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 3,273 river cruises along the Rhine travelling with the world's leading river cruise lines.

Quick Search Search 3,273 river cruises along the Rhine

Popular River Cruises View all

Featured

10 Days Bern to Amsterdam

Operator: Tauck

From 9,700

8 Days Amsterdam to Basel

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 4,588
Save 1,941

8 Days Amsterdam to Basel

Operator: Uniworld River Cruises

From 3,616
Save 3,683

8 Days Basel to Amsterdam

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 4,440
Save 1,939

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 OPERATORSFeatured Operators View all

Tauck
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.
Rhine Rivers88
Budget:Luxury
Known For:Luxury Cruising
Fleet Size:9
APT
APT
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.
Rhine Rivers142
Budget:Premium & Luxury
Known For:Aussie Specialist
Fleet Size:10
Emerald Cruises
From culture-rich cities to world-famous wine regions, Emerald Cruises represents a new chapter in the world of river cruising. Our deluxe fleet of revolutionary...more Star-Ships promise contemporary comfort and unique on-board innovations, while our generous offering combines affordability with great dining, exceptional service and immersive itineraries across Europe and Asia. With return flights, transfers, all on-board meals, complimentary drinks, tips and much more included in the price of an Emerald Cruises river cruise, we’ve taken care of everything. Our attentive team of crew, sommeliers and personal butlers are available day and night to ensure every minute on-board the Emerald Cruises fleet is as enriching, enjoyable and relaxing as possible.
Rhine Rivers353
Budget:Premium
Known For:Affordable Luxury
Fleet Size:9

Discover Must Do Experiences and Highlights

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

Relaxing, first class experience on the Rhine   , QLD, Australia, Jun 2024
This was our second Scenic river cruise and it did not disappoint. The staff, the food and the itinerary were a high standard as usual. River cruising is a great way to experience the essence of a country as you sail right through the heart of the towns. Scenic are a very professional and experienced company and go out of their way to make you feel ...read more special. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to explore the best of Germany with spectacular scenery and be spoilt by the Scenic crew.
Amazing Grand European   , VIC, Australia, Jun 2024
Had an amazing time on our river cruise. We were apprehensive as southern Germany had floods and a lot of ships were stranded or even cancelled. Viking were very good explaining to us the options and even though we had to change ships at Nuremburg it was relatively stress free. The crew on both ships were fantastic. You certainly won't go hungry as ...read more the food is amazing. We visited some amazing towns and cities and wish we had more free time to explore. I suggest skipping some tours and explore on your own, eat as a local and drink the local beer or sample the wine. We met a lot of wonderful people from other countries and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Didn't select the drinks package as we didn't think we would meet the price they charge and we made the right decision as you get beer and wine with lunch and dinner. Only let down is the lack of laundry facilities on a cruise this long. We spent over 300 euro getting laundry done and ironed over the 15 days. Apart from that we wouldn't hesitate doing another Viking river cruise.
A nice relaxing tour   , SA, Australia, May 2024
A pleasant 15 day cruise from Breisach (was supposed to be Basel, but high river levels prevented starting in Basel) to Amsterdam. Saw some lovely scenery, especially sailing the Moselle. Weather was great for walking around the various towns we docked at.
Thanks to Jemm and Hannah P who were our contacts at Global Journeys, as always they were quick ...read more to help sort out any issues for us and quickly pass on any correspondence from Scenic.
First River Cruise     , WA, Australia, May 2024
From start to finish we thoroughly enjoyed our first river cruise. Georgie managed the whole process for us and kept us fully informed in the lead up. Flights were great, albeit long from Perth. Arriving a day early and staying at the Radisson Blu meant we were fresh and rested for the river cruise. Coming from Perth we were blown away by the experience, ...read more the history and the culture. The ship was excellent and all staff went over and above to add to the experience. Excursions ashore were well planned to cater for individual interests and fitness levels. The whole trip operated like a well oiled machine. Really enjoyed the casual relaxed atmosphere and getting to know the other passengers. Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in doing a cruise and would do it again in a heartbeat.