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Vacations By Rail · Rail & River Cruise

Jungfrau Express and the Timeless Moselle & Rhine

Swiss alpine rail to Jungfraujoch, then six-night Moselle and Rhine river cruise

Illustration of Jungfrau Express and the Timeless Moselle & Rhine

Vacations By Rail's 10-day Jungfrau Express and the Timeless Moselle and Rhine combines Swiss alpine rail travel with a luxury river cruise through wine regions in four countries. You begin in Interlaken, a mountain resort between two lakes, and board the Jungfrau Railway on Day 2 for a journey to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, with views of the Aletsch Glacier and surrounding peaks. After a free morning to explore Interlaken, you travel by rail to Strasbourg and board MS Amadeus Cara for a seven-night voyage down the Moselle and Rhine. Guided tours and escorted excursions at each port take you through medieval towns like Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues in the Moselle Valley, UNESCO-listed Trier with its Roman Porta Nigra, and Cologne, where you see the illuminated Cathedral from the ship. A cog railway ascends Drachenfels mountain near Königswinter, and you have choices at some ports between a wine tasting or cultural excursion. All meals, drinks with dinner, and an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team are included throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price covers the package, but flights and airport transfers are not included and must be arranged separately.
  • Excursions on Days 4 and 8 offer a choice of activities; your final selection depends on your preference.
  • The tour includes a Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounted fares on free days, but these are optional extras beyond the package.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken

    Arriving in Interlaken

    The journey begins in Zürich, traveling by rail via Bern to Interlaken, a traditional mountain resort set between Lakes Thun and Brienz. Check in for the first of two nights, then meet the Tour Manager and travel group for dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Interlaken

    To the "Top of Europe" on the Jungfrau Express

    A journey to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, via Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg, joining the Jungfrau Express up the mountain and through a tunnel cutting through the Eiger. At Jungfraujoch, take in views from the Sphinx viewing platform and the Aletsch Glacier, then return to Interlaken via Grindelwald.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Ship

    To Strasbourg, where we board our luxurious ship

    A free morning to explore Interlaken, then rail travel via Basel to Strasbourg, capital of the Alsace, followed by a coach transfer to the waterfront to board the ship. Settle into cabins before the first dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Ship

    Alsace charm in Colmar or Strasbourg

    A choice of excursions: a sightseeing trip to Colmar's cobblestone old town, or a guided tour of Strasbourg including the Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame and La Petite France district. The ship sets sail towards Rüdesheim after dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    Rüdesheim and the spectacular Rhine Gorge

    Arrival in Rüdesheim, famous for its Riesling wines, with a choice of a winery tasting or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, plus time to explore the Drosselgasse. The ship sails through the Rhine Gorge, passing the Lorelei Rock, and docks in Koblenz for the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    Cochem at the heart of the Moselle wine region

    A morning cruising through the Moselle Valley to Cochem, where a guided tour of the Old Town takes in preserved ancient walls and a former monastery beneath the Reichsburg castle, with free time in the afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    An afternoon in Bernkastel-Kues

    A sightseeing tour of Bernkastel-Kues' Old Town and Market Square, including the St. Michael's Fountain, followed by a wine tasting of the local Bernkasteler Doctor wine before an overnight cruise downstream.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    Exploring the ancient city of Trier or Luxembourg

    A choice of excursions: a guided tour of Trier's Roman ruins including the Porta Nigra, St. Peter's Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady (all UNESCO World Heritage sites), or a coach excursion to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The ship sails back downstream along the Moselle.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: Ship

    The Drachenfelsbahn and Cologne

    Arrival in Königswinter for the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway, passing Drachenfels Castle with views across the Rhine-Westphalia region. The ship cruises on to Cologne for a final Gala dinner and overnight mooring beneath the illuminated twin-spired Cathedral.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10rail

    Tour conclusion

    After breakfast onboard, disembark and transfer by train to Brussels, joining the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras, where the vacation ends.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Journey on the Jungfrau Railway through a tunnel in the Eiger to Jungfraujoch, standing at Europe's highest railway station with views of the Aletsch Glacier.
  • Day 5Cruise through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, passing the Lorelei Rock and arriving in Rüdesheim, where you can taste Riesling wines or visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet.
  • Day 7In Bernkastel-Kues, tour the Old Town and Market Square, then taste the local Bernkasteler Doctor wine.
  • Day 9Ride the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway from Königswinter past Drachenfels Castle, then cruise to Cologne for a gala dinner beneath the illuminated twin-spired Cathedral.

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 2 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
  • Five-Star service onboard from our English-speaking crew
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Eurostar Standard
  • Breakfast and dinner each day of your Jungfrau tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys
  • A superb choice of excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes rail travel on local networks, the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch, the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway, Eurostar Standard to and from London, and all coach transfers.
Is the trip escorted?
Yes. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escorts you throughout the entire 10-day journey.
What is included in the cruise portion?
Seven nights onboard MS Amadeus Cara with five-star service, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), a drinks package with dinner each night, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a superb choice of excursions at ports.
What accommodation is provided?
Two nights in a 4-star hotel in Interlaken, followed by seven nights on the cruise ship.
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating 2, which includes city walking tours, stairs, and luggage handling at rail and ship transfers.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, and cancellation and travel insurance are not included, though insurance can be arranged.

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