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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail Holiday

Fairytale Bavaria & Delights of the Danube

Bavarian rail and castle tour, then seven-night Danube river cruise

Illustration of Fairytale Bavaria & Delights of the Danube

Great Rail Journeys combines Bavarian mountain scenery with a leisurely Danube river cruise on this 13-day escorted holiday from London to Brussels. The first four days are based in Füssen in the foothills of the Alps, where you visit the famous Neuschwanstein Castle and ride the scenic Zugspitze Railway to Germany's highest peak. You then travel by rail to Budapest to board a luxury river ship for seven nights, cruising downstream through Vienna, Bratislava, and the romantic Wachau Valley to Passau. The tour includes five-star hotel service, all meals and drinks on the ship, guided city tours in the major capitals, and a choice of excursions (Salzburg or Český Krumlov) on Day 10. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director travel with the group throughout, ensuring a relaxed pace with two to three nights in each main location. This suits couples, history enthusiasts, and repeat rail travellers who appreciate guided comfort with ample free time to explore at their own pace.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is high: GBP 5,799 compared to GBP 3,899 per person (nearly 150 percent of the double-occupancy price)
  • Day 10 offers two alternative excursions; your final choice depends on the tour operator's confirmation closer to departure
  • Some rail segments between cities are standard class; only Eurostar and the Zugspitze Railway are specifically named in the itinerary

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Stuttgart

    To Stuttgart

    Meeting at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar to Paris, then continue to Stuttgart. Famous as the birthplace of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, the city is a blend of history, innovation, and natural beauty. Dinner together this evening.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Füssen

    Alpine beauty in Füssen

    Journey by rail to Füssen on the banks of the Lech River. Three nights here amongst stunning alpine surroundings. Time to explore the historic old town, High Castle, St Mang's Abbey or enjoy a riverside stroll before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Füssen

    The fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle

    Visit one of Bavaria's finest castles. Entrance included with spectacular views overlooking the Schwangau Valley. Commissioned by King Ludwig II, built in Romanesque Revival style with soaring towers, turrets, ornate carvings, murals and an opulent throne room.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Füssen

    Beautiful views on the Zugspitze Railway

    Ascend Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze, aboard the scenic Zugspitze Railway through meadows, rocky terrain and snow-covered mountains. Final leg by cable car to the summit with panoramic views of up to 400 peaks across four countries. Descend via beautiful Lake Eibsee before returning to Füssen.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: On board (Budapest)

    To Budapest where we board our luxurious ship

    Travel by rail to Budapest. Board the luxurious ship, welcomed with a cocktail. First dinner on board followed by entertainment from a traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe. Evening night-time cruise along the Danube taking in illuminated sights including the Parliament building, Buda Castle and Chain Bridge. Note: 4th September departure uses MS Amadeus Nova; 27th September departure uses MS Amadeus Star.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: On board (Danube Bend)

    Exploring Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'

    Sightseeing tour of Budapest including Heroes Square, State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Leisure time after lunch. Sail upstream through the Danube Bend passing Visegrad and Esztergom.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: On board (underway)

    Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava

    Arrive in Bratislava with views of the gleaming white castle. Guided tour of attractive squares, palaces, historic churches and quirky statues. Views from the hilltop castle across the Old Town and SNP Bridge. Free time to explore at leisure. Set sail again after dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: On board (Vienna)

    Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna

    Guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse boulevard including the Opera House and Parliament. Leisure time to explore St Stephen's Cathedral, museums, Schönbrunn Palace or enjoy Sachertorte at a coffeehouse. Evening performance by four former members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: On board (Emmersdorf/Melk area)

    Melk Abbey and the scenic Wachau Valley

    Free time in Dürnstein to wander charming streets and see the Baroque church tower and hilltop castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Lunch on board while sailing through the Wachau Valley. Dock at Emmersdorf for a guided tour of 11th-century Melk Abbey, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: On board (underway to Germany)

    Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov

    Wake in Linz. Choice of two excursions: (1) Day trip to Salzburg with a stop in the Austrian Lake District, guided tour of Getreidegasse and the UNESCO-listed Old Town; or (2) Visit to Český Krumlov in Czechia, exploring the palatial castle and UNESCO-listed Old Town. Return to ship for dinner and overnight cruise into Germany.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: On board (Passau)

    Crossing the German border to Passau

    Conclude the Danube cruise drifting through beautiful scenery into Germany past vineyards, orchards, villages, medieval castles and monasteries. After lunch, arrive in Passau for a guided tour of the 'Three Rivers City' including the Baroque Old Town, St Stephen's Cathedral and Veste Oberhaus fortress. Farewell gala dinner on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  12. Day 12railovernight: Cologne (or Frankfurt on 4 Sep departure)

    From the Danube to the Rhine-side city of Cologne

    Disembark after breakfast. Coach to Munich, then train through Germany to Cologne. Free time to explore the city dominated by its Gothic UNESCO World Heritage cathedral. Final dinner together. Note: on the 4th September departure, overnight will be in Frankfurt instead.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  13. Day 13rail

    Homeward bound

    Depart Cologne by rail to Brussels, then board the Eurostar to London St Pancras. Holiday concludes on arrival.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Visit Neuschwanstein Castle with entrance included, viewing the Romanesque Revival castle commissioned by King Ludwig II with soaring towers and ornate interiors overlooking the Schwangau Valley
  • Day 4Ascend the Zugspitze aboard the narrow-gauge scenic railway through alpine meadows and rocky terrain, then ascend by cable car to Germany's highest summit with views of up to 400 peaks across four countries
  • Day 5Board the river ship in Budapest and cruise the illuminated Danube at night, passing the Parliament building, Buda Castle, and Chain Bridge while watching traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe entertainment
  • Day 9Sail through the Wachau Valley, then visit 11th-century Melk Abbey, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps, from the ship's dock at Emmersdorf
  • Day 10Choose between a day trip to Salzburg with the Austrian Lake District or a visit to the fairytale Old Town and castle of Český Krumlov in Bohemia

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 5 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise on board the MS Amadeus Cara
  • Five-star service on board
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Eurostar Standard class travel
  • Standard class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • 6 lunches
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
  • Entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Zugspitze Railway journey
  • A superb choice of excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)

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 the train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Standard class (London to Paris, Brussels to London), standard class rail throughout the tour (Stuttgart to Füssen, Füssen to Budapest, Munich to Cologne, Cologne to Brussels), and the Zugspitze Railway journey in Germany.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an escorted tour. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout. Guided tours are included in major cities: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Melk, and Passau.
What is included in the price?
The package includes five nights' four-star hotel accommodation, seven nights' cruise, all meals (breakfast and dinner daily, six lunches), drinks with dinner on the cruise, Eurostar, all rail and coach travel, Neuschwanstein Castle entrance, Zugspitze Railway, excursions, onboard Wi-Fi, and complimentary luggage service from home to ship and back.
Which ships are used?
The 4 September 2026 departure uses MS Amadeus Nova; the 27 September 2027 departure uses MS Amadeus Star. Other departures use the MS Amadeus Cara.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers four departures: June 2027, July 2027, August 2026, and September 2027. Confirm exact dates and the ship assigned to your preferred departure when booking.
How much walking is involved?
The itinerary includes city walking tours (Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Salzburg) and exploration of castle grounds and the abbey at Melk. Day 4 involves an ascent by cable car (no hiking required to reach the Zugspitze summit).

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