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

9-Day Imperial Europe Rail Tour (9R12)

Self-guided rail journey through four Central European capitals: Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest

Illustration of 9-Day Imperial Europe Rail Tour (9R12)

Travel to Europe's 9-Day Imperial Europe Rail Tour is a self-guided journey through four Central European capitals: Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. The tour runs nine days and eight nights with two nights in each city, linked by three speed train journeys. You arrive in Berlin and depart from Budapest. Unlike a fully guided tour, you navigate independently with provided day-by-day guidance and information sheets, optional walking tours, and hop-on hop-off sightseeing passes. Day 1 offers orientation in Berlin with the 48-hour Welcome Card and hop-on hop-off buses. Day 3 brings a 4.5-hour speed train to Prague; Day 5 another speed train to Vienna; Day 7 a short journey to Budapest. Days between train travel are yours to explore each city's major sites, museums and neighbourhoods at your own pace. This tour suits first-time rail travellers seeking flexibility and budget-conscious explorers wanting to see multiple capitals without a group or daily guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • All meals other than breakfast are not included; budget for lunch and dinner separately.
  • International airfare to Berlin and from Budapest is not included in the from-price.
  • Single travellers pay a supplement: the single from-price is USD 2,799, compared to USD 1,699 per person in double occupancy.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Berlin

    Berlin

    Train/coach from Berlin Tegel Airport to hotel near Potsdamer Platz. Sightseeing using the 48-hour Berlin & Potsdam Welcome Card, including hop-on hop-off double decker buses M100 and M200.

  2. Day 2overnight: Berlin

    Berlin

    Walking tour suggestions around Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Checkpoint Charlie and the Topography of Terror; optional half-day trip to the Sachsenhausen Memorial.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Prague

    Prague

    EuroCity (EC) train from Berlin to Prague (about 4.5 hours). Optional free 3.5-hour English-speaking walking tour of the 'Golden City'.

  4. Day 4overnight: Prague

    Prague

    Full day to explore the Old Town at leisure, including the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Vienna

    Vienna

    Speed Rail EuroCity (EC) from Prague to Vienna (about 4 hours). Visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace and State Opera House using the 48-hour Vienna Card.

  6. Day 6overnight: Vienna

    Vienna

    Full day of sightseeing in Vienna with the Vienna Card, including the Ringstrasse and Schonbrunn Palace and Garden.

  7. Day 7overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    Under three hours to Budapest. Sightseeing with a 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off pass, including the Royal Palace, Parliament Building and St. Stephen's Basilica.

  8. Day 8overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    Continued sightseeing with the Hop-on Hop-off pass; visit the Chain Bridge, the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial and the Holocaust Memorial Center.

  9. Day 9

    Budapest Int. Airport

    Private transfer from hotel to Budapest Airport or Budapest Cruise Ship Port, where the tour ends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrive in Berlin. Use the 48-hour Berlin & Potsdam Welcome Card to ride hop-on hop-off double decker buses M100 and M200 around the city.
  • Day 3Travel by EuroCity speed train from Berlin to Prague in about 4.5 hours. Optional 3.5-hour English-speaking walking tour of the Old Town available.
  • Day 5Speed train EuroCity from Prague to Vienna in about 4 hours. Explore the Hofburg Imperial Palace and State Opera House with the 48-hour Vienna Card.
  • Day 7Travel under three hours by speed train to Budapest. Visit the Royal Palace, Parliament Building and St. Stephen's Basilica with a 48-hour hop-on hop-off pass.

Included

  • Public transportation ticket within Berlin, plus 48-hour Berlin & Potsdam Welcome Card
  • Speed train ticket Berlin to Prague
  • Train ticket Prague to Vienna, plus 48-hour Vienna Card
  • Speed train ticket Vienna to Budapest, plus 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus ticket in Budapest
  • Private transfer from hotel to Budapest Airport or Budapest Cruise Ship Port
  • Buffet breakfast daily
  • 8 nights hotel accommodation per itinerary

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes three speed train tickets: Berlin to Prague (about 4.5 hours), Prague to Vienna (about 4 hours), and Vienna to Budapest (under 3 hours), all in 2nd class.
Is this an escorted or self-guided tour?
This is an independent, self-guided tour with no tour manager. Travel to Europe provides a day-by-day itinerary and tour information sheets. Optional walking tours are available in Berlin and Prague.
What hotels are included?
Two nights each in Amano Grand Central (Berlin), 987 Design Hotel Prague, Hotel Schani Wien (Vienna), and Royal Park Boutique Hotel (Budapest). Buffet breakfast is included daily.
What is included in the price?
Rail tickets, 8 nights hotel with breakfast, Berlin and Vienna city cards, hop-on hop-off passes in Berlin and Budapest, and a private transfer to the airport or cruise port at the end.
Can I upgrade to 1st class?
Yes. A 1st-class rail upgrade for the long distance train rides costs USD 149 per person and includes seat reservations.
When does this tour depart?
Travel to Europe does not publish a fixed departure schedule in the available information. Contact the operator directly to confirm available dates.

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