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Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Eastern Europe Explorer

Self-guided rail journey from Gdansk to Belgrade through six Eastern European countries

Illustration of Eastern Europe Explorer

Eastern Europe Explorer is a 16-day self-guided holiday operated by Tailor Made Rail, running from London to Belgrade via Gdansk, Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Bratislava, and Budapest. You travel by train between major cities and by private car for two overland transfers. The itinerary balances railway journeys with two to three-night stays in each destination, giving time to explore historic Old Towns, museums, and landmarks without rushing. Day 6 carries you along the scenic Elbe Valley from Dresden into Bohemia; day 12 takes an EuroCity along the Danube bend into Budapest. The trip suits first-time rail travellers seeking a structured but independent route, history-minded visitors drawn to WWII sites, Solidarity museums, and Eastern European architecture, and those watching their budget. Hotels are solid 3 to 4-star properties with breakfast included, and all rail travel is in Standard Class. At GBP 1,449 from-price, it ranks among the more affordable multi-week European rail packages.

What to know before you look closer

  • The final leg from Budapest to Belgrade involves an InterCity train to Szeged and then a private car transfer through Novi Sad; this is not a continuous rail journey.
  • The return flight from Belgrade to London is not included in the package price.
  • Hotel accommodation options (such as Aria Hotel or Corinthia Budapest) are available as paid upgrades and are not part of the base package.
  • Tailor Made Rail offers optional overland rail travel to and from Gdansk and Belgrade instead of flights; this requires additional overnight stops and should be confirmed when booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Gdansk

    London to Gdansk

    Arrive in Gdansk for a 2-night stay, exploring the Baltic port's WWII and Solidarity-movement museums and its rebuilt Old Town.

  2. Day 2overnight: Gdansk

    Gdansk

    Further time exploring Gdansk's Old Town streets and lanes.

  3. Day 3overnight: Berlin

    Gdansk to Berlin

    Early EuroCity service to Berlin, crossing the river Oder into the former East Germany, stopping for a night near the main station.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Dresden

    Berlin to Dresden

    Afternoon train south to Dresden on the River Elbe, for a 2-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Dresden

    Dresden

    Explore the Frauenkirche cathedral, Bruhl's Terrace and the Green Vault, Europe's largest collection of treasures.

  6. Day 6overnight: Prague

    Dresden to Prague

    Picturesque route along the Elbe Valley ('Saxon Switzerland'), crossing into the Czech Republic and on to Prague for a 3-night stay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Prague

    Prague

    Explore the 'City of 100 Spires': Old Town Square and the baroque architecture around it.

  8. Day 8overnight: Prague

    Prague

    Cross the Charles Bridge to the Mala Strana district beneath Prague Castle.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Cesky Krumlov

    Prague to Cesky Krumlov

    Direct or midday train (with an easy change in Ceske Budejovice) through the wooded hills of Southern Bohemia to Cesky Krumlov.

  10. Day 10overnight: Bratislava

    Cesky Krumlov and on to Bratislava

    Private car transfer to Linz, Austria, via miniature Cesky-Krumlov-like Rožmberk nad Vltavou, then an evening RailJet service (with dining car) via Vienna into Bratislava, for a 2-night stay.

  11. Day 11overnight: Bratislava

    Bratislava

    Explore Slovakia's car-free 18th-century Old Town and its castle overlooking the Danube.

  12. Day 12overnight: Budapest

    Bratislava to Budapest

    EuroCity journey of around 3 hours along the 'Danube bend' into Budapest Nyugati station, for a 2-night stay.

  13. Day 13overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    Cross the Chain Bridge between Buda and Pest, take the funicular up Castle Hill, and view Fishermen's Bastion and the Parliament building.

  14. Day 14overnight: Belgrade

    Budapest to Belgrade via Szeged and Novi Sad

    Hungarian InterCity service to Szeged near the Serbian border, then a private car transfer via Novi Sad into Belgrade, for the final 2 nights.

  15. Day 15overnight: Belgrade

    Belgrade

    Visit the Beogradska Tvrđava fortress at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, and the Kalemegdan park.

  16. Day 16

    Belgrade to London

    Transfer to Nikola Tesla International Airport for the flight back to London (not included).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Early EuroCity service departs Gdansk, crossing the River Oder into the former East Germany en route to Berlin.
  • Day 6Train travels the picturesque Elbe Valley route (known as Saxon Switzerland) from Dresden into the Czech Republic toward Prague.
  • Day 10Evening RailJet service departs Linz with a dining car, passing through Vienna before arriving in Bratislava.
  • Day 12Three-hour EuroCity journey along the Danube bend carries you into Budapest's Nyugati station.
  • Day 15Visit the Beogradska Tvrđava fortress at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers in Belgrade.

Included

  • Standard class rail travel
  • 15 nights' hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Private transfer from Cesky Krumlov to Linz
  • Private transfer from Szeged to Belgrade
  • Comprehensive directions to your hotels
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office

Not included

  • Flight from Belgrade to London

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Standard class rail travel is included on all train legs: EuroCity from Gdansk to Berlin, trains through Dresden and Prague, RailJet from Linz to Bratislava, EuroCity from Bratislava to Budapest, and InterCity from Budapest to Szeged. Private car transfers are used from Cesky Krumlov to Linz and from Szeged to Belgrade.
Is this trip escorted or self-guided?
It is self-guided. Tailor Made Rail provides comprehensive directions to your hotels and easy-to-follow travel documentation, but you travel independently without a group guide.
Which trains are used?
EuroCity (Gdansk to Berlin, Bratislava to Budapest), RailJet with a dining car (Linz to Bratislava), and InterCity (Budapest to Szeged). All travel is in Standard Class.
What is included in the price?
Standard class rail travel, 15 nights in hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast included, private car transfers from Cesky Krumlov to Linz and from Szeged to Belgrade, comprehensive directions, and travel documentation. Tickets are sent by email, post, or available for collection from Tailor Made Rail's London office.
What is not included?
The return flight from Belgrade to London is not included in the package price.
What is the typical pace of the trip?
Relaxed. Most cities have two or three night stays, allowing time to explore without constant packing and moving. Only Berlin and Cesky Krumlov are one-night stops.

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