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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Amsterdam to Venice via the Rhine Valley and Brenner Pass

Independent rail trip from Amsterdam to Venice via Rhine Valley Brenner Pass

Illustration of Amsterdam to Venice via the Rhine Valley and Brenner Pass

Railbookers operates this 9-day, 8-night independent rail vacation connecting Amsterdam and Venice by train, with stops in Cologne and Munich along the way. Because it is independent rather than escorted, most days are self-guided: two nights in Amsterdam start with time to explore the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, or the Stedelijk, followed by an included food tour. From there, a direct high-speed train reaches Cologne, where the Cologne Cathedral and Chocolate Museum are options for the day, before the train follows the Rhine Valley toward Munich. After two nights in Munich, including an open-top bus tour, the route crosses into Italy on a direct train over the Brenner Pass, ending with two nights in Venice and a small group tour of St Mark's Basilica and Doges Palace. It suits independent-minded travelers who want pre-booked trains and hotels without a full escorted schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • No specific departure dates are listed in the evidence; confirm current availability and season directly with Railbookers.
  • The included list states breakfast hotel stays for Amsterdam, Cologne, and Munich, but does not explicitly list breakfast for the two Venice nights, even though the Venice hotel is named as part of the package; confirm meal inclusions for Venice with Railbookers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    Check in for a two-night stay; explore the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, or the Stedelijk.

  2. Day 2overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    Explore Amsterdam on an included food tour.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Cologne

    Amsterdam to Cologne

    Direct high-speed train to Cologne; visit the Chocolate Museum or Cologne Cathedral.

  4. Day 4overnight: Cologne

    Cologne

    Visit the Fragrance Museum or a Romanesque church; shop along Schildergasse.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Munich

    Rhine Valley to Munich

    Train through the Rhine Valley to Mannheim, then a high-speed ICE train to Munich.

  6. Day 6overnight: Munich

    Munich

    Open top bus sightseeing; visit the Englischer Garten.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Venice

    Brenner Pass to Venice

    Picturesque direct train from Munich to Venice along the Brenner Pass.

  8. Day 8overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Included small group tour of St Mark's Basilica and Doges Palace; optional trip to Murano and Burano.

  9. Day 9

    Your Journey Ends in Venice

    Check out after breakfast and continue with onward travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A direct high-speed train carries travelers from Amsterdam to Cologne, with time to visit the Chocolate Museum or Cologne Cathedral.
  • Day 5The train follows the Rhine Valley to Mannheim, then continues by high-speed ICE train to Munich.
  • Day 7A picturesque direct train crosses the Brenner Pass from Munich to Venice.
  • Day 8A small group tour visits St Mark's Basilica and Doges Palace in Venice, with an optional trip to the islands of Murano and Burano.

Included

  • All rail and reservations as per itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Amsterdam with breakfast
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Cologne with breakfast
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Munich with breakfast
  • Small Group Food Tour in Amsterdam
  • Munich Hop-On-Hop-Off Pass
  • Small group tour of St. Mark's Basilica and Doges Palace

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Railbookers' included list covers all rail and reservations as per the itinerary, using EuroCity and Deutsche Bahn ICE trains.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Only two elements are guided, a small group food tour in Amsterdam and a small group tour of St Mark's Basilica and Doges Palace in Venice; the rest of each day is self-guided.
Which hotels are used?
InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam (2 nights), Hilton Cologne (2 nights), Sofitel Munich Bayerpost (2 nights), and Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli and Gran Canal in Venice (2 nights).
What is not included?
Beyond rail, three cities' hotel breakfasts, the Amsterdam food tour, a Munich Hop-On-Hop-Off Pass, and the Venice small group tour, other items such as the optional trip to Murano and Burano are extra.
What is the starting price?
From $1,209 per person, which works out to about $134 per day, according to Railbookers' listed price.

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