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Bucharest to Budapest
Bucharest to Budapest
A Lower Danube Viking River Cruise Tour
Prices From
$16,159NZD
per person twin share
Travel Dates
Depart: Fri 07 Aug 2026
Return: Wed 26 Aug 2026
Duration: 19 days
Embark on a captivating Viking cruise tour through the heart of Eastern Europe with this unforgettable tour from Bucharest to Budapest, featuring a luxurious Lower Danube River cruise aboard Viking Ullur.
Discover the rich history, scenic beauty, and cultural treasures of Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary as you sail through the storied landscapes of the Danube. Your adventure begins with two nights in Transylvania, home to medieval towns and Dracula’s castle, and concludes with three nights in Prague, one of Europe’s most enchanting cities. This tour blends river cruising with immersive land experiences, offering the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration.
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University Library Statue Bucharest
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Iron Gate Romania
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Parliament Palace Bucharest
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Peles Castle
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Prague
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Tour Map
Your travel itinerary
Friday 07 August
Auckland – Dubai
An evening departure from Auckland on Emirates Airways.
Saturday 08 August
Dubai – Bucharest, Romania
Dinner
An early arrival into Dubai. Change planes and continue onto Bucharest. Arrive and transfer to your inner-city hotel. Afternoon at leisure before a Welcome Dinner tonight.
Sunday 09 August
Bucharest – Brasov
Breakfast
Dinner
After breakfast, take a drive through the Transylvanian countryside visiting Peleș Castle, a 19th-century fortification in Sinaia and continue onto Brașov. On arrival experience a little touch of Saxony during a walking tour including the town’s historic center, before a special Transylvanian Dinner.
Monday 10 August
Transylvania
Breakfast
Today we explore Transylvania, including a visit to the medieval town of Sighișoara (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Wind your way through narrow alleys between pastel-hued buildings surrounded by fortified walls. Within this UNESCO World Heritage Site lies the history of 15th-century Walachian Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Count Dracula.
Tuesday 11 August
Brasov – Bucharest
Breakfast
Dinner
This morning, check out of your Brașov hotel and take a short ride to Bran Castle, commonly known as Dracula’s Castle. This landmark citadel, built during the 14th century and used by Saxon and Walachian kings, is the best known of several locations linked to the Dracula legend. We return to Bucharest this afternoon.
Wednesday 12 August
Bucharest
Breakfast
Dinner
We begin a city tour of the Romanian Capital. Communism changed the face of Bucharest and has left in its wake a city brimming with imposing socialist architecture. Dotted among today’s cityscape are wonderful art nouveau buildings, ancient churches and monasteries that were rescued from the bulldozer. This afternoon transfer to the river cruise ship Viking Ullur and settle into your stateroom.
Thursday 13 August
Ruse, Bulgaria
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
The most integral Danube city in Bulgaria, Ruse enjoys a setting amid a rolling countryside blanketed in sunflower and wheat fields. Once an outpost of the Roman Empire, it was known as Sexaginta Prista, or Sixty Ships, for the fleet that once docked here. Best explored on foot, the city features many fine examples of 19th- and 20th-century neobaroque and neorococo architecture.
Friday 14 August
Vidin, Bulgaria
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
One of Bulgaria’s oldest riverside towns, Vidin is home to the country’s only fully preserved medieval castle. Set on the riverbank, its thick walls, stout towers, and solid gates form the fortress of Babini Vidini Kuli—Granny Vida’s Towers. Around it once stood a fairy tale town of 25 minarets, domes, and period architecture.
Saturday 15 August
Scenic cruising: The Iron Gate
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sail through one of Europe’s most dramatic natural wonders—the Iron Gate. This scenic stretch winds through narrow gorges between the Carpathian Mountains to the north and the Balkan Mountains to the south. On the Serbian side, see Trajan’s Tablet, marking a Roman military road; on the Romanian side, admire the massive rock sculpture of Dacian king Decebalus.
Sunday 16 August
Belgrade, Serbia
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Belgrade, the Serbian capital and former capital of Yugoslavia, is one of Europe’s oldest cities. Positioned at the meeting point of the Sava and Danube Rivers, it has long been a contested region. Known as the ‘White City,’ it has been destroyed and rebuilt 20 times. Today, the citadel endures, home to Kalemegdan Fortress, Orthodox churches, Turkish baths, and green parkland.
Monday 17 August
Osijek, Croatia
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Osijek is the largest city, and the economic and cultural capital of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia. In its early days, Osijek was a Roman settlement called Mursa Maior (‘major’). It was later rebuilt by the Ottomans and ruled by the Hapsburg Empire.
Tuesday 18 August
Kalocsa, Hungary
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Once the seat of the Archbishop, the cultural center of Kalocsa is more than 1,000 years old. The quaint town, surrounded by 8,000 acres of farmland growing fiery red peppers, is brimming with traditional Hungarian culture. This afternoon experience a thrilling display of traditional horsemanship.
Wednesday 19 August
Budapest, Hungary
Breakfast
Dinner
After breakfast, disembark your ship for a morning city tour of Hungary’s enchanting capital. Straddling the Danube, traditional hillside Buda faces modern Pest. By day, stroll past art nouveau buildings, castles, and grand palaces, or relax in thermal spas. By night, the Parliament’s shimmering lights reflect on the river, with the Chain Bridge as a dramatic centerpiece.
