Germany · RHINE & MOSELLE RIVER CRUISES

Rhine & Moselle Cruises: The 15 Best Sailings

25 tours  ·  from $14 a head

Between Bingen and Koblenz the Rhine keeps a castle on almost every bend, and the boat is the only place you see them in order. These 15 compare departure points, how far downstream each one goes and what it costs.

Cologne: Top Sights Rhine River Cruise - Skyline Tour - The Cathedral and Old Town From the Water
Cruises & Boat Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Cologne

Cologne: Top Sights Rhine River Cruise – Skyline Tour

1.Top Sights Rhine River Cruise – Skyline Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,030 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $28Our pick

Spend 90 minutes aboard MS Rheinperle or MS Rheinland, seeing Cologne from the Rhine. The route passes the Cathedral, Old Town, Rheinauhafen’s crane houses, five bridges, and Rodenkirchen. Recorded commentary plays in English and German on selected departures. Choose an inside table or an open deck, with drinks and snacks available for purchase.

“Great welcome . Clean boat. Fabulous table service. Informative trip.”

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Düsseldorf: City Sightseeing Cruise on the Rhine - Boarding early for the best Rhine views
City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dusseldorf

Düsseldorf: City Sightseeing Cruise on the Rhine

2.City Sightseeing Cruise on the Rhine

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 2,954 reviews · 1 hour · from $23

Cruise the Rhine from Düsseldorf’s central Rheinuferpromenade for one hour, passing views of the Old Town, riverbanks, Medienhafen, and city ruins. An audio commentary plays in English and German. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early for a good outdoor seat, and buy drinks or snacks from the onboard bar.

“Friendly staff , cleanness and well organized. Need to include more audio languages.”

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Dresden: Elbe River Cruise to Pillnitz Castle - Three Castles Near Loschwitz
Cruises & Boat Tours, Neuschwanstein & Castle Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dresden

Dresden: Elbe River Cruise to Pillnitz Castle

3.Elbe River Cruise to Pillnitz Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,411 reviews · 3 hours · from $37

Set out from Terrassenufer on a three-hour round-trip cruise to Pillnitz aboard a rustic paddle steamer or salon ship. You’ll pass Dresden’s old town, three Elbe castles, Loschwitz, four historic bridges, and the Blue Wonder. German and English commentary comes by announcement or app. The 20-minute Pillnitz stop is for boarding only, not castle visits.

“Wonderful steam engine and beautiful smooth cruise along the river. Better signage around the construction site of the broken bridge would have helped.”

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Koblenz: Rhine Valley Castles and Palaces Boat Tour - Stolzenfels Castle and Lahneck Castle from the river
Cruises & Boat Tours, Neuschwanstein & Castle Tours, Palace & Residence Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Koblenz

Koblenz: Rhine Valley Castles and Palaces Boat Tour

4.Rhine Valley Castles and Palaces Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,824 reviews · 2 hours · from $21

Board at Brücke 2 in Koblenz for a two-hour cruise toward Braubach and back, passing Stolzenfels Castle, Lahneck Castle, Electoral Palace, Marksburg, Deutsches Eck, and riverside villages. Commentary is provided in German and English. The 11am sailing also lets you leave the boat in Braubach to visit Marksburg Castle and return later.

“My wife and I loved this boat tour! There was plenty of space, inside and outside. We were there during somertime and it was very warm but we managed to be on the deck enjoying the sun, views and great crew service. It for sure exceeded our expectations!”

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Rhine Valley Castles: 1.5-Hour Boat Tour from Rüdesheim - Boarding in Rüdesheim and choosing your seat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Neuschwanstein & Castle Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Rudesheim Am Rhein

Rhine Valley Castles: 1.5-Hour Boat Tour from Rüdesheim

5.Rhine Valley Castles: 1.5-Hour Boat Tour from Rüdesheim

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,390 reviews · from $19

Take a 105-minute roundtrip boat ride from Rüdesheim through the castle-lined Middle Rhine Valley. You will see Rheinstein, Reichenstein, Ehrenfels, the Mouse Tower, Klopp Castle, vineyards, Bingen, and the Niederwald Monument. German and English commentary is provided, with food and drinks available for cash purchase.

