Is train travel included?

Yes. All 2nd-class rail tickets throughout the route are included, mostly on high-speed ICE trains. First-class upgrade is available for 329 USD per person for the long-distance routes.

Is this an escorted tour?

No. This is an independent, self-guided tour. Travel to Europe provides day-by-day itineraries and information sheets, but there is no tour manager. Optional free English-speaking walking tours are available in Berlin and Prague only.

What hotels are included?

Fourteen nights in three to four-star hotels per itinerary: Hotel Hamburger Hof (Frankfurt), Mercure Hotel Erfurt Altstadt (Erfurt), Adina Hotel Leipzig (Leipzig), Adina Hotel Berlin Mitte (Berlin, 2 nights), Pullman Dresden Newa (Dresden), Grandium Hotel Prague (Prague, 2 nights), Hotel Zeitgeist Wien (Vienna, 2 nights), Hotel IMLAUER & Brau Hotel (Salzburg), King's Hotel First Class (Munich, 2 nights), and Hotel Hollander Hof (Heidelberg).

When does the tour run?

No specific departure dates are published in the tour information. Contact Travel to Europe directly to confirm availability.

No longer offered

Travel to Europe has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. Live alternatives are under Similar journeys below.

Travel to Europe · Independent rail tour

15-Day Germany, Austria & Prague Rail Tour (15R03)

15-day self-guided rail loop through Germany, Austria, Czech Republic

Travel to Europe's 15-day self-guided rail tour moves you through the Imperial Cities of Berlin, Vienna, Munich, and Prague, plus smaller towns including Salzburg, Heidelberg, Erfurt, Dresden, and Leipzig. Starting in Frankfurt, you travel mostly by high-speed ICE trains in 2nd class, with all rail tickets included. Each stop lasts one or two nights in three to four-star hotels with breakfast; city cards cover local public transport and museum discounts. The itinerary and information sheets are provided, but you navigate independently, choosing from optional free walking tours in Berlin and Prague and self-guided exploration elsewhere. This fast-paced itinerary suits independent travelers comfortable moving every day or two, history enthusiasts drawn to Luther sites, imperial palaces, and war memorials, and budget-minded travelers seeking affordable central European rail travel. From 2,959 USD per person, with first-class upgrade available.

What to know before you look closer

This is a one-night-per-city itinerary in most stops, making for a fast pace with frequent packing and unpacking.
Meals other than daily breakfast are not included; budget for lunch and dinner in each city separately.
Single rooms cost 4,649 USD compared to 2,959 USD for a double, a significant premium; confirm single supplement rates before booking.
The tour is self-guided with no escort; you navigate trains, hotels, and attractions independently using provided itineraries and city cards.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Frankfurt
Frankfurt
11-minute train from Frankfurt International Airport to Frankfurt Central Station. Explore historic sites including the Romerberg and Goethe Haus.
Day 2railovernight: Erfurt
Erfurt
High-Speed train to Erfurt, following the footsteps of Martin Luther including the Augustinian Monastery and St. Mary's Cathedral.
Day 3railovernight: Leipzig
Leipzig
Direct High-Speed train from Erfurt to Leipzig (about 45 minutes). Visit St. Thomas Church (Bach's tomb), St. Nicholas Church and the Old City Hall.
Day 4railovernight: Berlin
Berlin
High-speed rail from Leipzig to Berlin (a little over an hour). Sightseeing using the Berlin and Potsdam Welcome Card, including hop-on hop-off double decker bus routes M100 and M200.
Day 5overnight: Berlin
Berlin
Optional free English-speaking walking tour of Berlin; option to visit Potsdam and the Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen, all covered by the extended Welcome Card.
Day 6railovernight: Dresden
Dresden
EuroCity train from Berlin directly to Dresden. Hop-on Hop-off City tour of Dresden covering the Frauenkirche, Dresden Zwinger, Semper Opera House and Royal Palace.
Day 7railovernight: Prague
Prague
EuroCity train from Dresden to Prague (a little more than 2 hours). Explore the Old Town including Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock.
Day 8overnight: Prague
Prague
Optional free English-speaking 3-hour walking tour of the 'Golden City', including Prague Castle and the Lesser Quarter.
Day 9railovernight: Vienna
Vienna
Speed Rail 'EuroCity' (EC) from Prague to Vienna (about 4:10 hrs). Visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace and State Opera House using the 48-hour Vienna Card.
Day 10overnight: Vienna
Vienna
Full day of sightseeing in Vienna with the Vienna Card, including the Ringstrasse and Schonbrunn Palace and Garden.
Day 11railovernight: Salzburg
Salzburg
High-speed 'Rail Jet' (RJ) from Vienna to Salzburg (about 2:40 hrs). Walking tour including Mirabell Palace and Park and Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Day 12railovernight: Munich
Munich
High-speed 'Rail Jet' (RJ) from Salzburg to Munich (about 1:20 hrs). Self-guided walking tour of the city center.
Day 13overnight: Munich
Munich
Optional free 3-hour English-speaking walking tour of Munich; option to visit the KZ Dachau memorial site.
Day 14railovernight: Heidelberg
Heidelberg
About three-hour speed rail journey from Munich to Heidelberg Central Station, plus taxi transfer to the hotel. Walking tour of the Old Town and Heidelberg Castle.
Day 15
Frankfurt Int. Airport
Tour ends. Airport shuttle bus from Heidelberg hotel to Frankfurt International Airport (about an hour).

