From April to October, cruise operator DDSG Blue Danube offers a choice of five different sightseeing tours on the Danube and the Danube Canal. The different cruises give visitors the chance to take in well-known Viennese landmarks such as the Urania observatory, the Ringturm tower and the Kaiserbadschleuse lock system from a completely different perspective. The DDSG pleasure cruisers dock at the Reichsbrücke bridge and Marina Wien on the Danube proper, and at the Wien City boat terminal on the Danube Canal.
The high-speed Twin City Liner catamarans that shuttle between Vienna and Bratislava have permanent berths on the Danube Canal. From April until the end of October the service operates between the two capitals twice a day. The downstream Vienna-Bratislava leg lasts an hour and a quarter, while the upstream return journey takes fifteen minutes longer. Passengers travel in premium air-conditioned comfort, while first-class seating, panoramic windows and the captain's lounge complete the luxury inter-city travel experience.
Between May and October the National Park Boat, which also berths at the Danube Canal, takes nature lovers to the Lobau wetlands direct from the city center. This unspoiled natural paradise is part of the Donau Auen National Park. Upon arrival, specially trained park rangers lead visitors on an hour-long walking tour of the wetlands and surrounding woods before the round trip concludes with a boat ride back to the city.
- DDSG Blue Danube, www.ddsg-blue-danube.at
- Twin City Liner, Schiffsstation Wien City, Schwedenplatz, 1010 Vienna, www.twincityliner.com
- National Park Boat, www.donauauen.at, please book in advance, tel. +43-1-4000-49495
