river rhine cruise berlin

Rhine river cruises

Discover a world of fairy tale landscapes and historical backdrops along the Rhine River.

• destinations
• central europe
• rhine river
• Previous page

Explore the delights of the Rhine River

Sail on a voyage of discovery on board a Rhine river cruise and unveil gems such as the Black Forest and the cultural mecca of Amsterdam. A mesmerizing route through mainland Europe, the Rhine offers an abundance of unique charm to lose yourself in.

Uncover the jewels of the Rhine

A world of experiences

Enlightening experiences await on your Rhine river cruise. Journey from the Netherlands and through the heart of Germany, along the eastern border of France into the north of Switzerland, enjoying all the sights on the way.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Marksburg Castle, Germany

Discover the Rhine River

Embrace and celebrate european flair.

Tasty sweets and hearty meats

Fairy tale landscapes

The beauty of nature

Featured  Itineraries

Jewels of the Rhine

Discover Europe’s most popular river cruises

The Majestic Rhine

Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards

Splendours of Europe

Jewels of the Rhine & Lucerne - Zurich

The Majestic Rhine & Berlin

Amsterdam & Jewels of the Rhine

Berlin to Zurich & The Majestic Rhine

Your guide to Europe river cruising

Our featured blogs.

The top 6 cities on the Rhine River

There are many beautiful cities, towns, and villages along the banks of Rhine. Discover the top six cities to visit on your luxury river cruise.

The history of Riesling wine

Discover the history and origins of Germany’s favorite grape variety and uncover the Riesling wine-producing regions of Europe.

How the Rhine Gorge became one of the most romantic places in the world

The Rhine Gorge is synonymous with romance. Find out how it gained this famed reputation.

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Tickets for Boat tours & Spree cruises

Discover Berlin by boat

Tickets for Spree cruises by Reederei Winkler

1-hour boat tour in Berlin on the river Spree

Classic city tour: Discover the historical & modern Berlin

from €21.00 1hr Tour

• 1-hour boat tour on the river Spree
• Discover historical & modern Berlin highlights
• Daily tours from Friedrichstraße/Tränenpalast

Tickets & dates

2.5 hours sightseeing city-tour by boat

The New City-Tour from Friedrichstraße

from €28.00 2.5hrs-Tour

• 2,5 hours city tour along famous sights
• Discover Berlin by Boat
• Departure from Friedrichstraße

3.75 hours boat-cruise along the Spree & Landwehrkanal

A grand city-tour in Berlin from Friedrichstraße

from €30.00 3.75hrs-Tour

• 3.75-hour boat tour on the Spree & Landwehrkanal
• Discover famous sights, bridges & buildings
• Tours from Friedrichstraße/Tränenpalast

1-stündige Schiffstour am Abend im Herzen von Berlin

Berlin mit der Saturday Night Schiffstour erleben

ab 22,00 € 1h Tour

• 1-stündige abendliche Schiffsrundfahrt auf der Spree
• Berlin-Highlights mit dem Schiff entdecken
• Jeden Samstag ab Friedrichstraße

2.5-hour evening boat trip on the river Spree

Evening city tour through historic & modern Berlin

from €30.00 2,5 hours

• 2.5-hour boat tour along famous sights
• Experience Berlin in the evening
• Starting from Charlottenburg / Schlossbrücke

Popular Boat trips by Stern und Kreisschiffahrt in Berlin

1-Hour City Tour by Boat in Berlin

Discover the historic city and famous sights of Berlin

from €21.90 Guaranteed Seats

• An ideal sightseeing experience for the whole family
• From Museum Island, Nikolai Quarter to Victory Column
• Enjoy Berlin comfortably from the water

2.25 hours city-sightseeing boat-tour in Berlin

Sightseeing-Tour by boat from Friedrichstraße

from €28.90 2.25hrs Tour

• 2.25 hours city tour along the most beautiful sights
• On an expedition through Berlin with the whole family
• Daily departures from Friedrichstraße

Evening city-tour by boat

Evening tour by boat from Friedrichstraße

from €29.90 2.25hrs Tour

• 2.5 hours evening city tour
• Discover famous sights of Berlin

2-hour boat cruise along the Havel lakes

Enjoy the impressive island landscape

from €18.90 2 hours

• 2-hours boat tour for the whole family
• Explore the beautiful landscape north of Berlin
• Tours from Greenwichpromenade Berlin-Tegel

