Oberammergau with Salzburg
September 2 or June 24, 2030
Twelve days covering the Bavarian Alps, the once-a-decade Passion Play, real time in Salzburg and a full Danube cruise from Passau to Budapest. This is the itinerary that adds the most to a standard Viking Danube sailing.
Best for Cool Weather
Veranda Suite Option
Prague Premium: 3 nights before the cruise tour | $1,599 per person
Budapest Premium: 2 nights after the cruise | $1,399 per person
Combined extension total: $5,996 for two guests
$250 shipboard credit per person, complimentary beverage package, $25 deposit, ground transfers with Viking Air and port taxes and fees.
More Time in Prague and Budapest
These extensions give you additional time on both ends of the trip without turning those days into a packed group tour. Each includes a small-group experience, a Viking Host and enough open time to explore at your own pace.
Prague Premium
The Prague extension keeps the group small and the experience personal. Your guided city tour includes Prague Castle, then leaves you two days to explore the Old Town, Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter and the places that interest you most.
The Augustine Prague sits in a beautifully restored former monastery in Malá Strana. Viking chose it for its atmosphere, location and quality. This is not a flashy hotel built around showing off. It is a distinctive place to stay that fits Prague and puts you close to the city.
Budapest Premium
Since you are already going to Croatia this fall, Budapest gives you something new and lets you stay after the ship leaves instead of seeing the city only at the end of the cruise.
You will stay at Four Seasons Gresham Palace overlooking the Danube. The included small-group walking tour ends with coffee and cake at a local café. The rest of your time is open for Buda, Pest, the Great Market Hall, a thermal spa or a slower day along the river.
Veranda A or Veranda Suite AA
The itinerary and extensions are the same on both dates. The price difference in the cruise-and-air totals comes from the stateroom category.
The September Veranda A is 205 square feet with one room and a full-size veranda. The June Veranda Suite AA is 275 square feet with a separate sitting room, a full veranda off the living area and a French balcony in the bedroom.
205 Square Feet
One well-designed room, a full-size veranda, 3:00 PM stateroom access and the standard Viking Longship amenities.
This is the stateroom included in the September 2 quote.
275 Square Feet
Two full rooms, noon stateroom access, two televisions, welcome champagne, a minibar replenished daily, a fruit plate, binoculars, laundry, shoe shine and Viking Air Plus.
The suite has a separate sitting room with the full veranda and a bedroom with a French balcony.
What Makes This Different?
This unique itinerary begins with a stay in the beautiful Bavarian mountains, giving you time to enjoy the region before your cruise starts in Passau. You will experience the Passion Play, visit Ettal Abbey and settle into the scenery instead of simply passing through.
You will also have more time in Salzburg, so you can explore the city at a relaxed pace and enjoy more than you could during a single long day trip offered on the standard Danube river itineraries.
Much Bigger Than a Local Play
About 2,000 residents of Oberammergau take part. The production has a huge cast, a live orchestra, a choir, elaborate costumes and large crowd scenes staged in a purpose-built open-air theater with a semicircular design. 2030 is the 43rd staging.
The performance runs about nine and a half hours with a traditional Bavarian dinner during intermission. The runtime is little long but the scale and production quality are what make people describe it as one of the most remarkable things they have seen.
I would not recommend this trip for the play alone. The play plus the time in Oberammergau, the Alpine transfer and real days in Salzburg is what makes the whole package worth it over a standard Danube cruise.
The Itinerary at a Glance
Oberammergau, Bavaria
You begin in the Ammergau Alps at about 2,600 feet. After checking in, the rest of the day gives you time to settle into the village, see its painted house facades and get your bearings before the Passion Play the following day.
Linderhof Palace
King Ludwig II’s smallest and most personal castle sits a short drive from Oberammergau. The visit includes its Rococo rooms, Hall of Mirrors and landscaped grounds. It is the only one of Ludwig’s castles completed during his lifetime.
Oberammergau & the Passion Play
This is the main event. Around 2,000 local residents bring the story to life in Oberammergau’s purpose-built open-air theater. The scale comes from the full cast, live orchestra, choir, costumes and large crowd scenes rather than theatrical tricks.
Passionsspiele, the Passion Play
The once-a-decade production begins in the afternoon and includes a long intermission with a traditional Bavarian dinner at a local restaurant. It is a full day and one of the rare experiences that cannot simply be moved to another year.
Ettal Abbey & Salzburg
You leave Oberammergau and travel through the Alps toward Salzburg. The scenic transfer includes a stop at Ettal Abbey before you continue into Austria and check into your Salzburg hotel.
Ettal Abbey
Visit the 14th-century Benedictine monastery at Ettal, set among the Bavarian Alps. The Baroque basilica and painted ceiling are the highlights. The day also includes a local lunch and a scenic drive through Bavarian villages before continuing to Salzburg.
Salzburg, Austria
Today gives you the guided introduction to Salzburg. The compact old town sits beneath Hohensalzburg Fortress with Mozart landmarks, Baroque churches and the Salzach River all within easy walking distance.
Salzburg Walking Tour
Walk through Mirabell Gardens and the historic center to see Mozart’s birthplace, Salzburg Cathedral and the Baroque streets below the fortress. The guided portion gives you context, then leaves time to return to the places you want to see more closely.
Salzburg at Your Own Pace
A full additional day keeps Salzburg from becoming the usual long excursion from the ship. You can visit the fortress, spend more time in the old town, choose a museum or simply enjoy a city that rewards wandering without a schedule.
