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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise

Jungfrau Express & Treasures of the Rhine

Rhine river cruise and Alpine rail to Europe's highest station from London

Illustration of Jungfrau Express & Treasures of the Rhine

Great Rail Journeys combines a leisurely river cruise with Alpine rail travel on this 10-day escorted journey from London to Interlaken. The trip opens with Eurostar Standard class from London St Pancras to Cologne, where guests board the five-star MS Amadeus Cara for seven nights of sailing through the Rhine Valley. Days unfold with guided tours of Cologne's Gothic cathedral, a cog-railway ascent of Drachenfels near Königswinter, the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge with its castles and vineyards, and visits to Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and the Black Forest. After disembarking in Strasbourg, the itinerary shifts to the Swiss Alps: a two-night stay in Interlaken between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, followed by a day journey on the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station at 3,454 metres. All rail, coach, most meals, and onboard drinks are included. A Swiss Half Fare Card provides discounts on optional excursions. This tour suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and those seeking guided comfort with five-star onboard service and historic European cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single-supplement price (GBP 4,599) is nearly 50% higher than the per-person double rate (GBP 3,099), making solo travel costly on this trip.
  • One optional chairlift (Vier Seen Blick in Boppard) is payable locally; all other excursions and rail journeys are included.
  • The tour ends in Grindelwald on Day 10 after a train journey from Interlaken, but the route back to London is not detailed in the itinerary.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Cologne)

    To Cologne where we board our luxurious ship

    Holiday begins at London St Pancras boarding the Eurostar to Cologne via Brussels. Arriving in Cologne late afternoon, the elegant MS Amadeus Cara awaits. Time to settle into your cabin, explore the ship, and enjoy a welcome cocktail from the crew. First dinner onboard with drinks package included.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Königswinter/en route)

    Exploring Cologne

    Guided tour of Cologne including the Romanesque townhouses and the Gothic cathedral, the largest in northern Europe. Sail upstream past Bonn, enjoying lunch onboard. Arrive in Königswinter for a journey on the historic Drachenfels cog railway, passing Drachenfels castle with wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region. Return to ship for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Boppard)

    Picturesque Koblenz and quaint Boppard

    Free time in Koblenz to explore, including Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers and views of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Sail after lunch to Boppard. Free time to wander cobblestone streets, admire half-timbered houses, Roman fortifications and town walls. Optional chairlift to Vier Seen Blick (payable locally).

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Rüdesheim)

    Through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim

    Morning sailing through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with views of castles, vineyards and the legendary Lorelei Rock. After lunch, dock in Rüdesheim and travel through vineyards on a land train. Choice of wine tasting or visiting Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Evening free to explore Drosselgasse alley.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Mannheim/Speyer area)

    Discovering Heidelberg and Speyer

    Morning at leisure on the ship, relax on the sun deck or in the Amadeus Club. Coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour of the Old Town and the ruined red sandstone castle. Alternatively, stay onboard and visit Speyer and its famous cathedral at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

    Expert wine talk en route to Strasbourg

    Full day cruise to Strasbourg. Relax onboard with panoramic views, bar, sundeck, massage or fitness room. Master of Wine Conal Gregory delivers a talk and tasting on wines of the Alsace, Rhine and Moselle. Evening option to disembark and explore Strasbourg's Old Town with timber-framed houses, cobbled streets and iconic cathedral.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

    The enchanting Black Forest or striking Strasbourg

    Choice of two excursions: trip into the Black Forest to experience Germany's largest nature park, or a city tour of Strasbourg visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedral and La Petite France district. Return to ship for lunch. Afternoon at leisure in Strasbourg. Gala dinner, final dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: 4-star hotel, Interlaken

    Leaving the ship and heading to stunning Interlaken

    Disembark and say goodbye to the crew. Travel by rail to Interlaken, set between two idyllic Alpine lakes in Switzerland. Check in to hotel for two nights. Explore the historic streets at leisure or relax and enjoy the panoramic views of the Bernese Oberland.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: 4-star hotel, Interlaken

    To the 'Top of Europe' on the Jungfrau Express

    Journey to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest station, boarding the Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg. Spectacular alpine views culminating in the Sphinx viewing platform and views of the Aletsch Glacier. Return via Grindelwald, nestled beneath the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, with time to explore the village.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, farewell to Interlaken. Head to the railway station and catch the train back to London.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ascend the Drachenfels cog railway from Königswinter past Drachenfels castle, enjoying panoramic views across the Rhine-Westphalia region.
  • Day 4Sail through the Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage site, viewing castles, vineyards, and the legendary Lorelei Rock.
  • Day 6Master of Wine Conal Gregory delivers a talk and wine tasting on Alsace, Rhine, and Moselle wines during the full-day cruise to Strasbourg.
  • Day 9Board the Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg and climb to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station, visiting the Sphinx viewing platform and seeing the Aletsch Glacier.

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 2 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard 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)
  • Chairlift to Vier Seen Blick in Boppard (payable locally)
  • Optional massages or fitness room usage onboard

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Eurostar Standard class from London St Pancras to Cologne, all cruise-related rail and coach journeys, the Drachenfels cog railway, the Bernese Oberland Railway, Wengernalp Railway, and the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch are all included. A Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts on optional rail and mountain railways is also provided.
Is this trip escorted?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 10 days.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner each day, six lunches, and a drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise. The optional chairlift and some activities like wine tasting or museum visits in Rüdesheim are at additional cost.
Where do we stay overnight?
Seven nights aboard the MS Amadeus Cara river ship (Cologne to Strasbourg) and two nights in a four-star hotel in Interlaken, Switzerland.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers departures in September 2026, October 2026, August 2027, and September 2027.
What is the highest elevation reached on this trip?
Jungfraujoch at 3,454 metres, reached by the Jungfrau Express. The journey is by train; no strenuous hiking is required to reach the viewing platform.

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