See Slovakia’s vibrant capital city on this day trip from Vienna to Bratislava. Led by an expert guide, explore the city’s top attractions, including Michael’s Gate and Grassalkovich Palace. Afterward, enjoy lunch and some free time to wander on your own. Your tour includes a scenic Danube River cruise via high-speed catamaran back to Vienna.

Sightseeing day trip to Bratislava from Vienna
Take a guided walking tour of Bratislava’s highlights including Grassalkovich Palace, Michael’s Gate and more
Spend free time exploring Bratislava’s hidden gems
Enjoy a high-speed catamaran cruise on the Danube River

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This tour lets you return to Vienna via high-speed catamaran along the Danube.

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup
Professional guide in Bratislava
Bratislava walking tour
High-speed catamaran cruise

Food and Drinks
Gratuities
Hotel drop-off
Guide on coach to Bratislava

Departure & Return

This operator has two meet-up options available. You can either meet at the departure point below or select a location for pick-up.

Departure Point

Vienna Operahouse, Opernring 2, 1010 Wien, Austria
BRATISLAVA: Please get to departure dock "pontoon HUMA 6" at Razus Embankment (Rázusovo nábrežie 811 02 Bratislava) punctually. For the exact departure time, please contact our Service Center.

Pickup Details

Possible departure locations

View departure locations

Departure Time

8:30 AM

Return Details

Franz-Josefs-Kai 2, Franz-Josefs-Kai 2, 1010 Wien, Austria
The tour ends at the Twin City Liner station in Vienna at Schwedenplatz.

Please Note

We pick up from SELECTED central Vienna hotels. Please provide hotel details upon check-out. Please call +43 1 712 46 83. Please enquire at your hotel reception desk regarding the pick-up time and the possibility of a pick-up. Please note: pick-ups can only be guaranteed if you book 24-hours in advance.

What To Expect

Your day trip will begin with pickup from your hotel in Vienna in selected hotels or from the Vienna International Bus Terminal in winter (November-March) or the Vienna State Opera in summer (April-October). Hop aboard a cozy coach and journey east through the Austrian countryside toward Bratislava. As you go, soak up the stunning landscape as you cross the border into Slovakia.

Meet your local guide in Bratislava, making your way to the city’s Old Town for a walking tour. Learn the rich history behind the city as you pass top attractions and architectural gems.

Continue to the Rococo-style Grassalkovich Palace, an 18th-century social spot for Hungarian aristocracy. Then admire the Primate's Palace, considered one of the most stunning buildings in the city.

Afterward, refuel with lunch (not included) and enjoy some time to explore independently, perusing the Slovak National Theatre or popping into local shops and cafes.

Your day trip will conclude with a river cruise back to Vienna. Hop aboard a high-speed catamaran and enjoy the scenery of the Danube River along the way. Travel through the Danube wetlands and the Donau-Auen National Park before arriving in Vienna.

St. Martin's Cathedral (Dom svateho Martina) (Pass By)

The St Martin's Cathedral is a church in Bratislava, Slovakia, and the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bratislava.

Bratislava Castle (Pass By)

The massive building with four corner towers stands on an isolated rocky hill of the Little Carpathians directly above the Danube river in the middle of Bratislava.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
Please note, pick up services only available with certain hotels. Please check 'view additional info.' for hotel details and pick-up time.
Please note the tour is non guided on the bus to Bratislava. At arrival, your local guide will welcome you.
Due to unpredictable events such as high or low water or delays during locks or bridges, a program and / or route change may become necessary.
Please contact our Service Center for the exact departure time of returning to Vienna by modern highspeed catamaran - the Twin City Liner. Please get to departure dock "pontoon HUMA 6" at Razus Embankment (Rázusovo nábrežie 811 02 Bratislava) on time.
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Check the current entry requirements of the Slovak Republic both when making your booking and immediately before the start of the booked day trip, as well as the current entry requirements for Austria in connection with your return journey. You are responsible for compliance with these provisions. We are not responsible for the fact that the authorities may allow you to enter the country.
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Please note, that wearing an FFP2 mask in the Hop On Hop Off and tour buses is required by law, therefore bringing your own mask is requested.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:What is the policy on sanitization during Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna Including Catamaran Cruise?

A:The policies on sanitization are:

Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized

Q:What is the social distancing policy during Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna Including Catamaran Cruise?

A:The policies on social distancing are:

Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

Q:What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna Including Catamaran Cruise?

A:The policy on staff health & safety is:

Guides required to regularly wash hands

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

Spend about 2 hours at the Castle (15 min walk/History of the Slovaks/Celtic exhibit/Great views from its tower), 1h at the City Museum (theTorture Chamber is a must, great views from tower), and walk to the Blue Church.

