River Cruises from Zurich

What our customers ask about River Cruises from Zurich

• What are the typical weather conditions for river cruises departing from Zurich?

  Weather in Zurich varies across cruise seasons. Spring brings mild temperatures of 45-65°F (7-18°C) with some rain showers. Summer is the warmest and sunniest time, with temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Fall stays comfortable at 50-65°F (10-18°C) with clear skies. If you're taking a Christmas Market cruise in winter, expect cooler temperatures around 30-45°F (-1 to 7°C). One TourRadar traveler mentioned, "Our April cruise had perfect mild temperatures for exploring ports, though we did experience some spring showers."

• What is the best time of year for river cruises starting from Zurich?

  Most travelers prefer three key periods for Zurich river cruises. Late spring (April-May) offers mild weather and blooming tulips. Summer (June-August) is perfect if you like warm weather and spending time outside. December is special for Christmas Market cruises. Spring temperatures typically range from 45-65°F (7-18°C), summer warms up to 65-80°F (18-27°C), and winter cools down to 30-45°F (-1 to 7°C). One TourRadar traveler shared, "Our May cruise offered perfect weather for sightseeing and beautiful spring flowers along the Rhine."

• What are the most popular stops on river cruise tours starting from Zurich?

  Your cruise will likely visit Basel, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Cologne, and Amsterdam. You can see where two rivers meet in Koblenz, and experience a mix of French and German culture in Strasbourg. One TourRadar traveler said, "Seeing the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge with its 40 hilltop castles was absolutely breathtaking." You might stay at nice hotels like the Hotel Bellevue Palace in Basel or Grand Hotel De L'Europe in Strasbourg along the way.

• Which rivers do these cruises typically cover when starting from Zurich?

  From Zurich, you'll mainly travel on the Rhine River and its connected waterways, including the Moselle and Main rivers. Your journey starts in Basel, which is 45 miles from Zurich. From there, you'll head north on the Upper Rhine through the Rhine Gorge. Some routes turn onto the Moselle River toward Cochem and Bernkastel, while others continue on the Rhine to Amsterdam. A TourRadar traveler noted, "The Rhine Gorge section with its castles and vineyards was absolutely spectacular, especially from the Panorama Lounge of our Scenic ship."

• How much time is typically spent in Zurich before starting the cruise?

  You'll usually get 1-3 days to explore Zurich before your cruise begins. For example, on the Zurich-Lucerne & Jewels of the Rhine tour, you spend one night in Zurich and two nights in Lucerne before heading to Basel to start your cruise. This gives you time to see places like Lake Zurich, Grossmünster Cathedral, and the Old Town. You might stay at the Zurich Marriott Hotel or Hotel Storchen by the Limmat River.

• What is the typical cruising schedule between Zurich and the first port of call?

  On your first day, you'll take a bus from Zurich to Basel, which is about 87 kilometers (54 miles) and takes around 1.5 hours. Most tours pick you up in the morning from either the Zurich Marriott or Moevenpick Hotel Zurich-Regensdorf. You'll usually board your ship in Basel around 3:00 PM and start cruising toward Breisach or Strasbourg that evening.

• What unique shore excursions are offered on river cruises starting from Zurich?

  You can try wine tasting in Alsace, go hiking in the Black Forest, or join guided bike tours along the Rhine. Emerald Cruises offers special tours like exploring Freiburg while tasting Black Forest cake. Scenic lets you visit Marksburg Castle in a way most tourists can't. One TourRadar traveler mentioned, "The guided bike tour through the Dutch countryside to Waterland was an unexpected highlight."