Planning what to wear on a Viking River Cruise? Whether you're sailing the Danube, Rhine, or Main aboard a Viking Longship, packing smart is essential for comfort, style, and cultural respect. In this complete guide, we share firsthand tips from our 15-day Grand European Tour—from layering strategies and modesty essentials to anti-theft gear and footwear that works on cobblestones. If you're headed to Budapest, Amsterdam, or anywhere in between, this post will help you pack with confidence and cruise like a pro. Scroll to the bottom to find our printable packing list.
And we’ve created a handy Viking River Cruise Packing List with direct links to everything we used and wore! 🧳
🎥 Be sure to watch our video here for visuals, stories, and bonus tips. Remember—every penny we earn from affiliate links and YouTube goes to charity. Your thumbs up, comment, or subscribe helps us help others.
Before You Pack: Start with the Weather
Don't guess—check AccuWeather.com before you go. Look at both forecasted and historical average temperatures, especially for higher elevation stops like Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We ended up buying extra layers there!
Plan ahead for colder environments like:
Underground wine cellars
WWII bunkers
Chilly churches and abbeys
Layer Like a River Cruise Pro
Layering is key on Viking cruises. Weather changes quickly—sunshine in the morning, wind or rain by afternoon, and cooler air on deck at night.
Here’s a sample women’s outfit formula that worked across 15 ports:
Base Layer: UPF or T-shirt
Outer Layer: Lightweight raincoat or packable puffer
🧥 Top Picks from Our Trip:
Pack with Modesty in Mind
Some churches and mosques require shoulders and knees to be covered, and Viking will note this in excursion details. Lightweight scarves come in handy for this and can double as layering items or sun protection. A wide-brim hat for women has always worked well for us—since we already wear one for sun protection, we haven’t needed to add a scarf. It’s a stylish and practical solution.
🧣 Our go-to:
Safety Tips & Anti-Theft Essentials
In major cities like Vienna, Budapest, or optional extensions to Rome or Barcelona, theft can be a concern—especially in crowded tourist areas, train stations, and popular landmarks. Staying alert, using anti-theft bags, and keeping valuables secure can make all the difference.
🛡️ We never travel without:
These items are functional and discreet, and worth the peace of mind.
Footwear: What Really Works
Viking river cruises involve lots of walking on cobblestones, marble stairs, and uneven ground, so stable grippy soles are best. We also got caught in the rain more than once!
👟 Bring:
Two pairs of comfortable sneakers or trail shoes. You can rotate if your shoes get wet.
Waterproof boots if cruising in colder seasons
Lightweight shoes or dressier flats for onboard or special events.
👞 What we wore:
Onboard Style: Keep It Casual
On Viking Longships, there’s no dress code. You’ll see:
Jeans, slacks, polos for him
Casual dresses, pants, capris, blouses, fancy t-shirts and scarves for her
No formalwear, ties, or gowns needed
For special nights like the Evening Concert in Vienna, a step up is appreciated. Sometimes you will even see passengers show up to dinner in their touring clothes because time is limited on some days! A crossbody bag is nice for evenings out or even onboard!
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| An easy wrap in Vienna for style |
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| Mary Frances Phone Crossbody |
🎻 We loved this Viator concert at St. Peter’s Church—but no need to dress up beyond “smart casual.”
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| Zac & Rachel Pull On Pants |
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| Cole Haan Zerogrand Oxford |
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| Using our DJI Gimbal! |
Smart Packing Tips for Small Staterooms
Viking cabins have limited storage, so organization is key.
✅ Packing essentials:
Bagail Compression Cubes -- They work great in your luggage, in the drawers and on the shelves.
Hibag Compression Bags -- Our go to for fitting more and keeping clothes dry in our luggage during rain.
Magnetic Hooks (100lb) – great for hanging wet clothes, hats and jackets!
Earth Breeze Laundry Sheets -- You can cut these to size and wash a few things in the sink.
Downy Wrinkle Release Spray -- It doesn’t work miracles but better than you think! It helps you not have to send things out for pressing.
