Top Switzerland Budget River Cruise Trips &amp; Packages 2025/2026

none

4.7/5 Excellent

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

Amsterdam, Basel, Bordeaux, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Normandy, Paris, Rouen, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or sightseeing of Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or walk Philosophers’ Way with your Adventure Host, or visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz
Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim or hike in the vineyards 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; free time in Koblenz

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."

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22 days From$12,497

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German Grandeur (Westbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

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, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Nuremberg, Prague, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Zurich

Highlights

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
Guided tour
Choice of guided tour in Frankfurt, or guided tour in Seligenstadt or bike with your Adventure Host

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."

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$5,573

9 days From$4,299

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Romantic Rhine (Southbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

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, Basel, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Zurich

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; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided walk in Mainz with a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, or a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or walk the Philosophers’ Way with your Adventure Host

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."

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$4,199

8 days From$3,299

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Design custom trip

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Rhine & Rhône Revealed (Northbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

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, Arles, Avignon, Basel, Burgundy, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Koblenz, Lyon, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Vienne

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host
Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes
Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral or walk with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided walk in Tournon or hike with your Adventure Host

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."

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$9,717

15 days From$7,498

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Christmastime from Basel to Nuremberg with 2 Nights in Prague

none

4.7/5 Excellent

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, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Prague, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest or Freiburg sightseeing; Christmas market
Guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; Christmas market
Guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat; free time for Christmas market
Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; Christmas market

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."

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$8,285

12 days From$5,927

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Active & Discovery on the Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

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

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Strasbourg

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of painting class, or kayak tour or canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour
Choice of guided city sightseeing, or biking tour, or culinary tour
Choice of Koblenz walking tour and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress with cable car ride, or Volcano Tour experience, or e-biking tour in the vineyards; cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breath-taking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; private reception at Rheinstein Castle
Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle with tasting of local special-ties, see the Great Vat, or a hike up Philosophers’ Way, or beer tour

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."

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$6,383

10 days From$5,028

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Timeless Rivers of Europe: the Rhine and Seine

none

4.7/5 Excellent

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

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Normandy, Paris, Rouen, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or sightseeing of Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or walk Philosophers’ Way with your Adventure Host, or visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz
Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the leg-endary Rock of the Lorelei; free time in Koblenz

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."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

15 days From$7,798

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Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Southbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

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

Basel, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Strasbourg, Zurich

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Guided visit of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat; free time for Christmas market
Guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; Christmas market
Choice of Freiburg sightseeing or excursion the Black Forest; Christmas market
This Christmastime river cruise is a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season! Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Frankfurt, Germany, then sail up the Rhine River to Basel, Switzerland, passing beautiful views and quaint villages festively lit and decorated

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."