• Discover world heritage sites from the water

Cecielienhof Palace - Peacock Island - Flatow Tower

from €21.90 3 hours

• 3-hour boat tour from Wannsee to Potsdam
• Cecilienhof Palace to Babelsberg Palace

Spree cruise to the Müggelsee

3-hour boat trip to the biggest lake in Berlin

from €21.90 3hrs Tour

• 3-hour boat tour to Müggelsee lake
• A fantastic roundtrip by boat
• Explore the water sports paradise Müggelsee

7 Lakes Boat Tour from Wannsee

2-hour round trip along the southwestern Havel lakes

from €18.90 2hrs Tour

• 2-hour boat tour along the Havel lakes
• Picturesque nature and impressive buildings
• Boarding and disembarking at various stops possible

Berlin bridge cruise boat tour

3.25 hours sightseeing river cruise in Berlin

from €32.90 3.25hrs Tour

• 3.25 hours exploring Berlin on the river Spree
• Discover the most beautiful sights
• Departures from Berlin Jannowitzbrücke

Tickets for boat trips by BWSG in Berlin

Berlin from the Spree River: 1-Hour City Tour by Boat

Discover Berlin from a new perspective

from €22.00 1h Tour

• 60 minutes boat trip on the Spree
• Discover the old and new Berlin by boat
• Daily departure from Alte Börse/Hackescher Markt

East Side Tour Berlin: 2.5-hour boat cruise

Along the history of Berlin by boat

from €30.00 2.5hrs Tour

• 2.5 hours round trip on the river Spree along historic places
• A sightseeing tour through the eastern part of Berlin
• Daily departures from Hackescher Markt

Tickets for boat tours on the river Spree with "Seminarschiff"

Boat trip with lounge atmosphere

2,5-hour boat trip from Alt-Moabit

from €32.00 every saturday

• 2,5-hour round trip by boat 
• Discover Berlin highlights from the water
• Every Saturday from Alt-Moabit

Romantic moonlight cruise in Berlin

Experience a unique moment by boat

from €32.00 per person

• A special cruise with relaxing music
• Delicious wine and cheese specialties
• Enjoy Berlin together in the moonlight

Would you like to explore Berlin by boat?

Just enjoy this fascinating metropolis in a relaxed way from the water. These popular boat tours will take you along most of the city's most beautiful sights and famous places. By using the audio guide you will find out interesting and exciting stories about the various attractions and sights along the offered tours. We have compiled an overview of popular sightseeing boat tours in Berlin for you.

Ahoy! River cruises in Berlin - City sightseeing tours from a new perspective

Whether you are looking for a romantic evening river cruise on the Spree, a short sightseeing tour of Berlin city centre or a flexible Hop On Hop Off sightseeing cruise - here you will recommended boat tours. While on the boat, the on-board kitchens offer drinks, snacks and cakes. Here you will find tickets for popular boat tours in Berlin. Just select the tour you would like to join and discover Berlin.

Berlin's official tourist ticket

• Free public transport in Berlin
• Choose from many attractions - savings up to 50%
• Free City Guidebook – including map

More than 15m sold tickets

More about the Berlin WelcomeCard

Your booking advantages on visitBerlin.de

• Best price guarantee for your city break in Berlin
• Secure booking on Berlin’s official travel portal
• Travel offers & deals at selected hotels
• Qualified travel consultants with over 20 years experience
• Free cancellation for the majority of services
• American Express

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Which ticket is right for you?

Tickets for the museums & exhibitions in Berlin

3-Day-Ticket for free entrance to 30 museums incl. Museum Island

Berliner Museumspass

Discover popular sights in Berlin

Tickets for attractions in Berlin

Rhine River Cruises A river of myth & legend

Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time (2025)

Brussels to Amsterdam | 8 days

You’ll find an ideal mix of old and new, historic and modern, in some of Europe’s liveliest cities on this journey. Spend time in Amsterdam and Maastricht, allowing you to discover great...