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Arrive via 11-minute train from Frankfurt International Airport to Frankfurt Central Station, then explore the Romerberg and Goethe Haus.
Day 4High-speed rail from Leipzig reaches Berlin in just over an hour; explore using the Berlin and Potsdam Welcome Card with hop-on hop-off bus routes.
Day 7EuroCity train from Dresden arrives in Prague after just over 2 hours; walk across Charles Bridge and visit the Old Town Square.
Day 11Rail Jet from Vienna reaches Salzburg in 2 hours 40 minutes; walking tour includes Mirabell Palace and Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Day 14Three-hour rail journey from Munich to Heidelberg; explore the Old Town and Heidelberg Castle before the airport shuttle departs next morning.

Included

Rail tickets throughout (2nd class, mostly High-Speed 'ICE' valid)
48-hour Berlin and Potsdam Welcome Card (unlimited public transport plus 200+ discounts)
Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus ticket in Dresden (valid all day)
48-hour Vienna Card (unlimited public transport plus 200+ discounts)
Ticket for unlimited public transportation within Munich
Taxi transfer Heidelberg Central Station to hotel
Airport shuttle transfer from Heidelberg hotel to Frankfurt Int. Airport
Buffet breakfast daily
14 nights hotel accommodation per itinerary

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. All 2nd-class rail tickets throughout the route are included, mostly on high-speed ICE trains. First-class upgrade is available for 329 USD per person for the long-distance routes.
Is this an escorted tour?: No. This is an independent, self-guided tour. Travel to Europe provides day-by-day itineraries and information sheets, but there is no tour manager. Optional free English-speaking walking tours are available in Berlin and Prague only.
What hotels are included?: Fourteen nights in three to four-star hotels per itinerary: Hotel Hamburger Hof (Frankfurt), Mercure Hotel Erfurt Altstadt (Erfurt), Adina Hotel Leipzig (Leipzig), Adina Hotel Berlin Mitte (Berlin, 2 nights), Pullman Dresden Newa (Dresden), Grandium Hotel Prague (Prague, 2 nights), Hotel Zeitgeist Wien (Vienna, 2 nights), Hotel IMLAUER & Brau Hotel (Salzburg), King's Hotel First Class (Munich, 2 nights), and Hotel Hollander Hof (Heidelberg).
When does the tour run?: No specific departure dates are published in the tour information. Contact Travel to Europe directly to confirm availability.