Jump to: Best Tours | Tour Prices
Sailing down a river offers a perspective you just can't get from the ground. River cruises in Germany give you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the journey as you pass by charming villages, historical landmarks, and spectacular landscapes. From cultural gems to natural wonders, these cruises let you experience Germany in a whole new way, all while you sit back and unwind.
In this article, we'll break down the costs of river cruises in Germany, share the top cruise options, and highlight the must-see routes that make these tours an unforgettable travel experience. We've taken the time to analyze a wide range of cruises, comparing prices, quality, destinations, and included amenities to bring you the best value. So, whether you're a first-time cruiser or an experienced traveler, let the river guide you on your next adventure!
River cruises in Germany appeal to travelers for their relaxed pace, scenic views, and access to culturally rich, often less-touristed destinations. Berlin, Nuremberg, and Würzburg offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Heidelberg is known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Baden-Baden, Munich, and Berlin 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.
The average price per day for river cruises in Germany is $318, based on our analysis of 114 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $117 to $889 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $163 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $534 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.
We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.
Budget-friendly and affordable river cruises in Germany average $163 per day, with daily prices from $117 to $198. 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 Moselromantik here.
For typical river cruises in Germany that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $255 per day. Daily prices range from $199 to $325. 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 German Riverscapes from Passau to Trier (Passau - Trier) (12 destinations).
Luxury river cruises in Germany average around $255 per day, with daily costs ranging from $329 to $889. 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 German Riverscapes from Trier to Passau (Trier - Passau) (9 destinations).
A number of fantastic tour companies offer river cruises in Germany. 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.
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
A-ROSA offers local river cruise tours through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and others. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 5 days to 3 weeks. 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.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is a large company with a focus on river cruise tours through Germany, Austria, Hungary, and France. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 8 days to 3 weeks. The tours offered by Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection are usually luxurious, high-end, and provide a top-tier level of service.
See All Tours from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
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
Wondering where river cruise tours visit in Germany? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Sitting at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, Koblenz makes a great base for exploring the region. It's a popular stop off for river cruises, and there is a charming old town to explore. Koblenz falls somewhere between a city and a town, and it has a number of good restaurants and decent public transportation for visitors. It's also famous for the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which looks out over the city from the hilltop.
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.
Mainz is a scenic city that sits along the Rhine Rivers. It has a charming old town with many half-timbered houses and historic town squares. It makes a great base for exploring the many towns along the Rhine Rivers.
Located on the Rhine River, the town is filled with history and charm.
Nuremberg is a favorite stop for travelers to Germany. The city is rich in history and it has a charming old town with fascinating museums. There's also an excellent nightlife scene. In particular, Christmas is a great time to visit because the city hosts world famous Christmas markets.
The city is filled with history and beautiful architecture, making it a very rewarding place to explore. There are beautiful buildings and a great mix of old and new.
Other popular destinations for river cruise tours through Germany include Rudesheim am Rhein, Passau, Regensburg, Breisach, and Mannheim.
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.
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best Historical Tours in Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours in Germany, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Germany, The Best 3-Day Tours in Germany, The Best 2-Week Tours in Germany, The Best Bicycle Tours in Germany, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Germany, The Best Oktoberfest Tours in Germany, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Germany, The Best Christmas Market Tours in Germany, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Eco Tours in Germany, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in Germany, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Germany, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best Music Tours in Germany, The Best Photography Tours in Germany, The Best Camping Tours in Germany, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Self Drive Tours in Germany, The Best Nightlife Tours in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, The Best Mountain Biking Tours in Germany, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Germany, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, or The Best Tours for Seniors to Germany for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Munich, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cologne, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Munich, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Frankfurt-am-Main, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Passau, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Nuremberg, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilshofen an der Donau, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Oberstdorf, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Trier, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Prien am Chiemsee, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mainz, The Best 10-Day Tours from Munich, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Nuremberg, The Best 10-Day Tours from Frankfurt-am-Main, The Best 10-Day Tours from Cologne, The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin, The Best 2-Week Tours from Munich, The Best 2-Week Tours from Frankfurt-am-Main, The Best 2-Week Tours from Nuremberg, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Passau for more package tour options.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.