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Travelmarvel (APT Travel Group) · Rail and River Cruise

Alpine Discovery by Rail with European Gems

27-day Swiss rail and Danube-Rhine river cruise from Zürich to Amsterdam

Illustration of Alpine Discovery by Rail with European Gems

Travelmarvel's 27-day Alpine Discovery by Rail with European Gems departs Zürich and ends in Amsterdam, combining four of Europe's most celebrated scenic trains with a 14-night river cruise along the Danube and Rhine. The first week focuses on Swiss Alpine rail, starting with the Luzern-Interlaken Express across mountain lakes, then the Jungfrau Railway to observation decks carved into solid rock between the tunnel and the Eiger's north face. On Day 7 the Glacier Express narrow-gauge train carries you from Zermatt to St. Moritz through panoramic carriage windows; the next day the Bernina Express climbs the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway across Bernina Pass and the famous Brusio Circular Viaduct into Italy. After exploring Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich (including a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle), you board the river ship in Budapest for the second half, drifting through Vienna, the Danube Valley, Regensburg, Bamberg and the Rhine Gorge to Amsterdam. A Travelmarvel Cruise Director, Tour Director and local guides accompany you throughout. The trip suits repeat rail travellers and history lovers seeking guided comfort with multi-night stays in Alpine towns and European capitals.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights are not included in the price; budget separately for air travel to Zürich.
  • This is a 27-day commitment with a deposit of AUD $250 per person due by 21 July 2026; final balance due 1 September 2026.
  • The pace mixes active rail days in the first half with river cruise days in the second half; confirm with Travelmarvel how many fully free days you have for independent exploration in each city.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Arrive Zürich

  2. Day 2overnight: Lucerne

    Zürich, Lucerne

  3. Day 3railovernight: Interlaken

    Lucerne, Luzern–Interlaken Express, Interlaken

  4. Day 4railovernight: Interlaken

    Interlaken, Jungfrau Railway

  5. Day 5overnight: Zermatt

    Interlaken, Zermatt

  6. Day 6overnight: Zermatt

    Zermatt

  7. Day 7railovernight: St. Moritz

    Zermatt, Glacier Express, St. Moritz

  8. Day 8railovernight: St. Moritz

    St. Moritz, Bernina Express, Tirano, St. Moritz

  9. Day 9overnight: Salzburg

    St Moritz, Innsbruck, Salzburg

  10. Day 10overnight: Salzburg

    Salzburg

  11. Day 11overnight: Munich

    Salzburg, Munich

  12. Day 12overnight: Munich

    Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle

  13. Day 13overnight: Budapest

    Munich, Arrive Budapest

  14. Day 14overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

  15. Day 15overnight: Vienna

    Vienna

  16. Day 16overnight: Vienna

    Vienna

  17. Day 17overnight: Dürnstein

    Dürnstein, Melk

  18. Day 18overnight: Passau

    Aschach, Passau

  19. Day 19overnight: Regensburg

    Regensburg

  20. Day 20overnight: Nuremberg

    Nuremberg

  21. Day 21overnight: Bamberg

    Bamberg

  22. Day 22overnight: Würzburg

    Würzburg

  23. Day 23overnight: Miltenberg

    Miltenberg

  24. Day 24overnight: Rüdesheim

    Rüdesheim, Rhine Gorge

  25. Day 25overnight: Cologne

    Cologne, Brühl

  26. Day 26overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

  27. Day 27

    Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: the Luzern-Interlaken Express travels from Lucerne across lake and mountain scenery to Interlaken.
  • Day 4Day 4: the Jungfrau Railway climbs to observation stops cut from solid rock between the tunnel and the north face of the Eiger.
  • Day 7Day 7: the Glacier Express narrow-gauge train departs Zermatt for St. Moritz, revealing panoramic Alpine views through the carriage windows.
  • Day 8Day 8: the Bernina Express crosses the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway, climbing Bernina Pass and curving across the Brusio Circular Viaduct before descending to Tirano.
  • Day 12Day 12: excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle, King Ludwig II's Bavarian palace set high in the Alps, with views over forests, lakes and mountains.

Included

  • Two-night stays in Interlaken, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Salzburg and Munich; and one-night stays in Zurich, Lucerne
  • 14 nights cruising on a Travelmarvel river ship
  • 59 Meals - 26 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 20 dinners
  • Onboard water stations, plus tea and coffee, soft drinks, beer and local wine during lunch and dinner on your cruise
  • Services of Travelmarvel Cruise Director, Tour Director and local guides
  • Transfers, port charges, porterage and tipping
  • Explore 23 towns, villages and cities
  • Journey aboard the Glacier Express to St. Moritz

Not included

  • Flights (unless specified)

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
Travelmarvel includes the Luzern-Interlaken Express, Jungfrau Railway, Glacier Express, and Bernina Express. The Bernina Express travels the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway from Switzerland into Italy.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Travelmarvel provides a Cruise Director, Tour Director and local guides throughout. Transfers, porterage and tipping are included.
What is included in the price?
The tour includes two-night stays in five towns, one-night stays in two towns, 14 nights on a Travelmarvel river ship, 59 meals (26 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 20 dinners), onboard beverages, guide services, transfers, port charges and tipping. Flights are not included.
How many nights are on the river cruise?
Fourteen nights of the 27-day tour are spent cruising on the Travelmarvel river ship, from Budapest to Amsterdam via the Danube and Rhine rivers.
What is the physical activity level?
The tour involves city walking and visits to Neuschwanstein Castle; no specific hiking or high-altitude activity is described in the itinerary.
When does this tour run?
A 2027 Europe River Cruise departure is referenced, with deposit due by 21 July 2026. Confirm current and future departure dates with Travelmarvel.

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