Sunset and Evening Cruises
You want the best sunset or evening cruises in Budapest? There are plenty of boats that will take you up and down the Danube River during the official “sunset” time and the hours that follow when the sky becomes dramatically darker. And then there are the evening cruises when you will see the Parliament all lit up, along with all the other key monuments and sights along the Pest and Buda embankments.
Choosing Sunset Cruises
Most cruises, and the dinner and show cruises, head off around sunset or during the evening. This is really the golden hour when tickets sell out and the crowds pile up even 1 hour before the cruises start. Operators like Mahart, Purpleliner (Silverline), and Legenda have bigger fleets and may make +1 or +2 extra time slots around sunset to give you more options. But the cruises still tend to get packed, so if you want to have the best spots, you will have to either come early or look for cruises with VIP areas or skip-the-line upgrades.
For more information though, there’s a timetable below with insights about the duration of the sunset in Budapest and how it affects your sunset cruise.
Comparing Sunset and Evening Cruises
| Cruises | Provider | Price | Starts | Duration | Dock side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Night Sightseeing Cruise with Welcome Drink | Mahart | From €18 | 16:20, 17:00, 18:10, 19:20, 19:50, 20:30, 21:00, 21:40 | 50 min | Pest |
| Evening Cruise with Unlimited Prosecco, Wine and Beer | Danube Flow | €25 | 18:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30, 20:30, 21:00 | 55 min | Pest |
| City Highlights Sightseeing Cruise | Portum Lines | €15.50 to €18 | 17:00, 18:20, 19:40, 21:00 | 60 min | Pest (2 docks) |
| Boat Cruise with Guaranteed Rooftop Seating | La Perla | €12 to €13 | 16:10, 17:20, 18:30, 19:40, 20:50 | 50 min | Buda |
| Unlimited Prosecco & Aperol Danube Cruise, Rooftop Terrace | CEE Gastro Group | €25 | 18:00, 19:30, 21:00 | 75 min | Pest |
| Kisfaludy Paddle Steamer | Duna Cruises | €11 to €29 | 13:00, 14:30, 16:00, 17:30, 19:30, 20:30 | 60 min | Pest |
| Evening Cruise with Drink Options | Hungaria Koncert | €18 | 19:00 (Széchenyi); 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00 (Bakony) | 90 min (Széchenyi); 50 min (Bakony) | Pest |
| Parliament Panorama Cruise | Purpleliner | €12 | 15:40, 17:00, 18:20, 19:40, 21:00 | 60 min | Buda |
| Budapest City Sightseeing Cruise | Purpleliner | €12 to €14 | 15:30, 16:30, 17:00, 17:20, 18:00, 18:20, 18:40, 19:30, 19:40, 20:00, 21:00, 21:15 | 60 min | Pest |
| Unlimited Cocktails (Sip and Sail) | Budapest Boat Party | €30 | 18:00, 20:00 | 75 min | Pest |
Best Budapest Sunset and Evening Cruises
Now onto the minute details for each cruise. When comparing these cruises, consider the crowd size, boat capacity, whether or not there are extra time slots around sunset/evening, and where the boat sets off from. Every single detail, from where you will sit, how crowded the boat will be, and where it will arrive and leave you (when its dark) all make a difference.
#1. Night Sightseeing Cruise with Welcome Drink (Mahart Cruises)
Mahart’s night sightseeing cruises are ideal for catching the sunset, they set off as early as 16:20 during winter, and during summer there are extra starting times around the golden hours.
- Start: 16:20, 17:00, 18:10, 19:20, 19:50, 20:30, 21:00, 21:40
- Duration: 50 minutes
- Price: From €18
- Includes: Welcome drink
- Upgrades: Buda cruise (€21), unlimited prosecco (€33)
- Provider: Mahart Cruises
- Dock: Budapest, Vigadó tér 5, 1051
This cruise is held on the old Moskva-class boats, which have ample space below deck and up on the rooftop deck, with plenty of seating. While they are top sellers and do get crowded, generally, you can still book tickets online a day in advance. Many people book them on the day, which is a gamble.
