One-way or round-trip river cruise: which option should you choose?
What is the difference between a round-trip river cruise and a one-way cruise?
During a round-trip river cruise, you start and finish your journey at the same departure base. You cruise in one direction for a few days, then turn around and return to the starting point. A one-way river cruise works differently. You collect the boat at one base and return it to another base located further along the canal or river.
Why is a round-trip cruise the easiest option to organise?
A round-trip cruise is the most practical option from a logistical point of view. You leave your car at the departure base and simply pick it up again at the end of your trip. This avoids any additional organisation. Once your houseboat cruise is finished, you just take your car and head home. It is also a reassuring option for a first licence-free boating holiday. On the way back, you pass through locks you already know, which makes the navigation easier.
How does a one-way river cruise work in practice?
With a one-way cruise, the logistics are slightly different. Your car usually remains at the departure base, since that is where you begin your cruise. Once you return the boat at the arrival base, you will need to travel back to collect your car.
Most travellers use:
- a taxi between the two bases
- or a train if the towns are well connected
Does a one-way cruise allow you to see more landscapes?
Yes, this is one of the main advantages. With a one-way river cruise, you never pass the same place twice. Each day of cruising brings new villages, new locks and new landscapes to discover. The feeling of travelling is therefore much stronger. This option is especially popular with travellers who are already familiar with river cruising and want to explore a region more deeply.
Why is a one-way cruise often slightly more expensive?
A one-way cruise requires additional organisation for the boat operator. Once your cruise is finished, the team must return the boat to its original base. This often involves several hours of navigation or moving a crew to bring the boat back. For this reason, a one-way supplement is usually charged. The amount may vary depending on the distance between the two bases.
FAQ – One-way or round-trip river cruises
Yes, an additional fee is usually applied because the operator needs to return the boat to its original base.
The simplest solution is to take a taxi from the arrival base back to the departure base to collect your car.
It is possible, but a round-trip cruise is usually easier to organise for a first boating holiday.
Most travellers choose the round-trip option, as it is simpler to organise.
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