“It was very nice, but seemed like we spent more time at the other ports than we did cruising. Staff was nice and ship was great.”

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From Frankfurt: Rhine Valley Day Trip - Rüdesheim, the Niederwald Monument, and Assmannshausen
1-Day Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Frankfurt

From Frankfurt: Rhine Valley Day Trip

6.Rhine Valley Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,317 reviews · 8 hours · from $175

Travel from Frankfurt into the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley with an English-speaking guide such as Michael or George. You’ll see vineyards, castles, Rüdesheim, the Niederwald Monument, and Assmannshausen, then cruise for about 90 minutes. Lunch is included, while drinks, tips, and the summer cable car cost extra.

“Michael was such a great guide he knew so much information. He tried really hard to make sure we made good time so we could see more stuff. The boat cruise was great it was such a lovely day for it - I’d recommend sitting on the left side as most of the castles seemed to be on that side. The restaurant where we had lunch and did the wine tasting was really cool as well and the wines were very tasty. A great trip!”

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Rhine Valley Trip from Frankfurt including Rhine River Cruise - The steamer cruise is the heart of the day
Cruises & Boat Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Frankfurt

Rhine Valley Trip from Frankfurt including Rhine River Cruise

7.Rhine Valley Trip from Frankfurt including Rhine River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,179 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $167

Travel from Frankfurt to the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine Valley by air-conditioned coach or van. Cruise past castles and vineyards, enjoy lunch or dinner, and sample regional wines. Full-day departures may include the Niederwald Monument, while winter or poor river conditions can bring a castle visit instead.

“Expect the best and have fun. Information was excellent. We enjoyed the conversation. The food was excellent better thab expected. Friendly and helpful.”

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Cochem: Panoramic Cruise on the Moselle River - The views worth watching for
Cruises & Boat Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Trier

Cochem: Panoramic Cruise on the Moselle River

8.Cochem: Panoramic Cruise on the Moselle River

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,004 reviews · 1 hour · from $16

Spend one relaxed hour on the Moselle River, taking in Cochem Castle, vineyards, and timbered villages from the water. German and English commentary points out local sights and town history. You can buy snacks and drinks aboard, including wine, coffee, desserts, and apple pie, while enjoying open views and space for photos.

“The boat cruise was nicely paced and lovely - a beautiful, sunny day and a relaxing boat ride along the Moselle. I appreciated the occasional highlights along the way given in both German and English.”

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Cologne City Tour Experience cathedral city on the Rhine - Churches, the station, and Roman Cologne
City Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Cologne

Cologne City Tour Experience cathedral city on the Rhine

9.Cologne City Tour Experience cathedral city on the Rhine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 852 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35Top rated

Walk Cologne’s old town with guides such as Sascha or Ralf, starting at the Petrus Fountain beside the cathedral. In about two hours, you’ll see Roman traces, the cathedral exterior, Rhine viewpoints, historic squares, carnival monuments, and lesser-noticed details that are easy to miss alone. The tour is in English and limited to 30 people.

“Ralf was an excellent tour guide, very knowledgeable with a sense of humour (I know!). Ralf was able to point out many interesting points as we walked through the city which we would have missed and he even treated us to a song in German”

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Koblenz: 2-Hour Sightseeing Cruise on the Rhine - The opening run past Deutsches Eck and Ehrenbreitstein
2-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Koblenz

Koblenz: 2-Hour Sightseeing Cruise on the Rhine

10.2-Hour Sightseeing Cruise on the Rhine

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 839 reviews · from $20

Board La Paloma at Koblenz’s Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer for a two-hour Rhine cruise to Braubach and back. You’ll pass Deutsches Eck, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, Stolzenfels, Lahneck, and Marksburg Castle, with German and English commentary, onboard food, drinks, and wheelchair access by advance registration.

“We had a great time and thought this was a very good value for the money!”