The Mahart cruise includes a welcome drink of your choice: alcoholic or non alcoholic, and it has the following upgrades:
- Batthyany Tér Cruise with Welcome drink: €21
- Batthyany Tér Cruise with Unlimited Prosecco: €33
Unfortunately, there is no skip-the-line pass, so you will have to come early if you want to get a good window spot or sit near the front/back on the upper deck. But with plenty of space and relatively unobstructed views on both decks, you don’t need to worry too much about boarding in the last minute. One important thing to note: Mahart is one of the few operators in Hungary that still charges in HUF, the Euro prices are adjusted to the Forint. Also, prices vary depending on the start time, but they don’t change between weekdays and weekends.
#2. Evening Cruise with Unlimited Prosecco, Wine & Beer (Danube Flow)
Danube Flow has evening cruises with and without unlimited Prosecco – but the Unlimited Prosecco cruise beats the standard cruise because it has more regular starting times at sunset and into the evening.
- Start: 18:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30, 20:30, 21:00
- Duration: 55 minutes
- Price: €25
- Includes: Unlimited Prosecco, wine, and beer
- Upgrades: N/A
- Provider: Danube Flow
- Dock: Budapest, Carl Lutz rkp. 9, 1138
This cruise doesn’t start at Vigadó or in front of the Parliament, but further up beyond the Margaret Bridge near St. Stephen’s Park. It is a little harder to get to, but that’s good because it means fewer crowds. Some people have complained about the starting point, so if you take this cruise make sure you head there a good half hour in advance to make sure you get to the right spot.
As mentioned above, there is a standard version of this cruise that doesn’t feature the unlimited drinks, but it has fewer starting times. And while the dock is off the beaten path, the Danube Flow boats are smaller so even a smaller crowd can make the boat feel quite full. The boat has a lot of lower deck seats but the upper deck doesn’t have as many tables and seats. Also, as this cruise sets up a little further, it only goes as far down as Gellert Hill, which means you won’t get as far as the Corvinus and Technical Universities. Otherwise though, it has high ratings and is a great alternative to the cruises that take on the crowds around Vigado Square.
#3. City Highlights Sightseeing Cruise (Portum Lines)
The Portum Lines cruise has two starting points in Pest, and neither is close to the central dock areas (Vigado or Parliament). The further out starting points and 1 hour cruising time means you won’t cover as many of the landmarks as standard cruises do, but you get to see rare northern (or southern) parts of the city that other cruises don’t cover.
- Start: 17:00, 18:20, 19:40, 21:00
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Price: €15.50 to €18 (depending on day)
- Includes: Welcome drink
- Upgrades: N/A
- Provider: Portum Lines Cruising
- Dock: Budapest, Boráros Tér Dock, 1093 / Újlipótváros, Dock 42, 1138
Let’s unravel the starting docks: Dock 42 and Boráros. The northern Dock 42 is near St. Stephen’s Park beyond Margaret Bridge. Danube Flow’s boats also start from here, so it is not completely isolated, but this is quite a walk from the center of town. If you start from Dock 42, the cruise will take you as far as Gellert Hill but not fully past the Technical and Corvinus Universities, before you head back up. But on the plus side, you will get much closer views of Margaret Island.
The Boráros dock is near the suburban train station and tram, so it is much easier to get to with public transport. This cruise heads up all the way to the Parliament and beyond, but it doesn’t get as close to Margaret Bridge, and the Island as other cruises do.
There are only 4 starting times for this cruise, but these are planned before and after sunset, and then two in the evening (depending on the sunset times, naturally).
#4. Boat Cruise with Guaranteed Rooftop Seating & BYOB (La Perla)
This cruise by La Perla has sunset and evening time slots only. Given good weather, or if you bring a coat for cold nights, this is the cruise where you are guaranteed to get a rooftop seat, with 360 degree views of the Buda and Pest embankments.
