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The world's greatest river journeys

Recently updated on August 14th, 2023 at 05:05 pm

Whether you’re gliding through remote backwaters or sailing through historical cities, a river journey is sure to be an unforgettable experience. In honour of World Rivers Day on 30 September, we’ve put together some of the world’s best river cruises . From the Nile to the Rhine, the Mekong to the Mississippi, you’ll go where roads can’t on these extraordinary river journeys. 

You’ll waltz across Europe on the Danube. This dreamy river passes through ten European countries and four historic capital cities including Budapest, Vienna, Belgrade and Bratislava. Packed with everything from cultural and historical gems to natural wonders, the Danube is undoubtedly one of the world’s best river cruises. Marvel at the stunning scenery from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. Spot vineyards in Austria’s Wachau Valley, the Iron Gates gorge in Romania, the Little Carpathians of Slovakia, and the rolling hills of Bulgaria along the way. And discover cultural and historic highlights in gorgeous towns like Salzburg, Český Krumlov and Nuremberg.

Best time to go: All year round, except the hotter months of June and July when water levels are lower.

GET INSPIRED BY: Highlights of Eastern Europe

Experience one of the world’s best river journeys on the mighty Mekong in Southeast Asia. The remarkable river is full of emerald paddy fields, steaming jungle, glimmering temples and colourful floating markets. The Mekong flows through six countries from China to Vietnam, and you can go from the serene city of Luang Prabang in Laos to the vibrant, neon-lit streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Soak up the mouthwatering cuisine at the markets and make stops at the incredible temples of Angkor. Be sure to learn about the harrowing legacies of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia and the Vietnam War with excellent museums and former war camps and tunnels. 

Best time to go: November to February are the cooler months, but also the busiest. The wet season from June to October brings heavy rain but you’ll see fewer tourists.

GET INSPIRED BY: Vietnam and Cambodia Uncovered

As the world’s longest river at over 6,500 kilometres, the Nile is one of the world’s best river cruises. While it flows through 11 countries in Africa, it’s most famous in Egypt. Here you’ll journey through ancient history, with temples and tombs that are thousands of years old. Hop onboard a riverboat and watch the scenery pass by from lush fields and traditional villages to shimmering desert. You’ll stop at the most incredible sights in Egypt including the ancient temples of Kom Ombo, Karnak, Edfu and Abu Simbel. You’ll even cruise to the grand necropolises in the Valley of the Kings, and the vibrant city of Aswan.

Best time to go : Boats cruise all year round, but October to April is the best time with the coolest temperatures.

GET INSPIRED BY: Best of Egypt

The Ganges is like no other river on earth. Renowned as the holiest river in India, you’ll find it all here from culture and history to moving spirituality. Wake up at dawn and see the morning mist coating the water, while people wash colourful clothes on the steps beside the water. Come by in the evening and smell incense floating through the carved temples as funeral pyres burn on the banks. As you cruise the Ganges you’ll see ancient forts, palaces and temples, and get a remarkable insight into daily life on the river. And don’t forget to witness the sunrise or sunset (or both!) over the Ganges – it’s truly spectacular.

GET INSPIRED BY: Golden Triangle, Tigers and The Ganges

Wondering where to go on a river cruise? It doesn’t get much more impressive than the Amazon, the world’s largest river by water flow . Spanning almost 7,000 kilometres and snaking through six countries in South America, the Amazon takes you on a moving journey into the jungle. The majority of the river runs through Peru and Brazil, and each holds its own unique treasures. In Peru, you can cruise to the Tambopata National Reserve where you’ll marvel at all the plants and animals including giant river otters, monkeys, caimans, birds and the elusive anaconda. In Brazil, you can watch how the waters of the Rio Negro merge with the Solimões. Or take a canoe trip through the jungle to try piranha fishing or even spot capybaras or anacondas. 

Best time to go: The rainy season from December to May. This is when the smaller tributaries of the Amazon fill up, meaning better cruising access and incredible wildlife watching.

GET INSPIRED BY: Icons of South America with Brazilian Amazon

Chobe River

With extraordinary wildlife and scenery, the Chobe River has got to be one of the world’s best river cruise trips. Stemming from the great Zambezi River, the Chobe River runs through Botswana into the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. The park is famed for its massive wild herds of elephants and stunning natural landscapes. You’ll also spot hippos, buffalos, lions and zebras splashing at the river banks, and hundreds of bird species flying overhead. Whether you want to float through the reeds in a makoro (dugout canoe), or cruise the length of the river in a sightseeing boat, a trip down the Chobe River will be full of wonders.

