River cruise cost
Checked October 2026
There is no single average, because river cruise fares are built differently. Two fares for the same river can include flights, transfers, drinks, excursions and tips, or none of them. So compare the whole cost, not the headline fare. The real figure is the fare plus everything it leaves out.
River Cruise Escapes shows what builds a river cruise price, piece by piece. It shows no fare, because fares change by date, cabin and what's bundled, and our travel team quotes the actual trip. Our travel team at The JLT Group plans and books it.
What is the average cost of a river cruise?
There isn't one worth using. Fares are built from different pieces, so an average of them mixes unlike things.
Here's what one line puts in its fare, per AmaWaterways' FAQ:
- your cabin
- all meals
- wine and beer with lunch and dinner
- guided excursions
- Wi-Fi
- a Cruise Manager on board
On select sailings, some excursions cost extra.
Now the other side. The line's first-time cruiser FAQ and solo offers page list what sits outside that fare:
- gratuities, with suggested amounts published separately
- airfare, on some offers
- transfers
- optional land stays
- cabin upgrades
So two quotes can look close and still be far apart. One might carry flights and tips, the other neither. An average would hide the pieces you need to see.
Reading a quote, line by line
When a quote arrives, go down it with this table. Each row is a line to look for, and the question to ask if it's missing.
| Line on the quote | Ask if it's missing |
|---|---|
| Cruise fare | Which cabin grade and deck is it for? |
| Flights | Are they in, and from which airport? |
| Transfers | Is the ship to airport leg covered both ways? |
| Hotel nights | Are any nights before or after the sailing included? |
| Excursions | Which visits are in the fare, and which cost extra? |
| Drinks | Which drinks are included, and at which meals? |
| Tips | Are they in the fare, or paid on board? |
| Travel insurance | Is it in the quote, or yours to arrange? |
A missing line isn't always a problem. It means that piece is yours to pay for, and you should know before you compare.
What are some cheap cruise deals for 2026?
Read any deal against the full cost. A low headline fare can leave the extras out.
When you see a deal, check five things:
- What the fare includes. Meals, drinks, excursions, Wi-Fi, tips. Ask for the list.
- Whether flights are in it. And from which airport.
- Whether transfers are in it. Airport to ship, and ship to airport.
- Which cabin the price is for. Ask for the cabin grade, and which deck it sits on.
- Who it's priced for. Ask whether the figure is per person, and for two sharing.
Then put the deal beside a full quote for the same river and month. A deal that leaves out flights and tips may cost more in the end.
Travelling alone? Read our page on the river cruise single supplement before you compare.
How much does a first river cruise from the UK cost including flights?
It depends on what "including flights" means in the quote you're given.
Take one line as an example. AmaWaterways' fly-cruise rates include flights from London Heathrow, London Gatwick or Manchester. From other airports, it adds a supplement. So if you'd rather fly from your nearest airport, ask what that supplement is. On some of its offers, airfare sits outside the fare altogether.
Three questions settle it:
- Which airports are included, and what does yours add?
- Are the transfers from the airport to the ship in it too?
- Are hotel nights before or after the sailing in it, or extra?
With the cruise fare, flights, transfers and hotel nights as separate lines, two "including flights" prices can be compared fairly.
Why are river cruises so much more expensive than ocean cruises?
Compare what each fare includes before you decide. Excursions, drinks, Wi-Fi and tips can be in one fare and out of the other. Our page on river cruise or ocean cruise sets out how the two trips differ.
The extras worth checking
Some costs can sit outside a headline fare. These pages take each one in turn.
- Tips. Suggested amounts are published separately from the fare on that line. Read do you tip on a river cruise? for how it works.
- Travelling solo. Read the river cruise single supplement page.
- The Nile. Its costs have their own page: Nile river cruise prices.
- The questions to ask. Our list of questions to ask before booking a river cruise covers cost and much more.
Why this site shows no prices
This site shows no price as an offer, because every quote is for your own dates. Our travel team at The JLT Group plans and books the cruise. They'll call you back, or email first if you'd rather. For how that works, read how to book a river cruise.
Ready to start? Send your dates and river through the enquiry form, and say you'd like every extra listed.