Purpleliner is one of the newest and most prominent cruise companies in Budapest, and one of the few that operate boat tours from the Buda side of the river (the western bank). The company operates the Zinuru, a modern and impressive catamaran built in Hungary and launched in January 2024. Its cruises depart from Dock 1/B at Batthyány Square on the Buda side and offer travelers an excellent sightseeing experience that has received outstanding reviews online.
The company’s Zinuru vessel was specifically designed to provide a full panoramic viewing experience, featuring large spacious windows that give passengers an open view in all directions. The ship can accommodate up to 350 passengers.
Purpleliner’s main cruise is a 60 minute sightseeing tour along the Danube, with ticket prices starting from €12 per person. Cruises operate in the evening and at night (17:30, 19:00, 20:30, and 22:00) and include an audio guide accessible through a free downloadable app. The commentary is available in multiple languages including English, German, Hungarian, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Slovak, and Korean. Passengers are asked to bring a fully charged phone and personal earphones to enjoy the guided explanations privately and comfortably during the cruise.
The route passes by all of Budapest’s must see landmarks, including Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, the Chain Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge, the Great Market Hall, the Vigadó Concert Hall, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and Margaret Island in the north of the city. During the cruise, informational clips about the landmarks are displayed on onboard screens, and in summer the company sometimes offers fresh popcorn and ice cream.
Purpleliner is regarded as one of the most highly rated and well reviewed cruise companies in Budapest, with excellent customer feedback on major review platforms such as TripAdvisor and GetYourGuide (4.4 out of 5) based on thousands of positive reviews. The company is praised for its friendly staff and high quality cruise experience.
In addition to its regular cruises, the company also offers special events such as the New Year’s Eve Midnight Prosecco Cruise, a festive luxury cruise with champagne at midnight, as well as romantic late evening sailings.
