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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Grand Imperial Cities

Eleven-day escorted rail tour through Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and Berlin

Illustration of Grand Imperial Cities

Vacations By Rail's Grand Imperial Cities is an 11-day escorted journey through Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Germany. A Tour Manager guides the group throughout, departing Vienna and concluding in Berlin with stops in Budapest and Prague. The itinerary balances structured experiences with free exploration: Days 1 to 3 center on Vienna's Ringstrasse, State Opera, Hofburg, and Schönbrunn Palace, including a strudel-making show with tasting. From Vienna, the group travels by train to Budapest to tour the Parliament, Buda Castle, and Fisherman's Bastion, then enjoys an illuminated evening Danube cruise. Day 5 features a ride on the narrow-gauge Children's Railway through the Buda Hills, followed by a train journey to Prague. Prague offers a guided walking tour of the castle, St Vitus Cathedral, and Charles Bridge, plus a free day for independent sightseeing. A final train leg brings the group to Berlin for guided exploration of Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate, and Berlin Wall sites, concluding with a free day and group dinner. The package includes 10 nights in 4-star hotels, First Class rail travel, all guided tours, breakfasts daily, and four dinners. It suits travelers seeking expert-led access to imperial heritage combined with unhurried time in each city.

What to know before you look closer

  • Mobility Rating 3 indicates substantial walking and stairs; confirm suitability with the operator if mobility is a concern.
  • October 6 departure uses a different hotel (NH Wien Belvedere) in Vienna; September 22 and 26 departures omit the strudel-making show. Confirm your specific departure details before booking.
  • May 24 departure travels by coach from Prague to Dresden, then by rail to Berlin, deviating from the standard Prague-to-Berlin train routing.
  • The from-price of 2,299 USD covers the package; flights and airport transfers are not included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vienna

    Vienna Calling

    Independent transfer to the hotel; free time to explore Vienna's Josefplatz and Herrengasse; first group dinner at an Austrian restaurant. Note: October 6 departure stays at the NH Wien Belvedere.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vienna

    Discovering elegant Vienna

    Guided tour of the Ringstrasse, Vienna State Opera, Parliament and Hofburg Palace; guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace with an apple strudel show and tasting. Note: September 22 & 26 departures omit the strudel show (still enjoy hot drink and strudel).

  3. Day 3overnight: Vienna

    Memorable moments and café culture on a free day in Vienna

    Free day; options include the Belvedere Palaces, Spanish Riding School, St Stephen's Cathedral, the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel, or a Viennese coffeehouse.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Budapest

    To Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'

    Train to Budapest; guided coach tour of the Parliament building, Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion; dinner in Óbuda followed by an evening Danube cruise past illuminated landmarks.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Budapest

    An enchanting journey through the Buda Hills

    Narrow-gauge Children's Railway through the Buda Hills, staffed by Hungarian schoolchildren; free time to visit thermal baths or Memento Park.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Prague

    Budapest to Prague: From the Danube to Vltava

    Train via the Danube Bend, Visegrád and southern Slovakia to Prague, checking in to a hotel in the Smíchov district.

  7. Day 7overnight: Prague

    Uncovering the medieval sights of Prague

    Guided walking tour of Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, St George's Basilica, the Golden Lane, Charles Bridge and Old Town Square with its astronomical clock.

  8. Day 8overnight: Prague

    History, religion and culture on a free day in Prague

    Free day; options include a Vltava river cruise, Kafka statues, and the Spanish Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter (Josefov).

  9. Day 9railovernight: Berlin

    Arrival in Berlin, a city of contrast

    Train to Berlin passing Bohemian Switzerland; guided tour covering Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate. Note: May 24 departure travels by coach from Prague to Dresden, then by rail to Berlin.

  10. Day 10overnight: Berlin

    Discovering the culture of Berlin at leisure

    Free day; options include the Reichstag dome, East Side Gallery, Bernauer Strasse/Berlin Wall Memorial, Museum Island or Charlottenburg Palace; final group dinner.

  11. Day 11

    Homeward bound

    Independent transfer to Berlin airport after breakfast, where the vacation concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace with an apple strudel show and tasting (September 22 and 26 departures have hot drink and strudel without the show).
  • Day 4Evening Danube cruise past illuminated Parliament and Buda Castle landmarks after a guided coach tour of Budapest.
  • Day 5Narrow-gauge Children's Railway through the Buda Hills, staffed by Hungarian schoolchildren.
  • Day 7Guided walking tour of Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, and Old Town Square with its astronomical clock.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 10 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • First Class rail travel on local rail networks; all rail, cruise and coach travel throughout
  • Breakfast each day, 4 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers throughout
  • All guided tours and excursions

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?
Yes. First Class rail travel on local networks throughout the tour is included, along with cruise and coach travel between cities.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A Tour Manager travels with the group from start to finish, and all guided tours and excursions are included.
Which trains are used?
The itinerary names the Children's Railway (Narrow-gauge, Széchenyihegy to Hűvösvölgy, Buda Hills) and train connections between Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and Berlin on local rail networks. The May 24 departure uses coach Prague-to-Dresden, then rail to Berlin.
What hotels are included?
Mooons Hotel in Vienna (3 nights), Three Corners Lifestyle Hotel in Budapest (2 nights), OREA Hotel Andel's in Prague (3 nights), and NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin (2 nights). October 6 departure stays at NH Wien Belvedere in Vienna.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day and four dinners are included. First dinner is at an Austrian restaurant in Vienna; another is in Óbuda, Budapest, before the Danube cruise; a final group dinner is on Day 10 in Berlin.
How much free time is there?
Days 3, 8, and 10 are free days with optional activities suggested (Vienna coffeehouse, Vltava river cruise, Reichstag dome).

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