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

11-Day Frankfurt to Rome Rail Tour (11R01)

Frankfurt to Rome via Romantic Road, Alpine trains, Venice, 11 days

Illustration of 11-Day Frankfurt to Rome Rail Tour (11R01)

Travel to Europe operates this 11-day self-guided rail tour for independent travellers from Frankfurt to Rome via Germany, Austria, and Italy. You start with an ICE high-speed train from Frankfurt International Airport to Wurzburg and follow the Romantic Road through medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Nuremberg before reaching Munich, where you spend two nights and take an all-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles. Speed rail carries you through the Alps to Innsbruck, then on to Venice for two nights, where a free English-speaking walking tour is offered. The journey concludes in Rome with two nights and an optional three-hour guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. All rail tickets in 2nd class, hotel stays, daily breakfast, and major museum admissions are included. This tour suits first-time rail travellers and independent explorers who want authentic European cities and castles without daily tour management.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is high: US$4,429 versus US$2,699 per person double, nearly 64% more per night.
  • All meals other than daily breakfast are not included; budget for lunch and dinner throughout the tour.
  • Days 4 and 5 in Munich and Days 9 to 11 in Rome include optional activities (sightseeing, walking tours); confirm what you wish to do before arrival.
  • Rail tickets are mostly second class on high-speed trains; 1st-class upgrade costs US$259 per person and must be requested separately.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Wurzburg

    Frankfurt Int. Airport to Wurzburg

    High-Speed train (ICE) from Frankfurt Int. Airport directly to Wurzburg, the gateway to the Romantic Road. Visit the Old Town and the Residence.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

    Rothenburg ob der Tauber

    Regional rail from Wurzburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a medieval walled town. Evening English-speaking Night-Watchman tour.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Nuremberg

    Nuremberg

    Rail from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Nuremberg (under 1.5 hrs). Visit the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle) and medieval Old Town.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Munich

    Munich

    High-speed ICE train from Nuremberg to Munich. Sightseeing including Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace and self-guided walking tour of the city center.

  5. Day 5overnight: Munich

    Escorted Coach tour to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace

    All-day escorted coach tour via Oberammergau to Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Innsbruck

    Innsbruck

    Speed rail from Munich to Innsbruck (under 2 hours) through the Alp Mountains via Rosenheim and Kufstein. Explore the Altstadt and the Goldenes Dachl.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Venice

    Venice

    Afternoon train from Innsbruck to Venice. Sightseeing including the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace.

  8. Day 8overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Two-hour English-speaking Venice walking tour covering St. Mark's Square, Marco Polo's House and the Cannaregio District.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Rome

    Rome

    High-speed EuroStar train from Venice to Rome (about 3:45 hrs). Free time for sightseeing near the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain.

  10. Day 10overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Optional three-hour English-speaking walking tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

  11. Day 11

    Rome

    Tour ends after breakfast. Airport Shuttle Transfer from hotel to the airport can be added.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: ICE high-speed train from Frankfurt International Airport directly to Wurzburg, gateway to the Romantic Road.
  • Day 2Day 2: Regional rail to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a medieval walled town, with an evening English-speaking Night-Watchman tour.
  • Day 5Day 5: All-day escorted coach tour through Oberammergau to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace with admissions included.
  • Day 6Day 6: Speed rail from Munich to Innsbruck through the Alps via Rosenheim and Kufstein in under two hours.
  • Day 9Day 9: EuroStar high-speed train from Venice to Rome, about three hours and forty-five minutes.

Included

  • Rail tickets throughout (2nd class, mostly High-Speed trains)
  • Admission to Wurzburg Residence and Marienberg Fortress
  • English-speaking Night-Watchman tour in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
  • Admission to the Imperial Castle, Deep Well and Sinwell Tower in Nuremberg
  • Ticket for unlimited public transportation within Munich
  • Admission to Munich Residence Museum & Treasury, Cuvillies-Theatre, Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain
  • All-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace, with admissions
  • Free English-speaking walking tour of Venice
  • Buffet breakfast daily
  • 10 nights hotel accommodation per itinerary

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes rail tickets in 2nd class throughout the tour on high-speed trains (ICE, EuroStar) and regional rail. You may upgrade to 1st class for US$259 per person.
Is this an escorted tour or self-guided?
It is a self-guided, independent tour. You receive a day-by-day itinerary, rail tickets, and hotel vouchers. An all-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof is included on Day 5. Free walking tours are offered in Venice and Rome, but are optional.
Which trains are used?
The itinerary uses ICE high-speed trains (Frankfurt to Wurzburg, Nuremberg to Munich), regional rail (Wurzburg to Rothenburg, Rothenburg to Nuremberg), speed rail (Munich to Innsbruck), and EuroStar (Venice to Rome).
What are the hotels?
Hotels include the Wurzburger Hof (Wurzburg), Hotel Spitzweg (Rothenburg), Hotel Victoria (Nuremberg), King's Hotel Center (Munich, 2 nights), Hotel Innsbruck, Hotel Abazzia (Venice, 2 nights), and Hotel Napoleon (Rome, 2 nights).
What is included in the price?
Included are rail tickets (2nd class), ten nights hotel accommodation, daily buffet breakfast, museum admissions in Wurzburg, Nuremberg, and Munich, the escorted coach tour to the castles, and free walking tours in Venice and Rome.
What is not included?
Airfare to Frankfurt and from Rome, all meals except breakfast, and gratuities are not included.

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