Ship: S.S. Victoria

Countries: Belgium, Netherlands

River: Rhine

4.6 /5 (81 reviews)

From $4,679 per person

Learn more Get a Quote

Castles along The Rhine (2024)

Basel to Amsterdam | 8 days

Cruise along the Rhine—Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to...

Ships: River Queen, S.S. Antoinette, S.S. Victoria

Countries: France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland

4.7 /5 (1865 reviews)

From $2,599 per person

Castles along The Rhine (2025)

Ships: S.S. Antoinette, S.S. Elisabeth, S.S. Victoria

From $3,149 per person

Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland (2025)

Amsterdam to Basel | 11 days

Dive deep into the region’s culture, natural wonders, traditions and historical significance in a one-of-a-kind experience along the Rhine. Delve into the region’s world-renowned museums. ...

Ship: S.S. Antoinette

4.6 /5 (273 reviews)

From $3,779 per person

Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland (2024)

Ship: River Queen

From $3,999 per person

Ultimate European Journey (2024)

Amsterdam to Bucharest | 25 days

Prepare for the cruise of a lifetime as you travel the length of Europe through eight nations, exploring wonders of the Old World and the New, the East and the West.

Sail the romantic Rhine, the...

Ship: S.S. Beatrice

Countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Netherlands

Rivers: Danube, Main, Rhine

4.5 /5 (80 reviews)

From $14,899 per person

European Jewels (2025)

Budapest to Amsterdam | 15 days

From exotic Budapest, “Queen of the Danube,” to imperial Vienna, “City of Waltzes,” to the sky-high spires of Cologne’s Gothic cathedral—centuries of intriguing...

Ships: River Duchess, River Princess

Countries: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands

4.6 /5 (544 reviews)

From $5,849 per person

Ultimate European Journey (2025)

Amsterdam to Bucharest | 24 days

From $9,179 per person

Rhine Holiday Markets (2024)

Basel to Cologne | 8 days

Discover the roots of our Christmas traditions as you explore some of Europe’s most charming towns. Browse for unique ornaments in Basel’s Christmas Market. Sip vin chaud as you stroll to ...

Countries: France, Germany, Switzerland

4.4 /5 (134 reviews)

From $4,299 per person

Rhine Holiday Markets (2025)

Ships: S.S. Antoinette, S.S. Elisabeth

From $3,059 per person

Classic Christmas Markets (2024)

Nuremberg to Frankfurt | 8 days

Discover villages with fairytale houses and a friendly, festive atmosphere. Share traditional holiday goodies with the people who made them. Watch as modern children abandon their usual electronics...

Ships: River Princess, River Queen

Country: Germany

Rivers: Main, Rhine

4.2 /5 (131 reviews)

From $3,699 per person

Classic Christmas Markets (2025)

Ship: River Duchess

From $3,329 per person

European Jewels (2024)

Budapest to Amsterdam | 16 days

From $5,499 per person

Rhine River Valley (2024)

Nuremberg to Basel | 8 days

Immerse yourself in history as you stroll through beautifully preserved medieval towns and a stunning imperial palace. Sample the fruits of the Rhine’s famously excellent wineries and enjoy...

Ship: River Princess

Countries: Germany, France, Switzerland

3.7 /5 (15 reviews)

From $2,299 per person

Rhine, Moselle & Belgium Grand Discovery (2025)

Basel to Brussels | 15 days

Soak in as much of Central Europe’s fantastic cities and culture as possible in just two weeks. Snack on classic Dutch treats in the Netherlands, enjoy the fruits of Germany’s excellent...

Countries: Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland

Rivers: Moselle, Rhine

From $8,549 per person

Zurich & the Rhine River Valley (2024)

Nuremberg to Zurich | 10 days

4.4 /5 (18 reviews)

From $3,099 per person

Dutch & Belgian Holiday Celebration (2025)

Brussels to Amsterdam | 11 days

Enjoy sweet treats as you indulge in the wintertime festivities of Belgian towns, where the Christmas markets are often elaborate festivals complete with ice rinks and Ferris wheels. Warm your hands...

From $6,299 per person

Magnificent Moselle & Rhine (2024)

Frankfurt to Frankfurt | 10 days

Uncover the best-kept secret in river cruising, the Moselle, as you sail past some of Europe’s most serene and vineyard-lined landscapes. Explore Cochem’s castle-dotted hillsides. See ...

