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

10-Day Luther Rail Tour Berlin to Frankfurt (10R06)

Luther's Germany by rail: Berlin to Frankfurt via Wittenberg, Erfurt, and Wartburg Castle

Illustration of 10-Day Luther Rail Tour Berlin to Frankfurt (10R06)

Travel to Europe operates this 10-day independent rail tour following Martin Luther's path across Germany from Berlin to Frankfurt. You travel by ICE high-speed and regional trains, staying nine nights in well-placed three-to-four-star hotels with daily breakfast included. The itinerary moves at a balanced pace, spending two nights each in Berlin and Erfurt and one or two nights in smaller cities such as Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Nuremberg, Augsburg, and Heidelberg. Day three brings you by train to Wittenberg to see the Schlosskirche where Luther's 95 Theses are displayed. Day five is a regional train excursion to Wartburg Castle and Eisenach, where Luther took refuge and translated the New Testament. You enjoy self-guided walking tours of medieval old towns, including a day trip to Munich from Augsburg. The 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card provides free public transport and discounts to over 200 museums. This package suits history-lovers seeking the Reformation's landmarks and independent travelers comfortable moving between cities on trains with pre-arranged hotels and vouchers.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is substantial: USD 2,589 per person versus USD 1,629 for double occupancy (roughly 59 percent higher).
  • Airfare from your home to Berlin and from Frankfurt back home is not included; you arrange and pay separately.
  • Most meals other than breakfast are your own expense; lunch and dinner are not covered by the package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Berlin

    Berlin

    Arrive via Berlin Tegel Airport and transfer by train/coach to your hotel near Berlin Central Station. Includes the 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card with free public transportation and museum discounts.

  2. Day 2overnight: Berlin

    Berlin

    A second day in Berlin using the Welcome Card, with walking-tour suggestions covering Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie and the Museum Island.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lutherstadt Wittenberg

    Lutherstadt Wittenberg

    High-speed ICE train (about 40 minutes) to Wittenberg. Visit the Schlosskirche (Castle Church) where the 95 Theses are cast in bronze, and the Lutherhaus Museum.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Erfurt

    Erfurt

    High-Speed train to Erfurt, Luther's spiritual home. Visit the Augustinian Monastery, St Mary's Cathedral and the Barfusserkirche.

  5. Day 5overnight: Erfurt

    Day trip to Wartburg Castle and the City of Eisenach

    Day trip to Eisenach and Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New Testament into German. Visit the Luther House Museum and St George's Church before returning to Erfurt.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Nuremberg

    Nuremberg

    High-Speed ICE rail from Erfurt to Nuremberg (about 3 hours). Visit the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle) and the medieval Old Town.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Augsburg

    Augsburg

    High-Speed ICE train to Augsburg. Visit the theological-historical museum Lutherstiege at St Anna's Church, the Fuggerei and Augsburg Cathedral.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Augsburg

    Day trip to Munich

    Regional rail day trip to Munich (about 45 minutes) with a self-guided walking tour of Marienplatz, the New Town Hall Glockenspiel, Konigsplatz and the Hofbrauhaus, returning to Augsburg.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Heidelberg

    Heidelberg

    Speed rail (about 3 hours) from Munich to Heidelberg, with a taxi transfer to the Old Town. Visit Heidelberg Castle and the historic university.

  10. Day 10rail

    Frankfurt Int. Airport

    Taxi transfer to Heidelberg Station and speed-train to Frankfurt International Airport, where the tour ends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3High-speed ICE train arrives in Lutherstadt Wittenberg in 40 minutes; visit the Schlosskirche where Martin Luther's 95 Theses are cast in bronze.
  • Day 5Regional train day trip to Eisenach and Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New Testament into German during his refuge there.
  • Day 8Regional rail day trip from Augsburg to Munich, with self-guided walking tour of Marienplatz and the Hofbrauhaus beer hall, returning the same day.
  • Day 2Second day in Berlin with the included 48-hour Welcome Card; walk past the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, and Checkpoint Charlie.

Included

  • Rail tickets between all cities (2nd class, including seat reservations on long-distance trains)
  • 9 nights hotel accommodation as listed
  • Buffet breakfast daily
  • 48-hour Berlin and Potsdam Welcome Card (free public transportation plus discounts to 200 museums/attractions)
  • Local train and bus tickets for the Wartburg Castle/Eisenach day trip
  • Admission to Wartburg Castle
  • Regional rail and public transportation ticket for the Munich day trip
  • Taxi transfer from Heidelberg Central Station to hotel
  • Day-by-day itinerary, vouchers and general destination information

Not included

  • Airfare from origin to Berlin Tegel Airport and from Frankfurt Int. Airport to origin
  • All meals other than breakfast
  • Gratuities (tips)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Rail tickets between all cities are included in second class with seat reservations on long-distance trains. First-class upgrade is available for an extra fee, excluding the Wartburg Castle day trip.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is independent. You receive day-by-day itineraries and vouchers but no daily guide. Walking tour suggestions are self-guided.
Which trains are used?
Primarily ICE high-speed trains (Berlin to Wittenberg, Wittenberg to Erfurt, Erfurt to Nuremberg, Nuremberg to Augsburg, Heidelberg to Frankfurt). Regional rail is used for the Eisenach and Munich day trips.
What hotels are included?
Nine nights at Amano Grand Central Berlin (2 nights), VCH Luther-Hotel Lutherstadt (1), SAS Radisson Blu Erfurt (2), Hotel Victoria Nuremberg (1), Hotel Ost am Koe Augsburg (2), and Hotel Hollander Hof Heidelberg (1).
When does this tour run?
Travel to Europe does not publish specific departure dates in the evidence provided; confirm availability and dates directly with the operator before booking.
What is included with the price?
Rail tickets, nine hotel nights, daily buffet breakfast, a 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card with free public transport and museum discounts, admission to Wartburg Castle, day-trip train and transit tickets, a Heidelberg station taxi transfer, and an itinerary with vouchers.

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