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Great Rail Journeys · River cruise

The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel

Eight-day river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel through four countries.

Illustration of The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted river cruise that departs London by Eurostar, sails through four countries from Amsterdam to Basel, and returns to London by rail. Aboard the five-star MS Amadeus Amara, you experience leisurely cruising days interspersed with guided shore excursions and optional activities. Day 1 takes you by Eurostar to Amsterdam for embarkation and a welcome cocktail. Day 2 offers a canal boat cruise through Amsterdam's waterways or an optional visit to the cheese heritage towns of Volendam and Edam. Day 3 includes a guided tour of Cologne's twin-spired Gothic cathedral. Day 4 features a cog railway ride up Drachenfels mountain near Königswinter. Day 5 brings you through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, passing castles and vineyards, with time to explore Koblenz. Day 6 includes a coach journey to Heidelberg for a guided tour of the university town and its red sandstone castle ruins, followed by sailing to Speyer. Day 7 from Strasbourg offers a choice of a city tour or a Black Forest excursion. Day 8 returns you by Eurostar from Basel to London. All meals, drinks with dinner, excursions, and rail travel are included, along with an experienced Tour Manager escort and complimentary onboard Wi-Fi.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £100 since 4 Jul, to £2,299.

£2,499£2,1994 Jul12 Sep

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

  • The single supplement (from GBP 3,399) is significantly higher than half the double-cabin price; verify cabin options before booking.
  • Day 2 offers a choice between the included Amsterdam canal boat cruise and an optional excursion to Volendam and Edam; the itinerary does not specify a default activity if you select neither.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Amsterdam)

    To Amsterdam where we board our luxurious ship

    Meet at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Amsterdam. Boarding the ship, enjoy a welcome cocktail and settle in before the first dinner together, accompanied by a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir.

  2. Day 2overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing the Lower Rhine)

    Amsterdam canal boat cruise and optional trip to Volendam

    Breakfast onboard, then a sightseeing canal boat cruise of Amsterdam, or an optional excursion to the cheese towns of Volendam and Edam. Begin the first cruise of the holiday, sailing through the Lower Rhine with dinner onboard.

  3. Day 3overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Cologne)

    Exploring the historic city of Cologne

    Sail toward Cologne, arriving around lunchtime, then take a guided tour of its squares, Romanesque townhouses and the UNESCO-listed cathedral. Return to the ship for dinner while moored overnight in Cologne.

  4. Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing toward Koblenz)

    Riding the scenic Drachenfelsbahn

    Sail south past Bonn to Königswinter for a trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway, passing Drachenburg Castle en route to panoramic views over the Rhine-Westphalia region. Depart in the evening, sailing toward Koblenz with dinner onboard, passing the world's highest cold-water geyser near Andernach.

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Rüdesheim)

    Through the magical Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim

    Free time to explore Koblenz, including the Deutsches Eck and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge past vineyards, hilltop castles and the Lorelei Rock, then dock in Rüdesheim for a choice of wine tasting or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, with free time to explore the Drosselgasse after dinner.

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing upstream)

    Along the Upper Rhine to Heidelberg and Speyer

    Arrive in Mannheim after breakfast and travel by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour including the ruined red sandstone castle. Sail on to Speyer in the afternoon to explore its Old Town and 11th-century UNESCO-listed cathedral, before returning to the ship for dinner and an overnight sail upstream.

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing toward Switzerland)

    Reaching Strasbourg and optional Black Forest excursion

    Sail into Strasbourg after breakfast for a choice of excursions: a trip into the Black Forest, or a city tour of Strasbourg including its cathedral and La Petite France district. Return to the ship for lunch and begin the final cruise toward Switzerland.

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    Disembark after breakfast in Basel and travel to Basel railway station, then on toward Paris to catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Boarding Eurostar at London St Pancras and arriving in Amsterdam to a welcome cocktail onboard MS Amadeus Amara.
  • Day 2Amsterdam canal boat cruise showcasing the city's picturesque canals and architecture, with an optional visit to the cheese towns of Volendam and Edam.
  • Day 4Riding the Drachenfels Cog Railway from Königswinter past Drachenburg Castle to the mountain summit for panoramic views across the Rhine-Westphalia region.
  • Day 5Sailing through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, passing hilltop castles, vineyards, and the Lorelei Rock with free time to explore Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
  • Day 7Choice of excursions from Strasbourg: a guided tour of the cathedral and La Petite France UNESCO World Heritage district, or a day trip into the Black Forest nature park.

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by an experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First & Standard Class rail options available; Eurostar Plus on First Class departures
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day 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.

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £2,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,105 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
What ship will I be on?
The MS Amadeus Amara, a five-star river ship with on-board dining, a fitness centre, massage facilities, a wine bar, nightly entertainment, and the exclusive Amadeus Club.
Which meals and drinks are included?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, plus complimentary drinks with dinner each night, including a captain's gala dinner.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout.
When does this tour depart?
Departures are available in May 2027, June 2027, and July 2027.
What excursions are included?
Included are an Amsterdam canal boat cruise (or optional Volendam and Edam visit), a guided tour of Cologne, the Drachenfels Cog Railway, a guided tour of Heidelberg including the castle, and a choice of wine tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet in Rüdesheim. From Strasbourg, you choose between a city tour or a Black Forest excursion.

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