S.S. Emilie
Times not published
Itinerary: 14 Nights Europe Cruise (14 nights)
European River Cruises
Straubing Cruise Port Guide: Things to Do & Practical Tips
Germany
Ships dock directly at the modern Straubing cruise terminal on the Danube River with excellent passenger facilities.
Choose the Right Port Day
Best Overall
Stroll the Stadtplatz, visit the Gäubodenmuseum for the Roman gold hoard, then settle into a traditional Bavarian beer garden for lunch. It's exactly what this town does well and it costs almost nothing.
Best Beach
Not relevant — Straubing is an inland Bavarian river town with no beach access.
With Kids
The Stadtplatz has open space to run around, and a short walk brings you to the Gäubodenmuseum, which has Roman treasure finds that genuinely impress children. Entry is affordable and the visit takes under an hour.
Only 3-4 Hours
Walk straight into the Stadtplatz (about 10 minutes from the pier), look up at the Stadtturm tower, duck into St. Jakob's Church, then grab a seat at a beer garden near the square for a Weissbier and Brotzeit plate before heading back.
Cheapest Option
Walk the old town for free, pop into St. Jakob's Church (free entry), and budget €8-15 per person for a beer garden lunch. No transport needed.
What To Avoid
Don't burn your limited time taking a taxi or tour to nearby Regensburg unless your ship offers significant time — it's 45 minutes each way and you'll rush both cities. Also skip the ducal castle interior unless medieval architecture is your specific interest; the exterior view from outside is sufficient for most.
Top Things To Do
1
Stadtplatz & Stadtturm
Straubing's main square is one of the best-preserved medieval market squares in Bavaria. The slim Gothic Stadtturm tower anchors the center and you can climb it for views over the rooftops. The surrounding facades are photogenic and the square is lively without being overrun.
2
Gäubodenmuseum
This is Straubing's most genuinely impressive stop. The museum holds the Straubing Roman Treasure, a collection of ornate Roman parade armor and ceremonial masks discovered locally in 1950 and considered one of the finest Roman finds in Germany. It takes under an hour and the treasure room alone is worth the entry fee.
3
St. Jakob's Church (Basilika St. Jakob)
A large late-Gothic church just off the Stadtplatz with an impressive interior and quiet atmosphere. Entry is free. Worth 20 minutes if you appreciate medieval ecclesiastical architecture — the nave proportions and decorative details are genuinely good.
Show 3 more things to do in Straubing
4
Bavarian Beer Garden Lunch
Straubing has several traditional beer gardens and Gasthäuser around the old town where you can eat and drink exactly as locals do. A Weissbier, Obatzda (Bavarian cheese spread), and a pretzel or pork dish is the move. Affordable, authentic, and relaxed.
5
Herzogschloss (Ducal Castle)
The medieval ducal castle complex sits on the edge of the old town. The exterior with its towers is photogenic and worth walking past. The interior is accessible in part but the exterior walk is what most cruisers will want — it adds context to Straubing's role as a ducal seat in the Middle Ages.
6
Danube Riverside Walk
The path along the Danube between the ship and town is pleasant and popular with locals. Worth a relaxed stroll before or after exploring the old town. If you have extra time, extend the walk westward along the river for quiet Bavarian scenery.
Book with the ship, or on your own?
Booking independently
- Often noticeably cheaper than the ship’s version of the same tour.
- Smaller groups and local operators, with traveler reviews you can read before you pay.
- Free cancellation on most tours, usually up to 24 hours before.
When the ship’s excursion makes sense
- Short port calls or long transfers where the timing is tight.
- Tender-only stops where getting ashore can run late.
- The ship waits for its own delayed excursions — it won’t wait for independent ones, so leave a buffer before all-aboard.
We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you — it’s how we keep these guides free.
Quick Take
- Port Type
- Historic Small River Port
- Best For
- Walkers who want an unhurried Bavarian town without tourist crowds
- Avoid If
- You need big-city energy, major museums, or a beach day
- Walkability
- Excellent — the old town is compact and entirely flat from the dock
- Budget Fit
- Very good; local cafes and beer gardens are affordable by German standards
- Good For Short Calls?
- Perfect — most cruisers cover the highlights comfortably in 3-4 hours on foot
Port Overview
Straubing sits on the Danube in Lower Bavaria, roughly halfway between Regensburg and Passau. River cruise ships from Viking, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, and the other major lines dock along the riverbank on a straightforward pier with a short, flat walk into town. There are no shuttle buses, no port fees to pay, and no commercial port complex to navigate — you simply step off the ship and walk.
Is It Safe?
Straubing is a safe, low-key Bavarian town. Petty crime is rare and there are no areas to avoid. Standard common sense applies — watch your bag in the market square on busy days. This is not a port where safety is a meaningful concern for cruisers.
Accessibility & Walkability
The route from the pier to the Stadtplatz is flat and paved, making it accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. The old town's main streets are mostly even, though some side cobblestone lanes can be uneven. The Gäubodenmuseum has step-free access. Overall, Straubing is one of the more accessible small river ports on the Danube.
