Germany · BOAT TOURS IN COLOGNE
A fortnight in Germany never has enough free days in it. These 12 boat tours in Cologne are the ones that justify a slot, each with its price, its running time and what you actually walk away with.
Spend one relaxed hour on the Rhine with KD Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH, passing Cologne Cathedral, the Old Town, Hohenzollern Bridge, South Bridge, Rheinauhafen, and the chocolate museum. You’ll have German and English commentary, covered and open-air seating, toilets, and table service for drinks and snacks at extra cost.
“Great boat trip giving excellent views of the waterfront”
Spend 90 minutes aboard MS Rheinperle or MS Rheinland, cruising from Cologne Cathedral and Old Town to Rheinauhafen, Rodenkirchen, and five Rhine bridges. English and German recorded commentary points out key sights, while table service offers drinks and snacks. You can sit inside or on two open decks.
“The tour was enjoyable! With a good selection of refreshments on board. We really enjoyed it and the scenery is great. Only downside is the boat gets busy so we could not really hear the guide. However, there was a stag party next to us. Not complaining though it was great!”
Spend two hours cruising Cologne’s Rhine at sunset, passing the cathedral, Romanesque churches, bridges, and old town. Choose an open-deck beach chair or a window seat below, with lounge music throughout and cocktails, beer, snacks, and simple food available for purchase. The cruise is wheelchair accessible and infants under four ride free.
“Lovely relaxing good d j beautiful weather and nice snack and drink”
Spend three hours aboard a harbor cruise through Cologne’s Rheinau, Deutz, Mülheim, and Niehl harbors. A live German-speaking guide explains port history, cargo operations, dates, and figures, including the large container harbor at Niehl. Meet at pier 10 by the Musical Dome. Drinks and snacks are sold on board.
“Man hat viele Dinge, welche für mich neu waren erfahren. Ich kann die Tour nur empfehlen”
Spend 90 minutes on a warm panorama boat beside Cologne’s winter skyline. Cruise past Groß St. Martin, Rheinau Harbour’s crane houses, and Cologne Cathedral while a live singer plays festive music. Buy Glühwein, coffee, hot chocolate, snacks, and cake at your table. Choose a later sailing for illuminated city views.
“Very nice festive activity. Very reasonably priced food and drinks on board”
Board an MS RheinPerle, MS RheinLand, MS RheinCargo, or MS RheinTreue at pier 10 by the Musical Dome. You’ll cruise past Cologne Cathedral, Old Town, Rheinauhafen, the crane houses, five bridges, and Rodenkirchen. Day trips include recorded English and German commentary. Evening sailings add lounge music but skip the explanations.
“Your meeting point directions were spot on as some reviews had struggled with finding the right operator/pier to board. Weather was glorious and the scenery wonderful and we got a very good view for pics at the back of the boat on the upper deck. In spite of being right by the engines we could still hear the commentary. A good trip all round definitely helped by the good weather.”
Join Bonner Personen Schiffahrt at Bonn’s Alten Zoll, Jetty 9, for a round-trip Rhine cruise to Linz am Rhein. You’ll pass the former government quarter, Königswinter, Drachenfels, Bad Honnef, Remagen, and the Peace Museum at the Bridge of Remagen. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and you can buy cool drinks and food onboard.
Board at pier 10 by the Musical Dome for a heated 90-minute Rhine cruise. You’ll pass Cologne Cathedral, Groß St. Martin, Rheinauhafen, its crane houses, and Rodenkirchen while listening to traditional and modern Kölsch music. Drinks cost extra, and the host service is in German.
Board at Pier 9 for a 1.5-hour Rhine cruise from Bonn to Königswinter and back. You’ll pass the former German Government District, Hammerschmidt Villa, Drachenfels, and Drachenburg Castle. A German, English, or French host is available, and the boat is wheelchair accessible, though electric wheelchairs are not recommended.
Join KD Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH for a two-hour evening cruise from Bonn’s KD ticket office. Watch the Opera House, Alter Zoll, Villa Hammerschmidt, Langer Eugen, and the 150-metre Post Tower glow after sunset, with a DJ on board. Food and drinks cost extra, and the cruise runs rain or shine.
Join Personenschifffahrt Pilger for a 90-minute Advent cruise aboard the Petersberg ship from Bonn. Expect a festively decorated vessel, views of Bonn and the Siebengebirge, German-language hosting, and snacks available from the onboard galley. It costs $22 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
“A very nice tour, I can only recommend it. It's a really nice experience with children. The service was excellent. The ordered food arrived within minutes. The service was excellent. The view was amazing, and the ship was fantastic.”
Board at jetty 8 beside Bonn’s Alter Zoll for a three-hour Rhine cruise with lounge music, a welcome drink, open-deck seating, and a DJ who takes requests. The evening shifts from relaxed river ride to dance party, with drinks and a small food menu available to buy. Wheelchair access is provided.
“rejs był bardzo przyjemny,miła obsługa,niczego nie brakowało,polecam z całego serca”
A city, a river, a castle ridge, a brewery.
