The Best River Cruises in Western Europe

Which Tour Companies Offer River Cruises?

A number of fantastic tour companies offer river cruises in Western Europe. 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.

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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.

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Crucemundo

Crucemundo offers local river cruise tours through Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and others. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 5 days to 11 days. 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.

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Lueftner Cruises

Lueftner Cruises offers local river cruise tours through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, and others. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 5 days to 2 weeks. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category.

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River Cruise Destinations in Western Europe

Wondering where river cruise tours visit in Western Europe? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands and it is filled with canals and narrow row houses. The city is famous for its party-hard atmosphere, but it's also rich in history and culture. There are many famous museums, including the world renowned Rijksmuseum. Cycling is a huge part of the Dutch culture and you'll see bikers commuting everywhere in the city.

With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is located in the northeastern part of France near the German border. You'll find both French and German influences in the food, architecture, and culture and the city is considered on of the most beautiful in the region. It is also filled with impressive landmarks, many of which are found in the old town.

It is a charming and beautiful city that is filled with gardens, parks, pedestrian streets, and impressive architecture.

Vienna

Vienna is the capital of Austria and its beautifully situated on the Danube River. It's an artistic city that has a long history of classical music including being home to such renowned musicians as Mozart and Beethoven. The city has many palaces and beautiful architecture.

The city has beautiful Baroque architecture and a livable atmosphere.

Koblenz

Sitting at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, Koblenz makes a great base for exploring the region. It's a popular stop off for river cruises, and there is a charming old town to explore. Koblenz falls somewhere between a city and a town, and it has a number of good restaurants and decent public transportation for visitors. It's also famous for the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which looks out over the city from the hilltop.

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Other popular destinations for river cruise tours through Western Europe include Rudesheim am Rhein, Melk, Passau, Mannheim, and Breisach.

Which is cheaper?

Are guided river cruises more expensive than independent travel? It depends. Tours typically bundle accommodations, transportation, meals, tickets, guides, and activities into one price, while independent travel requires paying for these elements separately. To understand the cost difference, compare the total price of a tour with the estimated cost of handling all arrangements yourself. Personal preferences, like staying in budget accommodations or dining at upscale restaurants, could tip the balance either way. Always check what's covered in the tour to make an informed comparison.

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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