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
- Netherlands and Belgium. Cologne - Amsterdam - Cologne
- 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 Aurea (Cologne - Cologne)
- Weihnachtsshopping in Holland
- Rhine Experience Netherlands & Belgium 2026 (including Emmerich am Rhein)
- Southern Rhine Experience 2026
- Northern Rhine Experience 2026
- Rhine Panorama 2026
Duration 10 days Destinations Germany, Belgium, Netherlands Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Operator STM Tours LLC From $4,398
5% Off- NZ$4,178You save $220
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Netherlands, Belgium Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Operator Crucemundo From
5% Off- NZ$3,967+$148 upfront costs
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 Ages 16+ Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
5% Off- NZ$7,299
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 Ages 16+ Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $6,799
10% Off- NZ$6,119You save $680
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From $3,030
15% Off- NZ$2,575You save $454
Duration 4 days Destinations Cologne, Zaandam, Amsterdam, Nijmegen Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator DCS Touristik From
15% Off- NZ$736
Rhine Experience Netherlands & Belgium 2026 (including Emmerich am Rhein)
3 Reviews 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 All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
15% Off- NZ$1,965
Southern Rhine Experience 2026
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Outstanding service, clean spaces, good food. Just incredible for the price.”
Victoria, traveled in April
This 8-day Rhine cruise aboard A-ROSA SILVA connects 9 cities across 3 countries from Cologne's historic center. The route features the UNESCO-listed Rhine Valley and medieval towns like Rüdesheim and Breisach, with daily port excursions spanning 6-13 hours.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Switzerland, France Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
15% Off- NZ$2,359
The 8-day Rhine cruise covers 7 cities across 3 countries from Cologne's historic center. Setting sail at 18:00, guests visit Willemstad's fortress harbor, Ghent's Saint Bavo's Cathedral, and Antwerp's diamond district before returning via Amsterdam and Emmerich's iconic red suspension bridge.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Netherlands, Belgium Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
15% Off- NZ$1,965
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 All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
15% Off- NZ$3,048
What people love about Europe Tours from Cologne
- Rhine Experience Amsterdam & Rotterdam 2026
Need more English speaking on tour excursions and meed more than 1 elevator on the cruise ship.
- Rhine Experience Netherlands & Belgium 2025
Service on board was excellent! Waiters and room service were great. But entertainment wise was rather poor. Cruise was was advertised as German and English mostly German was used. Out of 38 minutes in German, English was use for 3 minutes?? WE had to ask for some translation.. The Cruise administration and presentation on adverting are very misleading. Premium All-Inclusive is just a misleading name and I think it is not the right name for a package!!! Even to have a reserved seats for meals we were asked for daily fee!
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."