If you are coming to Budapest with children, a Danube cruise is one of the most efficient and enjoyable ways to get to know the city. For families with children up to age 10 we recommend a short sightseeing cruise of 1 hour. This is in our opinion the best option for families with young children - The cruises depart frequently, they do not involve a commitment to a meal and you can get off after a reasonable amount of time even if the child loses interest.
If you are thinking about an evening cruise, it can definitely work but it is advisable to take a cruise in the earlier evening hours, otherwise the children will already begin to get tired and lose interest. If your interest is a dinner cruise, take into account that these cruises last about 2 hours on average and are suitable only for families who know that the children are able to sit straight for that amount of time.
Generally speaking there is currently no dedicated children’s cruise in Budapest with specific content or activities. In most cases cruises in Budapest are not officially branded as a “kids’ cruise”. The major companies operate a uniform product line for all ages and what differentiates them is the format rather than the target audience.
Companies like Silverline and Legenda for example offer classic 1-hour sightseeing cruises that are considered child-friendly because of their short duration, the ability to sit in a closed area in winter and their especially high departure frequency. On some of the cruises by Hungaria Koncert there are audio guide maps in various languages including simple English that is also suitable for teenagers. In the case of dinner cruises some companies offer a special kids’ menu which is also something worth taking into account when choosing the cruise.
In most companies in Budapest children have a separate fare which is usually reduced by 30 to 50 percent from the adult price. On most cruises in the city children up to age 2-3 enter for free as long as they sit on a parent’s lap, from age 3 up to age 10-12 there is a reduced child price and above that age the price is the same as the adult price. However there are also cruises that do not offer a reduced price for children and they charge the full price from age 3 and up.
An important point worth checking in advance is stroller access. Not all piers are convenient for going down with a stroller and on some boats you are asked to fold strollers and put them aside. If the stroller is critical for you, it is worth choosing an operator that allows an open stroller on board or at least smooth passage. In other cases some companies offer the possibility to leave the stroller at the pier until you return from the cruise.
In our opinion the best time for a cruise with children is either in the early morning hours when the children still have a lot of energy and strength, or alternatively take a 2-hour break at the hotel and after everyone has rested go out for an evening cruise at 7 or 8 pm with renewed energy.
In addition it is worth checking whether there are toilets on the boat. This is a detail that many families forget to ask and later regret not doing so in advance. Another element worth considering in advance is the cancellation policy. Many operators allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For families with children the potential for canceling the cruise is relatively high and the possibility of free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before the date is a significant advantage.
