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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made independent rail holiday

Bavaria in Detail

Ten-day rail journey through Bavaria from Karlsruhe to Munich

Illustration of Bavaria in Detail

Tailor Made Rail's Bavaria in Detail is a 10-day independent rail holiday that opens with a Eurostar departure from London St Pancras and a high-speed TGV connection into Germany. The journey follows the route from Karlsruhe through medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber (two nights), historic Nuremberg (three nights), and finishes in Munich (three nights). You travel in Standard Class on modern trains including the ICE between Nuremberg and Munich, with all rail fares and seat reservations included. Days balance guided highlights with free time: you climb the 60-metre tower of Rothenburg's Rathaus and walk its city walls; you explore Nuremberg's medieval Old Town and use a regional railpass for day trips to Bamberg, Bayreuth, or Regensburg; in Munich you visit museums and brewhouses or take an excursion to Fussen for Neuschwanstein Castle. Hotels throughout are handpicked with breakfast daily. This suits independent travellers and history lovers who want the structure of booked accommodation and rail tickets without a group guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Neuschwanstein Castle entrance fee is not included; you pay separately at the site.
  • Single supplements apply for sole occupancy; the published price is for two people sharing.
  • The return journey on Day 10 involves multiple changes: train to Mannheim, TGV to Paris, then Eurostar to London, or you can opt for a flight from Munich or a Paris stopover.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Karlsruhe

    London to Karlsruhe

    Eurostar to Paris, connecting onto a high-speed TGV service to Karlsruhe, just across the German border.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

    Karlsruhe to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

    Flexible open ticket via Steinach into the medieval town of Rothenburg. Check in for a 2-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

    Rothenburg ob der Tauber

    Explore the Rathaus with its 60-metre tower and walk the medieval city wall.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Nuremberg

    Rothenburg to Nuremberg

    Train via Steinach and Ansbach through the Bavarian countryside to Nuremberg. Check in for a 3-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Nuremberg

    Day trip options from Nuremberg

    Use a Bayern-Ticket regional railpass to visit Bamberg (30 minutes), Bayreuth (50 minutes) or Regensburg (1 hour).

  6. Day 6railovernight: Nuremberg

    Day trip options from Nuremberg

    Second day of unlimited regional rail travel around Nuremberg.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Munich

    Nuremberg to Munich

    Modern German ICE train covering the 105-mile journey in one hour. Check in for a 3-night stay.

  8. Day 8overnight: Munich

    Munich

    Explore Munich's Old Town, brewhouses, Baroque palaces or the Deutsches Museum.

  9. Day 9overnight: Munich

    Munich

    Day trip to Fussen for Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Disney's castle; castle entrance not included.

  10. Day 10rail

    Munich to London

    Train to Mannheim, changing onto a high-speed TGV to Paris, then the Eurostar back to the UK. Optional flight from Munich, or a Paris stopover.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St Pancras for Paris, then a TGV high-speed train carries you into Germany and Karlsruhe just across the border.
  • Day 3Climb the 60-metre tower of the Rathaus in medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber and walk the city wall.
  • Day 5Use a Bayern-Ticket regional railpass to take day trips from Nuremberg to Bamberg (30 minutes), Bayreuth (50 minutes), or Regensburg (1 hour).
  • Day 7The modern ICE train covers 105 miles from Nuremberg to Munich in one hour.
  • Day 9Day trip from Munich to Fussen to view Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Disney's castle; castle entrance is not included.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 9 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Day trip to Fussen for Neuschwanstein Castle
  • 2 days unlimited regional rail travel to explore around Nuremberg
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Not included

  • Entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle

Questions travellers ask

Is all rail travel included?
Yes. All rail journeys in Standard Class are included, including Eurostar, TGV, ICE, and regional trains. Seat reservations are made where required. A Bayern-Ticket regional railpass for two days around Nuremberg is also included.
Is this escorted or independent?
This is an independent rail holiday. You travel with easy-to-follow documentation and tickets sent by email. Tailor Made Rail offers proactive rerouting if there are strikes or disruptions.
What is included in the price?
The price includes all rail journeys in Standard Class, 9 nights in handpicked hotels with breakfast, seat reservations, two days of unlimited regional rail travel around Nuremberg, and a day trip to Fussen for Neuschwanstein Castle (entrance fee not included).
When does this trip run?
The trip runs year-round. Low season (November-March) starts from GBP 1,399 per person; high season (April-October) from GBP 1,499 per person, based on two sharing a double or twin room.
Can I upgrade hotels or rail class?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail offers First Class rail upgrades from GBP 200 per person, hotel upgrades to Le Meridien Grand in Nuremberg or Sofitel Bayerpost in Munich, Paris stopovers, and additional nights or destinations.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes city exploration in each location. Highlights include walking Rothenburg's medieval city wall and climbing its Rathaus tower, exploring Nuremberg's Old Town, and seeing Munich's attractions including the Deutsches Museum.

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