Countries: Germany, Luxembourg

4.7 /5 (29 reviews)

Tulips & Windmills (2025)

Amsterdam to Antwerp | 10 days

From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the ...

4.6 /5 (231 reviews)

From $3,599 per person

Grand Central Europe (2024)

Vienna to Basel | 15 days

Begin your journey in the picturesque city of Basel and end in imperial Vienna, two showstopping destinations to highlight your cruise. Along the way, you’ll cruise through 3 different...

Countries: Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria

Rivers: Danube, Rhine

4.7 /5 (17 reviews)

From $7,099 per person

Grand Central Europe & Zurich (2024)

Zurich to Vienna | 17 days

Cruise between the picturesque city of Basel and imperial Vienna. Along the way, you’ll cruise through 3 different rivers—the Rhine, Main and Danube—to visit Switzerland, France,...

4.2 /5 (6 reviews)

From $7,899 per person

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Berlin to Zurich & The Majestic Rhine

• River Cruise
• Fully Guided

Places You’ll See

• Day 1 Berlin
• Day 2 Berlin
• Day 3 Berlin - Frankfurt - Mainz
• Day 4 Rüdesheim
• Day 5 Koblenz
• Day 6 Ludwigshafen – Heidelberg
• Day 7 Rastatt – Baden-Baden
• Day 8 Kehl – Strasbourg
• Day 9 Breisach – Colmar
• Day 10 Basel – Lucerne
• Day 11 Lucerne
• Day 12 Lucerne – Zurich
• Day 13 Zurich

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Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Emerald cruises ship.

Reviews About This Operator

• Tour Operator Emerald Cruises 4.4
• Yuri · 24th August 2023 Excellent! The best tour guide was a lady in Bratislave, and above all Petr in Prague
• Louis · 11th August 2023 The program in the Emerald ship was magnificently planned and discussed. The local music during the cruise was so... Show more
• Mark · 25th April 2023 It was not excellent but good…entertainment lacked they had a girl singing that was one of the bartenders and some... Show more

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• September 2025
• Flight deal Sunday 20 Apr, 2025 Friday 2 May, 2025 English Multiple Room Types Emerald Sky €9,236 0% Interest Instalments Book Online Hold space for 48h
• Flight deal Sunday 4 May, 2025 Friday 16 May, 2025 English Multiple Room Types Emerald Sky €10,196 0% Interest Instalments Book Online Hold space for 48h
• Flight deal Friday 5 Sep, 2025 Wednesday 17 Sep, 2025 English Multiple Room Types Emerald Sky €10,196 0% Interest Instalments Book Online Hold space for 48h

Frequently Asked Questions

We are there for you! If you have any questions about this tour, then please don't hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you latest within 2 hours!

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Good to Know

• Currencies € Euro France and Germany Fr. Swiss Franc Switzerland

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, J.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Germany and Switzerland. Ideally 6 months before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 29th July 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 29th July 2024, a minimum payment of €500 is required to confirm your booking with Emerald Cruises. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 95 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• The following cards are accepted for "Emerald Cruises" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Rhine river cruises

Discover a world of fairy tale landscapes and historical backdrops along the Rhine River.

• destinations
• central europe
• rhine river
• Previous page

Explore the delights of the Rhine River

Sail on a voyage of discovery on board a Rhine river cruise and unveil gems such as the Black Forest and the cultural Meccah of Amsterdam. A mesmerizing route through mainland Europe, the Rhine offers an abundance of unique charm to lose yourself in.

Uncover the jewels of the Rhine

A world of experiences

Enlightening experiences await on your Rhine river cruise. Journey from the Netherlands and through the heart of Germany, along the eastern border of France and into the north of Switzerland, enjoying all the sights on the way.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Rhine Gorge, Germany

Marksburg Castle, Germany

Alsace, France

Discover the Rhine River

Embrace and celebrate european flair.

Tasty sweets and hearty meats

Fairy tale landscapes

The beauty of nature

Featured Itineraries

Seek inspiration from our most popular itineraries to start planning your unforgettable voyage. Explore our latest Rhine river cruises offers today.

