The Prices of River Cruises to Asia
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There's a certain charm in seeing everything from the water. River cruises in Asia offer the perfect mix of serenity and excitement, taking you to fascinating cities, towns, and natural landmarks, all while you relax and enjoy the journey. From breathtaking views to captivating history, these cruises give you a front-row seat to the beauty of each stop, without ever having to lift your luggage.
In this article, we'll break down the costs of river cruises in Asia, highlight the best cruises available, and guide you through the most popular routes that make these tours such an unforgettable experience. We've analyzed a variety of options to find the best value for your river cruise, comparing prices, destinations, and amenities. Ready to set sail? Your next adventure is waiting!
Why does Asia appeal to river cruise passengers?
River cruises in Asia appeal to travelers for their relaxed pace, scenic views, and access to culturally rich, often less-touristed destinations. Beijing, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Koh Phi Phi is known for its stunningly beautiful beaches, world-class snorkeling and diving, and wild booze cruises. Beijing, Chiang Mai, and Ubud are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. With easy, all-inclusive travel arrangements and immersive stops in culturally rich areas, river cruises provide a convenient and enriching way to explore multiple regions in comfort and style.
How much do River Cruises in Asia cost?
The average price per day for river cruises in Asia is $377, based on our analysis of 15 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $120 to $795 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $182 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $613 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Cruises in Asia
Budget-Friendly Cruises
Budget-friendly and affordable river cruises in Asia average $182 per day, with daily prices from $120 to $216. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Deluxe Vietnam Aqua Life In 10 Days - 4 Stars and 5 Stars Option - Private Tour here.
Mid-Range Cruises
For typical river cruises in Asia that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $336 per day. Daily prices range from $256 to $395. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is From the Temples of Angkor to the Mekong Delta & Hanoi and Halong Bay (port-to-port cruise) (from Siem Reap to Hanoi).
Luxury Cruises
Luxury river cruises in Asia average around $336 per day, with daily costs ranging from $455 to $795. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Mekong Discovery (Southbound) 2026.
Which tour companies offer river cruises?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer river cruises in Asia. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
CroisiEurope River Cruises
Focusing on river cruise tours through France, Germany, Cambodia, and Vietnam, CroisiEurope River Cruises is a well established tour provider. Most participants on their tours are adults and their tours range in length from 2 days to 3 weeks. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers.
See All Tours from CroisiEurope River Cruises
Realistic Asia
Realistic Asia is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 6 countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. The small group sizes, often less than 15, make for a very personal experience. Certain tours offer the flexibility to be adapted to your unique needs. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as snorkelling, diving, parasailing, and jetskiing.
See All Tours from Realistic Asia
Avalon Waterways
Focusing on river cruise tours through Germany, France, Hungary, and the Netherlands, Avalon Waterways is a well established tour provider. Most participants on their tours are adults and their tours range in length from 5 days to 4 weeks. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Most of the tours provided by Avalon Waterways are high-end and luxurious with a top-tier level of service.
See All Tours from Avalon Waterways
Silk Road Trips
Silk Road Trips is a smaller international tour company with tours to 7 countries, including China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Silk Road Trips
River Cruise Destinations in Asia
Wondering where river cruise tours visit in Asia? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a mix of old and new, modern and historic, and it fills your senses with colors, sounds, scents, and tastes. The city has many museums that reflect the country's war torn past, but there are also peaceful parks and beautiful art. The food scene is second-to-none and the people are friendly and welcoming.
Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and it offers a unique glimpse into the northern Vietnamese culture. The city is filled with interesting architecture, local foods, and bustling street markets. At the heart of the city's energy is the Old Quarter, which is where you'll find backpackers, locals, and tourists all intermingling.
Halong Bay
Hạlong Bay is often visiting as a side trip from Hanoi. It's a world-class destination that is regularly recognized for its spectacular beauty. The limestone karsts make for a dramatic setting, that most visitors explore as part of an overnight boat tour. Most trips including hiking, kayaking, and some time at the beach.
Halong Bay has been voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and it is regularly listed as one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Hoi An
Hội An is a charming town on the central coast of Vietnam. The old town is filled with yellow buildings and in the evening it lights up with lanterns. The town's local cuisine can only be found in this setting, so don't miss out on the truly unique dishes. Tailor made clothing is also a local specialty.
The city is beautiful during the day with its traditional architecture, as well as at night when it is lit with lanterns.
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Other popular destinations for river cruise tours through Asia include Phnom Penh, Chau Doc, Siem Reap, Sa Dec, and Vinh Long.
Which is cheaper?
Are guided river cruises worth the money compared to independent travel? It depends on the specifics. Tours combine accommodations, meals, transport, tickets, and activities into a single cost, while independent travelers manage and pay for these individually. To determine which is more affordable, compare the tour's total price with what you'd spend booking everything separately. Preferences like staying in low-cost lodging or indulging in fine dining can influence whether a tour costs more or less. Make sure to check out the tour package to see what is included, or not, very carefully before deciding.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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