Main River Cruises

The Main river flows through the heart of Germany from modern, densely populated Mainz to more traditional medieval Bavarian towns lined with lovely forests and small towns and dotted with hilltop castles and churches.  Choose from 1,565 river cruises along the Main river travelling with Europe's leading river cruise lines.

Quick Search Search 1,565 river cruise Departures along the Main river

Popular River Cruises View all

6 Days Frankfurt to Nuremberg

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 2,814
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8 Days Frankfurt to Prague

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 3,463
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8 Days Prague to Frankfurt

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 3,463
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8 Days Frankfurt to Nuremberg

Operator: Uniworld River Cruises

From 3,869
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The Main River

Map of the Main River

Where does the Main River start & finish?

The Main River originates from two sources: the Red Main and the White Main, which merge near the town of Kulmbach in Germany. The river flows westward, ultimately joining the Rhine River at the city of Mainz. The Main spans a total length of approximately 525 km's (326 miles).

Architectural Timeline

Cruising the Main River offers a journey through architectural history. From the medieval structures in Bamberg to the modern skyscrapers of Frankfurt, you'll witness an evolving skyline as you sail along.

Beer & Smoked Fish

The Main passes through Bamberg, known for its smoked beer (Rauchbier) and smoked fish. Many cruises offer culinary excursions that give you a taste of these local specialities, something some of us might pass on!

Art & Culture in Würzburg

This city along the Main is home to the Würzburg Residenz, a baroque palace with the world's largest ceiling fresco. An excursion here is often a highlight, offering a glimpse into the opulence of 18th-century German nobility.

Popular starting ports for cruising the Main River

Frankfurt and Nuremberg serve as popular points of departure or arrival for a Main River cruise.

From the North Sea to the Black Sea

The Main River is that it is part of the Main-Danube Canal system, which makes it possible to travel by river from the North Sea to the Black Sea. What's surprising is that this ambitious idea dates back to Charlemagne in the early 9th century. The modern canal was only completed in 1992, fulfilling a concept that was over a thousand years in the making.

River Cruise Operators on the Main RiverFeatured Operators View all

Amadeus
Why pay for other people’s drinks? Why pay for shore excursions that don’t interest you? Family-owned Amadeus has spent 40-years' perfecting the balance...more without compromising quality. Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, but not during the day. Only pay for the shore excursions you want. Book an excursion package in advance for a discount or book individual excursions as you go. Gourmet dining, wi-fi, bottled water in cabins and of course one of the most luxurious five-star fleets on the European waterways. To quote a regular repeat guest “Amadeus are fantastic. A really great product and the crew are all so beautiful”. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Main Rivers6
Budget:Premium
Known For:Austrian Heritage
Fleet Size:10
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.
Main Rivers28
Budget:Luxury
Known For:Luxury Cruising
Fleet Size:9
Avalon
One of our favourite sayings that describes Avalon Waterways is ‘the possibilities are as wide open as the views’. From Europe to the Galapagos and Asia,...more you can cruise in relaxed luxury with Avalon Waterways, with choices as unique as you. Avalon offers you a range of choices from excursions, dining options, activities that help you tailor your experience. Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Main Rivers96
Budget:Premium
Known For:Panorama Suites
Fleet Size:16

Discover Must Do Experiences and Highlights

Miltenberg

Miltenberg

Step into a storybook and journey through rich medieval history with a visit to Gothic St. Jakobus Church, Miltenberg Castle with its panoramic views, or Miltenberg's vibrant Market Square.

Würzburg

Würzburg

Marvel at iconic landmarks such as Marienberg Fortress with its sweeping city vistas or UNESCO-listed Würzburg Residence. Perhaps even sample a drop of vintage from the surrounding Franconian wine region.

Rothenburg

Rothenburg

With its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, Rothenberg is a Bavarian medieval gem. Visit the Crime Museum, or explore the Marktplatz, Gothic town hall and iconic clock tower.

Bamberg

Bamberg

Visit Bamberg's Old Town Hall and find yourself in the middle of a bridge! Admire the fusion of architecture at Bamberg Cathedral, or wet your whistle with some 'Rauchbier' - a smoke-flavoured beer.

Nuremberg

Nuremberg

Integral to our modern history, Zeppelin Field and the Palace of Justice are some noteworthy WWII sites to visit during your time in Nuremberg. Or choose to explore more medieval marvels at Nuremberg Castle.

Latest Reviews What our clients are saying about their journeys along the Main river

Budapest to Amsterdam   , VIC, Australia, Dec 2024
This was our first river cruise and will definitely not be the last . Travel Marvel was exceptional prior to our trip keeping us informed about any changes and were very informative about any queries we had . The trip was next level in every aspect from the crew to the rooms to the dining experiences. Plenty of excursions and experiences to keep you ...read more constantly occupied. Will definitely recommend to anyone thinking of doing a river cruise. All aspects of our time on the cruise was at 5 star rating,absolutely brilliant.
Jewels of Europe - Spectacular river cruise     , WA, Australia, Nov 2024
Wow, what an amazing river cruise! Scenic have again exceeded all expectations. Every crew member on board Scenic Crystal had a smile and a 'Good morning' every day. No request was too much trouble. Also of course was the amazing food, drinks, fantastic entertainment, stunning scenery and a vast choice of optional tours at every port, all of which ...read more are included in the price! This was my second river cruise with Scenic this year and I have another booked to Northern France in April 2026 and I cannot wait! I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Hannah Campbell of Global Journeys for organising these trips. Her unwavering assistance has been invaluable. Despite the time difference between our States, Hannah has always answered my queries promptly. I would highly recommend both Global Journeys and Scenic to anyone considering river cruising.
Wonderful River Cruise     , NSW, Australia, Nov 2024
Our cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in early November was above all our expectations. The Emerald Destiny and all its facilities were very good but the hospitality was outstanding. The attention and kindness of all staff members was amazing. The gourmet food was delicious and the food and wine reflected the area we were cruising through. The excursions ...read more were all interesting and very accessible. There were more active options for the fitter cruisers but also special guides for the slower among us. The onboard entertainment was also varied and delightful and we were lucky enough to find ourselves with a wonderful group of fellow travellers with which to share our journey. I would not hesitate to recommend Emerald Cruises.
European Gems - Paris to Budapest   , QLD, Australia, Nov 2024
I could not recommend this cruise enough. The staff were amazing with nothing we asked was too much for them to handle. they were professional, courteous and spoke excellent English meaning nothing got lost in translation. All guides and tours were professionally managed and went into details about the towns and site we passed by. This is definetly ...read more a trip I would do again.