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

8-Day Magic Cities and German Classics Rail Circle Tour (8R04)

High-speed rail circle through six German cities from Frankfurt

Illustration of 8-Day Magic Cities and German Classics Rail Circle Tour (8R04)

Travel to Europe's 8-Day Magic Cities and German Classics Rail Circle Tour is an independent package spanning Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Berlin, Weimar, and Erfurt over eight days. You travel between cities aboard German ICE high-speed trains, with 2nd class tickets and seat reservations included. Accommodations move nightly, settling for two nights in Berlin. The itinerary pairs self-guided city exploration with curated highlights: a one-hour Rhine Panorama Cruise viewing Cologne's cathedral from the water, a 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card granting free museum entry and public transit, and days in Weimar and Erfurt exploring the homes and works of Goethe, Schiller, and Martin Luther. Daily breakfast is provided; other meals are your own. This tour suits independent travelers new to rail travel in Europe, history enthusiasts interested in German culture and literature, and couples seeking flexible city-based exploration. No guide accompanies you; you navigate using the detailed itinerary and walking-tour suggestions Travel to Europe supplies.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single-room occupancy costs USD 2,639 per person, compared to USD 1,639 for two sharing a double; the single supplement is substantial
  • Airfare to and from Frankfurt International Airport is not included and must be booked separately
  • Meals other than daily breakfast are not included; lunch and dinner are your own expense

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    Frankfurt Int. Airport/Cologne

    High-Speed ICE train (under an hour) from Frankfurt International Airport to Cologne. Visit Cologne Cathedral, the Fragrance Museum and the Old Town, plus a one-hour Rhine Panorama Cruise.

  2. Day 2overnight: Dusseldorf

    Dusseldorf

    Short High-Speed ICE ride (under 30 minutes) to Dusseldorf. Walk the Rhine embankment promenade and the Koenigsallee shopping street.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Berlin

    Berlin

    High-Speed ICE train (about 4.5 hours) from Dusseldorf to Berlin. Includes the 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card with free public transportation and museum discounts.

  4. Day 4overnight: 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.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Weimar

    Weimar

    Travel by High-Speed ICE and Speed-Rail IC via Leipzig to Weimar, home of Goethe and Schiller. Visit the City Palace, Goethe National Museum and the Bauhaus Museum.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Erfurt

    Erfurt

    High-Speed ICE train (about 15 minutes) to Erfurt, the young Martin Luther's spiritual home. Visit the Augustinian Monastery and the Barfusserkirche.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Frankfurt

    Frankfurt

    High-Speed ICE train (about 2h15) to Frankfurt. Visit the Romerberg, Goethe Haus and the Museum Riverbank.

  8. Day 8rail

    Frankfurt Int. Airport

    Tour ends today; short train ride (under 15 minutes) from Frankfurt Central Station to Frankfurt International Airport, with a flexible ticket valid on any train that day.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: One-hour Rhine Panorama Cruise through Cologne, viewing the city's medieval cathedral and riverside Old Town from the water
  • Day 3Day 3: Four-and-a-half-hour ICE journey from Dusseldorf to Berlin; the 48-hour Welcome Card unlocks public transport and entry to 200 museums and attractions
  • Day 5Day 5: Travel by ICE and IC rail via Leipzig to Weimar, where you visit the homes and museums of the writers Goethe and Schiller
  • Day 6Day 6: Fifteen-minute ICE train to Erfurt, Martin Luther's spiritual home, to see the Augustinian Monastery and Barfusserkirche

Included

  • Rail tickets between all cities (2nd class, including seat reservations on long-distance trains)
  • 7 nights hotel accommodation as listed
  • Buffet breakfast daily
  • 1-hour Cologne Panorama Cruise on the Rhine
  • 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card (free public transportation, discounts to 200 museums/attractions) and Berlin walking-tour suggestions
  • Day-by-day itinerary, vouchers and tour information sheets (20-35 pages)

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Rail tickets for all journeys between cities are included in 2nd class with seat reservations on long-distance trains. First-class upgrade is available for USD 199 per person for the entire tour.
What trains will I be on?
The tour uses ICE high-speed trains and one IC speed-rail service via Leipzig. Specific train names and times are not published in advance; you receive detailed vouchers and a 20-35 page itinerary with your booking.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
This is an independent rail tour. Travel to Europe provides accommodations, rail tickets, and walking-tour suggestions, but no guide; you explore each city on your own or join the suggested walking itineraries.
What hotels will I stay in?
Hotels are listed by the operator: Hotel Domspitzen in Cologne (1 night), Dusseldorf Mitte Hotel (1 night), Hotel Amano Grand Central in Berlin (2 nights), Kaiserin Augusta Hotel in Weimar (1 night), Mercure Erfurt Altstadt Hotel in Erfurt (1 night), and Hotel Concord in Frankfurt (1 night).
What is included in the price?
Included are rail tickets, 7 nights hotel accommodation, daily buffet breakfast, a one-hour Cologne Rhine Panorama Cruise, and a 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card with free public transportation and museum discounts. A 20-35 page itinerary with vouchers is also provided.
When does this tour run?
The operator does not publish specific departure dates in the available information. Contact Travel to Europe directly to confirm availability.

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