Search

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

9-Day Bavaria, Innsbruck & Lake Constance Rail Tour (9R07)

Nine-day independent rail loop through Bavaria, Innsbruck, and Lake Constance from Frankfurt

Illustration of 9-Day Bavaria, Innsbruck & Lake Constance Rail Tour (9R07)

Travel to Europe's 9-day Bavaria, Innsbruck and Lake Constance Rail Tour is an independent rail vacation beginning at Frankfurt Airport and ending in Heidelberg. Over nine days and eight nights, the itinerary carries you by high-speed ICE train and regional trains through southern Germany and Austria, stopping in Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nuremberg, Munich, Innsbruck, Lindau, and Heidelberg. Hotels are centrally located, breakfasts are provided, and a substantial list of castle and museum admissions is included. Two days feature group structure: an escorted walking tour in the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber on Day 2, and a full-day coach tour to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace on Day 5. The remainder of the tour gives you freedom to explore each city using self-guided walking suggestions. The Alpine crossing from Munich to Innsbruck and the journey to Lindau on Lake Constance are signature rail experiences. This tour suits independent rail travellers new to the experience as well as those returning to train travel, history enthusiasts drawn to royal castles and fortresses, and couples seeking a mix of structured highlights and personal exploration.

What to know before you look closer

  • All hotel names are listed as 'or similar'; your final accommodation may differ from the named properties depending on availability and season.
  • The single-room supplement is substantial: USD 2,599 versus USD 1,779 per person (46% higher), making solo travel considerably more expensive.
  • Meals other than buffet breakfast are not included; plan for lunch and dinner costs throughout the trip.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Wurzburg

    Frankfurt Int. Airport to Wurzburg

    High-Speed ICE train from Frankfurt Int. Airport directly to Wurzburg. Visit the Residence (admission included) and, seasonally, Fortress Marienberg.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Wurzburg

    Day trip (by rail) to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

    About an hour by regional train from Wurzburg. Includes an English-speaking escorted walking tour of the medieval Old Town at 2pm. Return to Wurzburg by train.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Nuremberg

    Nuremberg

    High-Speed ICE rail from Wurzburg to Nuremberg (about 1 hour). Admission to the Imperial Castle, Deep Well and Sinwell Tower included.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Munich

    Munich

    ICE rail from Nuremberg to Munich (about 1 hour). Munich admission package included, plus self-guided walking-tour suggestions.

  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; admissions included.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Innsbruck

    Innsbruck

    Speed rail from Munich to Innsbruck (under 2 hours) through the Alps via Rosenheim and Kufstein. Visit the Goldenes Dachl in the Old Town.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Lindau

    Lindau / Lake Constance

    Scenic speed-train ride from Innsbruck through the Alps to Lindau on Lake Constance. Visit the Old Town, harbour and historic Town Hall; optional lake cruise.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Heidelberg

    Heidelberg

    Speed train from Lindau directly to Heidelberg (under 3 hours), with an included taxi transfer to the hotel in the Old Town. Visit Heidelberg Castle and the Old Bridge.

  9. Day 9rail

    Heidelberg to Frankfurt

    Taxi transfer to Heidelberg Station (included) then speed train to Frankfurt, where the tour ends. Commuter train to Frankfurt Airport takes about 11 minutes (EUR 3.90, not included).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: English-speaking escorted walking tour of Rothenburg ob der Tauber's medieval Old Town at 2pm, then return by regional train to Wurzburg.
  • Day 5Day 5: All-day escorted coach tour via Oberammergau to Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle with admissions included.
  • Day 6Day 6: High-speed rail from Munich to Innsbruck through the Alps via Rosenheim and Kufstein in under 2 hours.
  • Day 7Day 7: Scenic speed-train journey from Innsbruck through the Alps to Lindau on Lake Constance; optional lake cruise available.

Included

  • Rail tickets for all listed journeys (2nd class, upgradeable)
  • Hotels as listed (or similar), centrally located near each train station
  • Buffet breakfast daily
  • Admission to Wurzburg Residence and Marienberg Fortress
  • English-speaking walking tour of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
  • Admission to the Imperial Castle, Deep Well and Sinwell Tower in Nuremberg
  • Munich admissions: Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain
  • All-day escorted coach tour to Oberammergau, Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Taxi transfer from Heidelberg Central Station to hotel
  • 20-35 page tour information sheets with day-by-day itinerary

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included in the price?
Yes. All rail tickets for journeys listed in the itinerary are included in 2nd class. You may upgrade to 1st class for an additional USD 259 per person on all high-speed and speed rail segments.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is a self-guided independent tour. You have an English-speaking walking tour in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and an all-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace on Day 5; other days you explore on your own with walking-tour suggestions provided.
What hotels are included?
Eight nights in centrally located hotels: Wurzburger Hof (or similar, 2 nights), Hotel Victoria (or similar, 1 night), King's Hotel First Class (or similar, 2 nights), Grand Europa (or similar, 1 night), Reuteman-Seegarten (or similar, 1 night), and Hotel Hollander Hof (or similar, 1 night).
Which trains are used?
The tour uses ICE high-speed trains from Frankfurt to Wurzburg to Nuremberg to Munich, plus regional and speed trains from Munich to Innsbruck to Lindau, and then back to Heidelberg and Frankfurt. All are in 2nd class unless upgraded.
What is included beyond the hotel and trains?
Buffet breakfast daily, admissions to Wurzburg Residence, Rothenburg walking tour, Nuremberg Imperial Castle, Munich museums and palaces, the all-day Neuschwanstein/Linderhof coach tour, taxi transfers in Heidelberg, and a 20-35 page information packet with day-by-day details.
How much walking is involved?
Expect city walking tours in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Heidelberg, self-guided walks in Munich and Nuremberg, plus a full day on a coach on Day 5. Luggage moves each day by train or arranged transport.

Similar journeys