Rhine River Travel Guide

As any veteran river cruiser will tell you, which riverboat you choose makes all the difference. With the recent surge in the popularity of European river cruises, competition between the main cruise operators has really improved the quality of the itineraries and river ships across the board, so there aren’t any bad options - it just depends on what you’re looking for on your Europe river cruise.

The Main River of southern Germany connects the Danube River to the east with the Rhine River to the northwest. As the Rhine?s largest tributary and the primary artery between two of Europe?s longest rivers, cruises that include the Main River are usually a bit longer - between 7 days and three weeks, crossing central Europe.

Our hand-selected menu of cruises is all-inclusive, with shore excursions, meals, and drinks, and guides all wrapped into what you pay. We have done our best to curate unique cruise experiences for travelers of all interests - from history buffs to active explorers…and everyone else!

Dating back thousands of years, Europe was built on the banks of the rivers, and the Rhine River takes you through the heart of it all, as you travel through central Europe, including Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Once you’ve chosen the Rhine River as your river cruise destination, the next big question is: Which Rhine River cruise should I take?

Late April to early June and September to early October are widely considered the best times to cruise the Rhine River due to ideal weather and crowds, though cruise prices are correspondingly higher during these periods. That said, the decision of when to take a Rhine River cruise is largely a personal preference of weather.

Embark on a Rhine River cruise and explore the top 15 ports, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Cologne, and more!

Situated on the Rhine River in France, just across the border from Germany, the city of Strasbourg is a hub of politics and culture, making a great place to start or end your Rhine River cruise. At the crossroads of Germany and France in the territory formerly known as Alsace, this cosmopolitan city features four bridges that both literally and metaphorically unite a region once engulfed in war.

As travelers cruise down the Rhine River, each day holds new adventures and opportunities to explore central Europe. While there are more than 20 cities and countless destinations that Rhine River cruises visit, these are our favorite ports along the way.