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railtour suisse · Rail touring holiday

Baltic States - Enchanting Amber Coast

Nine-day rail journey through Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia from Vilnius to Tallinn

Illustration of Baltic States - Enchanting Amber Coast

Railtour Suisse operates this 9-day journey through the Baltic States, departing Vilnius and arriving in Tallinn. Each of the three capitals, Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn, represents a distinct cultural epoch, from baroque splendor and Hanseatic grandeur to medieval old-town mastery. The itinerary unfolds as a mix of guided city tours and train-based exploration: Day 2 includes a small train ride to Trakai's lakeside 14th-century castle; Day 3 crosses Lithuania by train through green hills and forests to reach the amber coast at Klaipeda; Day 4 features a boat trip along the Great Dune on the Curonian Lagoon; and Day 7 enters Estonia via the Gauja National Park's landscapes. A German-speaking guide leads the group of up to 20 through UNESCO-listed old towns, Art Nouveau facades, and pilgrimage sites. Hotel stays range from two nights in the larger cities to single nights in smaller destinations, with all transport, entrance fees, and most meals included. This trip suits first-time rail travellers seeking a structured, unhurried pace and history enthusiasts drawn to the three capitals' contrasting architectures.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single-room supplement is 1,228 CHF (or USD 1,946), substantially more than half the double-room price of 2,885 CHF.
  • International group tour; some participants may not speak German, though the guide is German-speaking.
  • Outward and return flights from Switzerland are not included; book separately.
  • Minimum group size must be reached 21 days before departure, or Railtour Suisse may cancel.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vilnius

    Welcome to the Baltic States!

    Fly from Switzerland to Vilnius. Comfortable hotel for the next two nights near the old town. First stroll through Lithuania's capital, nicknamed the Jerusalem of the East.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Vilnius

    Vilnius - The Jerusalem of the East

    Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town of Vilnius with more than 50 baroque churches. Detour to the Railway Museum. Afternoon little train to Trakai to visit the 14th-century moated castle on a lake peninsula.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Klaipeda

    Klaipeda and the Ännchen von Tharau

    Cross Lithuania by train through green hills, hamlets and forests to the golden dunes of the Baltic Sea coast. Arrive in Klaipeda (Memel) with its romantic old town, near the Simon Dach Fountain. Two-night stay.

  4. Day 4overnight: Klaipeda

    On the Amber Coast

    Excursion to the Curonian Spit (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Visit the fishing village of Nida (Nidden) to learn about amber and jewelry-making. Boat trip along the Great Dune on the Curonian Lagoon.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Riga

    The mountain of crosses

    Train from Klaipeda through hilly landscapes inland to Siauliai to see the Hill of Crosses, Lithuania's most famous pilgrimage site. Bus to Riga for a two-night stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Riga

    Riga - Hanseatic League and Art Nouveau

    Tour from the medieval cathedral to the Blackheads' House, the Swedish Gate and the Art Nouveau façades of Alberta Iela. Visit Riga's market halls. Afternoon at leisure.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Tartu

    Tartu - The old university town

    Train journey into the Gauja National Park landscapes. Walking tour of Sigulda, then cross the Estonian border to Tartu, Estonia's educational and cultural centre; city tour including the neoclassical Town Hall Square.

  8. Day 8overnight: Tallinn

    Tallinn

    Travel to Tallinn, a UNESCO World Heritage medieval old town of towers, bastions and churches. Visit St. Catherine's Guild artisans. Farewell dinner in a specialty restaurant.

  9. Day 9

    Farewell to the Baltic States

    Transfer to Tallinn Airport and return flight to Switzerland.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Small train to Trakai to visit the 14th-century moated castle on a lake peninsula.
  • Day 4Boat trip along the Great Dune on the Curonian Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, from the fishing village of Nida.
  • Day 5Visit the Hill of Crosses near Siauliai, Lithuania's most famous pilgrimage site.
  • Day 7Cable car ride in Sigulda through Gauja National Park landscapes before crossing into Estonia.
  • Day 8Explore Tallinn's UNESCO World Heritage medieval old town of towers, bastions, and churches; visit St. Catherine's Guild artisans.

Included

  • Airport transfers in Vilnius and Tallinn depending on flight times
  • 8 nights in comfortable hotels
  • German-speaking tour guide throughout
  • All entrance fees in the destination area according to the program
  • Meals as per itinerary (F=breakfast, M=lunch, A=dinner)
  • All train journeys in 2nd class as per itinerary
  • All coach trips as per itinerary in modern coaches with air conditioning
  • Luggage transportation from day 3 to 6
  • Ferry crossing, eco-fee and boat trip on the Curonian Spit

Not included

  • Outward and return journey from Switzerland
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Cancellation costs and travel insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All train journeys in 2nd class are included, plus coach trips, airport transfers, a ferry crossing on the Curonian Spit, and a boat trip along the Great Dune.
Is this tour guided or independent?
Guided throughout by a German-speaking tour guide. Railtour Suisse organises all transport, accommodation, entrance fees, and most meals.
Which cities does the tour visit?
Vilnius, Trakai, Klaipeda, Nida, Siauliai, Riga, Sigulda, Tartu, and Tallinn across Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
What is included in the price?
8 nights in comfortable hotels, all train and coach journeys, entrance fees, meals as per itinerary, airport transfers, luggage transport from day 3 to 6, the ferry crossing, and a boat trip on the Curonian Lagoon. Outward and return flights from Switzerland are not included.
What level of walking should I expect?
Moderate. There are walking tours of Vilnius old town, Riga's medieval centre and market halls, Sigulda, and Tallinn's medieval streets. Luggage is transported on some days to reduce baggage handling.
When does the tour run?
Departures are scheduled for May, June, July, and August 2026.

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