Top France Budget River Cruise Trips & Packages 2025/2026

Our 96 most popular France Budget River Cruise Trips & Packages trips. Compare tour itineraries from 11 tour companies. 5 reviews.

96 Trips match your criteria (67 - 88 shown)

Christmastime from Budapest to Basel
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Budapest, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; Austrian cookies tasting on board; free time in Vienna in the evening
  • City sightseeing; Christmas market
  • Guided city walk in Krems; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk
  • Guided walk; Christmas market
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Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
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Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries & Charming Villages
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Bordeaux

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Wine introduction; Choice of guided visit to Château de la Brède or Sauternes tasting in a local wine estate
  • Choice of wine tasting in a Médoc-area wine estate or e-bike guided tour in the vineyards
  • Choice of Panoramic drive with visit to the Citadel of Blaye or art and wine experience or power walk with Adventure Host; orientation walk in Bourg
  • Choice of Libourne walking tour, visit to Saint-Émilion village or visit to Saint-Émilion village with wine tasting
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Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
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The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards & Castles with 2 nights in Paris
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Koblenz, Luxembourg, Paris, Rudesheim

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour
  • Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; in Rüdesheim choice of visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; free time in Koblenz in the evening
  • Sail through the Moselle Valley; choice of guided walk with visit of Reichsburg Castle or cable-car ride and hike with your Adventure Host or visit to the Historische Senfmühle (mustard mill)
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Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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Enchanted Europe (Eastbound)
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Boppard, Budapest, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Linz, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Rudesheim, Salzburg, Strasbourg, Vienna, Zurich

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of excursion to Black Forest or visit to Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim, or a hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge; time at leisure in Boppard
  • Choice of guided tour in Frankfurt, or guided tour in Seligenstadt
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Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
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Paris to Normandy
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Giverny, Normandy, Paris, Rouen

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle or walk with your Adventure Host; choice of guided walk or guided hike in Les Andelys; onboard crêpe tasting and Pastry Demonstration
  • Choice of excursion along the “Normandy Abbeys Route” or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of full-day excursions to Normandy landing beaches or 'A Taste of Normandy' excursion
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the cathedral or bike tour
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Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
German Grandeur with 2 Nights in Munich (Westbound)
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Boppard, Frankfurt, Munich, Nuremberg, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Welcome to Munich!
  • Full day excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Guided tour in Nuremberg; onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of guided tour, see the Old Town Hall or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided tour, visit to the Bishop’s Residenz or bike with your Adventure Host
Show more

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Christmastime from Budapest to Basel with 2 Nights in Budapest
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Budapest, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Welcome to Budapest!
  • Guided tour, see Heroes' Square; Christmas market
  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; Austrian cookies tasting on board; free time in Vienna in the evening
  • City sightseeing; Christmas market
Show more

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Best of Paris in 7 Days Tour
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3.7/5 Great
23 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Visits to a pair of the world's most significant medieval Gothic churches
  • Enjoy guided neighborhood walks through the city's historic heart
  • See the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art - almost next door - at the Orsay Museum
  • Enjoy a farewell feast together, sharing travel memories

Themes

Hiking & Walking, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged merchandise. I have attempted to email them through their website and I have left 3 voicemails (nobody answers the phone, ever!) and nobody has contacted me back. At this point, it seems like I've been ripped off. Buyer beware. Extremely disappointed."

Trip dates & details
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France Budget River Cruise Trips & Packages Reviews

K

Kg

Feb 2020

Provided byRick Steves

This was my first Rick Steves Tour. The hotel was comfortable . . I was underwhelmed.

First, I’m an experienced traveler. I found the group tours to be sluggish and slow and larger than I like, about 25 people. One woman disappeared, not bothering to...

M

MontvaleTom

Jul 2016

Provided byRick Steves

Great Tour of Paris

My family and I took the seven day Paris tour run by Rick Steves and had a great time. Excellent guide and perfect mix of scheduled events and free time. The special...

B

Bev H

Oct 2015

Provided byRick Steves

Excellent!

We went on the My Way Best of Euope 14 day tour last month. Excellent tour. So much to see!!! We loved it!! I would highly recommend it if you are an independent tra...

V

Victoria

Sep 2017

Written on

Lesson learned: Never travel through EF College Break Again.

I had to cancel my one week trip because of an unexpected stay in the hospital that made me unable to travel. After straightening everything out with my credit card ...

H

Hazel

Sep 2017

Written on

A knowledgeable, interesting and friendly local guide

Travelsphere never let us down. Over the past 15 or so years we have travelled with them 8 or 9 times, on short breaks to Paris and Germany, and longer ones to Canad...

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