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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail Holiday

Glacier Express & the Romantic Rhine

Rhine river cruise and Glacier Express train through four countries in 11 days

Illustration of Glacier Express & the Romantic Rhine

Great Rail Journeys operates an 11-day escorted holiday combining a seven-night river cruise on the Amadeus Amara with the celebrated Glacier Express train. The tour departs London St Pancras on Eurostar and sails the Rhine from Amsterdam through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, stopping in Cologne, Rüdesheim, Heidelberg, and Strasbourg, before continuing by rail into Switzerland. You stay two nights in Zermatt, a four-star alpine resort, and one night in Chur, Switzerland's oldest town. Day 9 includes a ride on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, Switzerland's original electric rack railway, climbing to over 10,000 feet with views across 29 mountaintops including the Matterhorn. The following day you board the Glacier Express in Panoramic class for an eight-hour journey through snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel. Meals are included throughout, with a drinks package on the cruise and a Swiss Half Fare Card providing 50 percent discount on free days. This tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking named famous trains, couples seeking an escorted cruise and alpine experience, and those interested in history, wine, and German and Swiss culture.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is substantially higher than half the double rate (GBP 6,299 versus GBP 2,399.50 per person of the GBP 4,799 double), adding GBP 3,899.50 to a solo traveller's cost.
  • Day 9 in Zermatt includes dinner independently; Great Rail Journeys does not provide that meal.
  • Optional excursions in Amsterdam (Volendam and Edam), Strasbourg (Black Forest), and Rüdesheim (wine tasting or Siegfried's Cabinet) are not included and must be booked and paid separately.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Amsterdam)

    Boarding our luxury ship in Amsterdam

    Holiday begins by meeting the Tour Manager at London St Pancras. Board the Eurostar and head by rail to Amsterdam. On arrival, greeted onboard the ship with a welcome cocktail and time to unwind. First dinner together in the panoramic restaurant accompanied by a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir performance.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing)

    Amsterdam canal boat cruise and optional trip to Volendam

    Breakfast onboard before a sightseeing canal boat cruise of Amsterdam. Optional excursion to Volendam and Edam to uncover their cheese heritage. Later, embark on the first relaxing cruise sailing through the Lower Rhine.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Cologne)

    Exploring the historic city of Cologne

    Sail towards Cologne, arriving around lunchtime. After lunch onboard, embark on a guided tour of the city's squares and Romanesque townhouses. Visit the iconic UNESCO-listed Gothic cathedral, the largest in northern Europe, begun in 1248. Return to ship for dinner moored in Cologne.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing towards Koblenz)

    Riding the scenic Drachenfelsbahn

    Morning of relaxed sailing south along the Rhine, passing through Bonn. After lunch, dock in Königswinter for a trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway, passing Drachenburg Castle to panoramic summit views. Depart Königswinter towards Koblenz, watching for the world's highest cold-water geyser near Andernach.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Rüdesheim)

    Through the magical Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim

    Free time in Koblenz, including a stroll to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. After lunch, drift through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge past vineyards, hilltop castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Dock in Rüdesheim and travel to the centre by land train. Choice of wine tasting or visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Free time to explore Drosselgasse.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing)

    Along the Upper Rhine to Heidelberg and Speyer

    Arrive in Mannheim after breakfast, then journey by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour including the ruined red sandstone castle. Return onboard and sail to Speyer. Explore one of Germany's oldest cities at leisure, including the 11th-century UNESCO-listed cathedral. Dinner onboard ahead of overnight sailing upstream.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing towards Basel)

    Reaching Strasbourg and optional Black Forest excursion

    Sail into Strasbourg. Choice of excursions: a trip into the Black Forest or a city tour of Strasbourg including its cathedral and the UNESCO-listed La Petite France district. Return to ship for lunch and begin final cruise towards Switzerland.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Hotel in Zermatt

    Arrival in Zermatt

    Final breakfast onboard, then disembark in Basel. Continue by rail to the iconic alpine setting of Zermatt. Check in to hotel for two nights. First dinner together in the Swiss mountains.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: Hotel in Zermatt

    Beautiful views on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway

    Breakfast before a heritage train ride on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, Switzerland's original electric rack railway, climbing to over 10,000ft above sea level. Spectacular views of 29 mountaintops including the Matterhorn. Back in Zermatt, a guided tour reveals the resort's surprising connections to the UK. Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10railovernight: Hotel in Chur

    The iconic Glacier Express to Chur

    Board the Glacier Express for a panoramic journey through snow-capped mountains, plunging valleys and dense forests. Pass through the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel after Brig. Enjoy lunch onboard as the train descends towards the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. Arrive in Chur and check in to hotel. Time to explore Switzerland's oldest town before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, bid farewell to Chur. Travel to the railway station and head towards Paris to catch the Eurostar back to London St Pancras, where the holiday concludes.

    Meals: Dinner

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar from London St Pancras to Amsterdam in Plus First Class, followed by welcome cocktail and Dutch sea shanty choir performance onboard the ship.
  • Day 4Ride the Drachenfels Cog Railway from Königswinter past Drachenburg Castle to panoramic summit views over the Rhine-Westphalia region.
  • Day 5Drift through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge past vineyards, hilltop castles, and the legendary Lorelei Rock, docking in Rüdesheim for exploration of Drosselgasse.
  • Day 9Climb Switzerland's original electric rack railway, the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, to over 10,000 feet with spectacular views of 29 mountaintops including the Matterhorn.
  • Day 10Board the Glacier Express in panoramic class for a journey through snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel, descending towards the Swiss Grand Canyon to Chur.

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 3 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi
  • Eurostar Plus First Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch and 2 dinners on Glacier Express tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
  • 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 railway journeys
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Eurostar Plus First Class, the Glacier Express in Panoramic class, the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, and the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway are all included. A Swiss Half Fare Card is also included, permitting 50% discount on rail, boat, and most mountain railway journeys on free days.
Is this escorted or independent?
This is an escorted tour led throughout by an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team.
What accommodation is provided?
Seven nights onboard MS Amadeus Amara river cruise ship and three nights in four-star hotels: two nights in Zermatt and one night in Chur.
What meals are included?
Breakfast every day. On the cruise: lunch and dinner daily, plus a gala dinner, with drinks included at dinner. On the Glacier Express: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Day 9 dinner in Zermatt is independent.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers departures in May, June, and July 2027.
How much walking is involved?
Guided city tours in Cologne and Heidelberg include walking. The Gornergrat Mountain Railway ascends to over 10,000 feet above sea level. Most other days involve leisurely exploration from the ship or hotel.

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