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MIR Corporation · Rail Journey

Grand Alpine Express

Eleven-day luxury train journey from Budapest to Venice through Alpine Europe

Illustration of Grand Alpine Express

The Grand Alpine Express, operated by MIR Corporation, is an 11-day luxury rail journey that departs Budapest and concludes in Venice aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train. The route traverses six countries, crossing the Alps of Austria and Switzerland, descending through northern Italy, and briefly entering the Slovenian Alps before reaching the Adriatic. Days begin and end aboard the train with all meals included, while scheduled stops in Budapest, Vienna, Innsbruck, Zurich, Lake Como, Verona, Lake Bled, Ljubljana, and Postojna are paired with local guides and off-train activities. The journey opens with two nights in Budapest, moves through the Semmering Railway and alpine scenery around Innsbruck, passes through Swiss lakes and the St. Gotthard Pass, and concludes with two nights in Venice including a gondola ride on the canals. An experienced Train Tour Manager remains with passengers throughout, and gratuities are included in the price. This trip suits luxury-seekers, repeat rail travellers, couples seeking romantic destinations, and history lovers drawn to Central European capitals and medieval architecture.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is substantial: USD 34,400 minus USD 23,050 (approximately USD 11,350 difference), roughly half the double-occupancy base price.
  • International airfare to Budapest and departure transport from Venice are not included; MIR offers assistance booking flights on request.
  • Visa fees are not included, though MIR provides a customized visa application kit.
  • Beverages beyond draft beer in the Bar Car and wine and beer at set meals incur additional charges.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Budapest

    Budapest (Hungary)

    Start off with a Welcome Dinner and two nights in Hungary's capital, Budapest. Spend a full day exploring the UNESCO-listed city, strolling its broad avenues and marveling at the fine baroque, neoclassical, and art nouveau architecture. On the third day board the Golden Eagle Danube Express and head west to Austria.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Budapest

    Budapest (Hungary)

    Start off with a Welcome Dinner and two nights in Hungary's capital, Budapest. Spend a full day exploring the UNESCO-listed city, strolling its broad avenues and marveling at the fine baroque, neoclassical, and art nouveau architecture. On the third day board the Golden Eagle Danube Express and head west to Austria.

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

    Vienna (Austria), Innsbruck

    Stop in the afternoon of the third day in Austria's stunning capital, Vienna. Explore the Naschmarkt with its food and antique stalls, and then visit the beautiful Schonbrunn Palace. The next day is a spectacular one with alpine views along the Semmering Railway and from aboard a cruise on lake Achen. The day ends amidst the medieval architecture of the Altstadt of the picturesque capital of Austria's Tyrol region, Innsbruck.

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

    Vienna (Austria), Innsbruck

    Stop in the afternoon of the third day in Austria's stunning capital, Vienna. Explore the Naschmarkt with its food and antique stalls, and then visit the beautiful Schonbrunn Palace. The next day is a spectacular one with alpine views along the Semmering Railway and from aboard a cruise on lake Achen. The day ends amidst the medieval architecture of the Altstadt of the picturesque capital of Austria's Tyrol region, Innsbruck.

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

    Zurich (Switzerland)

    The train continues west, passing through more iconic alpine scenery and briefly crossing Liechtenstein. Then descend down to Switzerland's financial capital, Zurich. Take part in a fondue tasting this evening, a Swiss tradition.

  6. Day 6overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Lake Como (Italy), Verona

    Head south out of the Alps, passing yet more gorgeous scenery along Lake Zug and Lake Lucerne, and while passing over St. Gotthard Pass into Italy. Once in Italy explore the Lake Como area before heading on to Verona.

  7. Day 7overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Lake Como (Italy), Verona

    Head south out of the Alps, passing yet more gorgeous scenery along Lake Zug and Lake Lucerne, and while passing over St. Gotthard Pass into Italy. Once in Italy explore the Lake Como area before heading on to Verona.

  8. Day 8overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Lake Bled (Slovenia), Ljubljana, Postojna

    Heading north from Trieste, enter Slovenia, formerly part of Yugoslavia and now one of Central Europe's highlights. Stop first at postcard-worthy Lake Bled, a beautiful lake with a church on an island in the center. Then continue on to the capital, Ljubljana. Explore the city's architecture and wonderful bridges. The next day head down into the Postojna caves before crossing back into Italy.

