May or September

[Cruise831]

Thinking about taking a Rhine River Cruise. I am trying to decide between May or September. Which do you think would be better and why? I know wheather is subject to change but what are the general temperatures for both.

[Hydrokitty]

We did castles on The Rhine (Budapest to Amsterdam) in very late August and it was ideal for touring. Neither too hot nor too cold. Most days in port Jeans and shirts were fine and at night on deck fleece vest was sufficient . One day cruising was warm enough for shorts. Plus it's not as crowded and we hit a fantastic Medieval Faire in one of the ports. Trouble with April is it can still be cool in places like Amsterdam and the water levels can be unpredictible due to spring snow, thaws and/ or flooding, which effect the river level and whether or not the locks are navigable.

[notamermaid]

Hello,

 

temperatures are similar in both months, May possibly being a little more unsettled, but that changes from year to year. Last year in May we had problems with flooding, this year it has been very dry and warm. Right now, there is a heat wave (o.k., it is beginning of June, it can happen in May, though.) Daytime temperatures usually range from 12 Celsius on cool, rainy days to 26 Celsius on dry, warm days. In general slightly higher during May than in September.

 

May is lovely for Spring flowers, public holidays might cause a slight problem if you are a shopaholic, as shops are closed on those days. There are hardly any bank holidays in September.

 

September is great for seeing the vines ripening in the vineyards, you might also see the first wine festivals of the harvest season. The harvest itself is more in October, though.

 

notamermaid

[orchestrapal]

I would go in May. Spring in Europe is beautiful and our experience of about

25 years of May trips almost all with glorious weather. Yes you may have a few 'May showers but they won't spoil your trip.

[cole]

September is great for seeing the vines ripening in the vineyards, you might also see the first wine festivals of the harvest season. The harvest itself is more in October, though.

 

For these reasons, we would vote for September. Gorgeous!

Cole

[Shebely]

Our favorite part of river cruising is being on the top deck and watching the scenery go by. We did a mid May cruise and it was cool and windy and we did not get outside while cruising. So that is why I would vote for September.

[abredt]

We did early Sept. last year and it was chilly and rained every day !!

Hubby did the excursions and I mostly stayed on the ship.

cb