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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail Holiday

Jungfrau Express & Autumn on the Moselle

Swiss alpine rail and seven-night river cruise from London to Brussels.

Illustration of Jungfrau Express & Autumn on the Moselle

Great Rail Journeys' 10-day Jungfrau Express and Autumn on the Moselle combines Alpine rail travel with a seven-night river cruise. The trip departs London on Eurostar, travels by TGV and regional rail through France to Switzerland, then spends two nights in Interlaken. There you board the Jungfrau Express cog railway to Jungfraujoch at 3,454 metres, viewing the Aletsch Glacier and surrounding peaks from Europe's highest railway station. After descending to Interlaken, you travel by rail to Strasbourg to join the MS Amadeus Cara for a cruise down the Moselle and Rhine, mooring at wine towns like Rüdesheim, Cochem, and Bernkastel-Kues, with optional guided excursions to historical sites including UNESCO-listed Trier and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The journey ends with a return to London via Brussels. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director escort the group, which includes all rail fares, four-star hotel nights, river cruise accommodation, breakfast and dinner daily, six lunches, wine and drinks with dinner, and expert wine tastings. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, couples, and food-and-wine enthusiasts seeking guided comfort with built-in flexibility through choice excursions.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement (£5,799) is nearly double the per-person double-occupancy price (£3,099), a significant premium for solo travellers.
  • Day 3 includes a free morning in Interlaken but a short walk to the station for midday departure; limited flexibility for independent exploration.
  • Excursions on Days 4 and 8 are choices (Colmar or Strasbourg; Trier or Luxembourg), so the final itinerary depends on your selection.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken

    Arrival in Interlaken

    Meet the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras International before joining the Eurostar service to Paris. Continue by rail to Switzerland, travelling via Basel to the pristine mountain resort of Interlaken. This scenic resort town is set between two sparkling lakes - Thun and Brienz - and overlooked by the alpine peaks of the Jungfrau region. Arrive in the late evening and sit down to dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Interlaken

    To the 'Top of Europe' on the Jungfrau Express

    After an early breakfast, board the iconic Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg. The train winds up the mountain with breathtaking views of the alpine landscape, pausing at the halfway station. An expert guide describes the geology and history of the remarkable railway. Travel the final section by cogwheel train through a tunnel cutting through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch. The vistas from the Sphinx viewing platform are awe-inspiring, with the stunning Aletsch Glacier stretching as far as the eye can see. Return to Interlaken via the idyllic village of Grindelwald, with time to stroll around before dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Strasbourg)

    To Strasbourg to board our luxurious ship

    Free morning to explore Interlaken - visit local shops, walk beside one of the shimmering lakes, or enjoy views from a café. Around midday, take a short walk to the station and travel by rail via Basel to Strasbourg, capital of the historic Alsace region. On arrival, step aboard the MS Amadeus Cara, greeted with a refreshing cocktail. Facilities include an open-air river terrace, Panorama lounge bar, and a lower sun deck lounge. Settle in and enjoy the first dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (sailing)

    Alsace charm in Colmar and Strasbourg

    Choice of excursions: a sightseeing trip to picturesque Colmar with its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses and landmarks like the Maison Pfister; or a guided tour of Strasbourg taking in the Notre Dame cathedral and La Petite France district. Afternoon free to explore Strasbourg. Set sail toward Rüdesheim and enjoy an informative wine talk and tasting by Master of Wine Conal Gregory, covering wines of the Alsace, Rhine and Moselle.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Koblenz)

    Rüdesheim and the spectacular Rhine Gorge

    Sail into Rüdesheim, famous for its white Riesling wines. Travel through terraced vineyards aboard a land train to the town centre. Choice of excursions: wine tasting of the finest local varieties, or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet housing Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments. Time to explore the Old Town and famous Drosselgasse Alley. Afternoon sailing toward the romantic Rhine Gorge, hearing about the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Koblenz and dock on the Moselle promenade for the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Cochem)

    Cochem, the heart of the Moselle wine region

    A gentle morning cruise through beautiful river scenery. Sail into Cochem, surrounded by rolling hills, half-timbered houses and the majestic Reichsburg castle. Guided tour of Cochem's Old Town, viewing preserved sections of ancient walls and visiting a former monastery now housing a cultural centre. After lunch onboard, free time to explore Cochem before returning to the ship for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (sailing)

    Colourful Bernkastel-Kues

    Continue into the serene Moselle Valley. Reach the charming town of Bernkastel-Kues and moor after lunch for a sightseeing tour. Visit the Old Town with cobbled streets and half-timbered facades. See the St. Michael's Fountain in the colourful Market Square. Enjoy a wine tasting of the famous Bernkasteler Doctor. After an afternoon of exploration, reboard the ship for dinner before starting an overnight cruise downstream.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (sailing)

    The ancient city of Trier or fairytale Luxembourg

    Wake to views of historic Trier. Choice of excursions: explore Germany's oldest city with a local guide, including the Porta Nigra, St Peter's Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady (all UNESCO World Heritage sites); or board a coach to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for a drive through green rolling hills past historic fortresses and medieval castles. Spend the evening onboard enjoying dinner, sailing back downstream along the Moselle.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Cologne)

    The Drachenfelsbahn and cultural Cologne

    After a morning of relaxed cruising, arrive in Königswinter where the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway awaits. Rise high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle with wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region. Continue the cruise toward Cologne for the final evening onboard. Enjoy a Gala dinner as the ship approaches Cologne and moors overnight. Admire the impressive cityscape of magnificent bridges and the city's distinctive twin-spired Cathedral.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast onboard, disembark and transfer to the station. Travel by train to Brussels where you join the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras, where the holiday ends.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg and ascend by cogwheel train through a tunnel in the Eiger to Jungfraujoch, viewing the Aletsch Glacier and alpine peaks from Europe's highest train station.
  • Day 4Expert wine talk and tasting by Master of Wine Conal Gregory onboard, covering wines of the Rhine and Moselle regions.
  • Day 5Travel through terraced vineyards aboard a land train in Rüdesheim and visit the famous Drosselgasse, a narrow alleyway lined with traditional wine cellars.
  • Day 6Guided tour of Cochem's Old Town, including the Reichsburg castle and preserved sections of ancient walls, set amid rolling hills and half-timbered houses.
  • Day 9Ride the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway through forests past the Drachenfels castle, viewing the Rhine-Westphalia region before a Gala dinner in Cologne.

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 2 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation in Interlaken
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Eurostar Standard class travel
  • Standard class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • 6 lunches
  • 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?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Standard class from London St Pancras to Paris, TGV Standard class from Paris to Basel, the Jungfrau Express cog railway to Jungfraujoch, the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway in Königswinter, and the return Eurostar to London. A Swiss Half Fare Card is also included, giving 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat, and most mountain railways.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escorts the group throughout the 10 days.
What accommodation is included?
Two nights in a four-star hotel in Interlaken and seven nights onboard the MS Amadeus Cara river cruise ship.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner daily, plus six lunches onboard the cruise ship. A drinks package including wine, beer, and soft drinks with dinner every night of the cruise is also included.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers departures in August, September, and October 2026 and 2027.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes city walking tours and guided excursions in towns like Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, and Cologne. Cog railway journeys replace steep climbs. The operator provides a luggage service from home to the ship and back, so you carry minimal luggage during the trip.

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