If you are looking for a short and recommended night cruise in Budapest, you should check out this boat tour operated by Mahart Cruise, offering a 50-minute evening ride along the Danube that passes by all of Budapest’s most important sights.
The cruise includes one complimentary drink, which you receive as soon as you board. We chose a glass of prosecco, but you can also opt for orange juice if you prefer something non-alcoholic. The crew is highly experienced and everything runs smoothly like clockwork. There is also an audio guide available via QR code.
This cruise is very popular among tourists in Budapest, so it’s best to arrive early since seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. That way, you can secure a good spot on the boat. You can also go up to the open upper deck for panoramic views of the illuminated city. The cruise has an excellent 4.2 rating on GetYourGuide, based on nearly 10,000 verified reviews.
Although the cruise is short, you will still see all of Budapest’s famous landmarks lit up at night, such as the Hungarian Parliament Building, Buda Castle, Matthias Church, Gellért Hill, and the city’s iconic bridges.
In principle, this cruise also operates during the day starting from 13:00, but in the evening the company runs a large number of departures between 18:00 and 22:00.
The departure point for the night cruise is in the central pier area of the Danube, between Elizabeth Bridge and the Chain Bridge. The ticket price for the evening cruise is around €18 per person, while the daytime option is cheaper at about €11 per person. Tickets can be purchased on the following page.
Central Danube pier area, between Elizabeth Bridge and Chain Bridge.