Amsterdam to Bucharest - Discover the Rhine, Main & Danube

Discover Europe’s most popular river cruises

The Majestic Rhine

Jewels of the Rhine

Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards

Splendours of Europe

Zurich - Lucerne & Jewels of the Rhine

Berlin & The Majestic Rhine

Amsterdam & Jewels of the Rhine

Your guide to Europe river cruising

Stay up to date and be inspired.

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River Cruises in Germany

With sixteen very different states - known locally as “Länder” - the Federal Republic (Bundesrepublik) of Germany is a country of dramatic variations. From towering Alpine peaks and glaciers to dense forests, lush vineyards, national parks and majestic rivers such as the Rhine, Danube, and Elbe, its shifting landscapes are endlessly beautiful and fascinating.

Although our perceptions of Germany may be dominated by the two World Wars of the 20th century, its national identity and culture have also been shaped by other huge historical events – the Holy Roman Empire, the Protestant Reformation, the Habsburg Monarchy and the Kingdom of Prussia to name but a few. After the end of the Second World War in 1945, the country was divided by allied occupation into two separate states, East and West Germany. Only in 1990 was the country reunified, after seismic shifts in the former Eastern Bloc and the fall of the Berlin Wall that had come to symbolize the Iron Curtain.

Today, with more than eighty million inhabitants, Germany has the highest population in the European Union. The world's fourth largest economy and its second largest exporter, it’s once again the major economic and political power on the European scene.

But Germany is also a historic leader in many cultural, artistic and technical fields. The home of countless influential philosophers, composers, painters, scientists, and inventors, it’s often been referred to as “Das Land der Dichter und Denker” (the land of poets and thinkers) thanks to the huge contribution that its famous sons and daughters have made to Western thought and culture. For most of the 20th century, Germany had more Nobel Prize winners than those of any other country, especially in the sciences and medicine: Albert Einstein, Hans Geiger, Gottlieb Daimler, Rudolf Diesel and Karl Benz for starters. Where would our musical heritage be without Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Wagner, and Strauss? How much duller would generations of children’s bedtime stories have been without the Brothers Grimm and where would our best libraries be without Goethe, Schiller and Thomas Mann? From philosophy and poetry to physics and painting, Germany’s mark on the world is huge and undeniable.

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River cruises from Berlin, Germany 2024

A river cruise in Germany might take you along the Rhine, Danube, or Elbe, or through the picturesque Main and Moselle wine regions. If you want to explore more of Germany and experience everything it has to offer, these are your best bets. Finding a suitable spot to stay while also seeing many of...

Cruise Lines departing from Berlin

Cruise lines departing from Berlin include

River cruises departing from Berlin can sail on the

Duration of the Berlin cruises

The duration of river cruises departing from Amsterdam can be a

The best time of year for Berlin river cruises

European river cruising generally runs from March through December; however, the months of late spring (April–May) and early fall (September–October) are considered to be the finest times to take a Havel river cruise. In the end, it all depends on the time of year you choose to explore the banks of the Havel. So, you will find river cruises departing from Berlin in and any month you choose, you won't go wrong.

2024 Berlin River Cruise Schedule

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Germany holidays on Cruiser boat or Penichette boat

Follow the links below for guides to boating holidays in Germany . Cruiser boats and penichette boats are available in the Brandenberg and Mecklenberg areas, river cruise ships operate on the River Rhine, River Mosel and River Danube.

Cruiser Boat Holidays in Germany

We offer over 200 hire boats for German boating holidays. Choose your size of boat from 2-12 people, its level of luxury, and the steering position. Choose cruiser boats in the rural unspoilt areas of Germany on lakes where the water is clear and the air is pure, or around Berlin. See the cruiser boat holiday guide to Germany

Penichette Boating Holidays in Germany

Cruise Germany's waterways to Berlin and around the rural lakes of Mecklenburg and Brandenburg with a choice of distinctive French built Penichette self-drive boats. One-way trips in Mecklenburg are available, and Fishing Packs are offered on the fish-filled unspoilt lakes. See the Penichette boat holiday map of Germany

River Cruise Holidays in Germany

Germany has the most famous rivers travelled by river cruise ship. Cruise the River Rhine through the heart of Germany, the amazing Main-Danube Canal, the Danube River to Austria and further, the Mosel, or the Elbe from Berlin and to Prague. River ships offer all facilities and excursions. More about Germany river cruise holidays

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Cruise Germany, Bowers Wharf, Skipton, BD23 2PD, United Kingdom

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Top Rhine River Day-Trip Boat Cruises from Cologne, Bonn, and Düsseldorf

Published on March 18, 2024

by Henk Bekker

in Cologne / Köln , Düsseldorf , Germany , N24 , Rhine / Rhein River , Rhine River , River Cruises

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) offer cheap day trip cruises on riverboats on Rhine River (Rhein) from Cologne, Bonn, and Düsseldorf to Remagen, Linz, and Koblenz.

