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Europe River Cruises
Embark on a river cruise along the waterways of Europe. Choose from river cruise itineraries that take in the Rhine, Rhône, Danube, Seine and Douro rivers. Discover all-inclusive river cruises from the world’s leading river cruise operators. Marvel at ancient castles in the Rhine Valley, the Dutch tulip fields in springtime, and countryside and vineyards of France and the Douro in Portugal.
Popular River Cruises View all
15 Days Amsterdam to Budapest
Operator: Avalon River Cruises
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15 Days Amsterdam to Budapest
Operator: Viking River Cruises
From 4,503
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Explore Europe's Rivers View all
Featured River Cruise Operators View all
Life-enriching, relaxing and unique – an APT river cruise is the ultimate holiday experience. Discover unforgettable destinations as you travel in total...more comfort and style. From Europe to Africa and the mighty Mekong River, APT has a diverse range of river cruises, and you’ll wake up most mornings in a new location, ready to explore fresh and exciting sights. Timeless luxury, exclusive experiences, life enriching moments and true personalisation. APT offers all-inclusive holidays so everything is taken care of. We invite you to join us; you won’t be disappointed.
Make the most of Europe’s waterways on Travelmarvel’s three new European river ships: Polaris, Capella and Vega. Combining state-of-the-art design with...more more dining options and social spaces, the contemporary-class ships will offer a relaxed new standard of cruise. Or perhaps a river cruise on the life-giving Ganges or Mekong to get to the heart of these colourful and spiritual nations. Experience life in their small villages, whose communities have much to teach us about their local culture and customs.
Whether you're experiencing the Rhine or the Danube, the Douro, the Rhône, Seine, Maas or Moselle... the magic of Tauck's award-winning European river...more cruises goes far beyond the riverboat you're aboard or the landmarks you'll visit. It's in the intimate ambiance and personalized service... the places you'll discover off the beaten path... and in the uncommon access to local culture and exclusive destination driven experiences you can't get on your own, as you experience a true slice of European life and return home transformed.
Discover Must do experiences and highlights on a Europe river cruise
The Elegant Elbe
Are you a seasoned river cruiser? Don't forget the River Elbe rising in the Giant Mountains of the northern Czech Republic before traversing Bohemia, Germany and flowing into the North Sea.
The Reds of Bordeaux
Take a cycling trip to explore the picturesque Medoc region, stopping to taste the local reds from the finest French region for red wine.
Experience a Quinta
Take the chance to spend a relaxing day at a traditional vineyard in Portugal – tasting the Port wine for which the region is famous.
Castles by the Rhine Gorge
Head to the sundeck as you leave Rudesheim and enters the narrows of the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge. Spot the 40 castles and fortresses atop the high cliffs as you glide toward Koblenz.
The Lights of Budapest
Feel romance on the Danube as you set sail from Budapest en route to Amsterdam, farewelled by the golden lights that lace the Parliament Building on the riverbank. A magical moment on your European river cruise.
Recent Europe River Cruise Reviews What our clients are saying about their journeys along the rivers of Europe
Avalon Panorama was a perfect experience, each day waking up in a new country was so fascinating. The on board experience from the beautiful big window , happy hour, four course meals or optional casual, a place to sit quietly and read or watch the world go by. The room was a good size with a very functional bathroom. The people who made the trip was ...read more the staff , the tour director Simona , our room gentleman Blessing ,every person I interacted with was kind, polite and happy to be there . They made it fun, interesting and a pleasure.
Avalon cruise from Basel to Nuremberg was perfect for first-time cruisers Ludy and Victor, NSW, Australia, Sep 2023
Although my husband and I have already been on previous Rhine cruise, it is still enjoyable and more appreciated the second time. We travelled with 6 other friends/family who are all first-time river cruisers and they all enjoyed and wowed by the river cruise, especially the food and services on board. The only thing which stopped me from rating this ...read more a 5-star is the lack of self-service laundry which other river cruise companies have.
Had a great time on this river cruise, fabulous weather, plentiful delicious food and wine , staff were very attentive and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
Global Journeys and Jemma handled our booking process well. We loved our Viking France’s Finest cruises. We made some new friends and found the staff excellent. Loved the onshore excursions particularly Monet's Garden, and all the walled medieval villages, especially Viviers night walk. Accommodation was lovely and cruising enjoying the view was perfect. ...read more The crew of the Heimdal were particularly outstanding.
Explore More Explore more Your guide to the river cruising through Europe
21 February, 2020
Explore Europe's Historic Rivers with VikingViking is a highly awarded river cruise line — and with good reason. Boasting an impressive fleet of state-of-the-art river vessels, they offer an incredible range of scenic voyages along the waterways of Central Europe, Portugal and Russia, with bespoke itineraries designed to immerse you in...
