12 days · 4 countries
Zurich to Amsterdam: Switzerland Touring & Rhine River Cruise
From AED 16,729per person, twin share
Cruise the Rhine River from Zurich to Amsterdam and explore famous attractions along the way. See Bern and Gruyères, cruise on Lake Thun and Lake Lucerne and explore Amsterdam.
- Duration
- 12 Days / 11 Nights
- Route
- Zurich → Amsterdam
- Countries
- Switzerland, Germany, France and Netherlands
- Activity level
- Moderate (3 of 5)
- Moderate: busy coach touring through Switzerland with long drive days and a good amount of walking, easing into a more relaxed pace once the river cruise begins
- Accommodation
- 4-star hotels for the first 4 nights in Switzerland, then 7 nights aboard the MS Symphonie river ship from Basel to Amsterdam
- Meals
- 11 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 dinners
- Group
- Group tour, up to 51
- Guide
- Tour leader throughout the coach touring and river cruise
- Transport
- Cruise Ship, Air-conditioned coach
- Best time to go
- Runs in August: peak summer across Switzerland, Germany, France and the Netherlands, warm for the Alpine touring and comfortable along the Rhine
Tour overview
Experience the magic of Switzerland on a private coach tour before taking to the waters for a river cruise from Zurich to Amsterdam. Tour Bern and Gruyères, taste Swiss chocolate, and visit the scenic Château‑d’Oex region. See some of the best natural scenery on the planet as you cruise Lake Thun to Interlaken and sail on Lake Lucerne. Then, board your river cruise to Amsterdam for more adventure. Along the way, explore Breisach, Strasbourg and Mainz. Experience the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley from the water, see the famous Rhine Gorge and get to know Nijmegen and Amsterdam. Get ready for postcard villages, alpine lakes and indulgent cuisine.
Highlights
- Enjoy a welcome dinner in Zurich
- Explore Bern's UNESCO-listed Old Tow
- Savour local flavours at lunch in Gruyères
- Taste authentic Swiss chocolate
- Snap photos in Château-d'Oex, Switzerland's hot-air balloon village
- Cruise the scenic Lake Thun to Interlaken
- Discover Lucerne on an orientation walk
- Watch the Swiss Alps glide by on a cruise across Lake Lucerne
Show all 10 highlightsShow fewer highlights
- Experience the UNESCO-listed Rhine Valley
- Enjoy a gala dinner onboard the cruise ship
Route and hotels
Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.
Zurich
1 night · Day 1
Dorint Airport-Hotel Zürich
Bern
Day 2 · on the way
Gruyères
Day 2 · on the way
Montreux
Day 2 · on the way
Canton Valais
2 nights · Days 2–3
The Glacier Hotel
Château-d'Oex
Day 4 · on the way
Thun
Day 4 · on the way
Interlaken
1 night · Day 4
Hotel Krebs Interlaken
Show all 19 stopsShow fewer stops
Lucerne
Day 5 · on the way
Basel
Day 5 · on the way
River cruise
7 nights · Days 5–11
MS Symphonie
Breisach
Day 6 · on the way
Strasbourg
Day 7 · on the way
Mainz
Day 8 · on the way
Koblenz
Day 9 · on the way
Cologne
Day 9 · on the way
Düsseldorf
Day 9 · on the way
Nijmegen
Day 10 · on the way
Amsterdam
Days 11–12 · end
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Start of tour in Zurich
Meals included: DinnerZurich is the starting point. At the designated hotel, your tour leader and the rest of the group gather for a short overview of the days ahead, before everyone settles in. A welcome dinner of Swiss cuisine follows.
Included
- Welcome dinner in Zurich
- Overnight
- Zurich
- Hotel
- Dorint Airport-Hotel Zürich
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2
Bern – Gruyères – Montreux
Meals included: BreakfastLunch
After breakfast, the route leaves Zurich for Bern, taking in the Rose Garden’s panoramic views over the city before the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Lunch is included in Gruyères, with a tasting of Swiss chocolate afterwards. The day ends in Montreux, where the evening is free and dinner is at your own pace once you are settled into the hotel.
Included
- Orientation walk in Bern, including the Rose Garden and the Old Town
- Lunch in Gruyères, in its car-free old town
- Swiss chocolate tasting
- Travel
- Zurich → Bern → Gruyères → Montreux by coach
- Overnight
- Canton Valais
- Hotel
- The Glacier Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 3
Canton Valais
Meals included: BreakfastThe alpine region of Canton Valais is yours to explore at your own pace today, or you can book the optional excursion to Glacier 3000 for the well-known Peak Walk across the Tissot suspension bridge, with lunch included afterwards. In the afternoon, the optional experience to Lavaux adds a wine tasting in this noted region, with dinner overlooking Lake Geneva.
