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 4,867 river cruises along the Rhine travelling with the world's leading river cruise lines.

Quick Search Search 4,867 river cruise Departures along the Rhine

Popular River Cruises View all

8 Days Amsterdam to Basel

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 2,413
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8 Days Basel to Amsterdam

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 2,752
Save 1,078

8 Days Amsterdam to Basel

Operator: Uniworld River Cruises

From 3,449
Save 1,691

8 Days Amsterdam to Basel

Operator: Viking River Cruises

From 1,999
Save 1,150

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

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.
Rhine Rivers54
Budget:Premium
Known For:Austrian Heritage
Fleet Size:10
Scenic
With Scenic, it’s more than a 5-star river cruise...it’s a seamless journey from start to finish that places you, our guest, at the heart of everything...more we do. It’s taking you to extraordinary regions and immersing you in meaningful and enriching experiences. It’s exquisite cuisine, indulgent wellness, and a world-class team who will anticipate your every need. You'll find the difference is in the details with Scenic: the innovative ship design, expertly trained crew, immersive journey, and an unrivalled focus on health and safety protocols.
Rhine Rivers405
Budget:Premium & Luxury
Known For:Luxury Cruising
Fleet Size:14
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 Rivers514
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

2025 River Cruise   , VIC, Australia, May 2025
Travelmarvel’s Amsterdam to Budapest was excellent. The ships were very well presented, cabins had good facilities, staff were very friendly and provided great service, quality meals and the tour director on our cruise ( Roland) was excellent. He provided great communications on each days activities, suggestions on extra things to do and was exceptionally ...read more approachable for all passengers. Overall this cruise was great value for money. We couldn’t fault any aspect of the cruise, the staff or the service.
Amazing River Cruise   , VIC, Australia, May 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed our river cruise along the Danube from Amsterdam to Budapest. The cabin was perfect, we met lots of new friends, drank and ate too much - fabulous ship entertainment with Julie and Andy. The weather in May was perfect-not too hot for sightseeing. The crew were excellent and we would definitely travel with Travelmarvel again.
Rhine Cruise     , NSW, Australia, Apr 2025
Our first river cruise and it didn't disappoint. For us, there were no aspects that were less than our expectations. The staff, service, food, and tours were all excellent, and obviously Viking has it down to a fine art. We cruised with a good bunch of people, who, like us, were full of praise for Viking. Many great memories.
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.