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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Jungfrau Express & Treasures of the Rhine

Rhine river cruise from Cologne to the Alps, ending in Interlaken with Jungfrau Express

Illustration of Jungfrau Express & Treasures of the Rhine

Vacations By Rail combines a seven-night Rhine river cruise with a stay in the Swiss Alps on this 10-day escorted journey starting from London St Pancras via Eurostar. The first week unfolds on MS Amadeus Cara, cruising from Cologne through Germany and France with guided tours of Cologne Cathedral and Heidelberg Castle, a ride on the historic Drachenfels cog railway, and a passage through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock. Days include visits to Koblenz, Boppard, Rüdesheim's vineyards, and Strasbourg's Old Town, with a choice of excursions and optional local activities. After disembarking, the tour shifts to Interlaken for two nights in a 4-star hotel. The highlight comes on day 9, when passengers travel the Jungfrau Railway through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, with access to the Sphinx viewing platform. All rail and coach transport, meals, and a Swiss Half Fare Card for additional mountain journeys are included. The pace is relaxed, with substantial time on the ship and guided experiences, suiting travellers who prefer organized itineraries and appreciate heritage railways.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 3,195 does not include flights or airport transfers; arrange these separately.
  • Day 10 requires you to travel independently by train from Interlaken to Zürich after breakfast; no group return is organized.
  • Luggage handling between the cruise ship, coach, and train is your responsibility; one traveller noted this was challenging over multiple blocks.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Ship

    From London to Cologne by rail

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St. Pancras and board the Eurostar to Cologne via Brussels. Board the cruise ship, welcomed with a cocktail, and enjoy the first dinner onboard.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Ship

    Exploring Cologne and the Drachenfelsbahn

    A guided tour of Cologne, including the Gothic cathedral and a local beer tasting. Sail to Königswinter for a ride on the historic Drachenfels Railway cog railway.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Ship

    Arriving in Koblenz and Boppard

    Explore Koblenz, including the Deutsches Eck confluence and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Sail to Boppard for free time to explore, with an optional chairlift to the Vier Seen Blick viewpoint.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Ship

    Through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim

    Sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge, passing the Lorelei Rock. Dock in Rüdesheim for a land train through vineyards, with a choice of wine tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    Discovering Heidelberg and Speyer

    Sail to Mannheim, then coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour including Heidelberg Castle, or remain onboard as the ship approaches Speyer with its UNESCO-listed cathedral.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    A scenic cruise to Strasbourg

    A full-day cruise to Strasbourg, arriving late afternoon with time to explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Delving into the Black Forest or Strasbourg

    Choice of an excursion into the Black Forest or a city tour of Strasbourg, including the cathedral and La Petite France district. Gala dinner onboard this evening, the final dinner of the cruise.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Interlaken

    Leaving the river for the Alps in Interlaken

    Disembark and transfer by coach to Strasbourg's railway station, then by rail to Interlaken, Switzerland, checking in to the hotel for two nights.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: Interlaken

    To the 'Top of Europe' on the Jungfrau Express

    Train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg, then the Jungfrau Express through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch and the Sphinx viewing platform. Return via Grindelwald.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10rail

    Traveling home

    After breakfast, make your way to Interlaken's rail station and board the train to Zürich to continue home or travel independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar at London St Pancras and arrive in Cologne to embark on the river cruise ship MS Amadeus Cara with a welcome cocktail.
  • Day 2Ride the Drachenfels Railway, a historic cog railway opened in 1883, from Königswinter to the summit.
  • Day 4Sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge, passing the Lorelei Rock, and visit Rüdesheim's vineyards.
  • Day 9Take the Jungfrau Express from Kleine Scheidegg through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, and visit the Sphinx viewing platform.

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
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Eurostar Standard
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day, 6 lunches 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
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

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

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?
Yes. Eurostar from London to Cologne, all rail and coach travel throughout the tour, the Drachenfels cog railway, and the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch are included. You also receive a Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts on additional rail, boat, and mountain railway journeys in Switzerland.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes, Vacations By Rail escorts the entire tour with an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team.
What are the accommodations?
Seven nights on the river cruise ship MS Amadeus Cara and two nights in a 4-star hotel in Interlaken.
Which trains are featured?
Eurostar (London to Cologne), the Drachenfels Railway (a cog railway to the summit, opened 1883), and the Jungfrau Railway (to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, opened 1912).
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner each day, six lunches, a gala dinner on the final night of the cruise, and drinks with dinner every night of the cruise are included. Flights and airport transfers are not.
When does the tour run?
The operator does not publish a departure calendar in the available information; contact Vacations By Rail directly to confirm dates and availability.

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