Classic route · the Rhine and the Danube
Amsterdam ⇄ Budapest: the water outlook
The full crossing of Europe: Rhine, Main, the Main-Danube Canal, then the Danube to Budapest. Two free-flowing stretches decide it: the Rhine gorge at Kaub and the Danube between Straubing and Vilshofen.
The Main and the canal are locked, so they hold their depth; we score the stretches that can actually run short.
The chart shows the next twelve months for this route, each month scored on the tightest stretch it sails. Right now the calmest coming months are June (17%) and May (20%); August asks the most of the water at 89%: high risk.
89
76
66
53
51
48
46
53
40
20
17
27
Aug*
Sep*
Oct*
Nov*
Dec*
Jan*
Feb*
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Last five years, month by month
2025 (top row) to 2021: marks are months that hit low water · solid = a week or more
Sailing on specific dates? The cruise checker scores your exact window on this route, day by day, and can email you if the outlook changes.