Is rail travel included in the tour price?

Yes, rail tickets throughout are included in 2nd class. Rail Jet and high-speed trains connect Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna. 1st-class upgrade is available for USD 339 per person (does not apply to the Zurich-Munich bus leg). The Zurich-to-Munich leg is by Express Bus.

Is this a guided tour or independent?

It is an independent, self-guided tour. Travel to Europe provides a day-by-day itinerary and tour information sheets. Two segments are escorted: an all-day coach tour to the Royal Castles on Day 7 and a 4-hour Sound of Music tour in Salzburg on Day 9. No tour manager accompanies the entire trip.

Which trains are included?

Speed train (Heidelberg to Bern), Speed Rail (Bern to Interlaken), Golden Pass Panorama train (Interlaken to Lucerne), regional rail (Lucerne to Zurich), High-Speed Rail day trip to Nuremberg, Rail Jet (Munich to Salzburg and Salzburg to Vienna).

What hotels are included?

One night each in Heidelberg, Bern, Interlaken, Lucerne, and Zurich; three nights in Munich; one night in Salzburg; two nights in Vienna. Hotels range from three to four-star properties.

What is included in the price?

Rail tickets in 2nd class, 11 nights hotel accommodation, buffet breakfast daily, the Golden Pass Panorama train, city tour with aerial cable car and Lake Zurich ferry, admissions to Munich museums and palaces, all-day escorted Royal Castles tour with admissions, rail day trip to Nuremberg, Sound of Music tour, 48-hour Vienna Card with public transport and attraction discounts, and taxi transfer to your Heidelberg hotel on Day 1.

How much walking is involved?

The tour includes walking tours in the Old Towns of Heidelberg, Bern, Zurich, Vienna, and Salzburg, plus stairs in historic sites and castles. Most days involve city exploration on foot. The Royal Castles day is by coach, reducing walking, but the Nuremberg day trip involves walking through the medieval Old Town and to the Imperial Castle.

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

12-Day Frankfurt to Vienna & Swiss Alps Rail Tour (12R01)

Frankfurt to Vienna rail tour through German cities and Swiss Alps

Travel to Europe's 12-day Frankfurt to Vienna rail tour blends independent exploration with escorted highlights across Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Starting from Frankfurt Airport, you travel by train to Heidelberg, then through the Swiss Alps via the Golden Pass Panorama train from Interlaken to Lucerne, taking in views of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. The itinerary includes one night each in Bern, Interlaken, Lucerne, and Zurich before continuing to Munich for a three-night stay that encompasses an all-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles. From Munich you make a day trip by high-speed rail to Nuremberg's Imperial Castle and medieval Old Town. The final leg carries you by Rail Jet through Salzburg, where you take a four-hour Sound of Music tour, then on to Vienna for two nights exploring the Hofburg Imperial Palace, Spanish Riding School, and Schonbrunn Palace. You navigate independently between cities with provided itineraries and information sheets; breakfast is included daily, along with rail tickets, hotels, and major admissions. This tour suits independent travellers who enjoy train journeys, history lovers drawn to castles and imperial palaces, and repeat rail travellers seeking a multi-country circuit.