Thursday 20 August
Budapest, Hungary
Breakfast
Today we explore Budapest’s old town—a medieval mix of narrow streets and colourful houses. In the Castle District, the Gothic Matthias Church stands tall, beside the Fisherman’s Bastion with its seven turrets and sweeping views of the Danube, Chain Bridge, and Pest. At the heart of the district is Buda Castle, originally built in the 13th century and expanded in the 18th to its grand baroque form. It was home to Hungary’s kings for nearly 700 years.
Friday 21 August
Budapest – Prague
Breakfast
Dinner
Check out of the hotel and embark on a scenic drive to Prague. Check into your hotel with an afternoon at leisure.
Saturday 22 August
Prague
Breakfast
Set out on a panoramic tour of Prague, including a guided walk-through Prague Castle. Few cities embody the past as authentically as Prague, the Czech Republic’s atmospheric capital that clings to its history with unwavering passion. Later, enjoy free time to visit some of the city’s landmarks or museums.
Sunday 23 August
Prague
Breakfast
Dinner
Today is a free day to explore Prague. Revisit the Old Town or discover modern highlights like the Frank Gehry–designed Dancing House, inspired by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Walk across Charles Bridge, see the Astronomical Clock, Lennon Wall, and historic Wenceslas Square. Enjoy some last-minute shopping before our Farewell Dinner.
Monday 24 August
Prague – Dubai
Breakfast
This morning check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight. Arrive Dubai late evening and overnight in an airport hotel.
Tuesday 25 August
Dubai – Auckland
A mid-morning departure from Dubai.
Wednesday 26 August
Auckland
Arrive mid-morning. Welcome home.
Inclusions
- Return economy flights Auckland – Dubai - Bucharest // Prague – Dubai - Auckland (Emirates / Fly Dubai)
- 2 nights in Budapest
- Budapest City Tour
- 2 nights in Brasov, Transylvania
- Full day Tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sighișoara
- 7 nights all-inclusive cruise on board ‘Viking Ullur’
- All meals onboard ‘Viking Ullur’
- Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch & dinner on board
- On-board enriching activities
- One complimentary guided shore excursion in each port
- All port taxes and fees included
- Airport and airline taxes $225 per person
- Includes all gratuities on board ‘Viking Ullur’
- Three nights in Prague
- Panoramic Prague Tour
- Prague Folklore Dinner
- Most entrance fees
- Breakfast daily
- Six lunches
- 13 dinners
- All transfers on tour
- English speaking guides throughout
- Pukekohe Travel escort subject to 20 persons travelling
Cost
| Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland | Twin Share | Single |
|---|---|---|
| Veranda Stateroom 205 sq. ft | $18,495 | $32,495 |
| French Balcony Stateroom 135 sq. ft | $17,397 | $28,995 |
| Standard Stateroom 150 sq. ft | $16,159 | $24,685 |
| Business Class Upgrade |
To Be Confirmed |
| Premium Economy Class Upgrade |
To Be Confirmed |
| Early Booking Discount ( 30 September 2025 ) | $150 |
| Previous International Pukekohe Travel Tour Discount | $100 |
*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment
Exclusions
- Travel Insurance – compulsory- Please ask for a quote
- Items of a personal nature
- Items not specified
- Optional shore excursions
Booking Conditions
- A deposit of $1,250 per person (twin) or $2,500 per person (single) will secure a place on this tour
- Full payment is due no later than 27 March 2026
Cancellations
- From the date of booking until 27 March 2026 – loss of deposit
- After 27 March 2026 - no refund
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend all clients purchase travel insurance to protect against cancellations, lost items, and delays that could lead to unexpected costs. Please ask us for a quote.
General Information
Documentation
- • A current passport is required, valid six months beyond date of travel
- • No visa is required for New Zealand passport holders
- • All other passport holders please ask
Weather ˚c
- Bucharest Max 30 Min 20
- Budapest Max 27 Min 16
- Prague Max 23 Min 13
Clothing - On board ‘Viking Ullur’ by day – comfortable touring clothes and walking shoes; By night – smart casual
Currency
- Romanian Leu (Romania)
- Bulgarian Lev (Bulgaria)
- Serbian Dinar (Serbia)
- Euro (Croatia)
- Forint (Hungary)
- Czech Koruna (Czech Republic)
Health and Fitness
- A good standard of health and fitness is required as walking and standing are an important part of this itinerary.
- The ability to walk at least 1km unaided on uneven surfaces and negotiate flights of stairs is essential.
- It is expected you will arrive on tour fit, healthy and ready to travel.
Ship Information
Terms and Conditions
For full terms and conditions please visit our website Terms and Conditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy.
Note:
Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change
Prices From
$16,159NZD
per person twin share
Travel Dates
- Depart: Fri 07 Aug 2026
- Return: Wed 26 Aug 2026
- Duration: 19 days
Early Booking Discount
Save $150 if your deposit is paid by 30 Sep 2025
Previous Client Discount
Our previous International Tour clients can save a further $100 per person
