Twin City Liner celebrates 20 years of speeding across the Danube

The Twin City Liner, affectionately known as 'Twinny', marked its 20th anniversary this Thursday. The high-speed catamaran was designed to connect Vienna and Bratislava after Slovakia joined the EU in 2004. The first Twin City Liner began its journey on 1 June 2006. Built in Norway, the vessel was transported to Austria by Captain Otto Szabo, who famously lost a tooth during a storm on the way. Over time, three different models have served the route, with the current catamaran being the fastest and most modern on the Danube.

The service can reach speeds of 80 km/h, allowing it to complete the trip between the two cities in just 75 minutes without passing through locks. Operated by Central Danube—a joint venture between Wien Holding and Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien—it carries around 190,000 passengers every year. Operations paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the ferries kept at Handelskai dock until services resumed.

Now, plans for the Twin City Liner 3.0 are in motion. The new version will focus on sustainability, aiming to cut fuel consumption and reduce its environmental impact. The Twin City Liner has become a key part of Vienna’s tourism and transport links. Its speed, efficiency, and growing focus on sustainability ensure its continued role in connecting the two capitals. The anniversary highlights two decades of service on the Danube.