Anisha Riggs
Yes, it is possible to take a day cruise from Cologne, Germany. KD, the White Fleet of the Rhine, is the most experienced river cruise company in the world and offers cruises from Cologne. Other companies such as Weisse Flotte Rhein, Die Weisse Flotte Düsseldorf, and Kölntourist also offer cruises from Cologne.
What You'll Learn
Rhine River cruises from Cologne
Cologne is a popular departure point for round-trip Rhine River cruises. The largest operator of cruises on the Rhine River is Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD), which offers a large number of cruises through the Loreley Valley, lasting from one hour up to a full day.
Day Cruises from Cologne
Day cruises are available from Cologne, although most cruises on this section of the Rhine are from Bonn to Linz. Cruises between Cologne and Düsseldorf are less common, and few boats cruise between Koblenz and Linz.
The high season for Rhine River cruises is from late April to early October, with cruises generally available from April (or late March) to the end of October.
Cologne Rhine River Cruise Options
Cologne offers a range of Rhine River cruise options, including:
- One-hour sightseeing cruises
- Two-hour evening cruises
- Three-hour harbour tours
- Cruises between the Cathedral and Rodenkirchen
- City cruises along the Old Town
- Cruises with live music
- Winter cruises
Booking Rhine River Cruises
Online ticket reservations are possible but can be cumbersome. Tickets can also be purchased from ticket kiosks or when boarding boats. Only special event cruises require advance reservations.
Rhine River Cruise Prices
Prices for Rhine River cruises from Cologne are as follows:
- €17 for one-hour cruises
- €25 for two-hour cruises
- €58 for Cologne to Linz (or €64 return)
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Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) cruises
Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) is a river cruise operator based in Cologne, Germany. It is the largest operator of day cruises and pleasure boats on the Rhine River in Germany, offering many round-trip panorama cruises in both Cologne (Köln) and Düsseldorf. The company operates a total of 14 cruise ships on the Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers.
The Lorelei rock is a famed day outing for pleasure seekers. KD offers many special savings fares on its day cruises on the Middle Rhine (Loreley Valley) that are also valid on cruises from Bonn and Cologne. The Middle Rhine is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and includes the Loreley Rock, numerous castles, and romantic villages.
The Rhine River is a very popular day-trip destination from cities such as Cologne and Frankfurt am Main. Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) has the largest number of boats on the Rhine River and has many cruises through the lovely Loreley Valley that could be as short as an hour or all day.
The high season for Rhine River day cruises is from the end of April to early October. However, regular cruises usually operate from late March to late October. Cruises in the winter months are very limited but often a few cruises may be available during the Christmas market Advent season. Departures are most likely from Rüdesheim and Cologne.
Köln-Düsseldorfer offers a wide range of special savings deals to make Rhine River day trips cheaper. For example, seniors over 60 receive a 20% discount on all cruises.
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One-way cruises to Mainz
Yes, it is possible to take a day cruise from Cologne, Germany. The Rhine River is a very popular destination for day-trip cruises from Cologne.
The Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) cruise line offers one-way cruises from Cologne to Mainz. The journey includes over 30 stops, with more than 250 possible departure times. The cruise line operates daily from April to October, with tickets costing around €63 one way (or €69 return).
The cruise from Cologne to Mainz can be broken up into sections, with passengers able to hop on and off at various stops along the way. The cruise line offers two-in-one tickets, bike and hiking tips, and food and drinks à la carte.
The full journey from Cologne to Mainz can no longer be completed in a single day. However, it is possible to travel from Cologne to Koblenz in one day, with the journey taking around two hours downstream. From Koblenz, passengers can then take a connecting cruise to St Goarhausen, located just downriver from the Loreley Valley. This cruise includes the most scenic part of the river, with endless castles, picturesque villages, and vineyards.
The Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) cruise line offers a daily boat departing from Mainz around 9 am, with the boat returning from St Goarhauen at around 1 pm.
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Day cruises to Siebengebirge Mountains
Day cruises to the Siebengebirge Mountains are a popular excursion from Cologne, Wesseling, or Bonn. The Siebengebirge Mountains Tour is offered by Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD), the largest operator of day cruises and pleasure boats on the Rhine River in Germany. The cruise takes passengers on a relaxing journey past Bonn to the legendary Drachenfels Cliff in Königswinter.
The Siebengebirge Mountains are a unique and idyllic landscape with mountains, castles, and ruins. The cruise has more than 10 stops for joining or leaving and offers over 60 possible departure times. The cruise also offers a low-priced Two-in-one Ticket, which includes a ride on the cog railway up to the redesigned Drachenfels plateau with its historical ruin and modern glass cube. The ticket also allows passengers to explore the rest of the region by ship, including the picturesque spa town of Bad Honnef, and charming villages such as Unkel and Linz.
The Siebengebirge Mountains are a cluster of ancient volcanic hills that inspired many of the Brothers Grimm's legends, including 'Snow White'. The cruise also passes the famous ruined bridge at Remagen, which was captured by the Allies during World War II, allowing troops to cross into Germany's heartland.
The Siebengebirge Mountains Tour is a relaxing cruise that showcases the beauty and history of the region. With its convenient departure times and options for exploration, it is a great choice for those looking to experience the unique landscape and attractions of the Siebengebirge Mountains.
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Cologne Cathedral
Yes, it is possible to take a day cruise from Cologne, Germany. The Rhine River, which runs through the city, is a very popular destination for day-trip cruises.
Now, here is some information on Cologne Cathedral:
Cologne's medieval builders had planned a grand structure to house the Shrine of the Three Kings and fit for its role as a place of worship for the Holy Roman Emperor. The cathedral thus became a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.
The cathedral is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, the second tallest church in Europe, and the third tallest church of any kind in the world. It has two pipe organs and eleven church bells, four of which are medieval. The cathedral also contains several artistic masterpieces, including the Gero Crucifix, believed to be the oldest large crucifix north of the Alps, and the Shrine of the Three Kings, the largest reliquary shrine in Europe.
The cathedral is open to tourists on weekdays between 10 am and 5 pm and on Sundays between 1 pm and 4 pm. Visitors can climb 533 steps to a viewing platform about 100m above the ground, which offers scenic views over the Rhine. The tower remains closed on certain days, including Rose Monday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.
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Frequently asked questions
KD and the Weisse Flotte Rhein are the best-known day-trip riverboat cruise lines.
You can take a cruise from Rüdesheim to St Goarshausen, which is one of the most beautiful parts of the Rhine with many castles, vineyards and pretty villages. You can also take a one-hour cruise from Cologne to see the city's highlights.
Most boats have their own restaurants and bars, but you can also bring your own food and drink. Bicycles are transported for free on some boats. If you have a German Railways ticket, you may be able to get a discount on your cruise.
The city is famous for its cathedral, the Kölner Dom, which is the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. You can also visit the Chocolate Museum, the Eau de Cologne museums, and the Romano-Germanic Museum.
The high season for Rhine River cruises is from the end of April to early October, but they usually operate from late March to late October. Reservations are often not possible for regular day cruises, but it's a good idea to plan in advance to take advantage of savings deals.