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Cologne: 2-Hour Evening Cruise on the Rhine River - The two-hour route, from boarding to return
2-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Cologne

Cologne: 2-Hour Evening Cruise on the Rhine River

11.2-Hour Evening Cruise on the Rhine River

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 797 reviews · 2 hours · from $34

Spend two evening hours cruising past Cologne Cathedral, St. Kunibert, Groß St. Martin, St. Maria Lyskirchen, and the city’s bridges. Choose an open-deck chair or a sheltered seat by large windows. Live lounge music sets the mood, while the onboard bar serves cocktails, beer, snacks, and other drinks. No guide provides spoken commentary.

“Lovely relaxing good d j beautiful weather and nice snack and drink”

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Dresden: Elbe River Cruise to Meissen - Watching the Elbe and Saxon vineyards
Cruises & Boat Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dresden

Dresden: Elbe River Cruise to Meissen

12.Elbe River Cruise to Meissen

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 765 reviews · 2.5 - 8.5 hours · from $24

Travel from Dresden to Meissen and back aboard a paddle steamer, passing vineyards, wine villages, Scharfenberg Palace, and Siebeneichen Palace. In Meissen, use the three-hour stop from May through October to see Albrechtsburg, Frauenkirche, the porcelain factory, or the town museum. Commentary is provided by onboard announcements or app.

“In sunny weather we had a fine cruise to Meissen, on a well polished and clean paddle steamer, which was probably the smallest on the river. The bar steward was extremely efficient and friendly. This was a highlight of our holiday in Dresden.”

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Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive Music - What you see during the 90-minute river ride
Cruises & Boat Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Cologne, Winter Activities

Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive Music

13.Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 676 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $28

Set off from pier 10 on Cologne’s Rhine waterfront for a 1.5-hour winter cruise with live festive music, table service, and views of Cologne Cathedral, Groß St. Martin, and the crane houses of Rheinau Harbour. Stay warm inside with Glühwein, coffee, hot chocolate, cake, and other drinks available to buy, or step onto the open upper deck for photos.

“It was s very joyful and plaesant activity. Definetely it has put us into the Christmas spirit. The river cruise was so nice, we enjoyed every moment of it.”

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Düsseldorf: Rhine Tower Adult Entry - From 1982 landmark to city viewpoint
Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dusseldorf

Düsseldorf: Rhine Tower Adult Entry

14.Rhine Tower Adult Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 638 reviews · from $14Best value

Use your voucher at the Rhine Tower entrance and ride up for views over Düsseldorf, the Rhine, Media Harbour, Hofgarten, and Königsallee. The $14 adult ticket is valid for one day and includes the viewing platform. Visit near sunset for changing light, or stop by the snack bar and cafe for a drink with the city below.

“The View was amazing, it was a bit crowded and the cafe understaffed so we left a fat tip, but all together it was great and worth the money.”

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Cologne: 1-hour Rhine Cruise in Cologne - Finding pier 10 beside the Musical Dome
1-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Rhine & Moselle River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Cologne

Cologne: 1-hour Rhine Cruise in Cologne

15.1-hour Rhine Cruise in Cologne

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 407 reviews · from $20

Board at pier 10 beside the Musical Dome for a 65-minute round-trip cruise past Cologne Cathedral, Old Town, Rheinauhafen, the crane houses, and five bridges to Rodenkirchen. Recorded commentary plays in German and English. Evening departures after 5:15 PM add lounge music and sunset views, but no sightseeing explanations.

“The staff was very friendly. I didn't quite enjoy the food, but the drinks were good. An interesting journey. Recommend!”

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New in Rhine & Moselle River Cruises

★ 4.7Christmassy Advent Cruise on the RhineFrom $2219 reviews
★ 4.32-hour Christmas Boat Tour on the RhineFrom $2244 reviews
★ 4.9guided evening tour of the Rhine embankment/old town in German and EnglishFrom $2338 reviews
★ 4.9Guided tour in Mainz on the Rhine in german and englishFrom $23106 reviews

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