Europe Tours from Cologne
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10 best Europe tour packages from Cologne
Compiled by
MelissaEurope travel expert at TourRadar
- 10 Days of Canals, Castles & Culture by Train: Cologne, Brussels & Amsterdam Adventure
- Rhine Holiday Markets (2025) (Cologne to Basel, 2025)
- Rhine Holiday Markets (2026) (Cologne to Basel, 2026)
- New Year's Eve Cruise on the Rhine - AMADEUS Riva (Cologne - Cologne)
- Cruising the Rhine & Moselle
- Rhine Experience Netherlands & Belgium 2026 (including Emmerich am Rhein)
- Rhine Panorama 2026
- Rhine Experience & the Sea 2026
- Rhine Metropolises 2026
- Rhine New Year 2025
Duration 10 days Destinations Germany, Belgium, Netherlands Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German, Spanish Operator STM Tours LLC From $4,278
5% Off- NZ$4,064You save $214
This festive 8-day Rhine cruise from Cologne's historic center connects 14 cities across 3 countries. The route passes through the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, featuring Christmas markets in medieval towns like Koblenz and Rüdesheim, before concluding in Basel's festive wonderland.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $9,399
30% Off- NZ$6,579You save $2,820
The 8-day Rhine cruise from Cologne to Basel winds through the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The route features stops in charming Koblenz at the Rhine-Moselle confluence, medieval Rüdesheim's Drosselgasse, and Strasbourg's cobbled lanes. Guests sail aboard the luxurious S.S. Antoinette, visiting 13 cities across 3 countries.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Switzerland, France Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $7,799
10% Off- NZ$7,019You save $780
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From $2,947
15% Off- NZ$2,505You save $442
This 8-day, 480km Rhine adventure aboard Nicko Cruises' Rhein Symphonie features historic Andernach's 60-meter geyser, UNESCO-listed Strasbourg, and medieval Koblenz. Scenic highlights include Loreley Rock and the Middle Rhine Valley.
Duration 8 days Destinations Cologne, Andernach, Mainz, Germersheim, Strasbourg, Mannheim, Rudesheim am Rhein, Koblenz Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Just You From
15% Off- NZ$7,275
Rhine Experience Netherlands & Belgium 2026 (including Emmerich am Rhein)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers
The 8-day Rhine voyage connects 7 cities across Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium from Cologne Cathedral. Ports include Dutch fortress town Willemstad, medieval Ghent, coastal Vlissingen, bustling Brussels, Gorinchem's preserved ramparts, and Emmerich's Rhine Bridge.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Netherlands, Belgium Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From $1,911
10% Off- NZ$1,720You save $191
This 10-day Rhine adventure connects 9 cities across Germany, France, and Netherlands from historic Cologne. The route stretches from the UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral to Rotterdam's modern architecture, featuring medieval Nijmegen and the scenic Loreley Valley.
Duration 10 days Destinations Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
10% Off- NZ$3,156
This 10-day Rhine voyage showcases 8 cities across 3 countries, departing from Cologne's iconic Cathedral. The 189-mile route includes Willemstad's fortress, Antwerp's diamond district, and Ghent's Saint Bavo's Cathedral, with comfortable sailing aboard the A-ROSA SILVA.
Duration 10 days Destinations Germany, Netherlands, Belgium Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
10% Off- NZ$2,964
The 6-day river adventure spans 891km along the Rhine, connecting 5 cities across 3 countries from Cologne Cathedral. Ports of call include Willemstad's historic fortress, Antwerp's Diamond District, Amsterdam's canal ring, and Düsseldorf's modern Rhine Tower.
Duration 6 days Destinations Germany, Netherlands, Belgium Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
10% Off- NZ$1,528
The 8-day Rhine odyssey spans 435 kilometers through Germany, Belgium, and Netherlands from Cologne's iconic cathedral. Passengers enjoy overnight stays in Amsterdam and Antwerp aboard the A-ROSA SILVA, with strategic stops in Rotterdam and historic Nijmegen.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Belgium, Netherlands Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
10% Off- NZ$3,248
What people love about Europe Tours from Cologne
- Rhine Experience Amsterdam & Rotterdam 2026
The trip was sold as bilingual but much more information was disseminated in German.