05 December, 2019
A Quick Guide to Choosing Your Amsterdam to Budapest River CruiseAn Amsterdam to Budapest river cruise is one of the most popular European itineraries out there, particularly for first timers. Being a well loved route, plenty of operators bring you carefully curated journeys along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. Their offerings can be quite similar, and...
05 February, 2019
Travelmarvel 2020 Europe River Cruise Preview Out NowWhat better way to experience Europe than on a river cruise? Wind through stunning waterways and enjoy authentic experiences offered by carefully curated shore excursions and a selection of onboard activities. Unpack once, and let the sights and scenery unravel before you. Interested? You can...
05 February, 2019
APT’s 2020 Europe River Cruise Pre-Release and SuperdealsAPT have kicked off their 2020 Europe river cruise season with their pre-release collection now available. The release of these journeys comes hand in hand with incredible Superdeals including fly free offers, companion fly free specials, and air credits. Plus, guests wanting to travel...
Common Questions Common questions about river cruising in Europe
What is the best month for a European river cruise?
The European River cruising season runs from March to December. Springtime (Mar, Apr and May) can be a little cooler but the perfect time to experience stunning spring flowers and landscapes. Spring deals can also mean cheaper prices in those early months. Mid May to Mid September is peak season, so expect fares...read more to be a little higher. The summer months of July and August are hotter and busier but enjoy long, warm summer evenings to really immerse yourself in the local lifestyle and culture. September and October are popular months as summer crowds have gone and daytime temperatures are still warm enough to explore and enjoy autumnal colours along the river. Prices become more competitive towards the end of autumn and into December making it a great time to make savings, wrap up warm and enjoy some retail therapy at the magical Christmas markets.
Which European river cruise is best?
If you’re new to river cruising, many test the water with a shorter river cruise. A one-week Rhine cruise from For those wanting to see as much as possible, try a two-week itinerary that combines the Rhine, Main and Danube. Cruising the Rhine-Main-Danube canal takes you from beautiful Amsterdam through the castles and picturesque towns of Germany and into Austria, Slovakia and Hungary highlighting wonderful cities such as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. We've put together a list of 10 Best European River Cruisesfor you to consider.
Why is the Danube so popular?
The Danube is the second longest river in Europe and flows through 10 countries from the Black Forest to the Black Sea offering some of the most enchanting and captivating scenery in Europe. It's size means that itineraries vary in length and can be as short as 4 days taking in a few key countries and cities -...read more perfect for those on a strict schedule or looking to try out a river cruise for the first time. Longer itineraries of 14 days or more offer an in depth view of the many small towns, big cities and scenic landscapes along the river and often visit quieter stretches of the Danube known for their rich scenery and wildlife. What should I pack for my European River Cruises?
This will depend on the season you are travelling, but the good news is that river cruising is all about being relaxed. Comfort is key and the focus is definitely on ensuring you're suitably attired for daily activities and exploring. Layers will work for any cooler evenings and a rain coat is great protection...read more for rainy or windy days . Comfortable walking shoes are a must as is a small, secure day bag that you can take with you on your excursions. River cruises tend not to have formal gala nights so no need for serious evening wear - smart-casual is the way to go. Cabin storage may not be huge so packing light will mean your luggage won't take up all the space. Don't forget a European power adapter and your phone, camera or tablet to keep friends and family up to date on your adventures. What activities are there on a European river cruise?
Your European river cruise will usually include a shore excursion at each port. River cruising enables you to reach those destinations that may be less accessible to coach tours and ocean cruises such as right in the heart of a city so shore excursions are mostly cultural or educational in nature. Many operators...read more offer more exclusive or in depth explorations of regional areas or sites of interest at extra cost. On shore activities may depend on the size of the city or destination and the length of stay at that particular location. Many river cruises carry bikes on board that can be hired for you to explore an area at your own pace. On board, some river ships have fitness studios, spas and pools and offer yoga or other group fitness options. Why is European river cruising so popular?
A big plus for river cruising in Europe is that you have to unpack once on arrival and then you can focus on enjoying your holiday. Getting from one destination in Europe to another can be a logistical challenge for some and as much of the cruising is done at night while you sleep, you simply wake up at your new...read more destination ready to explore. Ships are like floating hotels and offer luxury cabins, first class dining and sumptuous lounges and because of their small size, never feel overcrowded. Most European rivers have been important thoroughfares for centuries so destinations as well as being beautifully scenic, stops are often at iconic towns and cities. Check our 10 reasons to take a European river cruise for more information. 