Best time to go: The dry season from April to October. As inland water sources become scarce, the animals gather around the Chobe River, giving you the best chance of spotting some incredible wildlife. 

GET INSPIRED BY: Victoria Falls Experience

The Yangtze

The Yangtze is one of the world’s best river cruises. It’s the longest river in Asia, spanning over 6,000 kilometres through China, and it’s full of magical scenery, culture and history. As you cruise along the emerald waters, snaking through rugged mountains shrouded in green forest and mist, you’ll spot ornate temples and peaceful villages. There’s also plenty of wonders like the Three Gorges Dam, the soaring gorges of Wuhan, and the eerie ghost city at Fengdu. With stops at vibrant cities like Chongqing and Shanghai along the way, you’ll experience the incredible diversity of China with a Yangtze River cruise.

Best time to go: You can go all year round. Our favourite seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) with milder temperatures and gorgeous scenery.

GET INSPIRED BY: Best of China with Yangtze Cruise

The Mississippi

Winding through 10 states from Minnesota to Louisiana, the Mississippi is one of the world’s most famous rivers. Having inspired countless writers, poets and musicians, it’s sure to fascinate any traveller. The Mississippi is full of history with American Civil War memorials, battlefields and antebellum plantation houses where the horrors of slavery in the United States took place. And it’s also full of life. You’ll rock ‘n’ roll your way from the blues bars of Memphis to the jazz clubs of New Orleans. Or indulge in the finest soul food and bourbon, and cruise the swamps in search of alligators and birds. Whether you want to soak up the food, culture, history or nature, the best way to discover the soul of the USA is a riverboat cruise down the Mississippi. 

Best time to go: Avoid the extreme temperatures of summer and winter and enjoy the Mississippi River in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October). 

GET INSPIRE BY: Tastes and Sounds of the South

Want to see the best of Europe? A Rhine river cruise takes you through six beautiful countries including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Glide through iconic cities like Amsterdam, Cologne, Strasbourg and Basel. Marvel at the natural wonders like lush vineyards, towering gorges and the stunning Black Forest. Step through history as you make stops at Baroque palaces, fairytale castles and medieval towns. Sip the famous wines and indulge in the delicious local cuisine. A river cruise down the Rhine is sure to be one of your most memorable journeys yet.

GET INSPIRED BY: European Highlights

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Have you experienced any of the world’s best river cruises? Let us know in the comments below!

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Founded in 1947, Trafalgar offers guided vacations on six continents. The company’s expertly planned trips include accommodations, transportation between cities, some meals and special insider experiences in the upfront price. You'll save money and time with these value-packed vacations.

Trafalgar selects quality hotels that are close to city centers, so you are never far from historic sites, shops and cafes. Included meals are enjoyed at restaurants chosen for their unique ambience and tasty cuisine.

While a skilled driver navigates the roads, an expert Travel Director manages the daily schedule and provides valuable knowledge about each destination to enhance your experience. Trafalgar’s Travel Directors are among the best in the business and are only allowed to guide vacations after completing an extensive training program.

Trip ratings on this site are based on the quality of accommodations, the number of included meals and activities and the level of service delivered. Trafalgar's vacations are categorized as first class on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe).

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Europe River Cruises

Experience the magic of Europe along its majestic rivers! From the Rhine to the Douro , from the Main to the Danube , we have cruises all through Europe, ranging from 1 days up to 31 days. The most popular month for these cruises is August, which has the most tour departures. Looking outside of Europe? See all river cruises .

250+ European river cruises with 1,194 reviews

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Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 2024

Sehr schön, tolle Gruppenreise, viele verschiedene Reiseeinheiten buchbar. Gutes Essen, Service war gut, Unterkunft angepasst und schöne Unterhaltung. Auch als Alleinreisender durchführbar.

Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2024

Low water and motor coach use for part of the trip were the only issues. Avalon did a great job of working around the issues and has offered generous compensation for the inconvenience. I’ll use Avalon again.

Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Bucharest (Turnu Magurele) , MS Fidelio

Classic Rhine cruise (Amsterdam-Basel) MS Crucevita

Very friendly and helpful staff. Itinerary was well designed with lots of variety.

Grand Danube Cruise 2024

Captivating Rhine 2024 Start Amsterdam, End Basel

From the Blue Danube to the Black Sea (port-to-port cruise) (11 destinations)

Crosieurope had nice food, plenty of beer and wine, very clean boat - both inside and out. Staff were very nice and helpful, always cleaning windows, carpet, etc. The administration staff were a bit at times disorganised. Sometimes they would forget to give message in English after they delivered Message in French.

