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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail

Glacier Express & Autumn on the Moselle

Glacier Express and Rhine-Moselle river cruise from London to Cologne

Illustration of Glacier Express & Autumn on the Moselle

Great Rail Journeys combines two of Europe's most celebrated experiences in this 11-day journey from London to Cologne. The trip begins with Eurostar Plus to Paris and First Class rail through the Alps, culminating in a full day aboard the Glacier Express, one of the world's most renowned mountain trains. Travellers spend two nights in Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn, including a journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway to its 10,135-foot summit. The second half is a seven-night cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Cara, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers reveal vineyards, medieval towns, and ancient castles including the Lorelei Rock and the fairytale Drachenburg. Throughout, Great Rail Journeys provides a Tour Manager and Cruise Director, guided excursions to Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, and your choice of Trier or Luxembourg, wine tastings by a Master of Wine, and meals daily. The pace is leisurely, balancing the intensity of alpine rail travel with the contemplative rhythm of river cruising through wine country.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is GBP 6,299 compared to GBP 4,499 for the double rate; confirm current availability as only four departures are listed.
  • Several days offer a choice of excursions (Colmar or Strasbourg on Day 5; wine tasting or Siegfried's Cabinet on Day 6; Trier or Luxembourg on Day 9); final activities depend on your selections.
  • Day 3 and Day 11 include independent dining or free time; not all meals are guided group affairs.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Chur

    Arrival in Chur

    Holiday begins at London St Pancras with Eurostar journey to Paris in Eurostar Plus seats with a light meal. Continue by rail to Chur via Zurich, check in to hotel, time to relax before dinner. Chur is Switzerland's oldest town, backed by mountains with a colourful Old Town, Martinsplatz, 800-year-old cathedral and Bishop's Palace.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    The iconic Glacier Express to Zermatt

    Board the world-renowned Glacier Express after breakfast, travelling in First Class panoramic carriages through mountain ranges, crossing viaducts, tunnels and rising above the clouds. Arrive in the car-free resort town of Zermatt, base for two nights, set beneath the Matterhorn with traditional wooden chalets. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    The beautiful Gornergrat Mountain Railway

    Board the Gornergrat Mountain Railway after breakfast, crossing the Findelbach River and climbing steeply through curved tunnels. Stop at Riffelalp station then continue to the summit of Gornergrat with views over 29 Alps peaks including the Matterhorn. Back in Zermatt, an expert guide reveals the town's connections to the UK including the story of Edward Whymper. Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Strasbourg (onboard)

    To Strasbourg where we board our ship

    Farewell to Zermatt. Journey by First Class rail via Visp and Basel to Strasbourg, then transfer by coach to the harbour. Board the privately chartered MS Amadeus Cara, greeted with a welcome cocktail. Moor overnight in Strasbourg. First dinner onboard with drinks package included.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Rüdesheim (onboard)

    Alsatian charm in Colmar and Strasbourg

    Choice of excursions: visit Colmar with its fairytale half-timbered houses and historic Old Town, or a guided tour of Strasbourg taking in Notre Dame cathedral and La Petite France district. Afternoon free in Strasbourg. Set sail toward Rüdesheim; Master of Wine Conal Gregory delivers a talk and tasting on wines of the Alsace, Rhine and Moselle.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Koblenz (onboard)

    From Rüdesheim through the Rhine Gorge to Koblenz

    Sail into Rüdesheim, famous for white wine. Travel through vineyards aboard a land train. Choice of excursions: wine tasting or visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Leisure time in the Drosselgasse alley. Afternoon sailing through the Rhine Gorge past vineyards, castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive and dock in Koblenz on the Moselle promenade.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Cochem/Bernkastel-Kues (onboard)

    Cochem – the heart of the Moselle wine trade

    Morning cruising along the Rhine with views from the sun deck. After lunch onboard, sail into Cochem with its rolling hills, wooden houses and Reichsburg castle perched on a hill. Guided tour of the charming town with its slender alleys and pastel-coloured buildings. Free time to explore boutiques and wine cellars. Return to ship for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Trier (onboard)

    A tour and wine tasting in Bernkastel-Kues

    Continue cruising the Moselle Valley. Moor at Bernkastel-Kues after lunch. Sightseeing tour of the Old Town with cobblestone streets, traditional half-timbered buildings, Market Square and St. Michael's Fountain. Included wine tasting of the local Bernkasteler Doctor speciality. Evening onboard entertainment.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Koblenz/Königswinter (onboard)

    The ancient city of Trier or fairytale Luxembourg

    Choice of excursions: guided tour of Germany's oldest city Trier (UNESCO World Heritage sites including Porta Nigra, St Peter's Cathedral and Church of Our Lady), or coach trip to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Spectacular Gala dinner onboard in the evening. Set sail downstream along the Moselle toward Koblenz.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10railovernight: Cologne (onboard)

    The Drachenfelsbahn and cultural Cologne

    Morning of relaxed cruising, then arrive in Königswinter. Ride the Drachenfels Cog Railway through forests past the fairytale Drachenburg castle with views across the Rhine-Westphalia region. Continue cruise toward Cologne, admiring the Gothic cathedral and bridges. After dinner, optional wander into the Old Town to sample Kölsch beer.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, disembark and say farewell to the crew. Make way to the railway station and catch the train to London. Tour Manager says goodbye and guests make their own way home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: board the Glacier Express in First Class panoramic carriages, crossing viaducts and tunnels through mountain ranges to arrive in car-free Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn.
  • Day 3Day 3: ascend the Gornergrat Mountain Railway through curved tunnels to the summit at 10,135 feet with views over 29 Alpine peaks including the Matterhorn.
  • Day 6Day 6: sail through the Rhine Gorge past vineyards, castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock.
  • Day 7Day 7: explore Cochem with its Reichsburg castle perched on a hillside overlooking rolling vineyards and wooden chalets.
  • Day 10Day 10: ride the Drachenfels Cog Railway through forests past the fairytale Drachenburg castle with views across the Rhine.

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 3 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Eurostar Plus seats
  • First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar Light Meals
  • Breakfast each day
  • 7 lunches
  • 9 dinners
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
  • Swiss Half Fare Card permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways
  • A superb choice of excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Plus from London to Paris, First Class rail from Paris to Chur via Zurich, the Glacier Express from Chur to Zermatt in First Class panoramic carriages, the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, Swiss Rail from Zermatt to Strasbourg, the Drachenfels Cog Railway, and return Eurostar. A Swiss Half Fare Card is also included for 50% discounts on free days.
Who operates this trip and how is it escorted?
Great Rail Journeys operates this tour as an escorted journey with an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout. You travel with the group on all trains and the river cruise, with guidance on excursions and daily activities.
What accommodation is included?
Three nights in 4-star hotels (one in Chur, two in Zermatt) and seven nights onboard the MS Amadeus Cara river cruise ship, including breakfast daily, seven lunches, and nine dinners. Complimentary luggage service transports one case per cabin from home to the ship and back.
What meals and drinks are included?
Breakfast each day, seven lunches, and nine dinners are included. Onboard the cruise, a drinks package is complimentary with dinner every night. A Master of Wine delivers a talk and tasting on Alsace, Rhine and Moselle wines. Wine tastings are included in Bernkastel-Kues.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers departures in September 2026, August 2027, September 2027, and October 2027. Confirm availability with the operator.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate walking with stairs and slopes. The Gornergrat Mountain Railway reaches 10,135 feet with steep terrain; the Drachenfels Cog Railway ascends through forests. Guided town tours in Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues involve cobblestone streets. Luggage is handled for you during transfers.

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