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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Cologne and Munich

7-day independent rail trip from Cologne to Munich

Illustration of Cologne and Munich

Railbookers runs Cologne and Munich, a 7-day, 6-night independent rail vacation connecting two contrasting German cities by a single Deutsche Bahn ICE train journey. The first three nights are spent in Cologne, starting with a traditional bar and a glass of Kolsch, the city's local beer, before days exploring the Old Town, Cologne Cathedral, and the Rhine River promenade at your own pace, plus entrance to the Chocolate Museum on the Rheinau Peninsula. On day 4, the ICE train carries travelers south to Munich for three more nights. A hop-on, hop-off pass covers a full day of Munich sightseeing, including the Englischer Garten, Marienplatz, the Bavarian National Museum, and the Hofbrauhaus beer hall, with a final day free for the Deutsches Museum or the Bavarian State Opera. With one rail leg and largely self-guided days, the trip suits independent explorers and first-time rail travelers who want a simple two-city break built around beer, history, and culture.

What to know before you look closer

  • There are 12 accommodation options listed across tiers and cities rather than one fixed hotel; the specific property in Cologne and Munich depends on the tier selected.
  • Only one rail leg connects the two cities on this trip, from Cologne to Munich; most days are spent exploring each city independently rather than traveling by train.
  • No escorted day tours are included beyond the hop-on, hop-off pass in Munich; Cologne days are entirely self-guided.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Cologne

    Your Journey Begins in Cologne

    Welcome to Cologne! Check in at your hotel for a three-night stay. Start your journey relaxing in a traditional bar and sampling the local specialty beer, Kolsch.

  2. Day 2overnight: Cologne

    Cologne

    Spend the day exploring the best of Cologne at your own pace - the Old Town, Cologne Cathedral, or the Rhine River promenade.

  3. Day 3overnight: Cologne

    Cologne

    Visit the Chocolate Museum on the Rheinau Peninsula. In the evening, visit a traditional kolsch restaurant or a Brauhaus near the cathedral.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Munich

    Cologne to Munich

    Make your way to the train station for the ICE train from Cologne to Munich. Check in at your hotel for a three-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Munich

    Munich

    Spend a full day exploring Munich using your hop on hop off pass - the Englisher Garten, the Alstadt, Marienplatz, the Bavarian National Museum, and the Hofbrauhaus beer hall.

  6. Day 6overnight: Munich

    Munich

    A final day touring Munich - the Deutsches Museum, other museums and galleries, or the Bavarian State Opera.

  7. Day 7

    Your Journey Ends in Munich

    After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The trip begins with a traditional Cologne bar sampling Kolsch, the city's local specialty beer.
  • Day 3The Chocolate Museum on Cologne's Rheinau Peninsula is included, followed by an evening at a traditional kolsch restaurant or Brauhaus near the cathedral.
  • Day 4A Deutsche Bahn ICE high-speed train carries travelers from Cologne to Munich.
  • Day 5A hop-on, hop-off pass covers a full day in Munich, taking in the Englischer Garten, the Altstadt, Marienplatz, the Bavarian National Museum, and the Hofbrauhaus beer hall.

Included

  • 3 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Cologne
  • 3 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Munich
  • Entrance to the Chocolate Museum in Cologne
  • Hop On, hop off sightseeing tour of Munich

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. A Deutsche Bahn ICE high-speed train connects Cologne to Munich on day 4.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an independent rail vacation. Cologne is explored entirely at your own pace, and Munich sightseeing runs on a hop-on, hop-off pass rather than an escorted guide.
What is included?
3 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Cologne, 3 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Munich, entrance to the Chocolate Museum in Cologne, and a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Munich.
What hotels are used?
The package draws from 12 accommodation options across Cologne and Munich, including Hilton Cologne, Pullman Cologne, and Maritim Koln Hotel in Cologne, and Sofitel Munich Bayerpost and Mercure Hotel Muenchen City Center in Munich; the exact hotel depends on the tier chosen.
How much walking is involved?
Cologne is explored on foot at your own pace, and Munich sightseeing uses a hop-on, hop-off bus pass; no hiking or high-altitude activity is described.

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