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Travel to Europe (To-Europe) · Independent rail circle tour

10-Day Germany & Switzerland Rail Circle Tour (10R03)

10-day rail circle from Frankfurt through Germany and Swiss Alps

Illustration of 10-Day Germany & Switzerland Rail Circle Tour (10R03)

Travel to Europe (To-Europe) offers a 10-day, 9-night self-guided rail circle departing from and returning to Frankfurt International Airport. The tour moves you through six German and Swiss cities, starting in the baroque gem of Wurzburg with its UNESCO-listed Prince Bishops Residence, then east to Nuremberg's medieval old town and Munich's grand museums and palaces. From there, you board a train to Zurich, then continue to the lakeside charm of Lucerne and on to Interlaken via the scenic Golden Pass Panorama train, which climbs through Alpine meadows with views of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau peaks. You finish with Bern's UNESCO-listed old town before returning to Frankfurt. Each city gives you a day or two to explore at your own pace, with daily breakfast, all rail fares in second class, nine hotel nights, and admission to major sites included. One day features a guided coach excursion to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles. This itinerary suits independent travellers who want structure without a tour manager, history enthusiasts drawn to castles and UNESCO sites, and repeat rail travellers seeking to combine multiple European train routes.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 2,519 covers the package; airfare to and from your home to Frankfurt is not included.
  • Single supplement is USD 4,099, nearly 1.6 times the double-occupancy price.
  • All rail is second class; first-class upgrade costs an additional USD 259 per person for most routes (excluding the Munich-Zurich segment).

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Wurzburg

    Wurzburg

    Train from Frankfurt International Airport to Wurzburg Central Station. Visit Fortress Marienberg and the Prince Bishops Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Nuremberg

    Nuremberg

    High-speed Rail (ICE) from Frankfurt/Frankfurt Airport area to Nuremberg, under 2.5 hours. Visit the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle) and medieval Old Town.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Munich

    Munich

    Commuter train to Munich Central Station. Self-guided walking tour of the city center and museum admissions.

  4. Day 4overnight: Munich

    Escorted coach tour to the Royal Castles

    All-day escorted coach tour via Oberammergau to Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle, including a guided tour of the castle interior.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Direct train from Munich to Zurich Central Station, a little over four hours. Visit the Old Town, Grossmunster Church and Bahnhofstrasse.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lucerne

    Lucerne

    Explore Lucerne, capital of the Canton of Lucerne on the shore of Lake Lucerne, including the Chapel Bridge and the Lion of Lucerne.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Interlaken

    “Golden Pass” Panorama train ride

    Scenic-Panorama 'Golden-Pass' train ride from Lucerne to Interlaken, nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz with views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Bern

    Bern

    Under one hour by Speed Rail from Interlaken to Bern. Visit the Cathedral of Bern and the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town.

  9. Day 9overnight: Frankfurt

    Frankfurt

    About four hours from Bern to Frankfurt Central Station. Explore historic sites including the Romerberg and Goethe Haus.

  10. Day 10rail

    Frankfurt International Airport

    Tour ends after breakfast. Short train ride (about 11 minutes) from Frankfurt Central Station to Frankfurt International Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Visit Fortress Marienberg and the Prince Bishops Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Wurzburg.
  • Day 4All-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace with guided interior tours.
  • Day 7Golden Pass scenic train ride from Lucerne to Interlaken with views of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau mountains.
  • Day 8Visit Bern's Cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage Old Town after a one-hour train from Interlaken.

Included

  • Rail ticket Frankfurt Int. Airport to Wurzburg, including admission to Wurzburg Residence and Marienberg Fortress
  • Rail ticket Wurzburg to Nuremberg, including admission to the Imperial Castle, Deep Well and Sinwell Tower
  • Rail ticket Nuremberg to Munich, including admission to Munich Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvillies-Theatre, Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum and Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain
  • All-day escorted coach tour to Oberammergau and the Royal Castles (Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace), with admissions
  • Rail ticket Munich to Zurich
  • Rail ticket Zurich to Lucerne
  • Golden Pass scenic train ticket Lucerne to Interlaken
  • Rail ticket Interlaken to Bern
  • Rail ticket Bern to Frankfurt
  • Rail ticket Frankfurt to Frankfurt Int. Airport
  • Buffet breakfast daily
  • 9 nights hotel accommodation per itinerary

Not included

  • Airfare from/to your origin to/from Munich International Airport
  • All meals other than breakfast
  • Gratuities (tips)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All rail tickets are included: ICE trains from Frankfurt to Nuremberg to Munich, an EC train to Zurich, standard rail to Lucerne, the Golden Pass scenic train to Interlaken, and rail onward to Bern, Frankfurt, and the airport. Second class is standard; first class is available for an additional charge.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is a self-guided independent tour. You receive a day-by-day itinerary and information sheets but no tour manager accompanies you. One full day (Day 4) includes an escorted coach tour to the Royal Castles.
What are the main highlights?
UNESCO sites in Wurzburg and Bern; Nuremberg's Imperial Castle; Munich's museums and palaces; an escorted visit to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof; Zurich's Old Town; Lucerne's Chapel Bridge and lakeside views; the scenic Golden Pass train journey; and Interlaken as a gateway to the Alps.
What meals are included?
Buffet breakfast daily. All other meals are not included.
What is the physical activity level?
Expect self-guided walking tours of city centers, stairs in museums and castles, and luggage handling between hotels. One day features a full-day escorted coach excursion. No hiking or high-altitude climbs are listed.
When does this tour run?
The operator does not publish departure dates in the available information. Contact Travel to Europe (To-Europe) directly to confirm availability.

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