Europe remains at the forefront of river cruising, and for good reason. With its legendary waterways such as the Rhine or the Danube, the Rhône, the Po, Seine, and the Elbe, a river cruise offers all the luxury and convenience of an ocean cruise. And there are all the amenities of a modern hotel — restaurants, bars, lounges, fitness facilities, spas, internet access and comfortable staterooms. A river cruise is essentially a floating hotel with transportation and accommodations included, and can reach waterways and cities not accessible by ocean cruise liners. In 2016 alone, more than 1.4 million people cruised along Europe's rivers. But today's traveller seeks more immersive experiences. That's where pre- and post-cruise rail holidays come in.
With pre- and post-cruise rail holidays, travellers have the opportunity to extend their exciting
European river cruise with an unforgettable rail adventure. There is no shortage of memorable moments to be had by combining the two. However, many travellers are so focused on planning and booking their cruise, that they often don't consider adding on extra nights in iconic destinations to the front or back end of their trip beyond their ports of call. Railbookers' offers an appealing selection of
pre- and post-cruise rail holidays throughout Europe, including journeys to places such as the magical fjords of Norway, the famed lakes and mountains of Switzerland, and the bustling city centres of Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Berlin, and Budapest. As a perfect example, if you were planning to cruise along the 776-mile Rhine, which runs through Switzerland,
Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands (and famous for its castles and breath-taking scenery), booking our
Scenic Switzerland from Basel rail holiday package would be the ultimate journey! Beginning in Basel (located right on the river), this nine-day, eight-night train trip will take you to all the renowned cities, mountain peaks, and glacier-fed lakes that Switzerland is world-famous for.
Other pre- and post-river cruise packages include Munich and Frankfurt with a transfer to or from Passau, Germany; a Prague and Berlin rail itinerary with a transfer to or from Budapest; and a Swiss rail journey including Lucerne and Zurich with a transfer to or from Basel. Whether enjoyed before or after your river cruise, our
pre- and post-cruise rail holidays will allow you to explore further and discover more than you ever could with just your river cruise. The holidays include all rail travel, accommodations and transfers, and tours and sightseeing so travellers can add additional days and/or reverse the itinerary. Learn more about our most popular pre- and post-cruise rail holidays below.
Bergen, Flam and Oslo Experience the true essence of
Norway on this scenic journey through magical fjords, snow-capped mountains and historical towns. Start in the lively city of Bergen, and discover its small-town charm, nautical history and friendly atmosphere. From Bergen, set out on a spectacular ferry ride through the UNESCO World Heritage listed Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in the world. Arrive at the beautiful village of Flam for an overnight stay, then board the world-famous Flam Railway for an unforgettable ride through snow-capped mountains, dramatic waterfalls and lush valleys. Spend a final night in cosmopolitan Oslo, adding a dash of excitement and culture to complete this memorable journey through classic
Norway.
Learn More About This Holiday Lucerne and Zurich from Basel Take a scenic journey from Basel to
Lucerne and on to Zurich on this five-day journey by rail. Starting in Basel, take the train directly to Lucerne for a three-night stay. While in the beautiful lakeside city, enjoy classic Swiss architecture and plenty of natural, alpine beauty. From Lucerne, take the train to
Zurich, situated on the banks of the River Limmat. Experience glimpses into the city’s rich past as you explore architectural masterpieces around every corner.
Learn More About This Holiday Zermatt and St Mortiz This four-night rail holiday combines two of Switzerland's most popular destinations together with some spectacular journeys. It begins with a two-night stay in
Zermatt, where you will embark on a trip to the top of The Gornergrat to enjoy an amazing panorama of the famous Matterhorn Mountain. Then you’ll cross Switzerland onboard the Glacier Express to chic
St Moritz for another two-night stay, during which a day trip through breath-taking scenery onboard the Bernina Express is included.
Learn More About This Holiday Scenic Switzerland from Basel This all-encompassing eight-night rail odyssey of Switzerland takes in the best this wonderful country has to offer. Start with a two-night stay in grand
St Moritz from where you take a ride onboard the stunning Bernina Express train. Take the spectacular Glacier Express train to historical Zermatt for two nights, and enjoy the iconic Matterhorn Mountain via the Gornergrat Cog Railway. Travel to lakeside
Lausanne for a relaxing night before continuing your journey along the Golden Pass line to the traditional Swiss town of Lucerne. Enjoy three nights here with day trips on the world’s steepest cogwheel train line on Mount Pilatus, and also to the highest railway station in Europe on the
Jungfrau Railway.
Learn More About This Holiday Budapest via Frankfurt and Munich Enjoy all the best of two great German cities on the four-night holiday. Start in
Frankfurt, where you will have two days to tour the city and enjoy all the local sights, modern architecture and the delicious regional cuisine. From Frankfurt, take the quick train ride to
Munich and spend two more days soaking up all the sights and the culture of this fascinating city. Finally, take the train to
Budapest, an excellent base for your onward travel.
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