Included
- Free day in Canton Valais, at your own pace
Optional extras
- Glacier 3,000 Trip with Lunch · AED 745 per person
- Lavaux Wine Tasting with Dinner · AED 660 per person
- Overnight
- Canton Valais
- Hotel
- The Glacier Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 4
Château-d'Oex – Thun – Interlaken
Meals included: BreakfastLunchThe drive today crosses Switzerland’s countryside, with a stop for photos in Château-d’Oex, known for hot-air balloons. From there, a cruise across Lake Thun reaches Interlaken, where lunch is included. The afternoon is free to explore Interlaken on your own, perhaps through Höhematte Park or the Old Town of Unterseen, before finding your own spot for dinner in the evening.
Included
- Photo stop in Château-d’Oex, Switzerland’s hot-air balloon village
- Lake Thun cruise to Interlaken
- Free afternoon to explore Interlaken
- Travel
- Canton Valais → Château-d’Oex → Thun → Interlaken by coach and a Lake Thun cruise
- Overnight
- Interlaken
- Hotel
- Hotel Krebs Interlaken
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 5
Interlaken – Lucerne – Basel
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerLucerne is the destination today, for an orientation walk and a cruise across Lake Lucerne’s clear waters, with free time afterwards to look around. In the afternoon, the route continues to Basel, where you board the Rhine River cruise ship for the next part of the trip. Welcome cocktails and dinner mark the start of the river journey as the ship sails toward Breisach.
Included
- Orientation walk and a cruise on Lake Lucerne
- Board the MS Symphonie in Basel
- Welcome cocktails and dinner as the ship sails toward Breisach
- Travel
- Interlaken → Lucerne → Basel by coach, then board the river ship
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 6
Breisach
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinner
The ship docks on the Franco-German border this morning, surrounded by vineyards. You are free to explore Breisach on your own, or take an optional trip to Colmar, a town known as “Little Venice”. In the afternoon, there is also an optional Black Forest excursion, with a tasting of Black Forest Cake and a walk through Freiburg, in the middle of Germany’s well-known evergreen forest.
Included
- Free time in Breisach, on the Franco-German border
Optional extras
- Renaissance Route in “Little Venice” · AED 170 per person
- Culture & Cake of the Black Forest · AED 130 per person
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Strasbourg
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinnerStrasbourg is today’s stop, reached as the ship sails in, free for you to explore at your own pace: historic bridges, medieval watchtowers and waterways. Alternatively, the optional Strasbourg Sights and Canal Cruise takes in the Gothic Strasbourg Cathedral, the grand Place de la République, and the Petite France quarter, seen from the water.
Included
- Free time in Strasbourg, among its medieval bridges and watchtowers
Optional extras
- Strasbourg Sights & Canal Cruise · AED 235 per person
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8
Mainz
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinner
Mainz, where the printing press was invented, is today’s stop: you are free to look around on your own, or take the optional guided tour that includes the Gutenberg Museum, the Old Town, Mainz Cathedral and St. Stephen’s Church. Lunch on board comes before the ship enters the Rhine Valley, a UNESCO-listed stretch where almost every bend has a castle and the Lorelei rock stands tall over the water. Koblenz is reached this evening, with dancing after dinner.
Included
- Free time in Mainz, birthplace of the printing press
- Sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Valley, past castles and the Lorelei rock
- Dancing on board after dinner
Optional extras
- Historic Mainz & Gutenberg Museum · AED 215 per person
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9
Koblenz – Cologne – Düsseldorf
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinnerThe ship leaves Koblenz this morning for a relaxed day on the water: a spot on the sun deck, the onboard quiz, or live commentary as the river widens past Bonn. After lunch, there is a pause in Cologne, home to its twin-spired Gothic cathedral, before the ship continues on to Düsseldorf. Tonight brings the gala dinner, with drinks, music and dancing.
Included
- Relaxed day on the sun deck, with an onboard quiz and live commentary
- A stop in Cologne to see its twin-spired cathedral
- Gala dinner, drinks and dancing on board
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10
Nijmegen
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinnerFrom Düsseldorf, the ship travels on to Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands, with Roman roots going back over 2000 years, medieval buildings, the quiet River Waal and sites from WW2. The optional Nijmegen and Western Front Walking Tour takes in key historic places such as Operation Market Garden and the Waal Bridge, the spot where American paratroopers came down in 1944. Tonight, the ship moves on toward Amsterdam.
