Best time to avoid water issues?

[DaveT65]

Is there a "best time" of year to avoid water level issues on the eastern Danube [budapest to Bucharest]? I suspect the answer is NO / it depends, but I thought I would ask. Looking to do that next summer.

[G.M.T.]

In the past, water levels were predictable, high in spring when the snow melted and low in summer. There days you can take your pick, this summer (July, August and September) we have had some of the lowest river levels on record, June 2013 in Passau we had the worst flooding ever.

 

 

The problem with the Budapest - Bucharest is that there are only two locks that partially control the river levels.

 

 

This summer there have been two areas that were always passable, Passau / Vilshofen - Vienna, Regensburg / Nuremberg - Frankfurt /Mainz (Danube, Danube / Main Canal and Main river).

 

 

I see from your location you are from US, so you have one advantage over us Europeans in that you can get travel insurance with cancel for any reason options.

 

 

Whatever you decide - enjoy it.

[Canberra Newbies]

We did Budapest to Amsterdam on Viking in March. Absolutely no water issues although did have an interesting day when the lock workers went on strike. The weather was chilly but didn't deter anyone from braving the weather to enjoy sightseeing. We would definitely cruise early in the season again to avoid all the issues that are now being encountered. Oh, and there weren't that many crowds at attractions so another bonus to cruise in the off season.