HERE is the absolute highlight of the day: Be Sure to opt for the Catamaran ride home up the DANUBE.

Take this tour but do a bit of planning for your 6+ hours of solo time.

Reviews

3.5

565 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 565 reviews

it was great!

Aurea_R, Jun 2022

Although walking up the hill is hard but its worth it for me bec of the beautiful view looking down the river and the beautifulI garden in the castle.i.

Things you need to know

Edward_J, Jun 2022

The tour picked us up at our hotel which was a nice surprise. The bus to Bratislava was clean and very nice but, I thought it would have earphones with history. Instead it had extremely loud passengers. The 45 minute drive could have been pleasant but it wasn’t. Our tour guide upon arrival was okay. Suggestion- stop in the shade instead of in the sun. We enjoyed our time by ourselves following her suggestions for lunch locale, train tour and desert at UFO. WORST PART- the seats on the catamaran were pre-assigned in extremely uncomfortable section where the bicyclists passed through by the bathrooms. I will never take a catamaran tour back from anywhere because this was bad.

Ordinary.

Hayden_R, Jun 2022

Best part was catamaran back to Vienna. Found excellent historic cafe Cukráren Konditorei Kormuth on Sedlárska 363. Pleasant city though many things closed. Clearly wants tourists. But our tour-guide was distracted, rushed and gave us wrong information (e.g. he recommended the National Art Gallery which, it turned out, has been shut for some years rebuilding and May open in 2023 or 2024). Six hours was too long.

Great day out for family

Mark_S, Jun 2022

Great experience. Short bus trip from Vienna. Met by our guide “Max” who was wonderful. He did a great job of showing us the city and exposing the history. We LOVED our day here and while hesitant at first would definitely recommend the trip. Food and goods much cheaper than Vienna

Local guide helped make it personal

Kaveri_D, May 2022

The return journey by the Catamaran was the most enjoyable. The guide was very good. SHe was a local and she could show items that would probably not be on any regular tours.

Vienna day trip to Bratislava

S_C, May 2022

Good way to see Bratislava from Vienna. Especially coming back on the Danube Everything was well organised and the walking tour of Bratislava was excellent

Fantastic well organised trip. Highly recommended

Paul_A, May 2022

The local guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. The catamaran trip back to Vienna was brilliant.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Bratislava 2022

J_M, Apr 2022

Great day trip from Vienna. The guide met us there and then did a very detailed walking tour through the historic area. I would suggest going on Friday or Saturday since the Return Catamaran schedule is two hours later than the early week, so you get a couple extra hours to walk around and shop, gives you more than enough time to see the castle with those extra hours.

The tour guide was...

Katie_M, Sep 2021

The tour guide was amazing, but he had to give the same tour in 3 different languages and it slowed the tour down.

2 travelers found this review helpful

I wouldn't go again

Aline_P, Nov 2019

The meeting point to leave to Bratislava is confuse,I went around the Opera Theatre 2x looking for it,asked the driver he didn't know anything about.People was outside all asking themselves if that was the righ place to get the bus. Comfortable bus ride into Bratislava but you basically paying for the bus and the boat trip, because after 1 hour guided tour you are left for 6 hours in the town,the town is small,so in 1 hours you see everything.And the only option on the tour to go back to Vienna is at 6:30 pm boat,if you want to take a bus back you pay on your ow. The town was lovely.The guide was ok,seems to rush the tour, let one lady stop to eat,she got lost and we were there waiting,wasting time,made no sense,she could just adise her that the would continue,can imagine stop everytime someone wants to eat.The boat back to Vienna is after the sunset, with the fog windows and darkness you don't really see anything.I liked because thiswas a place I've never seen before but I would't go back.If you find the transportation to go to Bratislava from Vienna you don't really need to pay for this tour,the bus stops right at the city.

Overpriced, not worth the money

GiriH1, Nov 2019

The Bratislava city tour was a rushed affair The tour guide was anxious to get it over with. Gave poor directions to the boat dock for our return trip. People at the boat dock were terrible. Would not let us use their restroom; asked to go find a hotel across the street. The Danube river cruise was disappointing the boat left after sunset. Nothing to see. I don't recommend this to anyone.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Bratislava day tour from Vienna

EdgarO4, Oct 2019

WORST tour I have been with Viator,The tour itself lasted only 2 hours and there is barely anything to see.You will have to pay for your visit to the castle,it is not included in the tour and then you will be stranded in Bratislava for 6 hours because the bus that took you there will not wait for you and you will have to ride a ferry back to Vienna on your own

1 traveler found this review helpful

Bad trip

MRANUPKUMAR_S, Oct 2019

Sent in flix bus.local guide was not intrested to show properly. After 1 hour left us to move around.given boat tickets for 6.30 pm nothing to do there. Whole day wasted. Not advisable to do the same with viatou.take bus at your own and go.come back at your way.

