The Prices of River Cruises to Europe
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There's a certain charm in seeing everything from the water. River cruises in Europe offer the perfect mix of serenity and excitement, taking you to fascinating cities, towns, and natural landmarks, all while you relax and enjoy the journey. From breathtaking views to captivating history, these cruises give you a front-row seat to the beauty of each stop, without ever having to lift your luggage.
In this article, we'll break down the costs of river cruises in Europe, highlight the best cruises available, and guide you through the most popular routes that make these tours such an unforgettable experience. We've analyzed a variety of options to find the best value for your river cruise, comparing prices, destinations, and amenities. Ready to set sail? Your next adventure is waiting!
Why does Europe appeal to river cruise passengers?
River cruises in Europe appeal to travelers for their relaxed pace, scenic views, and access to culturally rich, often less-touristed destinations. Rome, Istanbul, and Paris offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Rome is known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. Rome, Istanbul, and Paris are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. With easy, all-inclusive travel arrangements and immersive stops in culturally rich areas, river cruises provide a convenient and enriching way to explore multiple regions in comfort and style.
How much do River Cruises in Europe cost?
The average price per day for river cruises in Europe is $396, based on our analysis of 261 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $129 to $1,759 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $209 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $595 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Cruises in Europe
Budget-Friendly Cruises
Budget-friendly and affordable river cruises in Europe average $209 per day, with daily prices from $129 to $278. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Christmas and New Year Rhine cruise: Dusseldorf - Dusseldorf - MS Crucevita 4*sup here.
Mid-Range Cruises
For typical river cruises in Europe that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $385 per day. Daily prices range from $279 to $491. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Burgundy & Provence (2026) (Lyon to Arles, 2026).
Luxury Cruises
Luxury river cruises in Europe average around $385 per day, with daily costs ranging from $492 to $1,759. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Paris to Normandy 2026.
Which tour companies offer river cruises?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer river cruises in Europe. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
CroisiEurope River Cruises
Focusing on river cruise tours through France, Germany, Cambodia, and Vietnam, CroisiEurope River Cruises is a well established tour provider. Most participants on their tours are adults and their tours range in length from 2 days to 3 weeks. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers.
See All Tours from CroisiEurope River Cruises
Avalon Waterways
Focusing on river cruise tours through Germany, France, Hungary, and the Netherlands, Avalon Waterways is a well established tour provider. Most participants on their tours are adults and their tours range in length from 5 days to 4 weeks. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Most of the tours provided by Avalon Waterways are high-end and luxurious with a top-tier level of service.
See All Tours from Avalon Waterways
DCS Touristik
DCS Touristik offers local river cruise tours through Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and others. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 3 days to 12 days. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings.
See All Tours from DCS Touristik
UTracks
UTracks is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Italy, France, Spain, and Great Britain. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category.
River Cruise Destinations in Europe
Wondering where river cruise tours visit in Europe? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. It's divided into two section, Buda, and Pest, which are separated by the Danube River and connected by the Chain Bridge. The Buda side is the hilly side. There's a funicular that runs up to the top of Castle Hill. The Pest side is flat with promenades and beautiful architecture. It also has a lively nightlife.
Set against the river, the city has beautiful buildings and nice parks.
Vienna
Vienna is the capital of Austria and its beautifully situated on the Danube River. It's an artistic city that has a long history of classical music including being home to such renowned musicians as Mozart and Beethoven. The city has many palaces and beautiful architecture.
The city has beautiful Baroque architecture and a livable atmosphere.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands and it is filled with canals and narrow row houses. The city is famous for its party-hard atmosphere, but it's also rich in history and culture. There are many famous museums, including the world renowned Rijksmuseum. Cycling is a huge part of the Dutch culture and you'll see bikers commuting everywhere in the city.
With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.
Cologne
Cologne is a city that combines both modern and historic features in a very compatible and fun style. From the impressive Cologne Cathedral to the many museums and outdoor spaces along the river, Cologne offers something for everyone. The city is also well connected to the rest of Germany and Europe with a very popular train station right in the heart of town.
You'll be greeted by the intricately designed Cologne Cathedral as you leave the train station. Old Town spreads out from this square and although many areas have been rebuilt, there city still offers a fascinating beauty.
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Other popular destinations for river cruise tours through Europe include Passau, Rudesheim am Rhein, Melk, Regensburg, and Mannheim.
Which is cheaper?
Is it cheaper to plan your own trip or join guided river cruises? The answer isn't clear-cut. Tours typically package accommodations, transportation, meals, entry fees, and activities into one price, whereas independent travelers must arrange and pay for these themselves. To understand the cost difference, compare the tour's price with the cost of booking everything individually. Depending on whether you choose budget-friendly options or splurge on certain aspects, the tour might be a better deal—or not. Make sure to check what's included before drawing conclusions.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
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