Included
- Free time in Nijmegen, the Netherlands’ oldest city
Optional extras
- Nijmegen & Western Front History Walk · AED 195 per person
- Travel
- Nijmegen → Amsterdam by river ship, overnight
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11
Amsterdam
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinner
Amsterdam is today’s focus, whether that means a stroll through the Rijksmuseum Gardens or a cosy coffee spot somewhere in the city. There is also the optional Stroopwafel workshop and cheese tasting, and in the afternoon the optional Amsterdam Signature Experience, with a canal cruise through the Jordaan neighbourhood and a visit to the Heineken brewery. Tonight brings the farewell dinner on board.
Included
- Free time in Amsterdam
- Farewell dinner on board
Optional extras
- A Taste of Amsterdam · AED 385 per person
- Amsterdam Signature Experience · AED 300 per person
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 12
End of Tour in Amsterdam
Meals included: BreakfastAfter a last breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and exchange contact details with new travel companions before heading home, or to stay on a little longer in Amsterdam. The open-air stalls of Albert Cuyp Market are worth a browse, and there is time for lunch and a few last photos around Utrechtsestraat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Dates & prices
Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room.
FromMon 30 Aug 2027ToFri 10 Sept 2027
Available
AED 16,729
What’s included
Included
- 11 nights, 4-star hotels and cruise ship
- 11 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 8 Dinners
- Cruise Ship I Air-conditioned coach
- Fully-guided tour
Not included
- Flights: Arrange your own flights for the start and end of the tour
- Travel insurance: Purchase a suitable policy that meets your needs
Optional extras
Excursions and upgrades you can add to the tour. Prices are per person.
Glacier 3,000 Trip with Lunch
A cable car ride up to Glacier 3000, across the Peak Walk suspension bridge, with views of the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau and Mont Blanc, and lunch among the snow. €175. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 745 per person
Lavaux Wine Tasting with Dinner
A ride through Lavaux’s UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards, a wine tasting with a local expert, and dinner overlooking Lake Geneva. €155. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 660 per person
Renaissance Route in “Little Venice”
A walk through Colmar’s preserved Renaissance streets and half-timbered houses in the Petite Venise quarter, with its connection to the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. €40, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 170 per person
Culture & Cake of the Black Forest
A walk through Freiburg’s old town and Freiburg Minster, with the story of the Bächle canals and a taste of Black Forest cake where it was first made. €30, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 130 per person
Strasbourg Sights & Canal Cruise
A guided walk through Strasbourg’s UNESCO-listed old town, past the cathedral and the Petite France quarter, then a canal cruise for a view of the city from the water. €55, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 235 per person
Historic Mainz & Gutenberg Museum
A guided visit to Mainz’s old town and cathedral quarter, and the Gutenberg Museum, home to two original Gutenberg Bibles and reconstructed printing presses. €50, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 215 per person
Nijmegen & Western Front History Walk
A guided walk through Nijmegen’s history, from the Waal Bridge, where American paratroopers landed in 1944, to St Stephen’s Church and the medieval old town. €45, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 195 per person
A Taste of Amsterdam
A stroopwafel-making workshop using a 200-year-old recipe, followed by a Dutch cheese tasting with five different flavours. €90, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 385 per person
Amsterdam Signature Experience
A tour and tasting at the Heineken brewery, followed by a canal cruise through Amsterdam’s Jordaan neighbourhood. €70, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 300 per person
To add an extra, mention it in your booking notes, and we confirm it with your seats before you pay. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day instead: their description says so.
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Good to know
Practical details to read before you travel.
Passport & visas
Switzerland, Germany, France and the Netherlands are all in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa covers the whole tour, river cruise included.
UAE passport holders don’t need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180, but will need the EU’s new ETIAS travel authorisation once it starts: we can tell you where it stands when you book. Most other nationalities living in the UAE need a Schengen visa, applied for in the country where you spend the most nights: our visa team works out which one for your dates. You can apply up to six months before you travel, and appointments in Dubai fill up quickly before the summer.
Your passport must be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area, and have been issued within the last ten years. Our visa team handles Schengen applications: ask us when you book.
Flights and timings
Flights to Zurich before Day 1 and home from Amsterdam after Day 12 aren’t included.
Day 1 starts at the hotel in Zurich at 5pm, where you meet your tour leader and the rest of the group. The tour ends in Amsterdam on Day 12 after breakfast, with no further activities planned. All coach travel between destinations and the river cruise itself are included.
Our team can book your flights from Dubai to match.
