How much does it cost?

From £1,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,700 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

What is the ship and what are meals like?

You cruise aboard MS Amadeus Cara, a five-star river ship. All breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day of the cruise, plus a drinks package with dinner every evening and a spectacular gala dinner.

Is this trip guided or independent?

It is escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout. Most days offer time at leisure for personal exploration, and some excursions are optional choices.

When does this tour run?

Great Rail Journeys operates four departures: September and October 2026, and August and September 2027.

What is not included?

Cancellation and Travel Insurance are not included. Optional pre or post-tour London hotel stays and UK rail connections are available as add-ons.

Great Rail Journeys · River cruise

Treasures of the Rhine

Eight-day Rhine river cruise from London via Cologne to Strasbourg

Treasures of the Rhine is an eight-day escorted river cruise run by Great Rail Journeys, departing London St Pancras via Eurostar and traveling the Rhine from Cologne to Strasbourg. You spend seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Cara, a five-star river ship, with all meals, drinks, and most excursions included. The itinerary balances guided experiences and leisure time: you tour Cologne's Gothic cathedral and Heidelberg's ruined castle, ride the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway at Königswinter, and sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge past vineyards and castles. A Master of Wine joins on Day 6 to discuss and taste wines of the Alsace and Rhine Valley. The pace is easy, with most days allowing unhurried exploration of historic towns. This cruise suits wine enthusiasts, couples seeking a relaxed getaway, and history lovers interested in German and French heritage.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £100 since 4 Jul, to £1,999.

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 is high: from GBP 3,099 versus GBP 1,899 per person (nearly double the per-person rate).
Day 5 offers a choice of excursions (Heidelberg or Speyer); your final experience depends on which you select.
Cancellation and Travel Insurance are not included and must be purchased separately.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Aboard the ship, Cologne
To Cologne, where we board our luxurious ship
We meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Cologne via Brussels, boarding the MS Amadeus Cara for a welcome cocktail and first dinner onboard.
Day 2railovernight: Aboard the ship
Exploring Cologne and riding the Drachenfelsbahn
A tour of Cologne's Gothic cathedral and a Kölsch beer-tasting, then sailing to Königswinter to ride the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway to the summit of the Drachenfels.
Day 3overnight: Aboard the ship, Boppard
Picturesque Koblenz and quaint Boppard
Free time in Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle, then sailing on to Boppard for an afternoon and evening at leisure.
Day 4railovernight: Aboard the ship
Through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
A morning sailing through the scenic Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock, then a land train through the vineyards into Rüdesheim for a wine-tasting or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet.
Day 5overnight: Aboard the ship
Discovering Heidelberg and Speyer
An optional coach excursion to Heidelberg for a guided tour of the Altstadt and Heidelberg Castle, or stay onboard to sail to Speyer.
Day 6overnight: Aboard the ship, Strasbourg
A scenic sail to Strasbourg
A full day cruising the Rhine to Strasbourg, with the evening free to explore the city's Old Town at leisure.
Day 7overnight: Aboard the ship, Strasbourg
The enchanting Black Forest or striking Strasbourg
A choice of an excursion into the Black Forest or a city tour of Strasbourg taking in the cathedral and La Petite France district.
Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast we disembark and head to the railway station to catch our train to Paris, boarding the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Ride the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway from Königswinter upward through forests to panoramic Rhine Valley views.
Day 4Sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge, passing endless vineyards, ancient castles, and the legendary Lorelei Rock.
Day 5Visit Heidelberg for a guided tour of the magnificent ruined red sandstone castle overlooking the city, or remain aboard to explore Speyer's cathedral at leisure.
Day 6Attend a wine talk and tasting by Master of Wine Conal Gregory as the ship sails to Strasbourg.
Day 7Choose between an excursion into the Black Forest or a guided tour of Strasbourg's UNESCO cathedral and La Petite France district.

Included

Tour Manager: escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
Cruise: 7-night cruise onboard Amadeus Cara; five-star service onboard; complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
Transportation: First & Standard Class rail options available; all rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Food & Drink: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day including a spectacular gala dinner; drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
Luggage: complimentary luggage service from your home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
Excursions & Entertainment: superb excursions included

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Also sold by

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

Vacations By Railfrom $2,499

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,700 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
What is the ship and what are meals like?: You cruise aboard MS Amadeus Cara, a five-star river ship. All breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day of the cruise, plus a drinks package with dinner every evening and a spectacular gala dinner.
Is this trip guided or independent?: It is escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout. Most days offer time at leisure for personal exploration, and some excursions are optional choices.
When does this tour run?: Great Rail Journeys operates four departures: September and October 2026, and August and September 2027.
What is not included?: Cancellation and Travel Insurance are not included. Optional pre or post-tour London hotel stays and UK rail connections are available as add-ons.