- Southern Rhine Experience 2026
A-ROSA offered an excellent service. The staff was really attentive to its clientele and accommodating. The only problem was that the services and entertainment were not always offered in English, as the cruise was mostly attended by German people. For example, we (as non-German speaking guests) had a discount on some shore excursions because they could not be offered in English. They needed a minimum of 20 English speaking people to have tours in English and we could not reach that number. Although the discount was a good compromise, this situation was unfortunate as we missed a lot of information that was given. I would recommend that Tour Radar or A-ROSA tell their clients that this tour is mostly attended by German people so that people who cannot speak German look for a more international cruise ship to avoid that kind of situation.
What our customers ask about Europe Tours from Cologne
What are the common boarding locations for tours starting in Cologne?
Rhine river cruises depart from three main locations in Cologne: the Konrad Adenauer Ufer dock near Hohenzollern Bridge the Deutzer Bridge pier in the city center and the Cologne Cathedral port area. A-ROSA cruise ships provide a shuttle service that runs every 30 minutes from Cologne's main train station to the dock starting at 2:30 PM. Most departures take place between 5:00-6:00 PM. "The boarding process was very smooth with helpful staff getting us settled in our cabins at the Deutzer Bridge location" reported a TourRadar traveler.
What are the popular destinations visited on Rhine cruises from Cologne?
Rhine cruises from Cologne stop at several historic cities along the river. Travelers visit Strasbourg to see its Notre-Dame Cathedral Rüdesheim to explore the well-known Drosselgasse wine street and Speyer a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Koblenz passengers can take a cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for views of the Rhine Valley. "Visiting Strasbourg's picturesque Petite France district and the impressive European Parliament building was a highlight of our journey starting from Cologne" according to a TourRadar traveler.
What is the typical duration of river cruises starting in Cologne?
Most Rhine river cruises from Cologne last between 5-8 days with many travelers choosing 7-8 day itineraries. The 5-night Rhine Legends cruise includes stops in Rüdesheim and Strasbourg while longer 7-night Southern Rhine Experience journeys travel to Basel and several German towns. A TourRadar traveler shared that "the 8-day itinerary was perfect for experiencing both the Rhine and its cities" on their A-ROSA cruise.
What type of accommodations can I expect on Rhine cruises departing from Cologne?
River ships departing from Cologne provide standard cabins measuring 14.5m² equipped with individual air conditioning satellite TV and private bathrooms. Ships like the A-ROSA SILVA and S.S. Antoinette offer upgraded cabins on higher decks with French balconies or panoramic windows. For pre-cruise stays the Excelsior Hotel Ernst near Cologne Cathedral and Maritim Hotel Königswinter are popular choices. A TourRadar traveler noted "our cabin on the middle deck had floor-to-ceiling windows perfect for scenic Rhine viewing."
What's the best time of year for Rhine cruises starting in Cologne?
The prime season for Rhine cruises runs from May through September when mild temperatures create ideal conditions for outdoor activities. November and December feature special Christmas Market cruises with stops at holiday markets in Strasbourg and Basel. Spring brings flowering landscapes along the Rhine while summer offers extended daylight hours. A TourRadar traveler shared "we loved our June cruise with perfect weather for exploring the deck and shore excursions."
How much free time do I have to explore Cologne before departure?
Travelers typically have 4-6 hours to explore Cologne before afternoon departures which usually occur between 16:00-19:00. Many guests opt to arrive one day early to see the Cologne Cathedral Hohenzollern Bridge and Old Town without rushing. The Maritim Hotel Cologne and Hilton Cologne serve as convenient pre-cruise bases. One TourRadar traveler mentioned "arriving the day before gave us plenty of time to explore Cologne's highlights before embarking."