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No longer offered

Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · River Cruise

Lucerne & Treasures of the Rhine

Swiss mountain railways and Rhine river cruise from Lucerne to Rüdesheim

Illustration of Lucerne & Treasures of the Rhine

Vacations By Rail's Lucerne & Treasures of the Rhine combines Swiss Alpine mountain railways with a river cruise through Germany. The trip begins in Lucerne, where travellers spend two nights on the shores of Lake Lucerne and explore the medieval old town. From there, the itinerary includes rides on two famous cogwheel railways: the Rigi Railway, known as the Queen of the Mountains, offering views of Lake Lucerne and the Alps, and the Pilatus Railway, the world's steepest cogwheel railway. The journey then transitions to a Rhine river cruise, with guided tours of Cologne's Gothic cathedral, Heidelberg's castle and historic Altstadt, and Rüdesheim's wine quarter. A professional tour manager leads the group throughout. This trip suits couples and history travellers seeking a balance of scenic train rides and guided exploration of German and Swiss heritage sites.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator publishes no day-by-day itinerary for this package; confirm the exact route, hotel names, and meal inclusions with Vacations By Rail before booking.

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. The package includes rides on the Rigi Railway and Pilatus Railway in the Lucerne area, plus river cruise travel through Germany.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes, a professional tour manager accompanies the group throughout.
What are the main stops?
Lucerne, Switzerland (two nights); Cologne and Heidelberg, Germany (river cruise stops); and Rüdesheim, Germany (final destination).
What is included in Rüdesheim?
Exploration of the Drosselgasse with a choice of either a wine tasting or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet.
How much walking is involved?
Guided walking tours in Cologne, Heidelberg, and Rüdesheim through historic town centers; mountain railway rides at Rigi and Pilatus require boarding and exiting trains.

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