The Sound of Music
Visit film locations outside Salzburg including the Hellbrunn Palace gazebo, views of Nonnberg Abbey and Mondsee with St. Michael’s Basilica. The scenery stands on its own even if you do not know every word to every song.
Passau, Germany
Passau sits where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet. The old town is compact and Italianate – narrow streets, pastel facades and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which holds one of the world’s largest pipe organs. This is where you board Viking Tor and the river portion of the trip begins.
Passau Walking Tour
Through the old town’s Italianate streets past the Bishops’ Residence, Town Hall and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The cathedral organ has over 17,000 pipes. Short tour but the town is small enough that it covers a lot.
Historic Train & Bavarian Woods
A private ride on a historic train through the Bavarian forest with a pottery demonstration and homemade cakes. Low-key and regional. Good pick if you want something slower after several intense days on land.
Linz, Austria
Linz is Austria’s third-largest city and the stop most people underestimate. The Danube riverfront, the castle above the old quarter and the Hauptplatz are all walkable from the ship. It is also the traditional departure point for Salzburg day trips on a standard Danube cruise – you are skipping that entirely because you have already been in Salzburg for three days.
Linz Walking Tour
The Danube riverfront, Linz Castle, the Old Quarter, Mozarthaus, Hauptplatz and the New Cathedral. Good orientation for exploring on your own afterward.
Austrian Countryside
Rural farms outside Linz with breadmaking, schnapps tasting and local meats and cheeses. This is the kind of excursion that works when you want something completely different from city walking tours.
Wachau Valley & Göttweig Abbey
The Wachau Valley is a UNESCO-listed stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems. Terraced vineyards, medieval castles on hilltops and apricot orchards along the riverbanks. The ship cruises through this section and the scenery from the deck alone makes it one of the best sailing days on the itinerary.
Göttweig Abbey
A working Benedictine monastery set on a hill above the Danube. You start with a sparkling apricot wine welcome, then tour the abbey church, the Imperial Staircase with its large ceiling fresco, the museum and private rooms. This is a Viking Privileged Access visit.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna does not need much introduction. The Ringstrasse, the Hofburg, the Opera House, the coffeehouse culture, the Schnitzel – it is a city that has earned its reputation. The ship docks close enough to make exploring on your own very doable after the included tour.
Panoramic Vienna
The Ringstrasse, Hofburg Palace, the Spanish Riding School, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Vienna State Opera. Covers the architectural and cultural highlights efficiently and gives you your bearings for any additional exploring.
The Vienna Residence Orchestra
An evening concert of Mozart and Strauss in a historic Viennese venue with costumed singers and dancers, followed by a drive through the city after dark. If you want one splurge evening in Vienna, this is a strong pick.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava is the compact, walkable stop between Vienna and Budapest. The castle sits above the old town, Michael’s Gate marks the medieval entrance and the pedestrian core is full of cafes, quirky public sculptures and Baroque architecture. It is the smallest capital on this route and one of the easiest to explore independently.
Panoramic Bratislava
Bratislava Castle, Old Town, Michael’s Gate, St. Martin’s Cathedral and free time in the city center. Quick and well-paced.
Red Stone Castle & Wine Tasting
Into the Little Carpathians to visit a historic castle with frescoes and period rooms, followed by a regional white wine tasting. Good option if you want to see something outside the city instead of walking the old town on your own.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is the big finish. The Parliament Building along the Danube is one of the most photographed buildings in Europe for a reason. The Buda Castle District and Fisherman’s Bastion sit on the hill across the river. The city has strong food, a ruin bar scene, historic thermal baths and an energy that makes it hard to leave.
Panoramic Budapest
Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square, the Buda Castle District, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church and Chain Bridge views. This covers a lot of ground and you will want additional time to explore on your own.
Budapest Thermal Bath
Time in one of Budapest’s famous historic thermal bath complexes. The architecture and the bathing tradition both go back centuries. If you have been on your feet for ten days, this is a very good way to spend a few hours.
Hungarian Horsemen
Out to horse country for a traditional riding demonstration, a horse-drawn carriage ride and time on a working farm with a pálinka welcome. Completely different from every other excursion on this trip.
Budapest, Hungary
After breakfast, you leave Viking Tor in Budapest. Guests ending the trip transfer to the airport. With the Budapest Premium extension, Viking transfers you to Four Seasons Gresham Palace for two more nights and a slower look at the city after the cruise ends.
Which Date Would I Choose?
September 2 Early September gives you warm days, cooler evenings and great conditions for the amount of walking on this trip. This option is in a Veranda B.
June 22 gives you long daylight and the Veranda Suite AA. The separate sitting room, larger footprint and suite amenities make this the stronger onboard option.
For you two, I think this Salzburg itinerary is the stronger choice over the Rhine option. The Bavarian mountains, the Passion Play and three days in Salzburg give the trip something a standard Danube sailing cannot.
Worth a Careful Look on This One
As you mentioned, this is a long way out and you will want travel protection. I can walk you through the options and help you pick the coverage that makes sense if you decide to book this trip.
Pricing is based on current availability and the A250 promotion at time of quote. Prices, promotions, air schedules, stateroom availability and excursion options can change until the reservation is deposited and confirmed.
Optional shore excursions are not included unless specifically listed or added to your booking. Viking may adjust excursion offerings before sailing.
Travel protection is separate and strongly recommended. Adding it at deposit gives you the best access to coverage options.
Ready to Talk Dates?
A deposit locks in your stateroom and pricing. If you want to talk through the date choice, excursion strategy or anything else before you decide, let’s chat.
