Rhine Cruises from Cologne
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10 best Rhine river cruises from Cologne
Compiled by

MelissaCologne travel expert at TourRadar
- Romantic Rhine & Alsace Region – VISTARIO Superior
- Romantic Rhine & Alsace Region – VISTARIO Standard
- Magic of Advent on the Rhine (Cologne - Strasbourg) (including Koblenz)
- Rhine Holiday Markets (2025) (Cologne to Basel, 2025)
- Cruising the Rhine & Moselle
- Christmas Cruise on the Rhine (Cologne - Cologne)
- Rhine Holiday Markets (2026) (Cologne to Basel, 2026)
- Weihnachtsshopping in Holland
- ESSENCE OF RHINE (Cologne - Strasbourg - Mainz - Cologne)
- Rhine Christmas Markets 2026
Duration 8 days Destinations Cologne, Koblenz, Mannheim, Strasbourg, Speyer, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Andernach Age Range All Ages Welcome River Rhine Operator Europamundo From $2,394
15% Off- US$2,035You save $359
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Switzerland, France Age Range All Ages Welcome River Rhine Operator Europamundo From $1,967
15% Off- US$1,672You save $295
Magic of Advent on the Rhine (Cologne - Strasbourg) (including Koblenz)
1 Review by TourRadar travelersSailing starts at Cologne's Rhine port at 16:00, passing through UNESCO Middle Rhine Valley. Visit medieval Koblenz (4 hours), Rüdesheim (5 hours), Speyer (11 hours), before reaching Strasbourg. The 435-kilometer journey spans 5 days.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cologne, Koblenz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Speyer, Straßburg Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ships Amadeus Silver IIAmadeus StarAmadeus CaraAmadeus Nova River Rhine Operator Lueftner Cruises From $1,118
25% Off- US$839You save $280
Your Rhine adventure starts in Cologne near its Gothic cathedral for an 8-day southbound route. Visit Koblenz's German Corner, float through the UNESCO Rhine Gorge, walk Rüdesheim's Drosselgasse, and finish in Basel. Daily ports include Mainz, Baden-Baden, and Strasbourg's Grande Île.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 16+ Ship S.S. Antoinette River Rhine Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
25% Off- US$5,099
Rhein Symphonie sails 480km from Cologne's river port to Strasbourg and back. The route through the Middle Rhine Valley passes Loreley Rock and visits historic ports including Andernach, Mainz, and Koblenz.
Duration 8 days Destinations Cologne, Andernach, Mainz, Germersheim, Strasbourg, Mannheim, Rudesheim am Rhein, Koblenz Age Range Ages 18+ River RhineMoselle Operator Just You From $3,995
11% Off- US$3,536You save $459
Duration 7 days Destinations Cologne, Koblenz, Speyer, Strasbourg, Mainz Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator Lueftner Cruises From
11% Off- US$2,272
The S.S. Antoinette glides south from Cologne's cathedral to the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge. Stops include Koblenz's German Corner, Rüdesheim's Drosselgasse, and Mainz's Old Town before reaching Basel. The route spans 316 miles over 8 days through three countries.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Switzerland, France Age Range Ages 16+ Ships S.S. AntoinetteRiver Duchess River Rhine Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $3,899
10% Off- US$3,509You save $390
Duration 4 days Destinations Cologne, Zaandam, Amsterdam, Nijmegen Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator DCS Touristik From
10% Off- US$634
ESSENCE OF RHINE (Cologne - Strasbourg - Mainz - Cologne)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The food was varied and delicious and the wine was lovely. I would recommend and book with crucemundo again.”
Tracy, traveled in April
Duration 8 days Destinations Cologne, Koblenz, Mannheim, Strasbourg, Speyer, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Andernach Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, French, Spanish Ship MS Crucebelle River Rhine Operator Crucemundo From $2,141
20% Off- US$1,712+$87 upfront costsYou save $428
Rhine Christmas Markets 2026
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Had a fabulous time visiting different Christmas markets; very festive (gets more crowded at night)!”
Marinette, traveled in December
A-ROSA AQUA leaves Cologne at 17:00, navigating through Rüdesheim's famous Drosselgasse and Mainz before reaching Frankfurt. The route leads through the dramatic Loreley Valley to historic Koblenz's Deutsches Eck, before returning to Cologne. All stops within walking distance of ports.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Mainz, Frankfurt-am-Main, Koblenz Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA AQUA River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
20% Off- US$632
What people love about Rhine Cruises from Cologne
- ESSENCE OF RHINE (Cologne - Strasbourg - Mainz - Cologne)
İt was wonderfull tour
- Rhine Christmas Markets 2026
Overall good trip and service
- UNDISCOVERED NETHERLANDS, Cologne - Amsterdam - Cologne, MS Vista Rio
Great company to cruise with. Ship carries 110 passengers. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner each day. Plenty of stops to sightsee. The castles along the Rhine make trip a very enjoyable cruise. All staff were great.
What our customers ask about Rhine Cruises from Cologne
What is the typical duration of Rhine river cruises starting in Cologne?
Rhine river cruises from Cologne range from 5-8 days with 6 and 8-day itineraries being the most common options. The Rhine Legends cruise takes travelers on a 6-day route through Rüdesheim Strasbourg and Mainz while the Southern Rhine Experience extends to 8 days reaching Basel and Breisach. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The 8-day itinerary gave us the perfect amount of time to explore each port without feeling rushed."
What are the most popular river cruise routes departing from Cologne?
From Cologne travelers can choose between three main routes: the Southern Rhine visiting Strasbourg Basel and the Black Forest region; the Northern Rhine exploring Dutch cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam; and the Rhine-Moselle combination through Koblenz and wine country. Most itineraries include stops at the Rhine Gorge and Lorelei Rock both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Ships range from the luxury S.S. Antoinette to premium vessels like A-ROSA Silva. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Taking the Southern Rhine route let us experience both German and French culture while enjoying stunning river views."
What is the best season for Rhine river cruises starting in Cologne?
Rhine cruises operate best from April through October when weather conditions are favorable and attractions are open. Summer (June-August) brings warm temperatures perfect for outdoor activities while spring (April-May) offers flower-filled landscapes with fewer tourists. The November-December season draws visitors for Christmas market cruises. A TourRadar traveler reports: "We chose a May departure from Cologne and had perfect weather for both sightseeing and scenic cruising."
What are the common departure points within Cologne for Rhine river cruises?
Cruises leave from three key locations: the Konrad Adenauer Ufer dock near Old Town and Cathedral the Deutzer Bridge pier on the eastern bank and the Harry-Blum-Platz landing by the Chocolate Museum. Many passengers choose to stay at nearby hotels like the Hyatt Regency Cologne or Maritim Hotel. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The central location of the Konrad Adenauer dock made it easy to explore Cologne before departure."
How much free time is typically available during port stops?
Stops in ports last between 6-12 hours combining guided tours with independent exploration time. Major destinations like Amsterdam often include extended stays up to 14 hours allowing for evening activities. Departures from Cologne usually begin between 17:00-19:00 giving time to see the cathedral city. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The schedule provided perfect balance between organized tours and free time to explore cities at our own pace."
What shore excursions are available from Cologne before departure?
Before sailing travelers can join tours of the UNESCO-listed Cathedral explore the historic Old Town or visit the chocolate museum. Additional options include walks along the river promenade brewery tours in the Belgian Quarter and shopping on Hohe Straße. A-ROSA offers destination scouts to help plan personal itineraries and provides E-bikes for city exploration. Many guests arrive a day early based on TourRadar traveler recommendations to fully experience Cologne before departure.
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