How much does it cost?

From £19,855 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $26,820 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 six nights on the Golden Eagle Danube Express with private en-suite cabins, plus international flights from the UK.

What meals are provided?

Ten breakfasts, nine lunches, and ten dinners are included, plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from the Standard Bar list while on board.

Is the tour escorted or independent?

It is an escorted tour with expertly guided off-train excursions as detailed in the itinerary. A UK-registered doctor is on board.

Which cities does the tour visit?

Budapest, Vienna, Innsbruck, Zurich, Lake Como, Verona, Trieste, Lake Bled, Ljubljana, Postojna, and Venice.

What is included and what is not?

Included: flights, accommodation, meals, transfers, luggage porterage, and guided excursions. Not included: cancellation and travel insurance.

Great Rail Journeys · Luxury rail journey

Golden Eagle Danube Express – Grand Alpine Explorer

Luxury train across Alps from Budapest to Venice on Golden Eagle Danube Express

The Golden Eagle Danube Express Grand Alpine Explorer, operated by Great Rail Journeys, is an 11-day escorted luxury journey spanning Budapest, Vienna, the Austrian Alps, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Venice. Travellers spend six nights in a private en-suite cabin aboard the dedicated Golden Eagle Danube Express and four nights in five-star hotels. The route ascends the Semmering Pass with its 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels, traverses the St. Gotthard Pass through the Swiss Alps, descends to Lake Como in Italy, and crosses into Slovenia to view Lake Bled before arriving in Venice. Each day combines train travel with guided walking tours in capital cities, boat cruises on alpine lakes, and visits to landmarks such as Verona's Roman Amphitheatre and Venice's St. Mark's Basilica. A UK-registered doctor and medical facilities are on board. Great Rail Journeys includes all meals, drinks, transfers, and expert-guided excursions. This trip suits luxury seekers, repeat rail travellers, couples seeking alpine and romantic scenery, and those who prefer guided comfort with minimal logistical planning.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £2,890 since 4 Jul, to £19,855.

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

Venice hotel is described only as 'centrally located'; confirm the specific property name and standard before booking.
The itinerary includes unguided free time in some cities; verify which days offer independent exploration versus guided excursions.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Budapest (Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace)
UK to Budapest
A direct flight from the UK to Budapest, transferring to the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace for a two-night stay, followed by a welcome reception dinner overlooking the River Danube.
Day 2overnight: Budapest (Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace)
Budapest
A guided city tour of Budapest encompassing the Castle District, St Mathias Church and a panoramic vista from Gellert Hill, plus other landmarks including the Citadel, the Opera House, St Stephen's Cathedral, Heroes Square and City Park, with leisure time to explore the Great Market Hall or a thermal bath.
Day 3railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express (Vienna)
Vienna
A drinks reception at Budapest Nyugati station precedes boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express, with lunch served en route to Vienna. In Vienna, choose a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Old Town, a visit to Schönbrunn Palace, or free time, followed by a private evening concert at Palais Auersperg with the Vienna Supreme Orchestra.
Day 4overnight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express (en route)
Semmering Pass, Lake Achen & Innsbruck
A journey through central Austria and the Alps, traversing the Semmering Pass with its 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels, to the ski village of Kitzbühel for lunch, then a scenic drive to Lake Achen for a cruise, before continuing to Innsbruck to view the Nordkette funicular designed by Zaha Hadid.
Day 5overnight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express (Zurich)
Zurich
Travelling through Vorarlberg and St Anton, crossing Liechtenstein into Switzerland and along Lake Zurich to the city. Explore Zurich's Altstadt and the Limmat River, and savour a traditional Swiss fondue tasting.
Day 6overnight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express (Lake Como area)
St Gotthard Pass & Lake Como
Journeying along Lakes Zug and Lucerne before ascending the St Gotthard Pass and descending through Lugano to Lake Como in Italy for a lakeside lunch, with time to explore Bellagio and enjoy a boat cruise on the lake.
Day 7overnight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express (Verona/Trieste)
Verona
Travelling along the south shore of Lake Garda to Verona, with a walking tour introducing the city's Roman Amphitheatre in Piazza Bra and its Shakespearean associations.
Day 8railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Danube Express (Postojna)
Lake Bled & Ljubljana
The train ascends from Trieste and crosses into Slovenia through the Julian Alps to Lake Bled, with its island, church and castle, before continuing to Ljubljana for an onboard lunch and an afternoon tour taking in Preseren Square, Three Bridges and Dragon Bridge.
Day 9railovernight: Venice
Postojna & Venice
A private tour of the Postojna Caves, then the train travels to Mestre and across the causeway over the Venice Lagoon to Venice Santa Lucia station, followed by lunch and a transfer to a hotel in the heart of Venice for a two-night stay.
Day 10overnight: Venice
Venice
A walking tour of Venice taking in the Grand Canal, St Mark's Square, St Mark's Basilica and the Rialto Market, plus an included 30-minute gondola ride, or free time to explore Dorsoduro and the Accademia Bridge. A farewell reception dinner in the evening.
Day 11
Venice to the UK
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the flight home to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Board the Golden Eagle Danube Express at Budapest Nyugati station; traverse Vienna by horse-drawn carriage through Old Town cobblestone streets.
Day 4Cross the Semmering Pass, featuring 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels, then enjoy a cruise on Lake Achen in the Austrian Tyrol.
Day 6Ascend to the St. Gotthard Pass, pass through the historic tunnel, and descend to Lake Como for a boat cruise near Bellagio.
Day 8Wake early to see the train ascend from Trieste through the Julian Alps and arrive at Lake Bled with its island church and castle.
Day 9Take a private tour of Postojna Caves, then travel the 3-mile causeway across the Venice Lagoon to Venice Santa Lucia station.

Included

4 nights of Five-star accommodation
6 nights Private en-suite accommodation on the Golden Eagle Danube Express train
Services of a UK-registered Doctor and medical facilities on board
Flight from London to Budapest & Venice to London
All transfers
10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners
Inclusive alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from Standard Bar list whilst on-board
Luggage porterage throughout the journey
Expertly guided off-train excursions as detailed in the itinerary

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £19,855 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $26,820 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 six nights on the Golden Eagle Danube Express with private en-suite cabins, plus international flights from the UK.
What meals are provided?: Ten breakfasts, nine lunches, and ten dinners are included, plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from the Standard Bar list while on board.
Is the tour escorted or independent?: It is an escorted tour with expertly guided off-train excursions as detailed in the itinerary. A UK-registered doctor is on board.
Which cities does the tour visit?: Budapest, Vienna, Innsbruck, Zurich, Lake Como, Verona, Trieste, Lake Bled, Ljubljana, Postojna, and Venice.
What is included and what is not?: Included: flights, accommodation, meals, transfers, luggage porterage, and guided excursions. Not included: cancellation and travel insurance.