How much does it cost?

From £2,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,376 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is this trip escorted?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the eight days.

Which hotel does the tour use?

The cruise is aboard MS Amadeus Cara, the five-star river ship. There are no hotels; you sleep on the ship each night.

What is the main event on this tour?

The Rhine in Flames, an annual fireworks and illuminations event, takes place on the evening of Day 3 at Oberwesel. Great Rail Journeys times the cruise to coincide with this celebration.

Great Rail Journeys · River cruise

Rhine Valley in Flames: Oberwesel & the Moselle

Eight-day Rhine and Moselle river cruise from London to Brussels with Rhine in Flames

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted cruise combining rail travel and river cruising from London to Brussels. You depart London by Eurostar, cross France by TGV to Strasbourg, then board the five-star MS Amadeus Cara for a seven-night sailing through the Rhine Gorge and Moselle Valley. The itinerary is timed to showcase the Rhine in Flames, an annual fireworks and illuminations spectacle at Oberwesel on the evening of Day 3. Along the way you explore Alsatian towns by choice excursion, ride the Winzerexpress land train through Rüdesheim vineyards, enjoy a wine tasting in Bernkastel-Kues, visit medieval Cochem and Germany's oldest city Trier (or Luxembourg), and ascend the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway near Cologne. All meals, wine at dinner, guided tours, and rail fares are included. The tour suits luxury-focused couples and groups interested in river scenery, wine, history, and guided comfort without luggage hassle.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £800 since 4 Jul, to £2,499.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Single supplement is GBP 1,200 (USD 1,600), which is 36 percent above half the double-occupancy price
Only one departure is listed: September 2027
Strasbourg and Colmar excursions on Day 2, and Trier and Luxembourg excursions on Day 6, are choices; not all destinations are visited

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Aboard ship, Strasbourg
To Strasbourg, where we board our luxurious ship
We meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris, switching trains to continue to Strasbourg. A coach transfer takes us to the waterfront to board our ship, followed by a welcome cocktail and our first five-course dinner on board.
Day 2overnight: Aboard ship, sailing towards Rüdesheim
Alsatian charm in Colmar and Strasbourg
A choice of excursion: a trip to the fairytale Alsatian town of Colmar, or a guided tour of Strasbourg including Notre Dame cathedral and La Petite France. We sail towards Rüdesheim in the evening.
Day 3railovernight: Aboard ship, Koblenz
Exploring Rüdesheim & Rhine in Flames event at Oberwesel
We board the Winzerexpress land train through the vineyards into Rüdesheim, with a choice of a winery tour and wine tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. In the evening we cruise to Oberwesel to watch the Rhine in Flames fireworks, then continue overnight to Koblenz.
Day 4overnight: Aboard ship, Cochem
Sailing along the Moselle and exploring Cochem
A morning cruising the Moselle Valley, arriving in Cochem for lunch and a guided tour of the town beneath Reichsburg castle.
Day 5overnight: Aboard ship, Bernkastel-Kues
A tour and wine tasting in Bernkastel-Kues
We continue along the Moselle Valley to Bernkastel-Kues, with a guided tour of the Old Town, Market Square and St Michael's Fountain, followed by a wine tasting of the local Bernkasteler Doctor speciality.
Day 6overnight: Aboard ship, sailing towards Koblenz
The ancient city of Trier or fairytale Luxembourg
A choice of excursion: a guided tour of Trier taking in the Porta Nigra, St Peter's Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady, or a coach trip to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. We enjoy a gala dinner before sailing downstream towards Koblenz.
Day 7railovernight: Aboard ship, Cologne
The Drachenfelsbahn and cultural Cologne
We arrive in Königswinter for a journey on the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway past Drachenfels castle, then continue our cruise to Cologne, admiring the cathedral and bridges as we approach.
Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After an early breakfast we disembark in Cologne and transfer by coach to the railway station, taking the train to Brussels and switching trains to continue to London.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Day 3: Watch the Rhine in Flames, the annual fireworks and illuminations event at Oberwesel, from the ship
Day 3Day 3: Ride the Winzerexpress land train through Rüdesheim vineyards to the town centre
Day 4Day 4: Guided tour of Cochem with views of Reichsburg castle overlooking the Moselle Valley
Day 7Day 7: Ascend the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway from Königswinter, passing Drachenfels castle and offering views across the Rhine-Westphalia region

Included

Tour Manager/Cruise Director team escorted throughout
7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
Five-star service onboard
Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
First & Standard Class rail options available
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise, including a spectacular gala dinner
Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
Complimentary luggage service from your home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
Superb excursions included

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Also sold by

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

Vacations By Railfrom $3,199

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,376 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this trip escorted?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the eight days.
Which hotel does the tour use?: The cruise is aboard MS Amadeus Cara, the five-star river ship. There are no hotels; you sleep on the ship each night.
What is the main event on this tour?: The Rhine in Flames, an annual fireworks and illuminations event, takes place on the evening of Day 3 at Oberwesel. Great Rail Journeys times the cruise to coincide with this celebration.