Meals and dietary needs
11 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 dinners are included: lunch in Gruyères on Day 2, included lunches and dinners on board for most of the river cruise, welcome cocktails and dinner as you board in Basel, the gala dinner near Düsseldorf and the farewell dinner in Amsterdam.
Tell us about any dietary needs, halal included, when you book, and we pass them on before the tour.
Money
Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, while Germany, France and the Netherlands use the euro. A card with no foreign transaction fees is the easiest way to cover both.
Optional experiences booked on tour are paid to your tour leader in cash or by card, in the currency shown.
Weather and packing
The tour runs in August: warm summer weather across Switzerland, Germany, France and the Netherlands, with occasional rain along the Rhine.
Pack layers for the Alpine touring days, comfortable shoes for the walking in Bern, Lucerne and the river towns, and a light rain jacket for the cruise.
Life aboard the MS Symphonie
You spend seven nights aboard the MS Symphonie, sailing between Basel and Amsterdam. Days on board mix included shore time with free time on the sun deck, an onboard quiz and live commentary as the river scenery passes.
Evenings bring welcome cocktails, a gala dinner, dancing and a farewell dinner. Dress is relaxed, though many guests dress up a little for the gala night.
Plan your trip
Our Dubai team arranges what goes around the tour, so it is booked in one place.
Visas
One Schengen visa covers the Schengen countries on this route. Our visa team in Dubai applies for UAE residents once the tour is booked.
Flights
Flights are not included. We can book them with the tour: Dubai to Zurich, and home from Amsterdam. Tick “Flights” when you book and we quote them with your confirmation.
Pay in instalments
Split the cost with Tabby or Tamara, or over 3 to 12 months on a UAE bank credit card for bookings from AED 1,000.
Book this tour
Book online in a few minutes. Your seats are held as soon as you book, and you pay once we have confirmed them.
- Choose your date, travellers and roomsPrices are per person, and the total updates as you choose.
- Name each traveller as in their passportYour seats are held and your booking reference is emailed straight away.
- Pay by secure link once confirmedOur Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails your payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
Questions before you book? Our support team is on WhatsApp +971 58 582 4488.
Questions about this tour
What will my days actually look like?
More sights, more time to enjoy them. Most mornings start with breakfast before heading out to the main sights. Longer drive days get you to more incredible places, and once you're there, you'll have plenty of time to explore, take it all in and make each destination your own. Expect a good amount of walking. Comfortable shoes are still your best friend.
Who will I be travelling with?
People from all over the world. Different ages, different backgrounds, same instinct to see more. Groups have on average between 35-45 travellers. By day three, you’ll already know everyone's name.
How do Optional Experiences work?
Optional Experiences happen during your tour's free-time slots, and your Tour Leader will tell you about what's on offer during the tour. Most can be booked on the day, but some are pre-sold and must be purchased before your tour begins, so it's worth checking the tour page beforehand to see what's available and get in touch with our team to book anything in advance.
Will I have time to explore on my own?
Yes. Free time is built into the itinerary. Your Tour Leader can point you towards the places worth your time, so you are never left completely to figure it out yourself.
What support do I have while I'm on tour?
Your Tour Leader is there to look after you during your tour. They know the places most people walk straight past, they'll have a restaurant recommendation ready before you've asked, and they'll sort anything that comes up along the way. All transport and accommodation are arranged for you.
You'll also have a 24-hour emergency contact number and the Holidayys team in Dubai.
How do I book Zurich to Amsterdam: Switzerland Touring & Rhine River Cruise?
Press Book now, choose a date and your rooms, and enter each traveller as their passport shows. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away. Our Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails you a secure payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
When do I pay?
Once the tour operator confirms your seats. We email you a secure payment link for the total in AED, and your booking is complete when it is paid. To pay in instalments, say so in your booking notes.
Is the price per person?
Yes. Prices are per person sharing a double or twin room. Travelling alone? A single room costs the supplement shown next to each date.
Are flights included?
Only when the tour lists them under what is included. We can book flights from the UAE to the start city and home from the end city with your tour.
Do I need a visa?
That depends on your passport and the countries on the route. Our visa team arranges Schengen and other visas for UAE residents, and can apply for yours once the tour is booked.
Payment plans
Pay over time, at 0% interest
Every booking qualifies, from holidays and tours to visas. Pay later with a credit card instalment plan or a buy-now-pay-later account; some banks charge a one-time processing fee.
- Credit card plans from AED 1,000
- Tabby and Tamara, no minimum
- Terms from 3 to 12 months
Find your bank’s plan
Credit cards, from AED 1,000
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