River trips · WORLDWIDE

River Cruises: The 15 Best Sailings on Earth

823 sailings  ·  boarding from $5 a head

An hour under the Paris bridges or a week between Nile temples, the question is the same: which boat, and what does boarding cost. The 15 below are the river trips that earn the fare, each priced and timed.

Paris: 1-Hour Seine Cruise departing from the Eiffel Tower - Open deck photos or warm indoor seating
1-Hour Experiences, Paris Seine River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Paris: 1-Hour Seine Cruise departing from the Eiffel Tower

1.1-Hour Seine Cruise departing from the Eiffel Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 77,472 reviews · 1 hour · from $20Our pick

Start at Port de la Bourdonnais beneath the Eiffel Tower and cruise past Les Invalides, Notre Dame, the Louvre, and more. Choose the open top deck or warm indoor seating, then follow commentary in 14 languages or use the onboard app. Plan extra time in peak season, when queues can be long.

“This was such a great experience. Our guide was multilingual and did an awesome job pointing out major sites along the Seine. We took a cruise close to sunset and you had the option of sitting on deck or inside. The whole experience was super well organized and great value for what we paid. It was open-ended which allowed us to tour other sites around Paris and show up before the last scheduled cruise on NYE. It was such a wonderful experience and one that I'd totally suggest anyone touring Paris check out. I'd definitely go again!”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table - A Turkish dinner with useful menu choices
Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in Istanbul, Istanbul Bosphorus Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table

2.Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 62,058 reviews · 3 hours · from $28

Spend three hours aboard a Mega Lüfer yacht, sailing between Europe and Asia while dining on Turkish mezes, grilled meat, fish, or vegetarian dishes. You’ll see Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, bridges, and Maiden’s Tower, with folk dancing, flamenco, belly dancing, music, and a DJ. Window, stage, VIP, drinks, and hotel-transfer options cost extra.

“What a fabulous night. The food was delicious, the entertainment was brilliant and our waiter kept our drinks topped up. We had a table by the window so, when I wasnt watching the amazing Turkish dancers, I was gazing at the bright lights of Istanbul gliding past. I would absolutely recommend this trip to anyone visiting Istanbul and I think lots of our friends will be coming because we love it.”

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Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option - The Anne Frank House from the water
Amsterdam River Cruises, Canal Cruises, Luxury River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises in Amsterdam, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option

3.Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30,518 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $18Top rated

Cruise Amsterdam’s canals for about an hour aboard a small electric boat, passing the Anne Frank House, Jordaan, Rijksmuseum, Magere Brug and the Bridge of 15 Bridges. Guides such as Sofia, Arnoud and Stef bring humor and local stories. Check your ticket carefully, since drinks and bites depend on the option and departure point.

“Quick and comfortable canal cruise on a lovely wooden ship with real windows (not roll down plastic protection). Enjoyed it especially at night as we could glimpse lovely interiors as we cruised. The only downside was condensation on the windows on a chilly night.”

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Paris: Evening River Cruise with Music - The electric boat and the music
Paris Seine River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Paris: Evening River Cruise with Music

4.Evening River Cruise with Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 22,721 reviews · 1 hour · from $27

Set out from the Eiffel Tower on a quiet, gas-free electric boat and glide past Paris landmarks after dark. Music sets the mood, while the Vedettes de Paris app offers audio commentary in nine languages. Choose an optional drink, arrive early for the open roof, and bring warm layers for the windy river.

“We really enjoyed the smaller boat with less people….it felt like a more intimate experience. We would definitely do this night river cruise again. Everything was flawless and the glass of wine was enjoyable.”

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Amsterdam: Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite - The Skinny Bridge and the Amstel Hotel
Amsterdam River Cruises, Canal Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam: Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite

5.Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21,431 reviews · 1 - 1.5 hours · from $18

Cruise Amsterdam’s canals for 1 to 1.5 hours aboard a fully electric boat with an English-speaking skipper and host. Expect views of the Anne Frank House, Skinny Bridge, Hermitage Museum, Golden Bend, and Amstel Hotel. Choose unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and a small snack, or buy drinks onboard.

“Well organised! Seating on boat was good not too packed, drinks where constantly refilled, snacks were nice! Guides were very informative and made us laugh!”