What to know before you look closer

The single supplement is high: USD 5,499 versus USD 3,549 for a double (the single is 155% of the per-person double rate).
One leg from Zurich to Munich is by Express Bus, not rail.
All meals except breakfast are not included; budget for lunch and dinner throughout the tour.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Heidelberg
Frankfurt Int Airport to Heidelberg
Rail connection from Frankfurt Int. Airport to Heidelberg Central Station. Walking tour suggestions for the Old Town and Heidelberg Castle.
Day 2railovernight: Bern
Bern
Taxi transfer to Heidelberg station then Speed train to Bern. Visit the Cathedral of Bern and the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town.
Day 3railovernight: Interlaken
Interlaken
Speed Rail from Bern to Interlaken (under an hour), nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz with views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.
Day 4railovernight: Lucerne
Golden Pass Panorama train ride thru the Swiss Alps to Lucerne
Scenic-Panorama 'Golden-Pass' train ride through the Swiss Alps from Interlaken to Lucerne. Visit the Chapel Bridge and the Lion of Lucerne.
Day 5overnight: Zurich
Zurich
Under an hour to Zurich. Visit the Old Town, Grossmunster Church, Lindenhof and the Bahnhofstrasse shopping street.
Day 6railovernight: Munich
Munich
Direct train/coach ride from Zurich to Munich (a little over 4 hours). Sightseeing including Marienplatz and admissions to several Munich sights.
Day 7overnight: 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.
Day 8railovernight: Munich
Day trip (by rail) to Nuremberg
High-speed rail day trip from Munich to Nuremberg and back, visiting the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle) and medieval Old Town.
Day 9railovernight: Salzburg
Salzburg
High-speed 'Rail Jet' from Munich to Salzburg. Afternoon 4-hour English-speaking Sound of Music tour.
Day 10railovernight: Vienna
Vienna
High-speed 'Rail Jet' from Salzburg to Vienna. Visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace, Spanish Riding School and State Opera House using the 48-hour Vienna Card.
Day 11overnight: Vienna
Vienna
Full day of sightseeing in Vienna with the Vienna Card, including the Ringstrasse and Schonbrunn Palace and Garden.
Day 12
Vienna/ Vienna Int. Airport
Private Airport Transfer from hotel to Vienna International Airport, where the tour ends.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Day 4: Golden Pass Panorama train from Interlaken to Lucerne through the Swiss Alps with views of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau peaks.
Day 7Day 7: All-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace via Oberammergau with guided castle interior tour.
Day 9Day 9: Four-hour English-speaking Sound of Music tour in Salzburg after arrival by Rail Jet.

Included

Rail tickets throughout (2nd class, upgradeable to 1st)
Taxi transfer Heidelberg Central Station to hotel and back
Scenic-Panorama 'Golden-Pass' train ride from Interlaken to Lucerne
City Tour with aerial cable car to Felsenegg and ferry ship across Lake of Zurich
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
Day trip by rail to Nuremberg
4-hour Sound of Music tour in Salzburg
48-hour Vienna Card (unlimited public transport plus 200+ discounts)
Buffet breakfast daily
11 nights hotel accommodation per itinerary

Not included

Airfare from your origin to Frankfurt Int. Airport / from Vienna Int. Airport to your origin
All meals other than breakfast
Gratuities (tips)

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included in the tour price?: Yes, rail tickets throughout are included in 2nd class. Rail Jet and high-speed trains connect Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna. 1st-class upgrade is available for USD 339 per person (does not apply to the Zurich-Munich bus leg). The Zurich-to-Munich leg is by Express Bus.
Is this a guided tour or independent?: It is an independent, self-guided tour. Travel to Europe provides a day-by-day itinerary and tour information sheets. Two segments are escorted: an all-day coach tour to the Royal Castles on Day 7 and a 4-hour Sound of Music tour in Salzburg on Day 9. No tour manager accompanies the entire trip.
Which trains are included?: Speed train (Heidelberg to Bern), Speed Rail (Bern to Interlaken), Golden Pass Panorama train (Interlaken to Lucerne), regional rail (Lucerne to Zurich), High-Speed Rail day trip to Nuremberg, Rail Jet (Munich to Salzburg and Salzburg to Vienna).
What hotels are included?: One night each in Heidelberg, Bern, Interlaken, Lucerne, and Zurich; three nights in Munich; one night in Salzburg; two nights in Vienna. Hotels range from three to four-star properties.
What is included in the price?: Rail tickets in 2nd class, 11 nights hotel accommodation, buffet breakfast daily, the Golden Pass Panorama train, city tour with aerial cable car and Lake Zurich ferry, admissions to Munich museums and palaces, all-day escorted Royal Castles tour with admissions, rail day trip to Nuremberg, Sound of Music tour, 48-hour Vienna Card with public transport and attraction discounts, and taxi transfer to your Heidelberg hotel on Day 1.
How much walking is involved?: The tour includes walking tours in the Old Towns of Heidelberg, Bern, Zurich, Vienna, and Salzburg, plus stairs in historic sites and castles. Most days involve city exploration on foot. The Royal Castles day is by coach, reducing walking, but the Nuremberg day trip involves walking through the medieval Old Town and to the Imperial Castle.