Is this tour escorted?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 14 days.

What hotels are included?

Four-star hotels in Vevey (two nights), Chur (one night), Innsbruck (two nights), and Cologne or Mainz (one night on selected departures). The remainder of the tour is spent on the river cruise ship MS Amadeus Cara or sister ships.

When does this tour run?

August 2026 is the confirmed departure month. The operator may offer other dates; contact them to confirm availability.

Great Rail Journeys · River Cruise

Glacier Express, Austrian Alps & Danube Cruise

Fourteen-day rail and river journey from London through Swiss Alps and Danube capitals

Great Rail Journeys operates this 14-day escorted tour combining the legendary Glacier Express with a seven-night river cruise along the Danube, departing from London and returning via Brussels. The first five days explore the Swiss Alps and Austrian Tyrol by rail, with stays in four-star hotels and visits to the Lavaux wine region (a UNESCO site producing Chasselas), the alpine town of Innsbruck, and historic Chur. From day six onwards, you board MS Amadeus Cara (or a sister ship on selected dates) in Budapest for a luxury cruise downstream through Vienna, Bratislava, and the Wachau Valley, calling at Melk Abbey and ending in Passau. The entire journey includes guided sightseeing tours, a choice of excursions on day 11 (Salzburg or Český Krumlov), onboard entertainment from Vienna Philharmonic alumni, and full meals throughout. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking guided cultural immersion, and history enthusiasts interested in imperial capitals and medieval monasteries.

Price history

Across 3 checks, this price has held at £4,199 every time.

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. 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

Single supplement is GBP 1900 (from GBP 6099 total), significantly above half the double rate
Day 11 offers a choice between Salzburg (with Austrian Lake District stop) or Český Krumlov; final excursion depends on your selection
Only one departure confirmed for August 2026; availability and pricing subject to confirmation

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Vevey (Lake Geneva)
A stunning start in Lake Geneva
We meet at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris, continuing by rail to the Lake Geneva region, checking in to our hotel in Vevey for two nights.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2railovernight: Vevey (Lake Geneva)
The Lavaux wine region
A local train to Cully in the Lavaux wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by a land train through the vineyards and a winery visit with a talk and tasting.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3railovernight: Chur
The iconic Glacier Express to Chur
We board the Glacier Express through the Rhine Valley to Chur, Switzerland's oldest town, and check in to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4railovernight: Innsbruck
Arrival in Innsbruck
We cross into Austria by rail to Innsbruck, checking in to our hotel with the rest of the evening free to explore.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5railovernight: Innsbruck
The Zillertalbahn Railway to Mayrhofen
A journey on the Zillertalbahn railway through the Tyrol region to the ski resort of Mayrhofen, with free time to explore.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6railovernight: Aboard MS Amadeus Cara (Budapest)
Boarding our luxurious ship in Budapest
We travel by rail to Budapest and board our ship, with a welcome cocktail, first dinner and a Hungarian folklore troupe performance, followed by a night-time cruise past Budapest's illuminated sights.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Cara (Danube Bend)
Exploring Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'
A sightseeing tour of Budapest including Heroes Square, the State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, then sailing upstream through the Danube Bend past Visegrad and Esztergom.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Cara (Bratislava)
Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava
A guided tour of Bratislava including its Old Town, hilltop castle and quirky statues, with free time to explore before setting sail after dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Cara (Vienna)
Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna
A guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse, the Opera House and Parliament, with free time to explore, and an evening performance from former Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra members.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Cara (Wachau Valley)
Melk Abbey and the scenic Wachau Valley
Free time in Dürnstein, sailing through the Wachau Valley wine region, and a guided tour of the 11th-century Melk Abbey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Cara (cruising to Germany)
Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov
A choice of excursions from Linz: a day trip to Salzburg via the Austrian Lake District, including Getreidegasse, or an excursion into Czechia to the fairytale town of Český Krumlov, before an overnight cruise into Germany.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12overnight: Aboard MS Amadeus Cara (Passau)
Crossing the German border to Passau
We cruise into Germany and arrive in Passau, the 'Three Rivers City', for a guided tour of its Baroque Old Town, followed by a farewell gala dinner on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13railovernight: Cologne
From the Danube to the Rhine-side city of Cologne
We disembark in Passau and board a train through Germany to Cologne, checking in to our hotel for an overnight stop near the city's Gothic cathedral.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14rail
Homeward bound
We travel by rail to Brussels and board the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Day 2: Local train through the Lavaux UNESCO World Heritage wine region with vineyard terraces overlooking Lake Geneva, followed by a winery visit and Chasselas wine tasting
Day 3Day 3: Glacier Express journey in panoramic carriages through the Swiss Alps, climbing mountains, crossing viaducts, and tunnelling through peaks to reach Chur
Day 5Day 5: Zillertalbahn railway through Austria's Tyrol to Mayrhofen, passing Tyrolean towns and majestic alpine peaks
Day 6Day 6: Night-time cruise along the Danube in Budapest viewing the illuminated neo-Gothic Parliament, Buda's castle, and Chain Bridge, with traditional Hungarian folklore performance
Day 10Day 10: Guided visit to Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine monastery perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube in the Wachau Valley

Included

Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
6 nights’ 4-Star hotel accommodation
7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara, five-star service, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
Eurostar Standard, Standard Class rail travel - all rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Breakfast each day, 3 dinners on the Glacier Express & Austrian Alps portion; breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
Complimentary luggage service from your home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys
A superb choice of excursions
Hungarian traditional folklore troupe performance
Onboard entertainment from former members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

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Questions travellers ask

Is this tour escorted?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 14 days.
What hotels are included?: Four-star hotels in Vevey (two nights), Chur (one night), Innsbruck (two nights), and Cologne or Mainz (one night on selected departures). The remainder of the tour is spent on the river cruise ship MS Amadeus Cara or sister ships.
When does this tour run?: August 2026 is the confirmed departure month. The operator may offer other dates; contact them to confirm availability.