October 26, 2026
TUI River Cruises launches first ever racing themed river cruise including Hungarian Grand Prix tickets
TUI River Cruises
TUI River Cruises has unveiled its first-ever racing themed cruise, From River to Racetrack, which is bringing together the ease of river cruising with a race weekend experience in Budapest, set to depart on TUI Maya in July 2027. The themed cruise is on sale from 26 October 2026.
The seven-night itinerary combines a classic Danube river cruise with one of the world’s most iconic motorsport weekends. Departing on 26 July 2027 and returning on 2 August 2027, the itinerary will take customers to Vienna, with opulent palaces, Bratislava, home to a baroque-style castle and Budapest, where the ship will remain through the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. The cruise includes seated grandstand access with tickets and transfers to the Hungaroring circuit across all three days, Friday’s practice day, Saturday will be the qualifying day and Sunday and will be the big race.* There will also be a guest speaker onboard during the sailing offering their insights into the sport.
Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruise at TUI River Cruises, said: “Travel is increasingly being shaped by the experiences people want to have, with major sporting and live events becoming a real reason to visit a destination. Our first ever racing themed cruise taps into that trend, bringing together the excitement of the Hungarian Grand Prix with the ease of a TUI River Cruises holiday.
“It showcases what modern river cruising is all about: flexibility, choice and the freedom to experience more in one holiday. Customers can unpack once, discover iconic destinations along the Danube and experience Budapest at one of the most exciting times of the year, while choosing how they want to make the most of their time both on board and ashore.”
TUI River Cruises offers a seven-night From River to Racetrack sailing from Budapest, Hungary on TUI Maya from £2299** per person. Price based on two adults sharing a Deck 1 Standard Cabin on a Full Board Plus*** basis with a grandstand ticket per person****. Includes TUI Airways flights from London Gatwick to Budapest on the 26 July 2027, 23kg of luggage per person, transfers, tips, service charges, a seated grandstand ticket and organised transfers to the circuit on selected days. To find out more about this holiday or to book go to tui.co.uk/river-cruises, visit a local TUI holiday store or download our app. This themed cruise is available to book from 26 October 2026.
About TUI River Cruises
TUI River Cruises is a part of TUI Group. There are currently four adult only ships in the TUI River Cruises European fleet: TUI Isla, TUI Skyla, TUI Maya and TUI Aria and TUI River Cruises Egyptian fleet: TUI Al Horeya and TUI Bahareya. There will be one new ship to sail the European Waterways, TUI Elara, which will operate in March 2027. The first-new build ship, TUI Luzia will be sailing exclusively on the River Douro in Summer 2027.Further expansion will follow in March 2028, with TUI Elara introducing the River Seine as a new river for TUI River Cruises. The river cruise line is expanding its fleet with the Next Generation of two new build river cruise ships, TUI Zora on the Rhine in May 2028 and TUI Velera on the Danube in August 2028.
*Terms and Conditions for From River to Racetrack sailing: A to Z Guide (https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/booking/atozguide)
**All prices quoted are correct to the particular product package at the time of TUI issuing the price package/packages to the publication. Price was quoted on 26/10/2026. Prices provided are subject to change and have limited availability. Terms and conditions apply.
***Full Board Plus comes as standard, which means you get tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine or beer with meals. There’s the option of house white, red, or rose wine at lunch and dinner, or you can try the specially selected wine from the region at dinnertime or you can upgrade to All Inclusive.
****From River to Racetrack is independently organised by TUI River Cruises and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or an official partner of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Grandstand tickets are included as part of the package.