Avalon Expression

Sailing the Danube on Avalon Expression

Avalon Expression takes to the Danube under the flag of Avalon Waterways, one of the most recognised names in European river cruising. The Danube accounts for the great majority of her programme, with sailings also reaching into the Main River and Western Europe. Departures span Budapest, Vilshofen and Amsterdam, and trips run from five to twenty-one nights — though the most common duration is seven nights. Almost every sailing is one-way, threading from one historic city to the next rather than retracing the route home.

Where Avalon Expression sails

The Danube is Avalon Expression’s river, with departures from both Budapest and Vilshofen forming the backbone of her programme.

The largest group of sailings departs Budapest and heads downriver in seven-night one-way journeys, with Vienna among the ports most of these sailings call at. This route runs as a seasonal programme, with departures in April, May, September and October — the gentler shoulder months when Central Europe is at its most agreeable.

A smaller group boards at Vilshofen and travels eastward to Budapest over five or seven nights, calling at Linz, Vienna, Bratislava and Ybbs along the way. These sailings run in May and June. If you are planning around a specific city — whether that is an arrival in Amsterdam, a departure from Oltenita in Romania, or the full arc of a longer 21-night journey — CruiseAway’s cruise experts can match the right sailing to your dates and budget. Our Europe cruise search and Europe cruise deals page are both good places to start browsing what is currently on sale.

All sailings on Avalon Expression depart from ports in Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands or Romania. Because every embarkation point requires a flight from Australia, CruiseAway builds the whole holiday — the cruise, the international flights, any hotels either side and all transfers — on one booking.

Cabins on Avalon Expression

Avalon Expression carries six cabin grades across two families — outside cabins and balcony suites — and the full choice, with deck plans, is on the Avalon Expression cabins and deck plans page.

The two outside grades share large windows that flood the room with natural light and river views, with marble bathroom countertops and L’Occitane toiletries lending a polish to everyday routines. Step up to any of the four balcony grades and the picture changes considerably: a wall-to-wall panoramic window opens onto an open-air balcony, a six-person sitting area and sofa create a genuinely suite-like living space, and the river is always with you without leaving your room. Whatever grade suits your trip, the cabins page holds every option.

The Avalon Waterways fleet

Avalon Waterways operates a wide fleet of river ships across Europe and South East Asia. Here is how they are grouped by waterway, with the busiest routes listed first.

The ships that sail the Danube River, Europe

• Avalon Expression (this ship)
• Avalon Imagery II
• Avalon Impression
• Avalon Passion
• Avalon Illumination
• Avalon Visionary

The ships that sail the Rhine River, Europe

• Avalon Tranquility II
• Avalon Panorama
• Avalon View
• Avalon Vista

The ships that sail the Rhone River, Europe

• Avalon Poetry II

The ships that sail the France

• Avalon Tapestry II
• Avalon Artistry II

The ships that sail the South East Asia

• Avalon Saigon

The full picture of what Avalon Waterways offers — ships, itineraries and what sailing with them is like — is on the Avalon Waterways cruise line page.

Booking Avalon Expression with CruiseAway

Because every Avalon Expression sailing departs from Europe, the cruise typically sits at the heart of a longer trip. CruiseAway’s DreamAway Packages bring the international flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels and all transfers together with the river cruise on a single booking — no separate arrangements, no gaps. Our cruise experts know these Danube itineraries in detail and can help you match the right duration, cabin grade and departure port to what you are looking for. And every booking is backed by our Best Price Guarantee.

Browse Western Europe cruises for the full regional picture, or search our Europe cruise deals if you are looking for a discounted sailing.

Questions about cruising the Danube on Avalon Expression

Which cities does Avalon Expression typically visit?

The ports that appear across most of her Danube sailings include Vienna, Linz, Bratislava, Ybbs and Budapest — though the specific stops depend on the itinerary and direction of travel. One-way sailings from Vilshofen to Budapest, for example, are likely to call at all of those; eastbound and westbound programmes differ. The sailing detail on each departure lists its own confirmed ports of call.

How long are the sailings?

Durations on Avalon Expression range from five nights up to twenty-one, with seven nights the most common length. Shorter sailings are typically a focused segment — say, Vilshofen to Budapest — while the longest itineraries string multiple river regions together into an extended European journey.

When does Avalon Expression sail?

Her Danube programme is seasonal. The Budapest departures run in April, May, September and October; the Vilshofen departures in May and June. These shoulder-season months bring milder temperatures and smaller crowds to Central Europe’s river cities, making them a popular choice for Australian travellers timing a longer European trip.

Can CruiseAway arrange my flights and hotels as well as the cruise?

Yes — that is exactly what a DreamAway Package covers. Because every Avalon Expression sailing starts in Europe (Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands or Romania), flying from Australia is part of the journey. CruiseAway puts the flights, any hotel nights before or after the cruise, and all transfers on the same booking as the river cruise itself, so you have one itinerary, one contact and one price. Speak to our cruise experts for a package shaped to your dates and budget.

What cabin types are available?

There are six grades across two families. Outside cabins bring large windows and river views with marble-finished bathrooms and L’Occitane toiletries. Balcony grades add a wall-to-wall panoramic window, an open-air balcony and a generous sitting area that feels closer to a suite. Every grade, with deck plans and full details, is on the Avalon Expression cabins and deck plans page.