European River Cruises
Glide into the heart of Europe — dock in the center of town, explore by day, sail by night. Compare Danube, Rhine, Douro and Seine river cruises.
European river cruising is the relaxed, all-in way to see the continent: intimate ships, included excursions, regional cuisine and a new town each morning. From the castle-lined Danube and Rhine to Portugal’s Douro and France’s Seine and Rhône, a river cruise specialist finds the right line, river and sailing.
Why River Cruise Europe?
Dock in the center
Step off in the heart of each town — no tenders, no transfers.
All-inclusive ease
Excursions, regional dining and wine typically included.
Small & scenic
Under ~200 guests, gliding past castles and vineyards.
Best-value matching
We compare Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Uniworld and more.
Europe’s Great Rivers
Danube
Germany, Austria, Hungary — Vienna, Budapest, the Wachau.
Rhine & Moselle
Castles, cathedrals and storybook villages.
Douro
Portugal’s terraced wine country.
Seine & Rhône
Normandy, Paris and Provence.
Popular Europe River Itineraries
- Danube — Budapest to Passau/Nuremberg
- Rhine — Amsterdam to Basel
- Douro — Porto & the wine valley
- Seine — Paris & Normandy
- Christmas-market sailings (late Nov–Dec)
Ready to river cruise Europe?
Tell us your river, dates and preferred line and we’ll compare the best sailings. Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from a river cruise specialist.
Get up to 5 river cruise quotes!Why Smart Traveler?
Smart Traveler is a service of the travel division of Best of the USA, Inc. Entrust your trip to seasoned professionals specializing in cruises, tours, vacation packages, all-inclusive resorts and international airfares. With over 50,000 travel advisors in our growing database, we’re sure to have the experts right for your travel needs!
50+ years of expertise
Five decades fine-tuning the art of travel — every journey a masterpiece.
Online pioneers since 1995
Tradition blended with technology — book your dream trip with a click.
Exclusive proprietary rates
Insider access to rates and partnerships unavailable to the average traveler.
European River Cruises — Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included on a European river cruise?
Most fares include shore excursions, regional dining, wine/beer with meals and Wi-Fi — a specialist confirms each line’s inclusions.
When is the best time to go?
April–October is prime; spring blooms, summer sun, fall foliage and harvest, plus festive Christmas-market sailings in late November–December.
Which river is right for a first trip?
The Danube and Rhine are the classic first-timer favorites — castles, iconic cities and easy pacing.
How do I get a river cruise quote?
Request up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from a river cruise specialist and compare lines and rivers.