What is the typical length of river cruise tours from Basel to Amsterdam?

Most tours run between 8 and 15 days, with many travelers choosing the popular 8-11 day trips. AmaWaterways offers a longer 15-day cruise down the Rhine, while Emerald Cruises has a shorter 8-day option. One happy TourRadar traveler told us, "The 8-day itinerary was perfect - enough time to see everything without feeling rushed while enjoying the comfort of the ship."

What are the main stops between Basel and Amsterdam?

Your cruise will take you to Strasbourg in France and several German cities including Breisach, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, and Cologne before reaching Amsterdam. You'll pass through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO site where you'll see medieval castles and hillside vineyards. Most boats stop in Cochem in the Moselle Valley and take you to see places like Heidelberg Castle and Cologne Cathedral. As one TourRadar traveler put it, "the breathtaking views of castles along the Rhine Gorge and the charming old town of Strasbourg."

How much do Basel to Amsterdam river cruises cost?

You can expect to pay between 3,000 USD and 11,690 USD per person, which usually works out to about 500-1,000 USD per day. If you're looking for luxury, Emerald Cruises has an 11-day trip for 11,690 USD. For a mid-range option, Viking Cruises offers an 8-day Rhine trip starting at 4,229 USD. Your ticket typically covers your room, meals, tours, and entertainment on the boat.

What shore excursions can I expect on Basel to Amsterdam cruises?

At each stop, you'll have chances to join city walks and local cultural activities. You can take a trip to the Black Forest from Breisach, explore Strasbourg's cathedral and historic district, visit Heidelberg Castle, cruise through the Rhine Gorge, and tour Amsterdam's canals. TourRadar travelers mention enjoying active options too - you can join bike rides and walks, which are especially nice in Cologne and along the Rhine Valley.

When is the best time to take a Basel to Amsterdam river cruise?

The cruise season runs from April through December. Most people travel between May and September when the weather's warmest and days are longest. If you're interested in Christmas markets, book a December trip. July and August are busy months with lots of departures. Spring and fall are great too - you'll find nice weather and fewer tourists. Many people love going in autumn when they're harvesting grapes in the Rhine Valley.

How long do we stay in each port?

You usually get 4-8 hours to explore each place, and some stops include overnight stays. In Strasbourg, for example, boats typically dock from 9:00 AM until 11:00 PM, so you can join tours and explore on your own. One TourRadar traveler mentioned, "We had wonderful city stops with enough time to explore both with guides and on our own." In bigger cities like Amsterdam and Basel, you often get a full day or night to see more.

What's it like sailing through the Rhine Gorge?

The Rhine Gorge is often the highlight of the trip. You'll pass medieval castles and the famous Lorelei Rock during daylight hours, usually between Rüdesheim and Koblenz. The crew points out interesting sights along the way. TourRadar travelers love this part - one said "The panorama of the myth-enshrouded Middle Rhine Valley with its castles and vineyards was absolutely spectacular." Most people hang out on the sun deck to get the best views.

River Cruises from Basel to Amsterdam

Ever dreamed of drifting from Basel all the way to Amsterdam? This Rhine journey's got Colmar's charm, canoeing along riverbanks, Strasbourg's traditional canal boats, and Riesling tastings at Schloss Johannisberg Winery. There's a Beethoven concert waiting in Bonn, medieval castles lining the banks, and honestly, Europe's most romantic river views at every turn.

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10 best River cruises from Basel to Amsterdam

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River Cruise
Classical Rhine Cruise (Basel - Amsterdam, 15 destinations)
4.2 (9 reviews)
"The trip was great. Well planned and organized at each port."
Brian, traveled in April
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Switzerland France Germany Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Amadeus Riva
River
Rhine
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Lueftner Cruises
From
US$2,858per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals 2026
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Switzerland Germany France Netherlands Belgium
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
AmaStella Old
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
AmaWaterways
From
US$10,798per person
+$500 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Romantic Rhine & Moselle 2026 - 15 Days (from Basel to Amsterdam)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Switzerland Germany France Netherlands Belgium
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Jasper Scenic Ruby+1 ship
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
From
US$9,195per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhine Highlights 2026 - 8 Days (from Basel to Amsterdam)
5.0 (2 reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Switzerland Germany France Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Opal Scenic Pearl+1 ship
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
14% off
From $6,190
US$5,326per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Enchanting Rhine 2026
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Switzerland Germany France Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
AmaViola AmaCerto AmaPrima AmaSiena AmaLucia AmaStella Old+4 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
AmaWaterways
14% off
From
US$3,999per person
+$250 upfront costs
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River Cruise
Christmas Markets on the Rhine 2026 - 8 Days (from Basel to Amsterdam)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Switzerland Germany France Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Emerald Star
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
9% off
From $5,640
US$5,114per person
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River Cruise
Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland (2026, Basel to Amsterdam)
4.0 (1 review)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Switzerland France Germany Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Antoinette
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
9% off
From
US$3,399per person
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River Cruise
Classical Rhine Cruise (Basel - Amsterdam, 13 destinations)
4.2 (9 reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Switzerland France Germany Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ships
AMADEUS Queen Amadeus Star Amadeus Cara AMADEUS Aurea+3 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Lueftner Cruises
15% off
From $2,465
US$2,096per person
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River Cruise
Magical Rhine & Moselle Rivers (Zurich to Amsterdam)
4.0 (1 review)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Switzerland Germany France Netherlands
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Rhine Moselle
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
15% off
From
US$5,299per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Castles along the Rhine & Amsterdam (2027, Basel to Amsterdam)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Switzerland Germany France Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ships
S.S. Antoinette S.S. Victoria S.S. Elisabeth+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
15% off
From
US$3,499per person
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River Cruise
Jewels of the Rhine 2026 - 8 Days (18 destinations)
3.0 (3 reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Switzerland Germany France Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Emerald Sun
River
Rhine MoselleNeckar+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
15% off
From
US$5,440per person
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River Cruise
Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles 2026
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Switzerland France Germany Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
AmaSerena
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
AmaWaterways
15% off
From
US$3,999per person
+$250 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Tulips & the Rhine 2027 - 8 Days
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Switzerland Germany France Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 12+
River
Rhine Moselle
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
27% off
From $4,420
US$3,218per person
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River Cruise
City Escape: Strasbourg & the Rhine 2026
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Switzerland Germany France Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
AmaViola AmaCerto AmaLucia+1 ship
Regions
Rhine Rhine Valley
Operated in
English
Operator
AmaWaterways
27% off
From
US$5,198per person
+$250 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Early Season on the Rhine 2027 - 8 Days (from Basel to Amsterdam)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Switzerland Germany France Netherlands
Age Range
Ages 12+
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
28% off
From $4,300
US$3,105per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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