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) is the best choice for cheap panorama and day-trip cruises on riverboats on the Rhine River ( Rhein ) from Cologne, Bonn, and Düsseldorf in Germany.

© manfredxy / Depositphotos

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD), the largest operator of day cruises and pleasure boats on the Rhine River ( Rhein ) in Germany, offers many roundtrip panorama cruises in both Cologne (Köln) and Düsseldorf. However, most Rhine River day trips and excursion cruises on this section of the Rhine are from Bonn to Linz. Cruises between Cologne and Düsseldorf are fairly rare. Similarly, few boats cruise between Koblenz and Linz. Many more cruises are available in the very scenic and romantic Middle Rhine (Loreley) Valley between Koblenz and Rüdesheim / Bingen, which has very good train connections to Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn, and Frankfurt.

When is the Rhine River Day-Trip Cruise Season?

Rhine River all-day or shorter pleasure boat cruises are generally available from April (or late March if Easter is early) to the end of October. The high season is from late April to early October when more Rhine cruises are operated.

Winter cruises on the Rhine are rare but sightseeing cruises in Cologne (Köln) and Düsseldorf are popular during the Christmas market Advent season with special party cruises popular to greet the New Year.

Online ticket reservations are increasingly possible but often surprisingly cumbersome. It is usually easy to buy tickets from ticket kiosks or when boarding boats. Only special event cruises, which are very popular in both Cologne and Düsseldorf, require advance reservations.

Cruise prices are currently around €17 for one-hour panorama cruises and €25 for two-hour cruises. Cologne to Linz is €58 (€64 return) and Bonn to Linz is €24 (€27 return) — returns are almost free. See also special deals on Rhine River cruises for savings tips.

Sightseeing Cruises on the Rhine River in Cologne / Köln

Cologne (Köln) has the most picturesque city skyline by far of any Rhine River city. Cologne is a popular departure point for round-trip sightseeing cruises, sometimes also referred to as panorama cruises. Roundtrip sightseeing cruises from Cologne are usually around an hour but longer cruises are also available to include coffee breaks, dancing, lunch, and dinner cruises.

Köln-Düsseldorfer ( KD ) has the most cruises (around six departures each day) but other cruise lines such as Kölntourist also offer roundtrip cruises from Cologne. The differences are minimal but in some cases, special discount fares may give one company a price advance.

Rhine River Day Cruises between Cologne (Köln) / Bonn and Linz / Koblenz

Most Rhine pleasure boat excursion cruises in this region are from Bonn to Linz and back. The landscape here includes the Siebengebirge that are somewhat similar to the steep Loreley Valley further upstream. The cruise also goes past many castles and ruins including the Drachenfels, Rolandsbogen, and the remains of the bridge at Remagen. Boats cruising upstream from Bonn to Linz take two hours while the downstream return is only 85 minutes.

During the high season, there is usually one early morning cruise available from Cologne (Köln) to Linz. However, the three hours required from Cologne to Bonn are certainly not spent on the most scenic parts of the Rhine River. Cruises upstream from Linz to Koblenz are currently very rare.

Very frequent trains between Köln Hauptbahnhof (Cologne Main Station) and Bonn take between 15 and 30 minutes. Two trains per hour connect Linz (Rhein) and Cologne (with stops amongst others in Bonn) in an hour. Show the train (or bus) ticket when buying boat tickets – KD usually gives a 20% discount on the cruise. See Deutsche Bahn train schedules online: Cologne to Bonn , Cologne to Linz , Bonn to Linz , and Cologne to Koblenz .

