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Golden Eagle Danube Express - Christmas Markets of Central Europe from Budapest with Prague and Berlin

12-day luxury train journey from Budapest to Berlin via Christmas markets

Illustration of Golden Eagle Danube Express - Christmas Markets of Central Europe from Budapest with Prague and Berlin

Railbookers operates this 12-day luxury train vacation from Budapest to Berlin, timed to Central Europe's Christmas markets. The trip opens with two nights in Budapest, including a city tour of the Royal Palace and St. Matthias Church, before a drinks reception in the Royal Waiting Room at Nyugati station and boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express. Three nights onboard in Deluxe class carry travelers through Vienna, with a panoramic tour and Fiaker carriage ride, and Salzburg, where Mirabell Palace and the Getreidegasse lead into the Old Town's Christmas market, before arriving in Munich for two nights and a Farewell Dinner. From there, a direct train reaches Prague for a dinner cruise with traditional music, a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter and Prague Castle, and traditional Czech cuisine, and a high-speed train continues to Berlin for a private walking tour past the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, and Reichstag. Every stop runs two or three nights, keeping the pace relaxed. The trip suits luxury seekers, history lovers, and travelers drawn to festive markets rather than budget touring.

What to know before you look closer

  • The 23 listed hotels are accommodation options rather than fixed bookings; the actual hotel in each city depends on the tier and availability you choose.
  • The evidence does not list specific departure dates; confirm current availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Budapest

    Your Journey Begins in Budapest

    Welcome to Budapest! Upon arrival, meet your private transfer at the airport and make your way to your five-star hotel for a two-night stay. Indulge in a welcome reception dinner within the refined ambiance of this art nouveau landmark.

  2. Day 2overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    Today, embark on a comprehensive city tour encompassing landmarks such as the Royal Palace, St. Matthias Church, and St Stephen's Cathedral. Take advantage of the festive atmosphere by wandering through the numerous Christmas Markets across the city.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Late morning, transferred to Nyugati station for a drinks reception in the Royal Waiting Room before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express. In the afternoon explore Vienna with a panoramic tour, a traditional 'Fiaker' carriage ride, and Pirker gingerbread tasting in front of St Stephen's.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Visit the Museum of Fine Arts, the largest museum in Austria, then the famous Christmas market on Maria-Theresien Platz. After lunch, tour Schönbrunn Palace, followed by more Christmas Markets and punch at the famous Café Residenz booth.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Continue to Salzburg to explore Mirabell Palace, the former Mozart Residence museum, cross the Makartsteg bridge into the Old Town, and walk the Getreidegasse. Spend the rest of the day at Salzburg's famous Christmas market.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Munich

    Munich

    Visit the Dom Quartier, a cultural highlight in the heart of Salzburg, with views from the terrace above the Cathedral Arches. Head back to the train for lunch and travel across the border into Germany for a two-night stop in Munich.

  7. Day 7overnight: Munich

    Munich

    Explore Munich's renowned Christmas markets, including the one at Marienplatz dating back to the 1600s. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner reflecting on the journey across Central Europe.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Prague

    Munich to Prague

    Transferred to Munich station for a direct train to Prague, crossing the border into Czech. Check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. In the evening, enjoy a lively dinner cruise with traditional music.

  9. Day 9overnight: Prague

    Prague

    Continue to explore Prague today with your included city group tour, stopping in the Jewish Quarter and Prague Castle. In the evening, try traditional Czech cuisine before heading to the Christmas markets.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Berlin

    Prague to Berlin

    Enjoy a final breakfast in Prague before boarding a high-speed direct train to Berlin. Check in to your hotel for a two-night stay before exploring Berlin's famous Christmas markets.

  11. Day 11overnight: Berlin

    Berlin

    Embark on an exclusive private walking tour of Berlin, from the remnants of the Berlin Wall to the iconic Brandenburg Gate, and architectural gems like the Reichstag building.

  12. Day 12

    Your Journey Ends in Berlin

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A drinks reception in the Royal Waiting Room at Nyugati station before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express, followed by a Vienna panoramic tour, a Fiaker carriage ride, and Pirker gingerbread tasting.
  • Day 5Exploring Salzburg's Mirabell Palace and the former Mozart Residence museum, crossing the Makartsteg bridge into the Old Town, before Salzburg's Christmas market.
  • Day 7Munich's Christmas market at Marienplatz, dating back to the 1600s, followed by a Farewell Dinner reflecting on the journey across Central Europe.
  • Day 9A small-group city tour of Prague stopping at the Jewish Quarter and Prague Castle, followed by traditional Czech cuisine and the Christmas markets.
  • Day 11A private walking tour of Berlin, from the remnants of the Berlin Wall to the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 2 nights 5* hotel accommodation with breakfast in Budapest
  • 2 nights 5* hotel accommodation with breakfast in Munich
  • 2 nights 5* hotel accommodation with breakfast in Prague
  • 2 nights 5* hotel accommodation with breakfast in Berlin
  • 3 nights all-inclusive accommodation onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express in Deluxe class including: 24-hour onboard service, complimentary tea, coffee, and water, all meals and accompanying drinks, guided off train excursions as listed, personal headsets with audio commentary, on board doctor and medical facilities, all gratuities
  • Evening dinner cruise with music in Prague
  • Small-group sightseeing tour of Prague
  • Private walking tour of Berlin

Questions travellers ask

Do you sleep on the train?
Yes. Three nights (Days 3, 4, and 5) are spent onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express in Deluxe class, an all-inclusive stay with 24-hour service, all meals and drinks, and an onboard doctor.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It combines an escorted train segment, the Golden Eagle Danube Express with uniformed staff, with independent city stays in Budapest, Munich, Prague, and Berlin that include guided tours such as the Budapest city tour, the Prague sightseeing tour, and the Berlin walking tour.
Which trains does the trip use?
The Golden Eagle Danube Express in Deluxe class from Budapest to Munich (via Vienna and Salzburg), then a direct train from Munich to Prague and a high-speed direct train from Prague to Berlin.
What is included in the price?
Rail travel throughout, 5-star hotels with breakfast in Budapest, Munich, Prague, and Berlin (2 nights each), 3 nights all-inclusive Deluxe class onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express, an evening dinner cruise with music in Prague, a small-group sightseeing tour of Prague, and a private walking tour of Berlin.
When does this trip run?
The evidence does not list specific departure dates, though the itinerary is built around Christmas markets in Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich, indicating a December departure window. Confirm exact dates with Railbookers.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 23 accommodation options across the route's cities and different tiers, including the Hilton Budapest, InterContinental Hotel Budapest, and Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, and the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost in Munich.

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