- Start: 16:10, 17:20, 18:30, 19:40, 20:50
- Duration: 50 minutes
- Price: €12 to €13
- Includes: Guaranteed upper deck seats
- Upgrades: N/A
- Provider: La Perla
- Dock: Budapest, Várkert Bazár, 1013
The few Buda-side cruises generally start at Batthyány Square, but La Perla’s cruise starts further South at the Castle Garden, opposite Vigadó. This cruise is specifically designed for sunset and evening cruising, with 5 dedicated time slots starting at sunset and ending in the evening. If you are looking for a no-frills cruise, this is really among the best out there. It doesn’t have drinks or food, you can bring your own.
You set off on the La Perla boutique boats, which are a lot smaller than the Mahart and Purpleliner boats. On the upper deck, where you are guaranteed a seat, there is 1 aisle of tables along each side. So while you are served tables on a first-come basis, you don’t really need to worry about getting a bad seat. The upper deck is quite exposed and it can get cold, so you should bring a jacket or coat. Otherwise, there is an indoor heated deck.
#5. Unlimited Prosecco & Aperol Danube Cruise, Rooftop Terrace (Floating Lotus)
An extended 75 minute cruise on the Danube with unlimited drinks and an extra VIP upgrade, this is the cruise you take to spoil yourself. It takes place aboard the Floating Lotus, which has the largest rooftop deck among all the Danube cruise ships.
- Start: 18:00, 19:30, 21:00
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Price: €25
- Includes: Unlimited prosecco, Hungarian wines, beer and soft drinks
- Upgrades: VIP upgrade (€52)
- Provider:Gastro Group (Floating Lotus)
- Dock: Budapest, Petőfi tér 9, 1052
There are limited starting times, but this boat has more than enough space to accommodate the bigger crowds. As a result, though, it does tend to get crowded, and with the unlimited drinks it can get quite noisy too. But it isn’t a party boat. You have DJs or live music, but this is background music at best and there is plenty of space to walk around to catch the best views and explore the Floating Lotus.
You get unlimited Aperol Spritz, Prosecco, craft beer, Heineken, Hungarian wines and soft drinks. There is a waiter to refill the drinks, but if it is very crowded, you can go to the bar to ask for refills.
There is also a VIP upgrade for this cruise, that adds specialty cocktails to the menu, and more importantly, gives you priority boarding and access to a designated VIP zone. This area is in the front of the ship, where you get the best views, and it also has a private bar with a bartender.
#6. Historical Cruise – Kisfaludy Paddle Steamer (Duna Cruises)
A cruise like no other, Duna Cruises’ paddle steamer cruise takes place aboard a boutique historic boat, with comfortable seating, a well-equipped bar, and a deck where you can check out the mechanical paddles and steam-shooting pipe.
- Start: 13:00, 14:30, 16:00, 17:30, 19:30, 20:30
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Price: €11 to €29 depending on time
- Includes: Tokaj Frizzante welcome drink
- Upgrades: N/A
- Provider: Duna Cruises
- Dock: Budapest Jane Haining Rakpart, Dock 10, 1052
There is another version of the Kisfaludy cruise aboard Duna Cruises’ other paddle steamer, the Hableány. That steamer also has sunset and evening start times, though it has more daytime cruise times. If this cruise is fully booked or packed, you can always check out the Habléany. The main difference between the paddle steamers is that the Kisfaludy has a small maritime museum inside, whereas the Hableány doesn’t.
You take this cruise for the elegance, and for that feeling of being aboard a paddle steamer. It shoots smoke through a pipe and paddles water nonstop during your cruise, and it has a cosy little interior. The Kisfaludy seats up to around 90 people in total. It has an enclosed cabin area at the rear and an open terrace at the front. There is a tiny captain’s deck up top, but only around 10 to 15 people can fit there. You need to arrive a good hour early if you want to lock space up on the captain’s deck.
