If you are visiting Vienna for more than a couple of days, there’s a good chance you’ll be searching for activities outside the city, or even beyond Austria, to enjoy.
A fantastic option you shouldn’t miss is a side trip to Bratislava, the capital of neighbouring Slovakia.
Few capital cities are as close to each other as Vienna and Bratislava (in fact, these are the 2 closest capitals in Europe!), making this journey a great idea, and a super way to tick another country easily off your travel bucket list.
Located just 65 kilometres from Vienna, the Slovak capital charms with its medieval architecture surrounded by modern attractions.
The iconic Bratislava Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the Danube, dominates the city’s skyline and provides panoramic views of the old town and beyond.
Below, the historic centre hosts well-preserved Gothic and Baroque buildings, including St. Martin’s Cathedral, and the picturesque Main Square (Hlavné námestie) with its beautiful Old Town Hall.
Add to that quirky bronze statues scattered throughout the town, some hearty Slovak food, and a series of polished museums and galleries, and you’ll get the perfect destination for a day or weekend trip from Vienna!
Some people choose to take a train ride from Vienna to Bratislava, some simply hop on a bus, and others even go the extra mile and ride their bikes all the way between the two cities.
However, especially if the weather is nice, the most delightful option you should consider is taking a boat trip on the Danube.
Feeling almost like a mini river cruise, the journey is an experience in itself.
As you glide along the water, you’ll enjoy riverside views and get a one-of-a-kind perspective of both cities through scenic landscapes – perfect for the warmer months especially.
The main company operating the catamaran ride between the 2 cities is ferry operator Twin City Liner.
Keep reading to learn all about when they sail, what to expect and how to book…
Related Posts
- Top 13 Things to Do in Bratislava
- Ultimate 2 Day Vienna Itinerary
- Blue Church, Bratislava: Full Guide to Visiting
When to Go: Sailing Times & Schedules
It goes without saying, that it’s much nicer to take the boat trip between Vienna and Bratislava in nice weather – usually found between the months of April and October.
If the forecast is looking good, you can choose between taking a return trip, or a one-way journey – whatever floats your boat… pun intended!
Some people take a morning train or bus, and then return by boat around sunset, while others prefer the faster downstream boat ride from Vienna to Bratislava, before taking a train back in the evening.
You’ll find more flexibility for boats to Bratislava from Vienna during the high season (May to September) and on weekends (including Fridays), with 3 daily boat rides in each direction.
In low season (March to May and October to November), there’s only one morning departure on weekdays, with a single return from Bratislava at 4pm, so do factor this in.
The weekends in low season still have 3 sailings.
Between December and February, there are no scheduled week day sailings, although there are Friday, Saturday and Sunday advent sailings in December, and weekend winter sailings in Jan and Feb.
Make sure to check the ferry service schedule a couple of days in advance of your journey to verify the latest sailing times and frequencies.
While Bratislava isn’t as crowded as other European capitals, it is more enjoyable to visit during the shoulder seasons of May, June and September, when you can comfortably explore the city and benefit from reasonable prices, so you may want to factor this into your adventures as well.
The Boat Journey: What to Expect
The travel time of the fast catamaran journey is about 75 minutes, carrying you from the centre of Vienna directly to the heart of the old town of Bratislava.
You can find the departure dock of the Twin City Liner on the Danube Canal near Schwedenplatz in Vienna, a short distance from the famous St Stephen’s Cathedral.
In good weather, it’s a treat to go up on the sun deck and watch the river Danube scenery and activities as you go by.
As you near the Slovak capital, on the left side, make sure you don’t miss the ruins of the majestic Devin Castle.
And in case you want to complement those views with a coffee or a little treat, it’s good to know that you can find a snack and drinks bar on board the catamaran too!
Boat Tickets: Prices, Luggage & Pets
It’s also a good idea to secure your boat tickets in advance, as seats often fill up quickly.
You can either visit the terminal a day before, or book your tickets online in advance or by calling the reservation office on +43 (0) 1 904 88 80.
Standard class ticket prices are €34 (Economy) for a one-way journey, with return tickets available at €65.
If you’re looking for a bargain, keep your eyes peeled for ‘Red Tickets’, which are offered on low capacity days and allow you to sail for just 25€ each way.
While premium classes with better seats (Economy Plus, Economy View & First Class) are offered at €4-8 more per direction, they provide little extra value.
Top Tip: Try to avoid the Captain’s Lounge on the upper deck especially – it comes with an €20 surcharge, but is a bit of a tourist trap, since regular ticket holders can access it anyway.
Kids travel for free if they are under 2, while children 2-11 years old get a 50% discount.
Your ticket includes up to 9kg of hand luggage free of charge. Heavier items need to be requested in advance.
For bicycles, there’s a €5 surcharge – the same cost as bringing your furry companion onboard – just ensure you have a pet passport and appropriate restraints (muzzle and lead).
You will also need to have a valid travel document (valid passport or valid identity card for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens) to board the Twin City Liner, so make sure you don’t forget it in your bag somewhere!
When it’s time to return to Vienna, either make your way to the main train station or head to the departure dock “pontoon HUMA 6” at the Razus Embankment and get ready to enjoy a scenic evening boat ride back.
What to Do in Bratislava
Once in Bratislava, you will realise there are many things to do and, despite it being a small city, you might not know where to start!
One option is to take a guided city tour, like, for example, a City and Castle Tour, taking around two and a half hours.
Alternatively, if you would rather be your own tour guide, you can follow the tips below…
Start your day at the Main Square with a Slovak breakfast or hipster brunch.
Explore the Old Town to find Čumil (“Man at Work”), a famous statue that some view as commentary on work culture, others as a tribute to city workers.
Then, walk up to Bratislava Castle.
You can skip the interior, but take the time to enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the Danube River from its grounds, which are free to stroll.
Next, descend and visit the Blue Church, an Art Nouveau gem with a striking blue and white facade resembling a sugary wedding cake.
For lunch, try local specialities at a traditional Slovak restaurant – the must-try dish is ‘bryndzové halušky’, hearty potato dumplings with sheep cheese and bacon. Veggie versions are available.
While exploring the Old Town, don’t miss walking down Michalská Street to admire Michael’s Gate, Bratislava’s last remaining medieval fortification.
A stroll along the Danube is also worthwhile, from where you will spot the UFO Bridge, a distinctive flying saucer-shaped structure above the city.
Ascend the lift for a drink with a view if time is on your side.
Even though a single day can’t capture everything Bratislava offers, it’s enough to get a taste of the city and find plenty of reasons to return!
Check out these top Bratislava day trips if you do want to extend your time in this city…
- Top of Slovakia: Trenčín, Skalka, Piešťany
- From Bratislava: Bojnice Castle, Banská Štiavnica, Čičmany
- Carpathian Wine tasting tour + Red Stone Castle (Bratislava)
What to Do in Vienna
Check out these articles, for more ideas about top things to do in Vienna, on a budget and away from the crowds…
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Practical Travel Tips for Vienna and Bratislava
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And there you have it, a simple guide to catching the boat from Vienna to Bratislava.
Perfect for a day trip, if you want to tick another European capital off your bucket list, the boat is also a great way to travel if you plan to explore beyond Bratislava – whether that’s onwards to Budapest, or around the much underrated country of Slovakia to destinations like the incredible Tatra Mountains.
Have you made this boat journey?
What was your experience like?
Let me know all in the comments section below…
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