Last checked: 2026-08-29
The Hableány sailing the Danube today is a paddle-wheel steamboat replica launched in 2024, operated by Duna Cruises from Dock 10 on the Pest embankment. If you searched the name after spotting the boat — or after remembering it from the news — this page explains both what today’s Hableány is and why the name may sound familiar.
First, the name: this is not the boat from 2019
In May 2019, a sightseeing boat named Hableány sank after a collision at Margaret Bridge, and 27 people lost their lives, most of them South Korean tourists. It remains the worst disaster on the Budapest Danube in decades, and the city has not forgotten it.
The vessel on this page is not that boat. Today’s Hableány is a brand-new replica, built and launched in 2024 by a different operator. The two share only the name — Hableány means “mermaid” in Hungarian, and it is a traditional ship name that has been given to Danube vessels since the 19th century, the way maritime nations reuse names like Victory or Enterprise. The 2024 boat continues that naming tradition; it has no connection to the 2019 vessel, its operator or the accident.
With that clear, here is the boat you actually photographed.
What kind of boat is today’s Hableány?
The Hableány is a paddle-wheel steamboat replica styled after Ödön Széchenyi’s 1867 design — a deliberate piece of Danube heritage brought back in modern form. Ödön Széchenyi was the son of István Széchenyi, the statesman behind the Chain Bridge, and the 1867 styling places the boat visually in the era when paddle steamers dominated the river.
What you see from the embankment:
- Paddle boxes amidships, housing the working paddle wheels
- Period-style hull and fittings modelled on the 1867 original
- A small silhouette — this is an intimate vessel, chartering up to 45 guests
It is the younger of two replicas in the fleet: its sister ship, the Kisfaludy, launched in 2023 with a cream-white hull and the same steamer styling. Both carry a small maritime exhibition on board, so a ride doubles as a compact lesson in Danube shipping history.
Who operates it, and where does it dock?
The Hableány belongs to Duna Cruises, which runs both paddle-wheel replicas from Dock 10 on the Jane Haining rakpart — the stretch of Pest embankment between Elisabeth Bridge and the Vigadó tér dock cluster. Tram 2 runs along the embankment (stops at Vigadó tér), and Vörösmarty tér (M1) is the nearest metro.
The route is the standard Budapest loop through the UNESCO-listed riverbanks: north towards Margaret Island, turn, south past Gellért Hill and Liberty Bridge, and back — roughly an hour, passing Parliament close on the Pest side going north.
Cruises and prices on the Hableány
Duna Cruises is the budget champion of the river: tickets run €8–16, the cheapest sightseeing cruises in Budapest. That pricing applies across its departures; exact fares and the current timetable are on the operator’s official site, and our prices overview shows how €8–16 compares with the €11–110 spread across the rest of the fleet.
Beyond scheduled sightseeing, the boat is available for private charter for up to 45 guests — one of the more distinctive small-event venues in the city, and considerably cheaper than chartering a conventional cruise boat. Enquire directly with the operator for charter dates.
How to book
Direct with Duna Cruises guarantees this specific boat at the operator’s own €8–16 pricing. If riding a paddle-wheel replica is the point, book direct — platforms sell cruise products, not named vessels.
Through GetYourGuide if flexibility matters more than the paddle wheels: the best-selling night sightseeing cruise starts from €11 with a welcome drink, the daytime landmark cruise from €12, and the full Budapest cruise catalog covers everything from drinks packages to dinner formats — most with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. On a boat this small, high-season slots do sell out, so a flexible backup is worth having.
What riding the Hableány is like
This is an open, fair-weather boat, and its size is its character. With room for only a few dozen guests, you can move freely between the paddle boxes and the rails instead of defending a seat — a real contrast with the larger sightseeing vessels that load hundreds. The period fittings and the visible working wheels make it the most photographed boat on the river from other boats, too; expect cameras pointed at you.
The honest trade-offs: there is no enclosed panoramic saloon, so in rain or winter cold an enclosed vessel like the Táltos catamaran is the more comfortable choice, and there are no drink packages or dinner service — this is sightseeing in its pure form. For a lit-up city on an evening ride, board no later than about 21:00–21:30 in summer; monument illumination switches off around 22:00–23:00 depending on season. Our night cruise guide covers the timing in detail.
Like every Danube boat, sailings can be suspended in high water, with refunds or rebooking handled by the operator.
Should you ride the Hableány?
If you want the cheapest ticket on the river wrapped in the most characterful hull, yes — the Hableány boat pairs €8–16 pricing with an 1867 silhouette nothing else in Budapest matches. It carries a heavy name with respect, and it earns its own reputation one loop at a time. For how it stacks up against the dinner boats, party boats and catamarans, see our best cruises comparison — or check live cruise availability for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the Hableány that sank in 2019?
No. The boat that sank at Margaret Bridge in May 2019 was an unrelated sightseeing vessel that shared the same traditional name. Today's Hableány is a completely new paddle-wheel replica launched in 2024 by Duna Cruises.
What does Hableány mean?
It is Hungarian for "mermaid" — a traditional ship name used on the Danube since the 19th century, which is why more than one vessel has carried it over the years.
What kind of boat is today's Hableány?
A paddle-wheel steamboat replica launched in 2024, styled after Ödön Széchenyi's 1867 design, with visible paddle boxes and period-style fittings. It runs sightseeing cruises and private charters for up to 45 guests.
How much does a cruise on the Hableány cost?
Duna Cruises tickets run roughly €8–16 — the cheapest sightseeing cruises in Budapest. Exact prices and the current timetable are on the operator's official site.
Where does the Hableány depart from?
From Dock 10 on the Jane Haining rakpart, on the Pest embankment near Elisabeth Bridge. Tram 2 stops close by and the Vörösmarty tér metro station is a short walk away.