The easiest way to take a river cruise from the UK is a package that includes your flights and transfers. Several lines fly from regional UK airports, so you don’t have to travel to London, and some include a chauffeur from your home.
Here are the best options.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Four lines with UK packages
- Tips
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera Travel | River cruises | 18+ River ships | Regional airports | Flights from regional UK airports, All transfers, All meals + wine/beer with lunch and dinner |
| TUI River Cruises | River cruises | 3 River ships | Modern ships | Flights from regional UK airports, All transfers, All meals + drinks at lunch and dinner |
| Saga Cruises | River and ocean | 7 Ships — 2 ocean + 4 river | Over-50s door to door | Chauffeur from home, Travel insurance, All drinks |
| Uniworld Boutique River Cruises | River cruises | 13 Super Ships in the fleet | Luxury | All drinks, Daily excursions, Airport transfers |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Four lines with UK packages
Riviera Travel
- River cruises
- 18+ River ships
- 169 Max guests / ship
The UK’s largest river cruise operator, with flights from regional UK airports, all transfers, meals with wine and beer at lunch and dinner, daily excursions and gratuities included.
Best for: Regional airports
TUI River Cruises
- River cruises
- 3 River ships
- 156 Max guests / ship
Three modern ships on the Rhine, Danube and Moselle, with flights from regional UK airports, transfers, meals with drinks at lunch and dinner and Wi-Fi.
Best for: Modern ships
Saga Cruises
- River and ocean
- 7 Ships — 2 ocean + 4 river
Purpose-built river ships for over-50s, with a chauffeur from your home, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and travel insurance included.
Best for: Over-50s door to door
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
- River cruises
- 13 Super Ships in the fleet
- 110-160 Guests per ship — boutique scale
Boutique luxury Super Ships with airport transfers, drinks, excursions, gratuities and Wi-Fi included; we can add UK flights.
Best for: Luxury
Side by side: the details
| Riviera Travel | TUI River Cruises | Saga Cruises | Uniworld Boutique River Cruises | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fleet | 18+ River ships | 3 River ships | 7 Ships — 2 ocean + 4 river | 13 Super Ships in the fleet |
| Ship size | 169 Max guests / ship | 156 Max guests / ship | – | 110-160 Guests per ship — boutique scale |
| Included as standard | Flights from regional UK airports, All transfers, All meals + wine/beer with lunch and dinner, Daily excursions, Gratuities | Flights from regional UK airports, All transfers, All meals + drinks at lunch and dinner, Daily excursion choices, WiFi + bicycle hire | Chauffeur from home, Travel insurance, All drinks, All dining, Gratuities, Excursion in every port | All drinks, Daily excursions, Airport transfers, Gratuities, Wi-Fi, Bottled water + speciality coffees |
| Main departure ports | Amsterdam, Budapest, Porto, Lyon, Hanoi | Cologne, Basel, Budapest, Vienna, Trier | Dover, Tilbury, Southampton, Cologne, Vienna | Amsterdam, Basel, Vienna, Budapest, Paris |
| Loyalty programme | – | – | Britannia Club | River Heritage Club |
| Might not suit you if | you want a US-style brand; you want premium spirits all day; you want very large suites | you want fully-inclusive luxury; you want broad river coverage; you want a long brand-history feel | you’re under 50; you want a big-ship resort experience; you’re flying anyway and want pure cruise pricing | you want ocean cruising; you want big-ship choice; you’re travelling with kids under 8 |
Tips
Check which UK airports are offered for your dates, whether transfers are included at both ends, and whether drinks are included all day or just with meals. Christmas-market cruises on the Rhine and Danube sell out early. A Travel Designer can also add a hotel night before or after your cruise.
How we compared them
We compared lines that offer packages with UK flights or door-to-door travel. Our comparisons are based on what each line offers as standard: ship size, what’s included, atmosphere and who it suits. Fares and inclusions change and often depend on the fare type, so check the details for your sailing, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
Which river cruises fly from regional UK airports?
Riviera Travel and TUI River Cruises.
Do any river cruises include a chauffeur from home?
Saga includes a chauffeur from your home.
Can I fly from Manchester or Birmingham for a river cruise?
Often, yes, depending on the line and date. Ask a Travel Designer.
Are transfers included?
Yes on these packages.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
