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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Glacier Express, Austrian Alps & Danube Cruise

Glacier Express and seven-night Danube cruise from Switzerland through Austria to London

Illustration of Glacier Express, Austrian Alps & Danube Cruise

Vacations By Rail's 14-day escorted journey combines the Alpine rail experience of the Glacier Express with a luxurious Danube river cruise, beginning in Lake Geneva and ending in London. The first leg crosses Switzerland and Austria by rail, including a stay in the Tyrolean Alps near Innsbruck, before passengers transfer to the five-star MS Amadeus Cara for seven nights of cruising from Budapest through Vienna, Bratislava, and Passau. Days blend rail observation with guided city exploration, cultural performances, and wine tastings in UNESCO-listed vineyards. The itinerary suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking cultural immersion, and those who value the combination of rail heritage and river cruising. All hotel stays, cruise accommodation, most meals, and an extensive array of sightseeing tours and performances are included; a Tour Manager and Cruise Director oversee the entire journey.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour includes both hotel and cruise accommodation; hotel stays are 4-star but the Danube vessel is five-star service, so final comfort varies by portion.
  • Day 11 offers a choice of either Salzburg via the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic; the operator's notes indicate route variations and substitutions on certain departure dates (June 27, August 8, September 3, and September 26), so confirm your specific itinerary before booking.
  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; you must arrange your own arrival and departure.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Vevey

    A stunning beginning in Lake Geneva

    Begins at London St. Pancras aboard the Eurostar to Paris, continuing by rail via Lausanne to the Lake Geneva region; transfer to hotel in Vevey for two nights and a first dinner together.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Vevey

    The Lavaux wine region

    Free morning in Vevey; afternoon local train to Cully in the UNESCO-listed Lavaux wine region for a winery talk and tasting of Chasselas wine.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Chur

    The iconic Glacier Express to Chur

    Local train to Brig to board the Glacier Express, a two-course lunch at the seats through the Rhine Valley, arriving in Chur to explore the Altstadt.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Innsbruck

    Crossing the Alps to Innsbruck

    Morning in Chur, then rail crossing into Austria to Innsbruck; evening free. Note: route variations on August 8 and June 27 departures.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Innsbruck

    The Zillertalbahn to Mayrhofen

    Journey on the Zillertalbahn through the Tyrol region to the ski resort of Mayrhofen, with free time; return by coach to Innsbruck. Note: Achensee Railway substituted on September 3 & 26 departures.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Ship (Budapest)

    To Budapest, where we board our luxurious ship

    Rail to Budapest, coach transfer to the Danube waterfront to board the ship; welcome cocktail, first dinner with Hungarian folklore troupe performance, night-time cruise past illuminated Budapest.

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Exploring Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'

    Sightseeing tour of Budapest (Heroes Square, State Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion); sail upstream through the Danube Bend past Visegrad and Esztergom.

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava

    Coach tour of Bratislava (Bratislava Castle, Old Town squares, quirky statues); free time before setting sail for Vienna.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna

    Guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse, Opera House, Parliament; free time to visit St. Stephen's Cathedral or Schönbrunn Palace; evening performance by former Vienna Philharmonic musicians.

  10. Day 10overnight: Ship

    Melk Abbey and the scenic Wachau Valley

    Free time in Dürnstein; sail through the Wachau Valley wine region; coach transfer from Emmersdorf to Melk Abbey for a guided tour; sail on to Linz.

  11. Day 11overnight: Ship

    Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov

    Choice of day trip to Salzburg (Getreidegasse, Old Town) via the Austrian Lake District, or an excursion into the Czech Republic to Český Krumlov (castle, UNESCO Old Town).

  12. Day 12overnight: Ship

    Across the German border to Passau

    Cruise into Germany; guided tour of Passau, the 'Three Rivers City', including St. Stephen's Cathedral; farewell Gala dinner onboard.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Cologne

    From the Danube to the Rhine-side city of Cologne

    Disembark, coach to Munich station, rail to Cologne beneath the Gothic cathedral; final dinner in the hotel restaurant. Note: overnight in Mainz instead on September 3 & 26 departures.

  14. Day 14rail

    Tour conclusion

    Rail via Brussels aboard the Eurostar to London, where the vacation concludes at London St. Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Local train to Cully in the UNESCO-listed Lavaux wine region for a winery talk and tasting of Chasselas wine.
  • Day 3Glacier Express with a two-course lunch at your seats through the Rhine Valley, arriving in Chur.
  • Day 5Journey on the Zillertalbahn through the Tyrol region to the ski resort of Mayrhofen, with free time before returning by coach to Innsbruck.
  • Day 7Guided sightseeing tour of Budapest including Heroes Square, State Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church, and Fisherman's Bastion; night-time cruise past illuminated Budapest.
  • Day 10Coach transfer to Melk Abbey for a guided tour, then sail through the Wachau Valley wine region to Linz.

Included

  • Tour Manager/Cruise Director team escorted throughout
  • 6 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara, Five-Star service from English-speaking crew, complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks; all rail and coach travel throughout; Eurostar Standard
  • Breakfast each day, 3 dinners on the Glacier Express & Austrian Alps portion
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Swiss Travel Card (50% discounted fares on free days)
  • 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 (not included but can be arranged)
  • 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 in the price?
Yes. The from-price covers all rail travel, including the Glacier Express, Zillertalbahn, Eurostar, and local connections, as well as all coach transfers.
Which trains are featured?
The Glacier Express (Brig to Chur in First Class), the Zillertalbahn (Ziller Valley Railway) from Jenbach to Mayrhofen, Eurostar Standard Class to and from London, and various local rail connections.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 14 days, including guided tours in Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, and Passau.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily. On the Glacier Express and Austrian Alps portion, three dinners are included. On the seven-night Danube cruise, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided daily, plus a gala dinner and a drinks package with dinner each night.
What is the accommodation?
Six nights in four-star hotels (in Vevey, Chur, and Innsbruck) and seven nights aboard the five-star MS Amadeus Cara river cruise ship.
When does the tour run?
The operator does not publish a specific departure calendar in this pack; contact Vacations By Rail directly for available dates.

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