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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail Tour

Jungfrau Express & the Majestic Rhine

Swiss Alps rail to Jungfraujoch, then seven-night Rhine river cruise

Illustration of Jungfrau Express & the Majestic Rhine

Great Rail Journeys operates an 11-day escorted tour combining Swiss Alpine rail travel with a seven-night luxury cruise along the Rhine, departing from London. The journey begins with Eurostar and TGV rail to Basel, then continues by train through the Swiss Alps to Interlaken, where passengers spend two nights and ride the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, passing through the Eiger and visiting the Aletsch Glacier. From Basel, the tour transfers to MS Amadeus Amara for a downstream cruise through five countries. The ship stops at Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, and Cologne, each with optional guided tours or independent exploration. Passengers sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge past castles and vineyards, ride the Drachenfels Cog Railway to a mountain summit, and enjoy a guided tour of Cologne's 13th-century Gothic cathedral before the cruise ends with an Amsterdam canal sightseeing tour. The package includes all rail and cruise travel, four-star hotel accommodation in Switzerland, onboard five-star service, all meals with a drinks package, and most excursions.

What to know before you look closer

  • The price from GBP 4,199 per person is for the tour package; Eurostar and rail fares are included but single-supplement pricing (from GBP 5,699) is significantly higher than half the double rate.
  • Day 5 and Day 6 offer optional excursions (Black Forest, Heidelberg, or Speyer); your choice affects how you spend those afternoons.
  • Day 10 offers a choice between a canal sightseeing cruise of Amsterdam or an optional excursion to Volendam and Edam; the canal cruise is included.
  • Departures listed are May, June, and July 2027 only; confirm availability before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Basel

    By rail to Basel for an overnight stay

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris. Continue by rail to Basel, Switzerland's cultural capital on the Rhine, close to the borders with France and Germany. Check in to the overnight hotel and enjoy the first dinner of the tour.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Interlaken

    To Interlaken by rail

    After breakfast, travel by rail from Basel to Interlaken, set between lakes Thun and Brienz and surrounded by majestic peaks including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Settle into the hotel for two nights; explore the town at leisure or relax before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Interlaken

    Riding the Jungfrau Railway to the 'Top of Europe'

    Board the iconic Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg for the journey through a tunnel in the Eiger to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station. Admire mountain peaks from the Sphinx Observatory, visit the Aletsch Glacier, Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven or the Alpine Sensation exhibition. Return to Interlaken via Grindelwald with time to stroll around before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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

    Boarding our luxurious ship in Basel

    Free morning in Interlaken to explore the waterfronts or Höheweg shopping street. After lunch, travel by train to Basel and transfer by coach to board MS Amadeus Amara on the Rhine. Welcome drink, time to explore the ship, then first dinner in the panoramic restaurant. Overnight cruise toward Strasbourg.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing)

    Strasbourg and optional excursion into the Black Forest

    Sail into Strasbourg. Choice of excursions: a trip into the Black Forest (rolling hills, fairytale villages, dense forests and wildflower meadows) or a tour of Strasbourg including its striking cathedral and the quaint La Petite France UNESCO World Heritage district. Free afternoon to explore Strasbourg independently before returning to the ship for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

    Exploring Speyer or Heidelberg

    Wake to views of Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities. Option of a guided tour of Heidelberg (picturesque university town with ruined red sandstone castle) or independent exploration of Speyer (beautiful Old Town and UNESCO-listed cathedral). Return to ship for lunch and scenic afternoon cruise past Mainz and Wiesbaden, arriving in Rüdesheim early evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Koblenz)

    From Rüdesheim into the magical Rhine Gorge

    Travel through Rüdesheim on a land train. Choice of excursions: wine tasting of finest local varieties or visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet (Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments). Afternoon sailing through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge with vineyards, hilltop castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Koblenz with time to explore Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Cologne)

    Riding the scenic Drachenfelsbahn and arrival in Cologne

    Relaxed morning sailing north from Koblenz; look out for the world's highest cold-water geyser near Andernach. After lunch, dock in Königswinter for a trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway, passing Drachenburg Castle to the summit with views across Rhine-Westphalia. Continue cruise to Cologne, arriving in the evening. Dinner and overnight in Cologne.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing)

    Exploring Cologne and onwards to the Netherlands

    Guided tour of Cologne including its squares, Romanesque townhouses and the iconic Gothic cathedral (largest in northern Europe, UNESCO-listed, begun 1248). Time to admire the ornate carvings and stained-glass windows. Return to ship for lunch and set sail toward the Netherlands, enjoying dinner and drinks on an overnight cruise.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Amsterdam)

    Exploring Amsterdam or Volendam

    Sail through the Lower Rhine into the Netherlands. Arrive in Amsterdam early afternoon for a canal sightseeing cruise of the Dutch capital. Optional excursion to Volendam and Edam to discover their cheese heritage and traditional canal-side houses. Gala dinner onboard accompanied by the Dutch sea shanty choir.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, disembark and say farewell to the crew. Transfer to the railway station and travel to Brussels to board the Eurostar to London St Pancras, arriving in London this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Ride the Jungfrau Express from Kleine Scheidegg through a tunnel in the Eiger to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, with 360-degree views from the Sphinx Observatory and access to the Aletsch Glacier.
  • Day 7Cruise through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge past vineyards, hilltop castles, and the legendary Lorelei Rock.
  • Day 8Ride the Drachenfels Cog Railway, Germany's oldest operational rack railway, past Drachenburg Castle to the summit with views across Rhine-Westphalia.
  • Day 9Tour Cologne's Gothic cathedral, northern Europe's largest, begun in 1248, with its ornate carvings and stained-glass windows.

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 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 on the Jungfrau Express tour portion
  • 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 all rail travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes Eurostar Standard class from London St Pancras to Paris and Brussels, TGV rail to Basel, the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, local rail transfers, and the Drachenfels Cog Railway.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 11 days.
What ship and how many nights at sea?
MS Amadeus Amara, a five-star river cruise ship, for seven nights from Day 4 (Basel) to Day 10 (Amsterdam).
How many nights in hotels and where?
Three nights: one night in Basel (Day 1) and two nights in Interlaken (Days 2-3). The remaining six nights are onboard the ship.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner daily on the rail portion (Days 1-3); breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily on the cruise (Days 4-10), including a gala dinner on Day 10. Breakfast on the final day (Day 11).
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance, and tips or gratuities (at your discretion). Optional excursions and hotel upgrades are available at extra cost.

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