Fall day in the capitol

Bob S, Oct 2019

Our trip started on time from the meeting spot, and our introduction guide was cheerful and told us what to expect during the hour long unaccompanied bus ride into Slovakia and Bratislava. Our Bratislava guide was patient, had an excellent command of English, and pointed out restrooms before we started our walk. The guided tour was short, consisting of a few points of interest, an orientation to the old city, some history of Slovakia, and recommendations for "on your own" places to see. Travelers expecting to be directed everywhere might find the 5 or 6 hours of on-your-own time too much. We found it a perfect amount of time to walk up to the castle, enjoy a leisurely lunch, wander around the city and see suggested sites, and stop twice for a glass of beer or a cup of coffee. Had it not been raining we'd have walked along the Danube as well. The high speed catamaran return in fall is merely another way to return to Vienna; it's dark when the group returns and there's not much to see. An alternative to this tour is to book the catamaran round trip on your own, and study up on Bratislava's old city before you leave.

Great day in Bratislava

Mary_C, Oct 2019

Well organized (local tour guide rep was at the meeting point on time), comfortable bus ride into Bratislava. Pleasant local tour guide that gave a detailed walking tour for 2 hours. Great option for the return by ferry. However, consider giving the choice (even at additional cost) to take an earlier ferry.

Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna

753gregoryk, Sep 2019

Hotel pick-up took us to a location where we waited for the charter bus to Bratislava. We waited with several other couples until the bus arrived and a local tour guide corralled us onto the bus. He explained that we would be met by our tour guide in Bratislava. Upon arrival, the tour guide was about 10 minutes late for the approximately 30 awaiting tourists. After arrival we began our walking tour of old town Bratislava. Unfortunately, with the size of the group and the pace of the guide, it was difficult hearing her commentary. We have taken many tours in the past where the personnel had headsets to alleviate the issues. Plus the tour guide kept up a quick pace where stopping to take photos or see specific buildings was not possible. Definitely very rushed. Tour guide took the group where to be to take either the bus or a boat back to Vienna, answered a few questions and left the group.

Avoid it

Pankaj_J, Sep 2019

This was one of the worst experiences we have ever had with a trip booked with Viator. The trip is supposed to be a full day trip, lasting app 12 hrs. The first 2 hrs are for the transit from Vienna to Bratislava, including border crossing. And the next 1.5- 2 hrs are for a walking tour of the old town in Bratislava with a local guide. Rest of the time you are left on your own to do as you deem fit. Unfortunately there is not much to do, and even if there was, 6-7 hrs is too long a time to be left without a guide. Everything about this trip was disorganised, right from the time one boards the bus in Vienna (there is no guide in the bus), to the way the guide took us on the walking tour and the unclear way the final meeting point (for the catamaran back to Vienna) was advised by her. The catamaran ride was the only redeeming feature of the trip and that's why it gets a 2 star rating from me. Viator would do well to drop this trip from its offerings lest it starts affecting their reputation.

We had a good time

Gloria F, Sep 2019

Things were a bit shaky at first as our bus driver didn't show up, but they soon got a replacement and we made an uneventful trip to Bratislava. We were split up into 2 groups of 14 and our guide did a very nice job of taking us to all the highlights in Old Town over a 2 hour period and explaining things. We then had free time. You need to do your homework before you go so you know how you want to spend the next 5-6 hours! We took a ride on the Golden Express (train on wheels near where the tour ends) and it took us around Old Town and up to the castle on the hill. We had about 20 minutes to walk up around the castle or out onto a nearby overlook - it was nice, but not really enough time to do do an in depth walk around the castle. Afterwards we ate lunch, then spent the rest of the afternoon geocaching and walked around quite a lot doing that. If you are able to walk a bit, make sure to visit the Blue Church - it is beautiful. The boat ride back wasn't until 6:30 but we felt that was about an hour too late as we had extra time on our hands. But maybe that was just us. The boat ride was really great, very smooth and offered a few views of ancient castles and ruins along the shore. It took about 75-90 minutes to get back to Vienna. We had a very nice day.

Great place to visit - just not on a Monday

Jill K, Sep 2019

I enjoyed the visit to Bratislava, but because it was a Monday all the museums and the castle were closed. That made the day a bit long because once you have wandered the city center and hiked over to the Blue Church there isn't much else to see unless you want to go shopping. I would go again - just not on a Monday!

Lost day

daniel_m, Sep 2019

The worst in my entire traveling experience. The tour was advertised as to Bratislava by boat. To Bratislava it was by a bus. No air condition. We were in Bratislava before 10:00. 2 hours tour. Then “do what ever you want” til 6:30 pm. Meaning back to Vienna by boat during twilight an darkness.

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Product code: 3585AT012

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