Rhine River Boat Cruising Times between Cologne, Bonn, Linz, and Koblenz

Cruise times according to the standard Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) timetable are as follows:

Town – Left / Right bank – Minutes Upstream (Minutes Downstream)

• Köln / Cologne – L – 55 (35)
• Köln-Porz – R – 45 (25)
• Wesseling – L – 80 (45)
• Bonn – L – 30 (30)
• Bad Godesberg – L – 20 (5)
• Königswinter – R – 20 (15)
• Bad Honnef – R – 20 (15)
• Unkel – R – 10 (10)
• Remagen – L – 30 (10)
• Linz – R – 30 (30)
• Bad Breisig – L – 150 (110)

Cruises between Linz and Koblenz are rare and mostly for repositioning boats or special excursion tours a few times per year. Full Mainz, or even Koblenz, to Cologne day cruises are no longer possible on the standard schedule and timetables. For long cruises, the more sensible choice is by train to Koblenz and then to cruise to Rüdesheim / Bingen (or in the reverse order).

Sightseeing Cruises on the Rhine River from Düsseldorf

© Dudlajzov / Depositphotos

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) has many hour-long sightseeing cruises on the Rhine River from Düsseldorf. Düsseldorf has a decidedly modern skyline and wide curves in the Rhine River make for interesting vistas too. These panorama cruises are easily booked online .

Köln-Düsseldorfer also has occasional day trips from Düsseldorf to Cologne, to medieval Zons, or to Duisburg, the largest inland harbor in Europe. These cruises usually include lunch and time for sightseeing at the destination.

Die Weisse Flotte Düsseldorf also offers panorama cruises in Düsseldorf as well as excursion cruises downriver to Kaiserswerth — a pretty small village with a castle ruin near Düsseldorf Airport.

Day Cruises on the Middle Rhine / Loreley Valley

The most popular section of the Rhine ( Rhein ) River for day trips cruises is the romantic Middle Rhine ( Mittelrhein ) between Rüdesheim / Bingen and Koblenz. The Middle Rhine is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and includes the Loreley Rock, numerous castles, and romantic villages.

Day cruises generally do not go from Cologne to the Loreley Valley. However, very frequent trains from Cologne (Köln) to Bingen take 90 minutes to 2 hours (transfers may be required in Koblenz). Bingen is on the left bank of the Rhine opposite Rüdesheim and a great place to start a Rhine River day cruise of the Loreley Valley. Trains from Koblenz to Cologne take just less than an hour. Trains also stop in most towns along this stretch of the Rhine for travelers preferring shorter cruises.

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) offers many special savings fares on its day cruises on the Middle Rhine (Loreley Valley) that are also valid on cruises from Bonn and Cologne.

More on the Rhine River in Germany

Day-Trip Excursions and Pleasure Cruises on the Rhine River:

• cruise from Rüdesheim ( cruise lines ), Koblenz ( cruise lines ), winter & Christmas
• from Frankfurt — fast trains to the Rhine , or slow boat to the Rhine
• from Mainz and Wiesbaden
• Savings Tips , Best Cruise Lines
• Lower Rhine — Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn to Linz
• Special events: Cruises to Rhine in Flames Fireworks , Christmas and New Year’s Cruises in Cologne , Düsseldorf , Frankfurt , and Rüdesheim
• Moselle River Cruises ( Cochem , Bernkastel-Kues, Trier, Koblenz , Burg Eltz )
• Cruises on the Main River in Frankfurt (or better By Train from Frankfurt to the Best Rhine Cruises )
• Cruises from Worms, Mannheim, Heidelberg (on the Neckar River)
• Cruises from Speyer
• Rhinefalls (Rhine Waterfalls, Schaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, Kreuzlingen) in Switzerland

Tips and Savings on Day-Trip Rhine Cruises

• The best part of the Rhine for day-trip excursion cruises in the Middle Rhine between Rüdesheim / Bingen and Koblenz . See Savings Tips and the Best Cruise Lines cruising in the Loreley Valley.
• Check train times for Germany (and most of Europe) at German Railways .

About the author:

Henk Bekker

Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer with over 20 years of experience writing online. He is particularly interested in history, art, and culture. He has lived most of his adult life in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. In addition to European-Traveler.com , he also owns a travel website on the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland and maintains statistical websites on car sales and classic car auction prices . Henk holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and an MSc in Development Finance from the University of London.

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