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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Classic Austrian Alps

Eight-day escorted Austrian Alps loop from Munich with steam train and Lake Zell cruise

Illustration of Classic Austrian Alps

Vacations By Rail operates this eight-day escorted tour through the Austrian Alps for travelers seeking guided comfort in a region of glaciers, mountain passes, and Baroque towns. You fly independently to Munich and use an included rail ticket to reach the city; a Tour Manager meets you and leads the group throughout. After an overnight in Munich, you travel by scenic train and coach to St. Johann, a mountain town in the Tyrol, where you base yourself for six nights. From there, the itinerary unfolds in stages: a coach journey across the Grossglockner High Alpine Road with views of Austria's tallest peak and Pasterze Glacier, followed by a cruise on Lake Zell; a day riding the historic steam-hauled Zillertalbahn narrow-gauge train through the Ziller Valley; a guided tour of Salzburg's UNESCO-listed Old Town; and a free day to explore surrounding villages or take optional cable cars. All meals and drinks with dinner are included, as are all transport and guided tours. The pace is relaxed, suited to travelers who prefer a base-hotel stay and coach-assisted days rather than constant movement.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 2,299 does not include flights or airport transfers; rail travel from Munich airport is included via a rail ticket.
  • Six of the seven nights are spent in St. Johann; two hotel options (Hotel Park or SportHotel) are listed as alternatives for the same location.
  • Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be arranged separately.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Munich

    Arriving in Munich

    Arrive in Munich and travel by included rail ticket from the airport to the city center to check into the hotel, meeting the Tour Manager and travel group for a first dinner together.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: St. Johann

    Journey into the Austrian Alps

    Board a scenic local train across the Austrian border to Wörgl, then transfer by coach to St. Johann, checking into the hotel for the next six nights. Dinner with a drinks package (beer, local wine, soft drinks) included.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: St. Johann

    Getting to know St. Johann

    Free time to explore St. Johann, including the Mariä Himmelfahrt church and the town museum, or ride the Harschbichl cable car for mountain views.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: St. Johann

    The Grossglockner High Alpine Road & Lake Zell cruise

    Ride over the Hochtor Pass in Hohe Tauern National Park, stopping at Edelweißspitze and Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe for views of the Grossglockner and Pasterze Glacier, then cruise Lake Zell at Zell am See.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: St. Johann

    Riding the steam-hauled Zillertal Railway

    Travel by coach to Jenbach to board the narrow-gauge Zillertal Railway (opened 1902) for a 19-mile steam-hauled journey through the Ziller Valley to Mayrhofen, with optional Penken or Ahorn cable car rides.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: St. Johann

    The musical city of Salzburg

    A guided tour of Salzburg's UNESCO-listed Old Town, overlooked by the Hohensalzburg Fortress, with an afternoon at leisure to visit Mozart's birthplace, Mirabell Garden or Untersberg Mountain.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: St. Johann

    A day at leisure in the Austrian Alps

    A free day to explore St. Johann and surrounding areas, with options including Kitzbühel, the Hahnenkamm cable car, or Innsbruck and Swarovski Crystal Worlds. A traditional Tyrolean dinner in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Traveling home

    Transfer by coach to Wörgl, then board a local train back to Munich, using your included ticket onward to Munich's airport.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board a scenic local train across the Austrian border from Munich to Wörgl, then transfer by coach through alpine valleys to St. Johann.
  • Day 4Cross the Hochtor Pass on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, stopping at Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe to view Austria's tallest mountain and Pasterze Glacier, then cruise Lake Zell.
  • Day 5Board the steam-hauled Zillertalbahn narrow-gauge railway for a 19-mile journey through the Ziller Valley from Jenbach to Mayrhofen, with optional cable car rides.
  • Day 6Explore Salzburg's UNESCO-listed Old Town on a guided tour overlooked by Hohensalzburg Fortress, with afternoon free time for Mozart's birthplace or Mirabell Garden.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • Drinks package (beer, local wine and soft drinks) with dinner every night in St. Johann
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First and Standard Class rail travel on regional trains (Munich to Wörgl and return), the steam-hauled Zillertalbahn narrow-gauge train through the Ziller Valley, all coach transfers, and a Lake Zell cruise.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A Tour Manager leads the group from start to finish and is with you throughout the eight days.
What is included in the price?
Seven nights in a four-star hotel, all rail, coach, and cruise transport, breakfast and dinner daily, a drinks package (beer, local wine, soft drinks) with dinner each night in St. Johann, and all guided tours and excursions.
How many nights do we spend in St. Johann?
Six nights. You check in on Day 2 and depart on Day 8.
What is the activity level?
Mobility Rating 2. The tour includes city walking tours, cable car rides, and coach travel. There are optional cable cars and day trips, but no required hiking.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers to Munich airport, and cancellation and travel insurance.

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