Low water on the Rhine has changed our river cruise. How do we get between Amsterdam and the new port?
First let the cruise line tell you its plan, because in a low-water season lines swap ships, add coach transfers or move embarkation and disembarkation points; in August 2026 the Kaub gauge on the Middle Rhine fell below its 2018 record and lines including Riviera Travel and Uniworld cancelled sailings or swapped ships. If your start or finish moves from Amsterdam to Germany, a car is the most direct link with luggage: Amsterdam to Cologne is about 263 km and 3 h 03 on a clear road, €575 per car in Business Class, fixed at booking.
Last updated:
Prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, Amsterdam to Cologne | €575 | fixed price for a ride abroad, from the road distance (about 263 km) · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, Amsterdam to Cologne | €649 | fixed price for a ride abroad, from the road distance (about 263 km) · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, Amsterdam to Cologne | €719 | fixed price for a ride abroad, from the road distance (about 263 km) · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
Rides outside Amsterdam are priced from the measured road distance (or a fixed route price where one applies) and shown as one fixed price before you book. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
What is included in the price
- A fixed price confirmed at booking, with VAT included: no meter and no surge
- The chauffeur’s name, car and phone number before pickup, plus e-mail reminders 24 hours and 2 hours ahead
- Water and phone chargers (iOS and Android) in the car
- Status updates to the person who booked, if that is not the passenger: confirmed, chauffeur en route, guest in the car, arrived
What lines did in 2026
| Measure | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Ship swap | You change ships mid-river, usually by coach |
| Coach transfer | Part of the route by road |
| New embarkation or disembarkation port | Your Amsterdam leg may start or end elsewhere |
| Cancellation | Rebooking or a refund, by the line's terms |
If your Amsterdam leg moves
- Ask the line whether it provides transport to the new port.
- Keep flights flexible until the line confirms; low-water decisions come close to departure.
- If you travel on your own, send us the new port and time; we quote one fixed price per car.
Related questions
When is low water most likely?
Late summer and autumn, after dry spells.
Is the Dutch part of the Rhine affected?
The bottlenecks are upstream in Germany; Amsterdam's quays are rarely the problem.
Can you take us from Amsterdam to Düsseldorf instead?
Yes, quoted the same way.
Sources
- CruiseMapper: record-low Rhine water levels disrupt river cruises (August 2026) (checked October 31, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.