Rhine River Cruises

Embark on a river cruise along the Rhine - stretching from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea you'll cruise through France, Germany and the Netherlands. Choose from 5,929 river cruises along the Rhine travelling with the world's leading river cruise lines.

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Search 5,929 river cruise departures along the Rhine

Popular Rhine River Cruises

8 Days Basel to Amsterdam

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 3,424pp
Save 2,646pp

8 Days Basel to Amsterdam

Operator: Viking River Cruises

From 3,229pp
Save 2,638pp

8 Days Amsterdam to Basel

Operator: Viking River Cruises

From 2,935pp
Save 2,654pp

8 Days Amsterdam to Basel

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 3,424pp
Save 2,995pp

The Rhine River

Map of the Rhine River

Where does the Rhine start & finish?

The Rhine River originates in the Swiss Alps and flows through six countries including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The river ultimately empties into the North Sea at Rotterdam after covering a distance of approximately 1,230 kms (760 miles), making it one of Europe's major rivers.

Castle-Studded Journey

The Rhine boasts the highest concentration of castles in the world along its Middle Rhine section, particularly between Koblenz and Bingen. This stretch is known as the "Romantic Rhine" and offers a fairy-tale backdrop.

The Lorelei Rock

This steep rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine near St. Goarshausen, Germany, has inspired myths and legends for centuries. According to folklore, a siren named Lorelei bewitches sailors from atop the rock, causing them to crash — adding a dash of intrigue to your journey.

Culinary Cruising

The Rhine valley is not just rich in scenic beauty but also in gastronomy. It's a wine lover's paradise, with regions like Alsace in France and the Rheingau in Germany producing some of the world's finest Rieslings.

Popular starting ports for cruising the Rhine

Amsterdam, Basel, Cologne and Zurich are the most common logistical starting ports for your Rhine river cruise.

Rhine in Flames

If you time it right, you could experience the "Rhine in Flames," an annual event where spectacular firework displays are set off from castles and boats, illuminating the river. It's a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle that adds magic to your river cruise.

Featured River Cruise Operators Featured Operators

AmaWaterways
From the moment you step aboard AmaWaterways award-winning ships you'll be welcomed by a dedicated crew committed to making your voyage unforgettable. more Sail through the heart of Europe, Asia, or Africa and explore enchanting destinations while indulging in exquisite, locally inspired cuisine and world-class amenities. AmaWaterways thoughtfully designed excursions immerse you in the rich culture and history of each port with every detail of your itinerary crafted to exceed your expectations and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Rhine Rivers494
Budget:Premium
Known For:Luxury & Wellness
Fleet Size:29
Trafalgar
Trafalgar's river cruises combine decades of expertise with local connections, iconic sights and expert hosts to deliver effortless, unforgettable journeys. more From scenic sailing to biking along the riverbanks or relaxing onboard, our itineraries let you explore each destination at your own pace - both onboard and ashore.
Rhine Rivers90
Budget:Affordable & Premium
Known For:
Fleet Size:3
Travelmarvel
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.
Rhine Rivers343
Budget:Premium
Known For:Contemporary Cruises
Fleet Size:10

Discover

Must-do experiences and highlights along the Rhine
Amsterdam Amsterdam
Cycle the streets and explore the winding canals. Or dive into the arts with a visit to the Van Gogh Museum and explore the Rijksmuseum, with works dating back to the Middle Ages.
Cologne Cologne
Discover medieval treasures and vibrant galleries in Old Town, visit the Dom, Germany's largest cathedral, or just sit back and enjoy a crisp Kölsch beer - only brewed in Cologne - Prost!
Rüdesheim Rüdesheim
Delight in picturesque Rüdesheim with a stroll through Drosselgasse lane, sample wines from the surrounding Rhine Valley vineyards or marvel at the Mechanical Music Museum.
Strasbourg Strasbourg
A cultural fusion of France and Germany, Strasbourg's UNESCO World Heritage Grande Île does not disappoint, showcasing the Strasbourg Cathedral as well as the charming la Petite France.
Freiburg Freiburg
Set in Germany's Black Forest Region, take in the expansive views of this vibrant and eco-friendly town from Schlossberg, or quietly wander down cobblestone streets in Münster market.

Latest Reviews

What our clients are saying about their journeys along the Rhine
A great holiday Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Switzerland , SA, Australia, May 2026
We really enjoyed this cruise and also the land leg in Switzerland. We went to some beautiful places and were totally spoilt by the cruise staff. The available options for sightseeing were really good. The meals and all accommodation was first class. Thanks also to Grace for handling our booking so efficiently.
One of our very best holidays   Grand European Tour , VIC, Australia, May 2026
After doing several ocean cruises, we did our first river cruise and it will not be the last. We really enjoyed the 15 days on the Danube and Rhine, sailing from Budapest to Amsterdam. Got to know most of the 180 odd passengers on the cruise and they were very friendly, outgoing and supportive. Cruising along the scenic Wachau Valley and the Mid-Rhine read more wine growing area and castles along the rivers were spectacular. The cruise staff took good care of us and obliged to all our requests.
Romantic Rhine and Moselle Romantic Rhine & Moselle , New Zealand, May 2026
Scenic provided excellent service and made you feel like a big family. This itinerary was excellent beautiful views along the Moselle River and the best of the Rhine. Included excursions were top notch.
Jewels of Europe Jewels of Europe , AB, Canada, May 2026
Scenic Jade. Amsterdam to Budapest amazing , spectacular, 5 star service. For our very first ever cruise this five cruise was exceptional. Our tour host Richard was fantastic from organizing tours to entertaining guests answering questions. Fantastic. Everyone was friendly and accommodating with all our needs and want through our whole journey. read more Food was top notch with a different dinner selection every night. Worth every dollar spent. Highly recommend this all inclusive river cruise.
Rhine Getaway Rhine Getaway , AB, Canada, May 2026
Thank you for assisting us in booking our very first Viking river cruise. We had an amazing time and everything went smoothly.
Wonderful river cruise Jewels of Europe , SA, Australia, Apr 2026
Our cruise with Scenic exceeded all expectations. The ship, the food, the staff and the excursions were all excellent. Highly recommend Scenic and we will be travelling with them again. Global Journeys provided excellent service and were always very quick to respond to my questions.