Outside the Terminal
There is no formal terminal building — you step off the pier directly onto a riverside path. Within two minutes you're on a tree-lined path heading toward the old town. It's quiet, pleasant, and completely uncommercialized. No hawkers, no taxi touts, no port shops. Just a Bavarian riverside walkway.
Local Food & Drink
Straubing is solidly Bavarian in its food culture — expect pork, dumplings, pretzels, Weisswurst, and good local beer. The Stadtplatz and surrounding streets have a handful of traditional Gasthäuser and beer gardens that are reasonably priced and genuinely local rather than tourist-facing. A full lunch with beer runs €15-25 per person. Coffee and cake at a local Konditorei is a reliable mid-morning option and cheaper still. There is no shortage of places to eat within easy walking distance of the ship.
Shopping
Shopping in Straubing is modest and local rather than tourist-souvenir-focused, which is either a plus or a minus depending on your perspective. The town center has bakeries, butchers, small clothing shops, and a weekly market (Saturdays on the Stadtplatz) where local produce and regional goods are worth browsing. Don't come expecting craft shops full of cuckoo clocks — this is a working Bavarian market town.
Money & Currency
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- USD Accepted?
- No
- Card Payments
- Widely accepted in restaurants and shops; some smaller cafes and market stalls prefer cash
- ATMs
- Several ATMs in the Stadtplatz area
- Tipping
- Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants; not obligatory but appreciated
- Notes
- Carry €20-40 in cash as backup, especially for markets and smaller vendors.
Weather & Best Time
- Best months
- May, June, September, October
- Avoid
- January and February are cold and grey with limited outdoor appeal
- Temperature
- 15-25°C (59-77°F) during peak river cruise season (April-October)
- Notes
- Summer afternoons can be warm. Light layers work for spring and autumn sailings. Rain is possible year-round; a compact umbrella is worth packing.
Airport Information
- Airport
- Munich Airport (MUC)
- Distance
- Approximately 100 km (62 miles) northwest
- Getting there
- Direct regional train from Straubing Hauptbahnhof to Munich, then S-Bahn to the airport. Journey is roughly 1.5-2 hours total. Taxi or private transfer also available.
- Notes
- Straubing is a realistic embarkation or disembarkation point for cruises starting or ending near Munich. Pre-cruise travelers should plan a Munich hotel night rather than trying to arrive same-day from the airport.
Getting Around from the Port
Walking
The dock to Stadtplatz walk is flat, direct, and takes roughly 10-12 minutes. Almost everything worth seeing is within a 20-minute walk of the pier.
Taxi
Taxis are available but rarely necessary given the town's compact size. Useful if mobility is limited.
Book a transfer 5% off with code TPO5 at checkoutBicycle rental
Straubing and the Danube cycling path are well suited to bikes. Some ships offer onboard bike lending; local rentals also exist in town.
Details last checked April 2026
Check The Port Traffic
Cruise Ships in Port
Once you have your shore plan, use the schedule to see how busy the harbour will be on your date, plus the ships, lines, and published call windows.
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
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15
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Quiet (1–2)
Busy (3–4)
Packed (5+)
1 scheduled call
September 23, 2026
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
1 ship
Planning a cruise here?
Viking River Cruises, Uniworld, AmaWaterways & more sail to Straubing.
Practical Tips for Cruise Passengers
- Walk directly to the Stadtplatz on arrival — the pier to square route is flat, signed, and takes under 15 minutes; no transport needed.
- If your ship is docked during a Saturday morning, the weekly market on the Stadtplatz is one of the better reasons to get off early.
- The Gäubodenmuseum is small but the Roman treasure room is genuinely world-class — don't skip it assuming it's a minor local museum.
- Reserve your beer garden time for midday rather than rushing back hungry — Straubing's food is one of its genuine pleasures and a sit-down lunch costs less than most port-day excursions.
- Straubing is a half-day port by nature. If your ship offers an optional excursion to Regensburg or Passau instead, consider it — both cities offer more depth for a full day ashore.
- Wear comfortable flat shoes; the walk from the pier and the old town are easy, but some side streets have light cobblestones.
Frequently Asked Questions
The pier is roughly a 10-12 minute flat walk from the Stadtplatz. No bus or taxi is needed for most cruisers.
Yes, for a half-day — it's an authentic, uncrowded Bavarian market town with a genuinely impressive Roman museum. It won't fill a full day but it rewards a relaxed morning or afternoon ashore.
Technically yes — Regensburg is about 45 minutes by train — but it only makes sense if your port time exceeds 6 hours. Rushing both cities in a short window isn't worth it.
Locally, it's known for the Gäubodenfest, Bavaria's second-largest beer festival held every August — second only to Munich's Oktoberfest in size. It's also known for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval town center and the Roman treasure in its museum.
Not usually — the town is small enough to explore independently without booking anything ahead. The main sights are walkable, affordable, and don't require reservations.
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