FAQ – boat rental

How long is a trip?

If you bought ticket for out private boat, then the duration is usually one hour, unless you opted for the 2 hour option. Other, special programs do have the duration as indicated in the rental confirmation.

do you offer alternate departure/arrival ports

Yes, we offer some of such ports that can be ordered as an extra, when you order your private boat cruise from our website. Unfortunately third party platforms can not handle such. In case you have ordered the cruise on a third party platform, then please check private boat’s page for alternative port options and contact us, in case you prefer some of that.

Can’t find the port / Can’t locate the dock / Where is the port?

On our sightseeing boat cruises the port of departure (and port of arrival arrival – are the same), that is located at Szent Istvan park pier, Dock 42, here:

The port, Dock 42 can be found with various applications:

also likely available on your phone’s map provider, check for ‘Portum Lines’ OR ‘Dock 42’. See the detailed access information also on your ticket. When you don’t have (or you don’t want to use) data connection, then we recommend you to use offline map application like Maps.Me.

Public transport services in the vicinity are trolleybus (lines 75 & 79), bus (lines 115 & 15) and the metro (line M3), tram (line 2, 4-6) and BuBi docking station at Szent Istvan park. Please note that Szt. Istvan park is fenced, no pass through is possible.

Natuarally the port is acessible by car – there is a parking area in front on the pier – or by taxi. Should you go for a taxi, please read our article on the taxi scams and preferred taxi provider.

You can also try to chat with our bot, Anna on t.me/portum_bot, she is also happy to send you the dock location and even tell your distance from the dock.

Cancel a rented or charter boat

Cancellation of the ordered rent-a-boat service according to the GTC

  • within 7 days from the departure time 100 % of the rental fee;
  • between 8 and 14 days from the departure time, 50 % of the rental fee;
  • between 15 days and 30 days from the departure time, 30 % of the rental fee;
  • between 31 days and 60 days from the departure time, 10 % of the rental fee;
  • more than 66 days from the departure time, then there is no cancellation fee.

How do I pay for a boat rental?

In case of a boat rental, provided that your group size is smaller, please check our package offers for MS Klara boat. These packages can be bought direct in the webshop by selecting the product, date, time. Naturally, you may also add your data for an invoice, when that is needed.
When you prefer to have something different, please contact us on the contact – boat rental page. Then we can make a quote and provide that to you by email. Payment can be done by bank card or bank transfer. For reservation of the booking financial settlement of tha booking fee is required.

When do I need to pay the boat rental?

You need to pay the boat rental when the order is made. The acceptance of the order is only possible with rentals fully paid up.

How fast is a boat?

A passenger boat is not a really fast vehicle and its speed is partly determined by the external conditions, the current of the river, wind.
In case of the MS Neptun we can calculate with the rough numbers of 8-10 km/hour upstream and 16-20 km/hour downstream.
For MS Klara these numbers are slightly lower 6-9 km/hour upstream and 14-18 km/hour downstream.

How many people can I bring?

When you rent our boats for us doesn’t matter how many persons are on boat till match is capacity – and naturally, your accepted offer. MS Neptun is max. 250 pax (with crew), MS Merian is max. 300 pax (with crew), MS Klara 40 pax (with crew). Consider that the maximum capacity does not equal to comfort, though it depends by the type of the event.
As per our knowledge the convenient capacity is usually half of the total capacity.

What routes do you suggest?

The suggested route is basically dependant on your time and preferences. Example routes are listed at the boat’s page.
A trip to Szentendre is usually 3 hours, 2 hours to Szentendre and 1 hour to return to Budapest. (In case of the MS Klara boat, the total sum is 4 hours.)

Can I eat or drink on the boat?

Naturally, there is a bar on-board, we are happy to serve your preferred drinks during the cruise. You’ll find the prices on our drinks menu. Also we serve light snacks on certain cruises. Providing cooked food is not possible on our sightseeing cruises for legal compliance, though in case of boat rental even a dinner for 2 is possible.

covid rules, certificates

We are not closed, but cruising rare due the lack of passengers. Mainly boat cruises are available in the weekend period Friday and Saturday. By your booking or request our crew member are ready to cruise with you.

Current rules on our regular Budapest sightseeing cruises:

  • passengers need to wear a mask inside during the cruise;

More on the current Covid rules on our blog.

Can we bring our food and/or drinks on-board?

No. The same way you can not bring your food or ingredients into a restautant. The boat has a bar, drinks are available on-board, drinks menu is on drinks menu klara link. Various type of foods can be pre-ordered as an extra, in case you need that.

Is it heated?

Yes, there are on our boats and we are using it when is necessary (of course only in the halls). Don’t forget about our blankets and winter time our really good mulled wine :)

It is storming or raining now!

There are weather conditions that you may not consider favourable, like storm and rain, though they are usually safe to sail on the Danube. Our boats are operating under any weather conditions, including snow, rain, storm. There are few exceptions, though in such cases we are making announcement on every available platforms to let you know if your cruise is cancelled: SMS, email, public announcement on Facebook, website, etc. Please be noted that bad weather is not a circumstance to your free ticket change. Our policy is simple: no-show no-refund.

What happens in rain, cold or bad weather?

The boat has covered deck that provides all of you comfort in any weather conditions and it is really nice in heavier storm, colder weather, etc. Rain or bad weather is not a special circumstance that allows you to change your ticket. Our policy is simple: no-show no-refund.

is smoking allowed?

Yes, on the outer parts of the boat smoking is possible at the designated areas.

is there a bar? can we play our music? what are the basic services of the boat?

The basic services of the boat are: bar, sound system, music, 220V, FREE WI-FI, heating, hall reconfigurable, open decks. Naturally during the rental you may use these services.

I want to start later…

Naturally, it is your time, we can start the cruise later – within the reserved time slot-, however we still need to finish it at the end of the reserved time slot.

city lights, illumination, illumination by night

Budapest’s illumination by night dresses the city into a different costume and thus is really beautiful, still, we do not control that. Certain times the illumination can be dimmed or changed from the standard (color) scheme to commemorate certain occasions, like national days of Hungary or other countries, Earth Hour or fight against breath cancer. The view and the panorama is still unique with or without the illumination, that only provides an extra flavour to it.
Lights are turned on after sunset.

toilet, restroom

Is there a toilet on board? Yes, all of our boats have a toilet on-board.

when does it start?

The rental starts at the time indicated on your voucher. You may show up later, though.


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