Jaunted

The (Not Always Blue) Danube

5/09/2006 at 10:05 AM
Tags: boats, Danube (all tags)

While regions of Europe at the flooded Danube's delta are still plenty stressed about receding floodwaters and the dreaded clean-up, those closer to the river's source are planning ahead for the summer season.

Trips along the mighty river through Austria and into Hungary have long been a favorite for in-the-know travelers in Eastern Europe. This summer, the world's (allegedly) two nearest capital cities are teaming up to provide the Twin City Liner for nifty day tripping between Austrian capital of Vienna and the Slovak capital, Bratislava.

Starting June 1, there'll be three trips a day in each direction, with fares ranging from 15 to 25 Euro. While it's unclear whether the mode of transport is a high-speed catamaran to a giant motorboat, the Twin City Liner journey takes an hour and a half from Bratislava, or fifteen minutes quicker travelling with the flow from Austria. It's a touch slower than the train, but docks closer to the city centers, and gives you double the pretty scenery.

The ferry company makes a big deal out of having found just the right technology to navigate this part of the Danube, which can have a dangerously low water level in the summer months. Just don't eat too much of that heavy Central European cuisine before hopping aboard; you might be the passenger who gets the boat scraping the bottom.