  9. Day 9overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Lake Bled (Slovenia), Ljubljana, Postojna

    Heading north from Trieste, enter Slovenia, formerly part of Yugoslavia and now one of Central Europe's highlights. Stop first at postcard-worthy Lake Bled, a beautiful lake with a church on an island in the center. Then continue on to the capital, Ljubljana. Explore the city's architecture and wonderful bridges. The next day head down into the Postojna caves before crossing back into Italy.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Venice

    Venice (Italy)

    Your journey concludes in Venice, Italy. Queen of European cities by the 13th century, beautiful Venice still rules in travelers' hearts. Enjoy a walking tour of the city's most important sights. Then round out the experience with a short gondola ride on the canals. A farewell reception and departures the next morning bring this rail odyssey to a close.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Venice

    Venice (Italy)

    Your journey concludes in Venice, Italy. Queen of European cities by the 13th century, beautiful Venice still rules in travelers' hearts. Enjoy a walking tour of the city's most important sights. Then round out the experience with a short gondola ride on the canals. A farewell reception and departures the next morning bring this rail odyssey to a close.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Welcome dinner in Budapest followed by exploration of the UNESCO-listed capital, including the Castle District, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and views from Gellert Hill.
  • Day 3Board the Golden Eagle Danube Express in Budapest. Afternoon stop in Vienna for the Naschmarkt and Schonbrunn Palace, followed by a private concert featuring the Vienna Supreme Orchestra.
  • Day 4Travel the Semmering Railway with alpine views, then cruise on Lake Achen before arriving in Innsbruck to explore its medieval Altstadt, Habsburg Imperial Palace, and baroque cathedral.
  • Day 5Pass through the Alps and Liechtenstein, descend to Zurich, and enjoy an authentic Swiss fondue tasting.
  • Day 10Arrive in Venice for a walking tour of the city's major sights and a gondola ride on the canals, concluding with a farewell reception.

Included

  • Accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train.
  • Hotel accommodation per the itinerary (2 nights in Budapest, 2 nights in Venice).
  • All meals starting with dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on final tour day.
  • A generous allowance of wine or local beer, soft drinks and water with all lunches and dinners.
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water round the clock from your car attendant while on board the train.
  • Complimentary draft beer in the Bar Car for all passengers.
  • Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates and in the tour start/end cities.
  • All guided off-train tours per itinerary.
  • The services of an experienced Train Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.
  • All gratuities.
  • Baggage handling.
  • Complete pre-departure electronic document that includes detailed packing suggestions, reading list links, country-specific information, maps, travel tips and more.
  • Customized visa application and instruction kit (please note, visa fees are not included in the tour price).
  • Electronic final update bulletin, with any late news, updates and important information.
  • Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements, on request.

Not included

  • International airfare or surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour.
  • Meals and drinks not specified as included in the itinerary.
  • Single supplement (difference between double rate and single occupancy rate) if requested or required.
  • Optional pre- or post-tour extensions.
  • Expenses incurred as a result of delay, modification, or extension of a tour due to causes beyond MIR's control.
  • Visa fees, excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, vaccination and other medical costs.
  • Travel insurance including cancellation, medical, and evacuation insurance.
  • Items of a purely personal nature (laundry, telephone, bar account, photography at museums, etc).
  • Drinks, beyond draft beer in the Bar Car, and beer and wine at set meals.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train is included from Day 3 through Day 9, plus all meals, wine, beer, and soft drinks during those days.
What hotels are included?
Two nights in Budapest (Days 1-2) and two nights in Venice (Days 10-11). Both are included in the tour price.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. An experienced Train Tour Manager accompanies the entire journey, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring in each destination.
Which specific trains are used?
The Golden Eagle Danube Express operates the entire journey from Budapest to Venice (Days 3-9). The itinerary also includes the Semmering Railway as a rail segment on Day 4.
When does the trip run?
MIR offers four departures in 2026 and 2027: May 2026, June 2026, April 2027, and August 2027. Prices range from USD 23,050 to USD 25,300.
What is not included?
International airfare, visa fees, single supplement, travel insurance, optional extensions, excess baggage charges, and any meals or drinks beyond what is specified in the itinerary.

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