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Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Grand Austrian Lakes & Mountains

Twelve-day Austrian rail loop from Zurich through alpine villages to Zell am See

Illustration of Grand Austrian Lakes & Mountains

Marvellous Escapes offers a 12-day tailor-made rail holiday that departs from London, travels via Zurich, and ends in the Austrian alpine town of Zell am See. The journey combines international rail travel (Eurostar and TGV Lyria) with Austrian regional trains, linking five major destinations over 11 nights. Days 1 through 4 are anchored in and around Innsbruck, where the Innsbruck Card provides free entry to 22 museums, attractions, cable cars, and public transport; on Day 2, the ÖBB Railjet ascends the Arlberg Pass, revealing the Swiss and Austrian Alps. Mayrhofen (Days 5 and 6) offers mountain villages, hiking, and cable-car rides; Salzburg (Days 7 through 9) adds guided cultural excursions including the Sound of Music and salt mines tour, plus a half-day journey to the lakeside village of Hallstatt. The final two days in Zell am See are unscheduled, allowing leisurely walks along the crystal-clear lake. Hotel breakfasts are included throughout, and the package ends with a private transfer to Salzburg Airport and return flight to the UK. The tour suits couples, history lovers, and repeat rail travellers seeking a blend of guided experiences and independent exploration.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip begins with flights and trains from London (Eurostar from St Pancras); confirm whether you are departing from a UK airport or London city centre
  • Day 12 involves an early checkout and train to Salzburg Airport; the return flight time to the UK is not specified in the itinerary
  • Multiple overnight stays in one location are designed to reduce packing; the hotel standards for each city are not detailed in the operator's description

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Board the Eurostar from London to Zurich via Paris. Check in to your hotel and take a leisurely stroll through Zurich's Old Town (Altstadt) along the Limmat River.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Innsbruck

    Innsbruck

    Direct train to Innsbruck, enjoying views of the Swiss and Austrian Alps over the Arlberg Pass. Check in for a two-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Innsbruck

    Innsbruck

    After breakfast, explore Innsbruck's Old Town, the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) and the Hofburg Palace. The Innsbruck Card gives access to 20+ attractions, cable cars and the hop-on hop-off bus, with stops including the Alpenzoo and Ambras Castle.

  4. Day 4overnight: Innsbruck

    Innsbruck

    Another day to explore Innsbruck with the Innsbruck Card, including free public transport to attractions such as the Alpine Zoo or Ambras Castle.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Mayrhofen

    Mayrhofen

    Picturesque rail journey from Innsbruck to the alpine village of Mayrhofen through the Tyrolean landscape. Afternoon free to explore the village at leisure.

  6. Day 6overnight: Mayrhofen

    Mayrhofen

    After breakfast, a day at your own pace in Mayrhofen: village strolls, hiking trails, a cable car to the Penken or Ahorn mountains, or a wellness centre, with an authentic Tyrolean meal in the evening.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Salzburg

    Salzburg

    Scenic rail journey from Mayrhofen to Salzburg. Evening exploring Salzburg's Baroque streets and squares.

  8. Day 8overnight: Salzburg

    Salzburg

    Sound of Music & Salt Mines day trip: touring the 450-year-old salt mines and visiting iconic 'Sound of Music' filming locations against the Salzkammergut backdrop.

  9. Day 9overnight: Salzburg

    Salzburg

    Half-day tour to Hallstatt, exploring its cobblestone streets and lakeside setting, with an optional cable car ride to the salt mountain for views of the Dachstein Alps.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Zell am See

    Zell am See

    Scenic rail journey from Salzburg to Zell am See. Check in and explore the crystal-clear Lake Zell and the Hohe Tauern mountains.

  11. Day 11overnight: Zell am See

    Zell am See

    Full day at leisure: a walk along Lake Zell, cycling the lakeside trails, or exploring the town centre and its Tyrolean cuisine.

  12. Day 12rail

    Return home

    After breakfast, check out and take a train back to Salzburg with onward transfer to Salzburg Airport for your flight back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The ÖBB Railjet climbs the Arlberg Pass from Zurich to Innsbruck, crossing from Switzerland into Austria through the high Alps
  • Day 5Train journey from Innsbruck to Mayrhofen through the Tyrolean landscape into the alpine village of Mayrhofen
  • Day 8Full-day excursion from Salzburg includes the 450-year-old salt mines and visits to Sound of Music filming locations in the Salzkammergut
  • Day 10Scenic rail journey from Salzburg to Zell am See, arriving at the lake and Hohe Tauern mountains

Included

  • Overnight hotel accommodation in Zurich with breakfast included
  • 3-nights hotel accommodation in Innsbruck with breakfast included
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Mayrhofen with breakfast included
  • 3-nights hotel accommodation in Salzburg with breakfast included
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Zell am See with breakfast included
  • Secure reservations for the Eurostar & TGV Lyria trains
  • Rail throughout Austria
  • Private transfer to Salzburg Airport & return flight to the UK
  • Innsbruck Card with free entry into 22 museums and attractions
  • Sound of Music & Salt Mines day trip from Salzburg
  • Hallstatt Half-Day Tour from Salzburg

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Marvellous Escapes includes Eurostar from London to Paris, TGV Lyria from Paris to Zurich, and ÖBB Railjet and other Austrian trains throughout the journey. The package also includes a private transfer to Salzburg Airport and return flight to the UK.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
It is a tailor-made rail holiday with a mix of guided experiences and free time. Included guided excursions are the Sound of Music and salt mines day trip from Salzburg, a half-day tour to Hallstatt, and the Innsbruck Card for self-directed access to 22 museums and attractions. Other days allow exploration at your own pace.
What is included in the price?
The package from GBP 2,799 includes 11 nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich, Innsbruck, Mayrhofen, Salzburg, and Zell am See; rail tickets; the Innsbruck Card; the Sound of Music and salt mines tour; the Hallstatt half-day tour; and private transfer and return flight from Salzburg Airport.
How many nights will I spend in each location?
One night in Zurich, three nights in Innsbruck, two nights in Mayrhofen, three nights in Salzburg, and two nights in Zell am See.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The trip includes city walking in Innsbruck's Old Town, Salzburg's Baroque streets, and around Zell am See. Optional cable cars are available at Mayrhofen (to Penken or Ahorn mountains) and from Hallstatt to the salt mountain. Hiking trails in Mayrhofen are available but optional.
Which countries does the trip cover?
The journey begins in Switzerland (Zurich) and travels through Austria (Innsbruck, Mayrhofen, Salzburg, Hallstatt, and Zell am See).

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