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Amsterdam: 75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide - What the 75-minute route shows you
Amsterdam River Cruises, Canal Cruises, River Cruises, River Cruises with Audio Guide, River Cruises with Audio Guide in Amsterdam, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam: 75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

6.75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 19,938 reviews · 1h 15m · from $18

Cruise Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canal belt for 75 minutes, passing Westerkerk, Centraal Station, the Amstel, Magere Brug, and the museum district. Choose an audio guide in 19 languages, or give children the Fresh Water Pirate version with a booklet and goodie bag. Snackbox tickets include sweet and savory snacks plus a drink.

“The experience was a little sad as it was not well attended that particular Sunday morning. I would have appreciated more participants. The audio guide was good. The captain often spoke over what was being offered via the audio which made it hard to follow both. Still, I had a great time being on the water & seeing the city from that vantage point.”

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From Porto: Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch - Leaving Porto for Peso da Régua
Douro River Cruises, Lunch Experiences, Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Porto: Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch

7.Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 19,061 reviews · 6 - 10 hours · from $82

Travel from Porto into the Douro Valley for two winery visits, Port and olive oil tastings, a traditional lunch with wine, scenic viewpoints, and a one-hour river cruise from Pinhão. Guides such as Igor, Miguel, Ricardo, and Melina bring local stories and good humor to a full day among terraced vineyards.

“The guide (Igor, handsome Jesus) peppered the relaxed vibe with excellent banter and enthusiasm. The driver (“Mario”) navigated the terrain with impeccable skill and gusto. Many fine beverages were consumed and a vast fountain of knowledge was obtained which will live long in the memory! The mashed potato was a pleasurable, culinary delight to behold!”

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Amsterdam: City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide - Choosing the best starting point
Amsterdam River Cruises, Canal Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam: City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide

8.City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 16,901 reviews · 1 hour · from $17Best value

Take a one-hour canal cruise through Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed centre from Central Station, Anne Frank House, Leidseplein, or the Rijksmuseum. A heated boat, audio commentary in 19 languages, and friendly captains such as Simon, Jack, and Stijn make this an easy city introduction. Routes vary, so not every landmark appears on every sailing.

“To see the most beautiful and important places in Amsterdam”

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Amsterdam All-Inclusive 90-Minutes Heated Cruise by Captain Jack - Old Amsterdam, churches, and the Red Light District
Amsterdam River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam All-Inclusive 90-Minutes Heated Cruise by Captain Jack

9.Amsterdam All-Inclusive 90-Minutes Heated Cruise by Captain Jack

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16,101 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Cruise Amsterdam’s canals for 90 minutes from the Rijksmuseum or Central Station. English-speaking guides such as Roland, Joe, Oliver, David, and Giselle combine city stories with unlimited Heineken, wine, and Dutch snacks. Boats may be open or enclosed, and there is no toilet onboard.

“We did the 90-minute cruise with Captain Jack and had a wonderful experience. We initially missed our cruise due to some difficulty with the meeting point, but the company was incredibly accommodating and kindly rescheduled us while we were still in Amsterdam. The cruise itself was beautiful, very scenic, and highlighted the rich history of Amsterdam. Highly recommend.”

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Chicago Architecture River Cruise - What you see during the 60 to 90 minute cruise
Chicago River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

10.Chicago Architecture River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15,756 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Cruise the Chicago River for about an hour with a live architecture guide. You’ll pass the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, Marina City, and more while learning how the Great Fire and balloon-frame construction shaped Chicago. Departures leave from Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue, and dogs are welcome.

“Guide was very knowledgeable. Easily understood. Boat was clean. Bar was well stocked. Captain very good.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show - A dinner built for variety, not fine dining
Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in Istanbul, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows in Istanbul, Istanbul Bosphorus Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show

11.Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12,954 reviews · 3 hours · from $28

Spend three hours sailing the Bosphorus aboard a modern dinner boat, passing illuminated palaces, bridges, mosques, and Maiden’s Tower. Enjoy Turkish starter plates, a choice of grilled meatballs, chicken, fish, or vegetarian food, plus a 1.5-hour dance show and live DJ. Hotel pickup is optional, and servers such as Blake and Elvis are known for attentive service.

“Excellence in every way. Satisfaction guaranteed. If because of tight schedule you only do this one cruise, you will leave Istanbul with a smile on your face. Seeing the city by night from the Bosporus is amazing! Very recommendable. The organization, the food and the entertainment was awesome.”

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Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise - Leaving Porto and stopping for coffee
Douro River Cruises, Lunch Experiences, Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise

12.Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12,920 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $101

Leave Porto for a full day in the Douro Valley, stopping at two wine estates in Sabrosa and Folgosa. Taste about six wines and ports, enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch, pause at a viewpoint, and cruise from Pinhão on a traditional Rabelo boat. Pickup is available from central Porto hotels, and guides such as Rita, Miguel, Pedro, and José add local stories along the way.