The beautiful blue Danube (port-to-port cruise)

The tour was very good, the crew were excellent, very helpful, approachable and informative and always available. The tours were great and the Danube is wonderful to cruise on. The food was of excellent quality but the fact that there was no choice on the menu was poor and we feel there should have been an earlier sitting for dinner, and lunch could have been a buffet. The accommodation was adequate but the shower was totally inadequate. We enjoyed the cruise

Splendours of Europe (Start Amsterdam, End Budapest)

The program in the Emerald ship was magnificently planned and discussed. The local music during the cruise was so informative. Long live the music from the Netherlands and Germany through Austria and Slovakya to Hungary! Just for the music, dances and songs I will do the cruise again!

Danube Classics Vienna 2024 (10 destinations)

Splendours of Europe (Start Budapest, End Amsterdam)

Danube Classics Vienna 2024 (8 destinations)

Al-Rosa did an excellent job. Food was good and lots of it, the cabin was clean and comfortable. The staff were always friendly and helpful and Sabrina did a great job of looking after everyone and made sure that we were always at the right place at the right time. The tours were great and we enjoyed our evenings in the lounge with music and quizzes by Erich. We had a great holiday!

Enchanting Danube (2024) (Budapest to Passau, 2024)

Classical Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel) (10 destinations)

All the staff were excellent. I especially would like to mention Stepan, Ana, Giovanni, Yani, Yasa, Raka, Vah, Bonbon, Titot, Dani, Christian. But everyone treated us like royalty. Not one time did someone say, "oh that is not my job." The accomodations were top class, the food excellent, loved the pool. Definately 5 stars.

Enchanting Danube (2024) (Passau to Budapest, 2024)

This was our first river cruise and everything went beyond our expectation. Services: the staff were accommodating and helpful. Tours: various excursions to choose from for different age group and they were well-organized. Ship: beautiful boutique-design ship. The only cons is a slow Wifi connection but it ain't a big deal. There were so many onboard activity that kept us entertaining. I noticed that the cruise operates in eco-friendly manner, i.e. they eliminates sing-use plastic. That's a big plus!!!!

European River Cruises Reviews

It was a great cruise. The food was amazing, the crew was really helpful, and the tours and tour guides were great. The only thing to imporve on if the WiFi which only worked half the time.

The Wi-Fi didn’t work as expected and it caused quite an inconvenience. The excursion plan is not as clear either. Overall it’s still a good tour but I think my last Danube river with Avalon is better than this rhino river cruise.

Great company to cruise with. Ship carries 110 passengers. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner each day. Plenty of stops to sightsee. The castles along the Rhine make trip a very enjoyable cruise. All staff were great.

Popular Cruise Ships

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Overview Captivating Rhine

7- night cruise, 7- night cruise with 2-nights amsterdam pre-cruise and 2 nights lake lucerne, 2 nights zurich post-cruise, 7-night cruise add pre- or post-cruise land program 7-night cruise with 2-nights amsterdam pre-cruise and 2 nights lake lucerne, 2 nights zurich post-cruise 7-night cruise with 2-nights amsterdam pre-cruise and 2 nights lake lucerne, 2 nights zurich post-cruise add pre- or post-cruise land program 7-night cruise, cruise from : amsterdam to basel, cruise from :, countries: france, germany, netherlands, switzerland france, germany, netherlands, switzerland, rivers: rhine, captivating rhine at a glance.

• Amsterdam to Basel
• Amsterdam to Zurich

Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.

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Founded in 1947, Trafalgar offers guided vacations on six continents. The company’s expertly planned trips include accommodations, transportation between cities, some meals and special insider experiences in the upfront price. You'll save money and time with these value-packed vacations.

Trafalgar selects quality hotels that are close to city centers, so you are never far from historic sites, shops and cafes. Included meals are enjoyed at restaurants chosen for their unique ambience and tasty cuisine.

While a skilled driver navigates the roads, an expert Travel Director manages the daily schedule and provides valuable knowledge about each destination to enhance your experience. Trafalgar’s Travel Directors are among the best in the business and are only allowed to guide vacations after completing an extensive training program.

Trip ratings on this site are based on the quality of accommodations, the number of included meals and activities and the level of service delivered. Trafalgar's vacations are categorized as first class on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe).

• Save up to 22% off trips. Prices shown reflect discount. Expires April 30. Click here .
• Save up to $3,000 per couple off tours. Prices shown reflect discount. Expires April 30. Click here .