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Great Rail Journeys · River cruise

German Christmas Markets of the Rhine

Five-day Rhine cruise from London through German Christmas markets

Illustration of German Christmas Markets of the Rhine

Great Rail Journeys operates this five-day Rhine Christmas cruise, starting with Eurostar from London St Pancars and arriving in Cologne by rail to board MS Amadeus, a luxury river ship. The journey sails through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge, stopping at the wine town of Rüdesheim, the historic confluence city of Koblenz, and Bonn, birthplace of Beethoven, each decorated with Christmas markets. You spend four nights aboard in five-star comfort, enjoying all meals and evening drinks, a gingerbread-making demonstration, a Christmas gala dinner with traditional German or British menu options, and guided tours of Bonn's festive streets and monuments. The cruise is fully escorted and all-inclusive, ideal for couples and luxury travellers who want Christmas cheer without planning logistics.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £300 since 4 Jul, to £899.

£1,199£8994 Jul12 Sep

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is GBP 1,899, significantly higher than half the double rate, reflecting limited cabin availability
  • The itinerary shows onboard entertainment and leisure time; not all days include shore excursions

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Aboard ship, sailing from Cologne

    To our luxurious ship in Cologne

    We meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and travel to Brussels on the Eurostar, continuing by train to Cologne to board our ship with a welcome cocktail. We enjoy our first dinner on board and set sail upstream along the lower Rhine.

  2. Day 2overnight: Aboard ship, Rüdesheim

    Through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim

    We sail through the Rhine Gorge, passing the Lorelei Rock, before arriving in Rüdesheim in the afternoon to explore its Christmas markets and the Drösselgasse.

  3. Day 3overnight: Aboard ship, Koblenz

    To historic Koblenz

    We cruise back through the Rhine Gorge with a gingerbread-making demonstration on board, then arrive in Koblenz with free time to see Deutsches Eck, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress or the Christmas markets, followed by a Christmas-themed gala dinner with a choice of German or British menu.

  4. Day 4overnight: Aboard ship, Cologne

    The cultural cities of Bonn and Cologne

    We sail to Bonn for a guided tour including the Beethoven monument, Hofgarten Park and the minster, plus its Christmas markets, followed by a festive afternoon tea on board. On arrival in Cologne, there is free time to explore its Christmas markets, including the one by the cathedral.

  5. Day 5rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast we disembark and make our way to Cologne railway station, continuing by rail to Brussels and joining the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Sailing through the Rhine Gorge at breakfast, passing the legendary Lorelei Rock rising almost 500 feet from the water
  • Day 3Gingerbread-making demonstration in the ship's lounge while cruising back through the Rhine Gorge
  • Day 4Guided tour of Bonn including the Beethoven monument, Hofgarten Park, and the historic minster church with Christmas markets glowing below

Included

  • Tour Manager/Cruise Director team escorted throughout
  • 4-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara, Riva, Star or Silver II
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First & Standard Class rail options available
  • Eurostar Plus on First Class departures
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • Complimentary luggage service from your home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
  • A superb choice of excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed on more than one site. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £899 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,214 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is all rail travel included?
Yes. The from-price includes Eurostar (Standard or First Class) from London St Pancras to Brussels, train to Cologne, and all coach transfers. First Class rail requires the Eurostar Plus upgrade.
What is included in the cruise?
Four nights onboard MS Amadeus, breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, drinks with dinner, complimentary Wi-Fi, luggage service from home to ship and back (one case per cabin), and a choice of excursions. A gala dinner features traditional German or British menus.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. An experienced Tour Manager meets you at London St Pancras and travels with the group throughout, supported by a Cruise Director onboard.
Which Christmas markets are visited?
The ship stops at Cologne, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, and Bonn. Each has Christmas markets; a guided tour of Bonn's markets and historical sites is included on Day 4.
When does it depart?
Great Rail Journeys operates two departures in 2026: November and December.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance. Beverages other than wines and drinks served with dinner are not included onboard.

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