“Well planned and executed day trip in beautiful Douro valley! And a lots of wine to go with it. Jose was awesome. Very knowledgeable and friendly.”

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Paris: Illuminations River Cruise with Audio Commentary - Boarding beneath the Eiffel Tower
Paris Seine River Cruises, River Cruises, River Cruises with Audio Guide, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Paris: Illuminations River Cruise with Audio Commentary

13.Illuminations River Cruise with Audio Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 12,340 reviews · 1 hour · from $20

Board at Port de la Bourdonnais beneath the Eiffel Tower for a one-hour Seine cruise past Notre-Dame, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and more. Choose an onboard audio guide in 14 languages or use the smartphone app with extra commentary, photo filters, and games. Evening departures offer the best chance to see Paris illuminated.

“The cruise is great value for money. We travelled at sunset and it was great to see the landmarks lit up in the evening sky. An hour was ample to see all the sights on the river. The boat was busy but everyone was in a good mood and enjoying the cruise. My tip to anyone who books this activity is to decide the time you think you would like to cruise down the river and turn up to the tour meeting point a little earlier so you can get to the front of the queue for the best seats (especially if you are 3 or more people as the…”

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Berlin: Boat Tour Along the River Spree - Starting at Friedrichstrasse 140
Berlin River Cruises, Germany River Cruises, Rhine and Spree River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Berlin: Boat Tour Along the River Spree

14.Boat Tour Along the River Spree

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 11,252 reviews · 2h 15m · from $34

Spend 135 minutes on a round-trip cruise from Friedrichstrasse, passing the Federal Chancellery, Bellevue Palace, Victory Column, Berlin Central Station, Charlottenburg Palace, and several canals. German commentary plays onboard, while handheld audio guides are available in 11 additional languages. Bring wired headphones if you have them.

“Yeah the 2.25 hours was really relaxing, so glad we chose this than the 1 hour option offered by other providers. Weather was brilliant so we were quite lucky”

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Paris: Seine Cruise & Crepe Tasting near the Eiffel Tower - Choosing the best time to sail
Paris Seine River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Paris: Seine Cruise & Crepe Tasting near the Eiffel Tower

15.Seine Cruise & Crepe Tasting near the Eiffel Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 11,231 reviews · 1 hour · from $23

Board a Bateaux Parisiens sightseeing boat at Port de la Bourdonnais for an hour-long Seine cruise past the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Musée d’Orsay. Use the onboard audio guide in 14 languages, then collect a Nutella or sugar crêpe at Trocadéro anytime from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

“Had a lovely time on the boat tour and the crepe was great. Can’t fault for the price and the view from where you get the crepe is amazing.”

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Newly added: River Cruises

★ 4.3From Ho Chi Minh: 2-Day Mekong Delta to Phnom Penh by BoatFrom $22814 reviews
★ 4.8From Ho Chi Minh: Cai Be Boat & Bike Mekong Delta ExperienceFrom $3011 reviews
★ 3.8From Hazyview: Blyde River Canyon Highlight & Boat CruiseFrom $1729 reviews
★ 3.8Yvoire medieval village & Lake Geneva CruiseFrom $12128 reviews
★ 4.8Darwin: Mary River Wetlands Wildlife Cruise with LunchFrom $166324 reviews
★ 4.6From Gaia Douro Valley Tour Wine Tasting River Cruise LunchFrom $1397 reviews
★ 3.7From Cairo by Plane: 5 Days & 4 Nights Nile Cruise to LuxorFrom $1,54039 reviews
★ 3.0Da Nang/Hoi An: Coconut river boat tour & Lantern FestivalFrom $314 reviews
★ 4.25-Day Tour with Nile Cruise, Balloon, & FlightsFrom $1,11927 reviews
★ 3.85-Day Nile Cruise to Aswan & Balloon by FlightsFrom $1,40015 reviews
★ 4.24-Day Nile Cruise to Luxor with Balloon FlightFrom $1,300112 reviews
★ 4.34-Day Nile Cruise to Luxor with Balloon & FlightsFrom $6757 reviews
★ 3.64-Day Nile Cruise to Aswan w/ Balloon & FlightsFrom $1,10086 reviews
★ 4.44-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with MealsFrom $1,25024 reviews
★ 4.311-Day Tour, Nile Cruise, Flights, Balloon20 reviews

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