Magnetic Clips -- Great for holding paperwork and tour tickets.
We also use a DJI Gimbal to keep our travel vlogs smooth!
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| Bagail Compression Cubes |
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| Knirps Compact Umbrella and Travelon Classic Messenger |
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| Osprey Daypack |
Daypack & Umbrella? Don't Forget These
🎒 These are with us on every tour:
Bonus tip: Use an Airfly Bluetooth Transmitter to sync your own earbuds with Viking’s QuietVox system.
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| Airfly Bluetooth Transmitter |
Shopping Along the Way
You’ll find amazing souvenirs in:
Budapest (handcrafted scarves, embroidery)
Vienna (chocolates, music boxes)
Cologne (cologne, obviously!)
Regensburg & Melk (unique art and antiques)
👓 If you need a replacement (like sunglasses), don't wait. Some towns require a long uphill walk just to shop. The crew is a great resource for quick recommendations!
Viking River Cruise Packing List (Women)
T-shirts or UPF tops
Fleece and/or light sweater
Scarf or wrap (Pashmina)
Dress or smart casual outfit (Lightweight Golf Dress)
Walking shoes & flats
Casual pants (Zac & Rachel Pull-On)
Fleece leggings (Baleaf)
Viking River Cruise Packing List (Men)
T-shirts or polos (Helly Hansen Polo)
Button-down shirt (Helly Hansen Casual Shirt)
Waterproof lightweight running jacket or lightweight Helly Hansen sailing jacket
Casual pants (Eddie Bauer Ranier)
Closed-toe sandals or Lightweight Oxford shoes
Final Thoughts
We hope this post helps you pack confidently for your Viking River Cruise. With the right gear and planning, you’ll be ready for any weather, excursion, or dining room vibe. 🙌
🎥 Watch our full What to Wear on a Viking River Cruise video here—and please consider liking, commenting, or subscribing. All proceeds from our YouTube channel go to charity, and your support truly makes a difference.
👉🏼 Visit Our Amazon Cruise & Travel Store for more essentials
Clothing
☐ 2–3 Base layer tops (UPF shirts, t-shirts)
☐ 2–3 Mid layers (fleece or sweater)
☐ 1–2 Outer layers (light raincoat, packable puffer)
☐ 3–4 Pairs casual pants/jeans or capris
☐ 2–3 Casual dresses or skirts (women)
☐ 1–2 Collared shirts or polos (men)
☐ 1–2 Smart casual outfits for concert/dinner
☐ Scarf or shawl for modesty/chill
☐ Sleepwear
☐ Undergarments + socks
Footwear
☐ 2 Pairs comfortable walking shoes/sneakers
☐ Waterproof boots (if cold/wet season)
☐ Dress shoes or flats for onboard
Accessories
☐ Wide-brim hat or cap
☐ Sunglasses
☐ Gloves/hat (seasonal)
On Board
☐ Crossbody purse
☐ Headphones
Safety & Anti-Theft
☐ Anti-theft bag or crossbody
☐ RFID wallet
☐ Phone tether
Toiletries
☐ Hairbrush/styling tools
☐ Moisturizer & sunscreen
☐ Makeup & remover
☐ Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
☐ Razor, deodorant
☐ Personal medications
Electronics
☐ Universal power adapter or cruise-approved power strip
☐ Phone + charger
☐ Camera or GoPro + chargers
☐ DJI Gimbal (optional for filming)
☐ AirFly for QuietVox
☐ iPad / Kindle / Tablet
Organizational Gear
☐ Packing cubes or compression bags
☐ Magnetic hooks (for walls/doors)
☐ Wrinkle release spray
☐ Laundry sheets
Documents
☐ Passport + photocopies
☐ Travel insurance details
☐ Cruise tickets/boarding pass
☐ Credit/debit cards + local currency
Make meaningful and healthy travel happen. See you on the rivers! 🌍 🚢
Oh wow! Viking river cruise! I like to try that. Thank you for sharing your experience with me ^_^
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