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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour & river cruise

Fairytale Bavaria & Delights of the Danube

Twelve days from London through Bavaria's castles to a Danube river cruise.

Illustration of Fairytale Bavaria & Delights of the Danube

Vacations By Rail orchestrates a 12-day journey from London through Bavaria and along the Danube, blending rail travel with a seven-night river cruise. You board Eurostar at London St Pancras, continue by regional train to Stuttgart and Fussen, and spend three days exploring the Bavarian foothills and Alps, including Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace, and a journey on the narrow-gauge Zugspitze Railway to Germany's highest peak. From Fussen, rail takes you to Budapest, where you embark on the MS Amadeus Cara for a luxurious cruise downstream through Vienna, Bratislava, and the Wachau Valley to Passau, with an optional excursion to either Salzburg or the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escort you throughout, handling all logistics and guiding major sightseeing tours. The itinerary suits escorted-tour travelers new to rail, history enthusiasts drawn to castles and imperial architecture, and couples seeking a mix of guided comfort and free time in storied European cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • A reviewer noted that trains were hard to manage; pack minimally to move smoothly between hotels and the ship.
  • The from-price does not include flights, airport transfers beyond Munich, or travel insurance.
  • Day 12 offers either an included coach transfer to Munich airport (if aligned with your flight) or a flexible railway ticket from Passau to Munich; you coordinate your own arrival home.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Stuttgart

    London to Stuttgart

    Meet at London St. Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris, continuing by regional train into Germany, arriving in Stuttgart for the first night. First dinner together at the hotel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Fussen

    Alpine beauty in Fussen

    Rail journey to Fussen through the Allgau region foothills of the Alps, on the banks of the Lech River, for a three-night stay. Afternoon free to explore Fussen's medieval Old Town and the Hohes Schloss.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Fussen

    Fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle & Zugspitze Railway

    Visit Neuschwanstein Castle with included entrance, then transfer to Eibsee with free time, before boarding the Zugspitze Railway to Zugspitzplatt for panoramic views across the German and Austrian Alps, then returning to Fussen for dinner.

  4. Day 4overnight: Fussen

    Rococo opulence at Linderhof Palace & the Church of Wies

    Visit Linderhof Palace, King Ludwig II's smallest and only completed palace, then transfer to the UNESCO-listed Church of Wies before returning to the hotel with time to unwind before dinner.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Ship

    To Budapest, where we board our luxurious ship

    Rail travel to Budapest to board the 7-night Danube cruise ship, with a welcome cocktail, first dinner on board, a Hungarian Folklore troupe performance, and a night-time cruise past Budapest's illuminated sights including Parliament, Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge.

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    Exploring Budapest, the Pearl of the Danube

    Sightseeing tour of Budapest including Heroes' Square, the State Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, followed by free time. Sail through the scenic Danube Bend in the evening, passing Visegrad and Esztergom.

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava

    Arrive in Bratislava for a tour of its squares, streets, palaces and churches, including views from Bratislava Castle, with free time after lunch on board before setting sail again after dinner.

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna

    Guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse including the Opera House and Parliament building, followed by free time to explore independently. Evening performance by four former members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Melk Abbey and the scenic Wachau Valley

    Free time in Durnstein, then sail through the Wachau Valley's vineyards and riverside towns before docking in Emmersdorf for a guided tour of the 11th-century Melk Abbey.

  10. Day 10overnight: Ship

    Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Cesky Krumlov

    Choice of a day trip to Salzburg (via the Austrian Lake District, with a guided tour including Getreidegasse and the UNESCO Old Town) or an excursion to the Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic (guided tour of its 13th-century castle and UNESCO-listed Old Town). Dinner on board and overnight cruise into Germany.

  11. Day 11overnight: Ship

    Crossing the German border to Passau

    Cruise into Germany past hills, vineyards and villages, arriving at Passau (the 'Three Rivers City') for a guided tour including St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Veste Oberhaus fortress. Farewell gala dinner on board.

  12. Day 12rail

    Traveling home

    Disembark after breakfast. Included transfer to Munich's international airport if aligned with flight schedule, or make your own way to Munich using a flexible railway ticket from Passau.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Ascend Germany's highest peak aboard the Zugspitze Railway, a narrow-gauge train climbing 2,897 feet to panoramic Alpine views, after visiting Neuschwanstein Castle.
  • Day 5Board the MS Amadeus Cara in Budapest and cruise past the illuminated Parliament, Buda Castle, and Chain Bridge on your first evening.
  • Day 9Sail through the Wachau Valley's vineyards and riverside towns, then tour the 11th-century Melk Abbey.
  • Day 10Choose between a guided day trip to Salzburg through the Austrian Lake District or an excursion to the 13th-century castle and Old Town of Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic.

Included

  • Escorted throughout by Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 4 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Eurostar Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day, 6 lunches, dinner each day including a gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Flights and Airport transfers

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. Vacations By Rail includes Eurostar from London to Paris, regional trains to Stuttgart and Fussen, rail to Budapest, and transfers between rail hubs. The Zugspitze Railway excursion is also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escort you throughout the 12 days, managing all logistics and guiding most sightseeing tours.
What is included in the price?
The from-price of $3,695 USD includes four nights in 4-star hotels, seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Cara, all rail and coach travel, breakfast daily, six lunches, dinner each night with drinks on the cruise, guided excursions to castles and cities, and onboard Wi-Fi.
Which river ship is used?
The MS Amadeus Cara, a river cruise vessel operated for the Danube portion of the itinerary.
How much walking is involved?
Mobility Rating 2: expect city walking tours, castle and abbey visits with stairs, and coach transfers between rail stops. The itinerary includes guided tours of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Passau.
What hotels are mentioned?
The evidence names 4-star hotels in Stuttgart (one night) and Fussen (three nights). Specific hotel names and the locations of other overnight stops are not published; confirm details with Vacations By Rail before booking.

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