Airport transfer fees are almost always included in your river cruise fare if you book air travel through the cruise line. Even if you don’t, the fees may still be part of the package. It just depends on the river cruise company.
If these fees are not included in the package, the airport transfers can still usually be arranged by the river cruise company.
While these fees are not exhorbitant, they could make the cost of your cruise higher than expected. Airport transfer fees usually start at about $25 per person one way. In other words, if they are not included in your fare, you can expect to pay at least an additional $50 per person for transportation to and from the airport.
Some river cruise companies arrange a hotel stay the night before you embark for your river cruise and a hotel stay the night you disembark. Transfers are provided between the hotel and the cruise ship and may also include transfers between the hotel and the airport.
Airport transfer fees are added to the total cost of your cruise and paid prior to departure.
Airport in Amsterdam
Companies – Airport Transfer Fees Included
Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises states that airport transfers to and from your ship are included in the fare.
Scenic Cruises lists airport transfers as part of its all-inclusive river cruise packages. An overnight stay in a hotel before or after the river cruise is featured in some of its itineraries. Transfers are then included between the cruise ship and the hotel, and the hotel and the airport.
Airport transfer fees are included in all of Tauck’s river cruise packages. Some itineraries include an overnight stay in a hotel before or after your cruise. Transportation is provided between the cruise ship and the hotel and also between the hotel and the airport.
Uniworld states that all “scheduled airport transfers” are included in the fare. A hotel stay before or after your river cruise is included in some packages. Guests are transported between the cruise ship and the hotel and between the hotel and the airport free of charge.
Companies – Airport Transfer Fees not Included
AmaWaterways offers a cruise-only package and a cruise-and-land package. With the cruise-and-land package, transfers are included between the hotel and the ship. Airport transfer fees are also included if airfare is purchased from AmaWaterways.
American Cruise Lines does not include airport transfer fees in the fare.
American Queen Steamboat Company
All river cruises with American Queen Steamboat Company include a one-night hotel stay prior to boarding the ship. Although, airport transfers to the hotel are not included in the fare, transportation from the hotel to the cruise ship is part of the package.
At the end of the cruise, there is an optional premium tour that can be purchased. It includes transportation to the airport after the tour at no additional cost.
Some of Avalon Waterway’s itineraries include a hotel stay before or after the river cruise. Although, transfer fees between the airport and the hotel are not part of the package, transportation between the hotel and the ship is included.
Airport transfer fees are included in the fare if a qualifying flight is booked from Avalon Waterways. They are not included for any other flights.
CroisiEurope does not include airport transfer fees in the fare; however, the company will arrange airport transfers for you.
Airport transfer fees are part of the package, if air travel is booked from Grand Circle. Even if air travel is booked separately, the company will arrange transportation to and from the airport. You will charged airport transfer fees, though.
If air travel is purchased from Viking River Cruises, airport transfer fees are included. However, the fees are only covered for arrival and departure dates listed in the itinerary. In other words, if you choose to extend your stay independently, airport transfers will be at your expense.
If you choose to book air travel through another company, airport transfers can still be arranged by Viking River Cruises. However, there will be a fee assessed.
Airport Transfer Fees Average Savings
If airport transfer fees are included in the river cruise package, you can expect to save at least $50 per person or $100 per couple. While it’s not a huge savings, when taken into consideration with other items that may not be included, these additional fees can start to add up quickly.
Airport transfer charges are usually included in the fare if you choose to book air travel directly from the river cruise company. You may be able to find a better deal on airfare through another supplier. Sometimes it’s best to book directly with the river cruise company even if you can find a lower rate elsewhere. Since they are coordinating your transportation, and it is not being handled by a third party, they will make sure you don’t miss the boat.
See other all-inclusive river cruise articles in this series:
- Beverages
- Fitness Center/Pool/Bikes
- Free WiFi
- Laundry Services or Facilities
- Port Charges
- Prepaid Gratuities
- Private Butler Service
- Shore Excursions
We have an upcoming river cruise with Scenic and have been told our transfer time will be more than 6 hours after we arrive at the airport. They then anticipate a 2 hour bus ride (Zurich to Basel). This seems hugely unacceptable to me. I understand something of a wait to gather a larger group but this is crazy, even figuring in time to clear passport control and customs and collect luggage. Is this normal for river cruise “transfers”?
It’s not normal, at least not in my experience.
We have an upcoming river cruise with Scenic and have been told our transfer time will be more than 6 hours after we arrive at the airport. They then anticipate a 2 hour bus ride (Zurich to Basel). This seems hugely unacceptable to me. I understand something of a wait to gather a larger group but this is crazy, even figuring in time to clear passport control and customs and collect luggage. Is this normal for river cruise “transfers”?