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Rhine river cruises

Rhine river cruises at a glance

A Rhine river cruise usually spends seven nights sailing between Amsterdam and Basel, through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. The ship stops most days at places such as Cologne, Rüdesheim, Heidelberg and Strasbourg, and sails through the castle-lined Rhine Gorge. Longer voyages continue along the Main and Danube to Budapest.

The Rhine is Europe's best-known cruising river and an easy choice for a first river cruise. In one week you see Dutch canals, German cathedral cities, the castles and vineyards of the Rhine Gorge, and the half-timbered towns of Alsace.

Most sailings run between Amsterdam and Basel, in either direction. Many go further, turning onto the Main at Mainz and following the Main-Danube Canal to Vienna and Budapest.

Rhine facts
Typical length7 nights; longer when combined with the Main and Danube
SeasonMarch to December, including Christmas markets
Starts and endsAmsterdam and Basel
CountriesNetherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland
HighlightsCologne, Rüdesheim, The Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg, Strasbourg

Guide updated 26 October 2026.

Rhine river cruises and fares

Every AmaWaterways itinerary on the Rhine we list, 9 in all, with 668 departures. Open one for the day-by-day and the fare in each stateroom type on every date. Fares are per person for two sharing, in Australian dollars, cruise only, as listed by the cruise line on 2 November at 7:29am. Staterooms sell out and fares move between checks, so we confirm what is open and what it costs before you pay.

9 itineraries

River cruiseLengthFromQuote
Rhine
City Escapes: The RhineRhine · AmaCerto, AmaFiora, AmaLucia, AmaMaria, AmaPrima, AmaSerena, AmaSiena, AmaSofia, AmaStella, AmaVenita, AmaViolaOne way, Basel to Amsterdam 7 nights46 departuresNext: 11 Nov 2026, 11 Nov 2026, 12 Nov 2026 Window fromA$2,407ppA$4,814 for 2
Rhine Castles & Swiss AlpsRhine · AmaFiora, AmaSerena, AmaSofia, AmaVenitaOne way, Amsterdam to Basel 7 nights76 departuresNext: 10 Nov 2026, 17 Nov 2026, 24 Nov 2026 Window fromA$3,893ppA$7,786 for 2
Enchanting RhineRhine · AmaCerto, AmaFiora, AmaLucia, AmaMaria, AmaPrima, AmaSiena, AmaSofia, AmaStella, AmaViolaOne way, Basel to Amsterdam 7 nights174 departuresNext: 18 Nov 2026, 25 Nov 2026, 23 Dec 2026 Window fromA$3,893ppA$7,786 for 2
Captivating RhineRhine · AmaCerto, AmaFiora, AmaLucia, AmaMaria, AmaPrima, AmaSiena, AmaSofia, AmaStella, AmaViolaOne way, Amsterdam to Basel 7 nights161 departuresNext: 19 Nov 2026, 21 Nov 2026, 23 Dec 2026 Window fromA$3,893ppA$7,786 for 2
Swiss Alps & Rhine CastlesRhine · AmaFiora, AmaSerena, AmaSofia, AmaVenitaOne way, Basel to Amsterdam 7 nights81 departuresNext: 10 Nov 2026, 17 Nov 2026, 24 Nov 2026 Window fromA$4,036ppA$8,072 for 2
Magical Christmas Markets of GermanyRhine · AmaCerto, AmaPrimaOne way, Nuremberg to Frankfurt; One way, Frankfurt to Nuremberg 7 nights17 departuresNext: 24 Nov 2027, 1 Dec 2027, 8 Dec 2027 Window fromA$4,566ppA$9,132 for 2
Christmas Markets on the RhineRhine · AmaCerto, AmaFiora, AmaLucia, AmaMaria, AmaPrima, AmaSiena, AmaSofia, AmaStella, AmaViolaOne way, Amsterdam to Basel; One way, Basel to Amsterdam 7 nights64 departuresNext: 25 Nov 2026, 26 Nov 2026, 26 Nov 2026 Window fromA$4,888ppA$9,776 for 2
Grand Rhine & Parisian LightsRhine / Seine · AmaDante, AmaFiora, AmaLucia, AmaLyra, AmaSiena, AmaSofiaOne way, Paris to Basel; One way, Basel to Paris 14 nights48 departuresNext: 6 May 2027, 13 May 2027, 20 May 2027 Window fromA$10,584ppA$21,168 for 2
Grand Rhine & Parisian Lights: Celebration of WineRhine / Seine · AmaSienaOne way, Basel to Paris 14 nights1 departureNext: 28 Oct 2027 Window fromA$12,496ppA$24,992 for 2

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What is a Rhine river cruise like?

A Rhine cruise is a week of short sailings and walking tours. The ship moors close to the old town most days. The included excursion is usually a guided walk, or a short coach trip to a nearby town such as Heidelberg or Colmar.