#7. Evening Cruise with Drink Options (Hungaria Koncert)
Choose between a 50 minute cruise on a 1960s boat or a 90-minute cruise on a 1940s paddle steamer in this Danube River cruise run by Hungaria Koncert. With drink upgrades, historic boats and spacious interiors, this is one of the more lavish sunset/evening cruises.
- Start: 19:00 (Széchenyi), 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00 (Bakony)
- Duration: 90 minutes (Széchenyi), 50 minutes (Bakony)
- Price: €18
- Includes: Welcome drink
- Upgrades: Cocktails upgrade (€23)
- Provider: Hungaria Koncert
- Dock: Budapest, Id. Antall József rkp. Akadémia 2 Dock, 1051
There are two versions of this cruise, and they both depart from the Akadémia 2 Dock. The first is a 50-minute cruise aboard the Bakony boat, a retro 1960s boat that can host up to 180 people. It has one deck, but it is split into an indoor section and an outdoor panoramic deck at the back. It sets off on the hour from 16:00 to 21:00, and you get one welcome drink when you board.
The second is the Gróf Széchenyi, which is a 1940s paddle steamer that is far fancier. This boat can host up to 400 people, with a restored 19th century indoor deck, and a spacious upper deck. This cruise only sets off at 19:00, and it lasts a full 1.5 hours to give you plenty of time to catch the views. If you are hungry, you can also check out the dinner cruises on this boat, as these are also hosted on the same cruise as this drinks-only option.
For both cruises, you can upgrade to a cocktails package, which gives you a choice between 2 cocktails or 3 beers. The Bakony is the better option for flexibility, but it can’t beat the palatial interiors and extended larger deck of the Gróf Széchenyi boat.
#8. Parliament Panorama Cruise (Purpleliner)
Purpleliner (Silverline) is one of the biggest boat operators in Budapest and its Parliament Panorama Cruises are the best budget friendly cruises to catch sunset or the evening. However, due to the price, the Buda starting location, and no extra time slots at sunset, it can get pretty crowded.
- Start: 15:40, 17:00, 18:20, 19:40, 21:00
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Price: €12
- Includes: No extras
- Upgrades: N/A
- Provider: Purpleliner (Silverline)
- Dock: Budapest Batthyány tér Dock, 1/b, 1011
Budget-friendly it may be, this is definitely the cruise you want to stand in line for 1 hour before it sets off. The Purpliner boats are modern catamarans with lots of lower deck space, but the upper deck is small on most boats in their fleet. If you board late, you may struggle to find a good seat, or maybe any seat at all as these boats tend to reach full capacity during peak season.
It starts from Batthyány Square on the Buda side, in full view of the Parliament. So standing in line for an hour can also double as a time to take some photos, but make sure you hold your spot. This cruise has fewer start times, so for sunset you only have 1 or potentially 2 options during the golden hours. The same goes for evening cruises, for later sunsets you may just have 1 option with this cruise. But again, it is considerably cheaper than the rest and if you aren’t bothered by the crowds, you can get the sunset or evening cruise you are after.
#9. Budapest City Sightseeing Cruise (Purpleliner)
The most popular Purpleliner (Silverline) cruise, this is their standard all-day budget friendly cruise. It has extra time slots before and after sunset, so you have better flexibility, but you must book in advance as this is a best-seller.
- Start: 15:30, 16:30, 17:00, 17:20, 18:00, 18:20, 18:40, 19:30, 19:40, 20:00, 21:00, 21:15
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Price: €12 to €14 (depending on starting time)
- Includes: No extras
- Upgrades: N/A
- Provider: Purpleliner (Silverline)
- Dock: Jane Haining Rakpart, Dock 11, 1052
The location, near Elisabeth Bridge, and the ticket price immediately catch the eye. The Purpleliner City Sightseeing Cruise is a no-frills, standard cruise along the Danube. You go the full hour and see all the landmarks, and while there aren’t any drinks included, there is a bar on board if you want some nibbles or a cool drink. Purpleliner has many starts before, during and after sunset, and into the evening, so you can experience the sunset or early evening in multiple ways.
