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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Romantic Rhine & Moselle Valleys by Rail

Eight-day train journey through Rhine and Moselle Valleys from London to Cologne

Illustration of Romantic Rhine & Moselle Valleys by Rail

Tailor Made Rail's Romantic Rhine and Moselle Valleys by Rail is an eight-day journey from London to Cologne that combines major European rail services with a leisurely multi-city itinerary. You depart London on Eurostar to Brussels, then travel through Luxembourg and into Germany, spending two nights in the historic city of Trier, home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the 4th-century cathedral known as the oldest in Germany. From there, the itinerary carries you by train alongside the Moselle River before switching to the Rhine Valley, where you settle for three nights in Boppard, a riverside town on a dramatic horseshoe bend, and two nights in Rüdesheim am Rhein, a wine region village surrounded by vineyards. Each location offers optional activities including hill-top castles, chairlifts, wine tastings, and museum visits. The package includes all rail fares in standard class, seven nights' accommodation with breakfast, seat reservations, and travel documentation. This tour suits couples, history enthusiasts, and rail travellers returning to Europe who prefer a structured route and multi-night stays over constant movement.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels listed are marked 'or similar'; your final accommodation depends on availability and the tier selected.
  • The Bingen-Rüdesheimer ferry fare on Day 6 is paid locally and not included in the package price.
  • All train journeys are in standard class; seat reservations are included where required.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Trier

    London to Trier

    Board a Eurostar at London St Pancras to Brussels, then an InterCity service south into Luxembourg, before a short hop across to the German city of Trier. Stay at the Mercure Hotel Porta Nigra (or similar) for 2 nights.

  2. Day 2overnight: Trier

    Trier

    Trier is one of the oldest cities in Germany, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Germany's oldest cathedral (4th century AD), the Old Town, the Porta Nigra, the Roman Bridge across the Moselle, an amphitheatre and Roman baths - nicknamed the 'Rome of the North'.

  3. Day 3overnight: Boppard

    Trier to Boppard

    Travel alongside the Moselle River and rolling hills; at Koblenz change onto a local service along the Rhine to Boppard, staying at the Bellevue Rheinhotel (or similar) for 3 nights.

  4. Day 4overnight: Boppard

    Boppard

    Boppard sits on a horseshoe bend in the Rhine, with a flower-decorated waterfront and historic centre. Hike or take the chairlift to the Vierseenblick (Four Lakes View), or take a boat cruise to nearby castles such as Lahneck and Lebenstein.

  5. Day 5overnight: Boppard

    Boppard

    Boppard sits on a horseshoe bend in the Rhine, with a flower-decorated waterfront and historic centre. Hike or take the chairlift to the Vierseenblick (Four Lakes View), or take a boat cruise to nearby castles such as Lahneck and Lebenstein.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Rüdesheim am Rhein

    Boppard to Rüdesheim am Rhein

    A regional train along the western bank of the Rhine to Bingen am Rhein, then the Bingen-Rüdesheimer ferry across the river (fare paid locally, not bookable in advance). Check in at Breuer's Rüdesheimer Schloss (or similar) for a 2-night stay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Rüdesheim am Rhein

    Rüdesheim am Rhein

    A full day discovering Rüdesheim, including the Drosselgasse in the Old Town, the Niederwald Monument, a cable car to the Germania monument and a walk to Assmannshausen, and a wine tasting tour, including the wine museum at Brömserburg Castle.

  8. Day 8rail

    Rüdesheim to London

    A journey along the Rhine's eastern bank to Koblenz, then an InterCity train to Cologne and a high-speed train to Brussels, connecting with an evening Eurostar back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Explore Trier's eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the 4th-century cathedral, the Roman Bridge across the Moselle, and the Porta Nigra gate.
  • Day 4Take a chairlift or hike to the Vierseenblick (Four Lakes View) above Boppard, or book a boat cruise to the riverside castles of Lahneck and Lebenstein.
  • Day 7Visit the Drosselgasse in Rüdesheim's Old Town and take a cable car to the Germania monument, then walk to Assmannshausen for a wine tasting tour and museum visit at Brömserburg Castle.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 7 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Not included

  • Bingen-Rüdesheimer ferry fare (paid locally, on arrival)

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes, Tailor Made Rail includes all rail journeys in standard class, including Eurostar from London to Brussels, InterCity services, and regional trains throughout the Rhine and Moselle Valleys. Seat reservations are included where required. The Bingen-Rüdesheimer ferry is paid separately at the destination.
What is the itinerary?
Day 1: Eurostar to Brussels, then train to Trier. Days 2: full day in Trier. Day 3: train to Boppard via Koblenz. Days 4-5: Boppard. Day 6: train to Rüdesheim via Bingen ferry. Day 7: Rüdesheim. Day 8: train back to London via Koblenz, Cologne, Brussels.
Which hotels are included?
Two nights at Mercure Hotel Porta Nigra (or similar) in Trier; three nights at Bellevue Rheinhotel (or similar) in Boppard; two nights at Breuer's Rüdesheimer Schloss (or similar) in Rüdesheim am Rhein. All include breakfast.
When does it run and what is the price?
Low season (November to March) from GBP 899 per person; high season (April to October) from GBP 1,049 per person. Prices are based on two people sharing a twin or double room.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
This is a tailor-made rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides rail tickets, hotel bookings, easy-to-follow travel documentation, and proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions, but day-to-day activities and sightseeing are self-guided.
What is not included?
The Bingen-Rüdesheimer ferry fare is paid locally. Optional activities such as the chairlift or hike to Vierseenblick, boat cruises to castles, the cable car to the Germania monument, and the wine tasting tour are not included but are available to book separately.

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