch cruise than a sightseeing cruise. There are many sightseeing cruises with audio guides available on a daily basis, which are suggested for guests who wish to learn about the riverside attractions and the history of Budapest.
We do hope that you enjoyed the buffet lunch and the 2 drinks on this 90min long program.