Scenic Danube Christmas Markets
7 nightsfrom £3,129 per person
Scenic's Danube Christmas Markets suits couples who want an all-inclusive ship with drinks, tips and excursions in the fare, sailing Regensburg to Budapest after a transfer from Munich. The trade-off in Budapest is the Infopark pier on the Buda bank, a ride away from the markets on Vorosmarty Square and at the Basilica.
Photo Renardo la vulpo · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Follow the ports in sailing order
| Port | Mooring | Christmas market |
|---|---|---|
| Regensburg | Guests transfer from Munich to the ship in Regensburg on day 1 and spend day 2 there. | Regensburg Christkindlmarkt |
| Passau | Day 3 in Passau offers a choice of a city tour or full-day coach trips to Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov. | Passau Christmas Market at the Cathedral |
| Durnstein | Day 4 runs from Melk to Durnstein. The Wachau Advent in Durnstein opens Friday to Sunday only and ends on 13 December 2026. | Wachau Advent in Durnstein |
| Vienna | Day 5 is in Vienna and ends with Scenic's private concert at Palais Liechtenstein. | Vienna Christmas Market at Rathausplatz |
| Budapest | Budapest Infopark, Henryk Slawik rakpartDays 7 and 8 are in Budapest. Scenic's FAQ names this pier on the Buda bank, south of the centre. | Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market |
Pick a December departure
- 8 Dec to 15 Dec 2026from £4,871 per person (2026)
- 14 Dec to 21 Dec 2026from £3,296 per person (2026)
- 15 Dec to 22 Dec 2026from £4,327 per person (2026)
- 16 Dec to 23 Dec 2026from £3,129 per person (2026)
Fares are the operator's published lead-in prices for the year shown. Check the cabin grade, any flight and the port charges before you book.
Do the same route by train
The rail version links Regensburg, Passau, Vienna and Budapest on Deutsche Bahn and OBB, with a published fastest Vienna to Budapest time of 157 minutes. Train travellers sleep in the old towns and catch the evening markets the ship's timetable can skip.
Scenic runs this eight-day route from Munich to Budapest, with the ship joined in Regensburg and calls at Passau, Schlogen, Melk, Durnstein, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. The Vienna evening carries Scenic's private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein. The 30 November and 7 December 2026 departures showed as booked out on 11 October 2026.
Late sailings still meet open markets: Passau's runs to 22 December and Regensburg's to 23 December 2026. Durnstein's Wachau Advent opens Friday to Sunday and closes on 13 December, so on Scenic's published day-by-day the 8 December departure is the one that finds it open.
Worth knowing
- Uniworld reported on 11 October 2026 that low water on the Danube kept one of its ships from Budapest and another from Regensburg, so allow for a coach transfer at either end.
Quick answers about Scenic Danube Christmas Markets
How much is Scenic's Danube Christmas Markets cruise in December 2026?
Scenic's UK site listed the 16 December 2026 departure of Danube Christmas Markets from £3,129 per person with flights included, and the other December dates from £3,296 to £4,871, on 11 October 2026.
Where does the Scenic ship dock in Budapest?
Scenic's river FAQ gives Budapest Infopark on Henryk Slawik rakpart as its Budapest pier, on the Buda bank south of the city centre.
Are drinks and tips included on Scenic's Christmas market cruise?
Yes. Scenic's fare covers drinks all day, a restocked mini-bar and all tipping and gratuities on board and on shore.
Which towns does Scenic Danube Christmas Markets stop at?
Scenic Danube Christmas Markets sails the Danube over 7 nights and calls at Regensburg, Passau, Durnstein, Vienna and Budapest, in that order.
When does Scenic Danube Christmas Markets sail in December 2026?
Scenic lists four departures of Scenic Danube Christmas Markets in December 2026, leaving on 8 Dec, 14 Dec, 15 Dec and 16 Dec.