You can go before, watch the sun gradually set behind the hills, and finish your cruise while it is still bright. Or, head for a later cruise when the sun has already set and it begins to get dark. These extra starts thin out the bulky crowds, but the sunset-evening scheduled boats still get pretty full during peak season.
One of the recurring complaints about the Purpleliner boats is that there is little upper deck space, and that occasionally the boat can get so full that people who board late can’t get a seat. You won’t have to arrive more than an hour early to get a good spot, but booking in advance is highly recommended.
#10. Sightseeing Cruise with Unlimited Cocktails (Budapest Boat Party)
Live it up on the Budapest Boat Party unlimited cocktails cruise – this cruise also goes by the name Sip and Sail cruise. The 75-minute cruise takes place on the big Stadt Wien boat and takes you for an extended 75 minutes up and down the Danube.
- Start: 18:00, 20:00
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Price: €30
- Includes: Unlimited beer, prosecco and prosecco cocktails
- Upgrades: Premium drinks upgrade (€45)
- Provider: Budapest Boat Party
- Dock: Budapest, Id. Antall József rkp. Akadémia 2 Dock, 1051
You spend 1.5 hours in total on the boat, the cruise lasts for 75 minutes. Budapest Boat Party is famous for its loud music, rowdy nighttime cruises, and this one has 2 starting times, once at sunset and one for the evening. It is not a cruise for families, you must be 18+ to board. The loud music and dancing makes this more of a party cruise than a sightseeing one, you go here in groups or to meet fellow partygoers.
The standard ticket comes with unlimited beer, Prosecco, and Prosecco cocktails. If you need harder drinks, there is the Premium package that also includes spirits and mixers, and a selection of premium cocktails from the bar.
Evening Cruises Times
Always check the Budapest sunset time for each given day, the exact time fluctuates throughout the seasons. Also remember daylight saving time (March/October). On the last Sunday of March, the clock moves forward 1 hour (6 PM becomes 7 PM), and the clock moves backwards 1 hour on the last Sunday of October (6 PM becomes 5 PM).
- Winter times (December to February): ~4 PM (December) goes down to ~4:45 PM (February)
- Spring (March to May): ~4:45 PM (March) drops to 5:45 PM (March Daylight Saving), and then down to ~8:15 PM (May)
- Summer (June to August): ~8:35 PM (June) down to 8:45 PM (late June) pulls back to 7:30 PM (August)
- Autumn (September to November): 7:25 PM (September) down to ~5:30 PM (October) and then 4:30 PM (October Daylight Saving Time). Reaches 4:00 PM (November)
The sun sets behind the Buda Castle or the surrounding hills, but it takes a good 1.5 hours for the sky to become fully dark. City lights generally turn on about 20 minutes after the official sunset time, but this only really becomes noticeable when the sky goes pitch black.
With that in mind, most sunset tours last 1 hour, so you have three solid options:
- A tour that starts ~10-30 minutes before sunset. You will catch the sunset behind the hills, ending your tour before it gets really dark. You may not notice the illuminations because it will still be bright.
- A tour that starts exactly at official sunset time. You won’t be out on the water long enough for it to get pitch black, you will catch the sunset and start to notice the illuminations.
- A tour that starts ~30 minutes after the official sunset time. You may just miss the sunset, but you will still catch the fading light, and finish the tour when it is dark enough to see the illuminations in all their glory.
Evening Cruises Times
Evening cruises are easier to plan because you aren’t trying to catch the golden hour, there is enough time to spare after sunset. It is not endless time, because the last boats set off around 8 PM or 9 PM (winter) or 9 PM to 10 PM (summer).
But there is more flexibility, as the Parliament illuminations are turned off but this usually happens around 11 PM or later, after the last cruises have returned to the docks.