Is all the train travel included in the tour price?

Yes, second-class rail tickets for both Rail Jet trains (Munich to Salzburg and Salzburg to Vienna) are included. First-class upgrades are available for USD 79 per person and include seat reservations.

Is this tour escorted or independent?

It is a self-guided independent tour with walking-tour suggestions in the cities. Three escorted coach experiences are included: a full-day Royal Castles tour from Munich, a five-hour Hallstatt/Lake District tour from Salzburg, and a Danube Valley day trip from Vienna (the latter two seasonal, mid-May to mid-October only).

Which hotels are included, and where are they located?

Travel to Europe books the King's Hotel First Class (or similar) in Munich for three nights, the Mozart Hotel (or similar) in Salzburg for two nights, and Hotel Schani Wien (or similar) in Vienna for three nights. All are centrally located near train stations.

What meals are included?

Buffet breakfast is included daily. Lunch and dinner are not included, except where mentioned in escorted coach tours.

When does this tour run?

Travel to Europe operates the tour year-round, but the Hallstatt and Danube Valley day trips run only mid-May to mid-October. Outside that window, the tour price is lowered and those two days are adjusted.

What is the walk/physical activity level?

The tour includes self-guided walking in Munich and Salzburg, a funicular ascent to Hohensalzburg Fortress, and a mountain-train ride and riverboat during day trips. No strenuous hiking is required.

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

9-Day Travel Easy Germany & Austria Rail Tour (9R13)

Munich to Vienna rail loop with castle day trips and Danube cruise

Travel to Europe's 9-day Germany and Austria Rail Tour is a relaxed independent package that minimizes train time to just two high-speed Rail Jet journeys, making it ideal for travellers new to rail holidays. The itinerary opens with three nights in Munich, where an all-day escorted coach tour visits Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace, then moves to Salzburg for two nights, with a five-hour day trip to Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut Lake District (seasonal, mid-May to mid-October). The final three nights are in Vienna, anchored by a Danube Valley day trip with a river cruise to Melk Abbey and a guided Benedictine Abbey tour (also seasonal). Cities are explored on foot with self-guided suggestions; breakfast, hotels near train stations, major admissions, and all escorted coach tours are included. The tour suits couples, solo travellers, and first-time rail explorers who prefer a mix of independence and escorted structure, with room rates scaled for double, single, and triple occupancy.

What to know before you look closer

The two seasonal escorted tours (Hallstatt on Day 5 and Danube Valley on Day 8) operate only mid-May to mid-October; outside that window Travel to Europe removes both day trips and lowers the tour price
Single-room pricing (USD 3,289) is significantly higher than half the double-room rate; a solo traveller will pay a substantial supplement
Lunch and dinner are not included except breakfast; all other meals are at your own cost

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Munich
Munich
Direct train from Munich International Airport into Munich. Day pass covers a possible visit to Nymphenburg Palace and Park on arrival.
Day 2overnight: 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.
Day 3overnight: Munich
Munich
Munich admission package included (Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain), plus self-guided walking-tour suggestions.
Day 4railovernight: Salzburg
Salzburg
High-speed Rail Jet from Munich to Salzburg (about 1:50 hrs). Self-guided walking tour past Mirabell Palace and Park, the Franciscan Church and Mozart's Residence; visit Hohensalzburg Fortress via funicular.
Day 5railovernight: Salzburg
Hallstatt
5-hour escorted coach tour into the Salzkammergut (Lake District) and Hallstatt, the 'Pearl of the Salzkammergut', with a mountain-train ride to the 'World Heritage View' viewing platform. Available mid-May to mid-October only.
Day 6railovernight: Vienna
Vienna
High-speed Rail Jet from Salzburg to Vienna (about 2:40 hrs). Includes the 48-hour Vienna Card.
Day 7overnight: Vienna
Vienna
Full day of sightseeing with the Vienna Card, including the Ringstrasse and Schonbrunn Palace and Garden.
Day 8overnight: Vienna
Day trip into the Danube Valley, Melk and Danube River Cruise
Day trip from Vienna into the Wachau (UNESCO World Heritage Site) via Krems and Spitz, past Duernstein Castle, with a Danube River cruise to Melk and a guided Benedictine Abbey tour. Available mid-May to mid-October only.
Day 9
Vienna Int. Airport
Private airport transfer from the hotel in Vienna to Vienna International Airport, where the tour ends.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2All-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace via Oberammergau, with admissions included
Day 4High-speed Rail Jet from Munich to Salzburg (1 hour 50 minutes), followed by self-guided walking past Mirabell Palace and a funicular ride to Hohensalzburg Fortress
Day 5Five-hour escorted coach tour into the Salzkammergut Lake District to Hallstatt, with a mountain-train ride to the World Heritage View platform (seasonal, mid-May to mid-October)
Day 8Day trip from Vienna through the Wachau UNESCO World Heritage Site, past Duernstein Castle, with a Danube River cruise to Melk and a guided Benedictine Abbey tour (seasonal, mid-May to mid-October)

Included

2nd-class rail tickets for all listed journeys
Hotels as listed (or similar), centrally located near each train station
Buffet breakfast daily
Admission to Nymphenburg Palace and other Munich sights: Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain
All-day escorted coach tour to Oberammergau, Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle
5-hour escorted coach tour to Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut (mid-May to mid-October only)
48-hour Vienna Card
Danube Valley day trip (coach and boat) with Melk Abbey guided tour (mid-May to mid-October only)
Private transfer to Vienna International Airport
Day-by-day itinerary, tickets, vouchers and city information

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the tour price?: Yes, second-class rail tickets for both Rail Jet trains (Munich to Salzburg and Salzburg to Vienna) are included. First-class upgrades are available for USD 79 per person and include seat reservations.
Is this tour escorted or independent?: It is a self-guided independent tour with walking-tour suggestions in the cities. Three escorted coach experiences are included: a full-day Royal Castles tour from Munich, a five-hour Hallstatt/Lake District tour from Salzburg, and a Danube Valley day trip from Vienna (the latter two seasonal, mid-May to mid-October only).
Which hotels are included, and where are they located?: Travel to Europe books the King's Hotel First Class (or similar) in Munich for three nights, the Mozart Hotel (or similar) in Salzburg for two nights, and Hotel Schani Wien (or similar) in Vienna for three nights. All are centrally located near train stations.
What meals are included?: Buffet breakfast is included daily. Lunch and dinner are not included, except where mentioned in escorted coach tours.
When does this tour run?: Travel to Europe operates the tour year-round, but the Hallstatt and Danube Valley day trips run only mid-May to mid-October. Outside that window, the tour price is lowered and those two days are adjusted.
What is the walk/physical activity level?: The tour includes self-guided walking in Munich and Salzburg, a funicular ascent to Hohensalzburg Fortress, and a mountain-train ride and riverboat during day trips. No strenuous hiking is required.