The scenic highlight is the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, better known as the Rhine Gorge. UNESCO listed it as World Heritage in 2002 for its castles, historic towns and vineyards on steep terraced slopes. UNESCO describes it as the oldest intact cultural landscape in Europe where vines grow on very steep slopes.

Ship sizes are similar across our lines. APT Solara carries 154 guests, AmaWaterways' AmaSiena 156, Scenic's Space-Ships up to 163 and Avalon Envision 164.

Which ports does a Rhine cruise visit?

AmaWaterways' seven-night Captivating Rhine shows the usual pattern. It sails from Amsterdam to Düsseldorf for Cologne, then Rüdesheim, Ludwigshafen for Heidelberg and Speyer, Strasbourg, and Breisach for Colmar, before ending in Basel. Breisach is also the stop for the Kaiserstuhl wine area.

Amsterdam gets a full day on that itinerary, and it is worth arriving early for more. Basel sits on the Rhine where Switzerland, France and Germany meet.

Which way should I sail, and for how long?

Direction makes little difference on the Rhine, because ships sail the same route both ways. Choose by where you want extra time: start in Amsterdam to see more of the Netherlands, or in Basel if you plan time in Switzerland first.

Seven nights covers Amsterdam to Basel. If you also want Vienna and Budapest, look at the longer voyages along the Rhine, Main and Danube between Amsterdam and Budapest. APT's new ships sail that route from March to December.

Christmas market sailings often follow shorter routes. Uniworld's Rhine holiday markets cruise, for example, runs eight days from Basel to Cologne.

What is included, and what does it cost?

Rhine fares include your cabin, meals on board and most guided excursions. AmaWaterways and Avalon include wine and beer with lunch and dinner. APT, Scenic and Uniworld include more in the fare, such as drinks through the day and gratuities.

Fares change often and vary by month, ship and cabin, so we do not list them here. Send us your dates and we will compare the lines for you.

When is the best time for a Rhine river cruise?

May, June and September balance mild weather and long days. Late November and December are for Christmas markets, when days are short and cold.

MonthsWhat to expect
March to MaySpring: tulip season around Amsterdam and Keukenhof Gardens, and vineyard visits along the Rhine Gorge.
June to AugustSummer: long days and warm evenings. In dry years, low water can force changes on parts of the Rhine.
September to OctoberAutumn: comfortable temperatures, and September is one of the most popular months to sail.
Late November to DecemberChristmas markets, including Basel to Cologne sailings. Most markets close by 23 December, and daytime highs sit around 0 to 7°C.

Which river lines sail the Rhine?

Rhine river cruise deals

EXCLUSIVE US $300^ Onboard Credit! Cruise & Stay Package

Icons of the Danube with Prague

Departs
Sun, 22 Aug 2027
Line
AmaWaterways
Ship
AmaMagna
Route
Budapest to Prague
Includes
Main meals & entertainment onboard · Immersive tours in every destination · 3 Nights Hotel in Prague
FromA$9,035 pp*
Find Out More

Rhine river cruises, answered

Is the Rhine or the Danube better for a first river cruise?

Either is a good first river cruise. Choose the Rhine for castles, vineyards and four countries between Amsterdam and Basel. Choose the Danube for grand cities, with Vienna and Budapest in the same week. Longer voyages between Amsterdam and Budapest sail both.

What is the Rhine Gorge?

The Rhine Gorge is the stretch of the Rhine in Germany known as the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. UNESCO listed it as World Heritage in 2002 for its castles, historic towns and terraced vineyards. Most Rhine cruises sail through it near Rüdesheim.

Can I do a Rhine cruise for the Christmas markets?

Yes. Christmas market sailings run from late November through December, including Uniworld's Basel to Cologne holiday markets cruise. Most markets close around 23 December, so sailings that finish before Christmas see the most markets.

Do Rhine cruises still run when the river is low?

Usually, but itineraries can change. In dry spells, low water on parts of the Rhine, Main and Danube can force lines to adjust some sailings. Uniworld, for example, has made changes to select sailings for this reason. Good travel insurance is worth having.

Are river cruises suitable for people with limited mobility?

Sometimes, but ask before you book. Rhine ships often moor side by side, so you may need to climb stairs and cross another ship to reach the shore. Old towns mean cobblestones and steps, and some lines advise against their cruises for wheelchair and scooter users.

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Sources: AmaWaterways: Captivating Rhine itinerary, UNESCO: Upper Middle Rhine Valley, APT: Europe river cruises (Amsterdam to Budapest, March to December), Uniworld: Rhine Holiday Markets, Basel to Cologne, AmaWaterways: Christmas Markets on the Danube (winter temperatures), Scenic: seasonal guide to Europe river cruising, AmaWaterways: preparing for your Europe cruise, Avalon Waterways: what's included. River fares are quoted per sailing and date by the cruise lines.