How much does it cost?

From £3,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,456 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Standard class from London St Pancras to Paris and Cologne back to London St Pancras, standard class rail from Stuttgart to Füssen, the Zugspitze Railway to the summit, and the Zugspitzbahn cable car descent.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes, throughout. An experienced Tour Manager escorts the group from London St Pancras. A Cruise Director team leads activities aboard MS Amadeus Cara. Guided city tours are provided in Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, Wertheim, Miltenberg, and Mainz.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and dinner daily for all 12 days, plus six lunches during the cruise. A drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise is included.

What is the accommodation?

Four nights in 4-star hotels: one in Stuttgart and three in the Best Western Hotel Füssen. Seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Cara, described as a luxury ship with five-star service.

When does this tour run?

Great Rail Journeys has scheduled departures in August 2026 and August 2027.

Is there free time to explore on my own?

Yes. Day 2 in Füssen is free to explore at leisure. Day 11 in Mainz includes afternoon free time after the guided tour. Other days mix guided activities with included excursions or coach travel.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour with river cruise

Fairytale Bavaria & Three Rivers Cruise

Bavaria and river cruise through Germany on Eurostar, rail, and ship

Great Rail Journeys' Fairytale Bavaria and Three Rivers Cruise combines a four-night Bavarian stay with a seven-night river cruise, departing London via Eurostar and arriving in Cologne over 12 days. The tour opens with one night in Stuttgart, the cradle of the automobile, followed by three nights in the Bavarian town of Füssen on the banks of the Lech River. Day 3 includes entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle, the fortress commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, and Day 4 features the Zugspitze Railway journey to the summit of Germany's highest mountain, with a cable car completing the ascent. From Day 5, passengers board MS Amadeus Cara at Passau for a luxury seven-night cruise along the Danube, Main, and Rhine rivers. The cruise visits nine medieval cities, each explored through guided tours and free time in historic squares, abbeys, and museums. Great Rail Journeys includes all rail and coach travel, accommodation, most meals, a drinks package with dinner, and selected excursions such as the wine-tasting at Würzburg Residenz and entry to Weltenburg Abbey. The tour suits history lovers, couples seeking guided comfort with luxury amenities, and those interested in German medieval architecture, baroque churches, and river scenery.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £200 since 4 Jul, to £3,299.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Only two departures are scheduled (August 2026 and August 2027); confirm dates well in advance with Great Rail Journeys

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Stuttgart
By rail to Stuttgart
Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then rail to Stuttgart for the first overnight.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2railovernight: Füssen
Arrival in picture-perfect Füssen
Rail to Füssen for a three-night stay, with time to explore this classic Bavarian town.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3railovernight: Füssen
Fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle & Zugspitze Railway
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle and Lake Eibsee, then the Zugspitze cogwheel railway and cable car to the summit.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4overnight: Füssen
Rococo opulence at Linderhof Palace & the Church of Wies
Visit Linderhof Palace and the UNESCO-listed Church of Wies.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5overnight: Onboard (Passau)
To Passau where we board our luxurious ship
Coach via Prien am Chiemsee to Passau to board the Amadeus Riva.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6overnight: Onboard
Regensburg and captivating Weltenburg Abbey
Guided walk of Regensburg including St Peter's Cathedral, then visit Weltenburg Abbey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7overnight: Onboard (Bamberg)
Sightseeing in historic Nuremberg
Cruise to Nuremberg for a guided tour including the Kaiserburg Castle and Altstadt marketplace.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8overnight: Onboard (Ochsenfurt)
Uncovering the sights of Bamberg
Guided walking tour of UNESCO-listed Bamberg, including Bamberg Cathedral and 'Little Venice'.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9overnight: Onboard
Rothenburg and wine-tasting in Würzburg
Coach to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, then the Würzburg Residenz and a wine-tasting.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10overnight: Onboard (Mainz)
Discovering Wertheim and Miltenberg
Guided walking tours of Wertheim (castle, Glass Museum) and Miltenberg.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11overnight: Onboard (Cologne)
Touring historic Mainz
Guided tour of Mainz including the Romanesque Mainz Dom cathedral, then cruise to Cologne overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12rail
Homeward bound
Disembark in Cologne, Eurostar to Brussels then on to London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Coach journey to Schwangau village and entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle, where views span across the valley from the Romanesque Revival fortress built for King Ludwig II
Day 4Zugspitze Railway ascent through beautiful landscapes to Germany's highest mountain, then cable car completion to the summit with free time at the top
Day 5Embark on MS Amadeus Cara at Passau port after time in the spa town of Prien am Chiemsee; welcomed aboard with a cocktail before setting sail on the Danube
Day 8Early morning walking tour of UNESCO World Heritage Bamberg includes the exquisite Cathedral and frescoed townhall on the Regnitz River, plus the 'Little Venice' half-timbered district
Day 9Drive along Bavaria's Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber's atmospheric cobbled lanes and brightly painted houses, then wine-tasting at Würzburg Residenz before lunch aboard ship

Included

Tour Manager/Cruise Director team throughout your tour
4 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Riva
Five-star service onboard, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
Eurostar Standard, Standard Class rail travel
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Breakfast and dinner each day, 6 lunches, including a spectacular gala dinner
Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Also sold by

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

Vacations By Rail

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £3,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,456 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Standard class from London St Pancras to Paris and Cologne back to London St Pancras, standard class rail from Stuttgart to Füssen, the Zugspitze Railway to the summit, and the Zugspitzbahn cable car descent.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes, throughout. An experienced Tour Manager escorts the group from London St Pancras. A Cruise Director team leads activities aboard MS Amadeus Cara. Guided city tours are provided in Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, Wertheim, Miltenberg, and Mainz.
What meals are included?: Breakfast and dinner daily for all 12 days, plus six lunches during the cruise. A drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise is included.
What is the accommodation?: Four nights in 4-star hotels: one in Stuttgart and three in the Best Western Hotel Füssen. Seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Cara, described as a luxury ship with five-star service.
When does this tour run?: Great Rail Journeys has scheduled departures in August 2026 and August 2027.
Is there free time to explore on my own?: Yes. Day 2 in Füssen is free to explore at leisure. Day 11 in Mainz includes afternoon free time after the guided tour. Other days mix guided activities with included excursions or coach travel.