River Cruises from Basel to Amsterdam
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10 best River cruises from Basel to Amsterdam
Compiled by
MelissaBasel travel expert at TourRadar
- Christmas on the Rhine Basel to Amsterdam
- Treasures of the Rhine from Basel Crucevita Superior
- From Basel to Amsterdam : The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River
- Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals 2025 Start Basel, End Amsterdam
- Christmas Markets on the Rhine 2025 - 8 Days (from Basel to Amsterdam)
- Rhine and Moselle Christmas Markets Basel to Amsterdam (2025)
- Golf Cruise on the Rhine (Basel - Amsterdam) (9 destinations)
- Castles along the Rhine (2026) (Basel to Amsterdam, 2026)
- Romantic Rhine & Moselle 2026 - 15 Days (from Basel to Amsterdam)
- The Rhine & Moselle for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
A festive winter route leads from Basel's Old Town through 9 charming cities to Amsterdam's canal-lined streets. The 8-day voyage features Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik, Cologne's magnificent Gothic Cathedral markets, and Dordrecht's historic harbors. The luxury Viking ship offers elegant accommodation and regional cuisine for approx. $560 per day.
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Viking Cruises From $7,203
36% Off- NZ$4,621You save $2,582
8-day Rhine River journey from Basel to Amsterdam aboard MS Crucevita. Begin at Basel's Market Square, traverse 65km of UNESCO-listed Romantic Rhine, and conclude in Amsterdam's canal-lined streets. Visit 8 cities across 4 countries with guided tours and full-board dining.
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, France, Germany, Netherlands Age Range up to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
36% Off- NZ$4,075
From Basel to Amsterdam : The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A good boat, good crew, good food, excellent destinations. I have no hesitation in recommending river cruising.”
Graeme, traveled in August
The 8-day river voyage from Basel to Amsterdam covers 9 European cities. Passengers visit Colmar's Little Venice, pass the Lorelei rock, and browse Amsterdam's famous flower market. MS Symphonie stops at Strasbourg, Mainz, and Cologne's UNESCO-listed cathedral.
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
36% Off- NZ$5,456
This 15-day AmaStella cruise from Basel to Amsterdam visits 12 cities. Highlights include the UNESCO Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg Castle, Cologne's Gothic Cathedral, and Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum. Activities feature hiking Philosopher's Path and cycling through Kinderdijk's windmills.
Duration 15 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium Age Range 12 to 90 year olds Operator AmaWaterways From
36% Off- NZ$12,901+$794 upfront costs
Embark in Basel's medieval port, cruising 8 days through the Rhine Valley to Amsterdam's UNESCO canals. Journey covers 4 countries, stopping at Breisach's Black Forest markets, Strasbourg's Grande Île, and Cologne's Cathedral Square, before concluding with Dutch Golden Age architecture tours.
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Emerald Cruises From
36% Off- NZ$7,151
The Travelmarvel Capella sails an 8-day route from Basel to Amsterdam, visiting 7 cities in 4 countries. Passengers glide through the castle-rich Rhine Gorge, wander Strasbourg's UNESCO-protected center, and finish at Amsterdam's atmospheric Ice Village Market.
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Travel Marvel From
36% Off- NZ$3,745+$850 upfront costs
An 8-day golf-themed cruise from Basel to Amsterdam aboard AMADEUS Star features 4 championship courses including Le Kempferhof and St. Leon-Rot. The route includes 9 cities across Switzerland, France, Germany and Netherlands, with cultural stops in Strasbourg and Cologne. All ground transfers and golf equipment handling included.
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, France, Germany, Netherlands Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From
36% Off- NZ$7,717
The 8-day route from Basel's EuroAirport to Amsterdam aboard S.S. Antoinette or S.S. Elisabeth visits 12 cities. Highlights include Strasbourg, Cologne, and Rüdesheim, complemented by luxury river suites and gourmet dining across 4 countries.
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $6,899
10% Off- NZ$6,209You save $690
A 15-day luxury voyage from Basel's historic port to Amsterdam's UNESCO canals awaits aboard Scenic's fleet. Passengers pass 40 hilltop castles along the Rhine Gorge, visit medieval Cochem, and tour Marksburg Castle. The trip culminates at Utrecht's Domtoren and Amsterdam's 16th-century waterways, featuring premium dining and butler service.
Duration 15 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $9,845
30% Off- NZ$6,845You save $3,000
A wine-focused 11-day cruise from Basel to Amsterdam aboard Avalon Tranquility II visits 15 historic cities. The route showcases the Rhine Gorge's dramatic cliffs, Bernkastel's wine traditions, and Amsterdam's Golden Age canals. A Master of Wine hosts exclusive tastings throughout.
Duration 11 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Operator Avalon Waterways From
30% Off- NZ$12,097+$496 upfront costs
What people love about River Cruise Tours from Basel to Amsterdam
- From Basel to Amsterdam : The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River
First class experience - no complaints
- Classical Rhine Cruise (Basel - Amsterdam) (10 destinations)
The Rhine river cruise on the Amadeus Royal was lovely. The ports of call were all very interesting and beautiful. The ship staff was wonderful.
What our customers ask about River Cruises from Basel to Amsterdam
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.