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Tailor Made Rail · Independent rail holiday

Heidelberg and Lake Constance

Eight-day independent rail loop from London through Heidelberg to Lake Constance

Illustration of Heidelberg and Lake Constance

Tailor Made Rail's Heidelberg and Lake Constance is an 8-day independent rail holiday starting from London St Pancras and finishing in London, routing through Germany and Switzerland. The journey takes you from London via Brussels and the scenic Rhine Valley to Heidelberg, a historic university town on the Neckar River that inspired Goethe, Mark Twain, and J M W Turner. You then travel south past Ulm, whose cathedral stands as the world's tallest, down to Lindau, an island resort on Lake Constance surrounded by four countries. The final days loop back through Basel and Strasbourg. Throughout the eight days you have three nights in Heidelberg and three in Lindau, allowing unhurried exploration of both towns and optional boat excursions to Konstanz, Friedrichshafen, Bregenz, or the flower island of Mainau. All rail travel is included in standard class with seat reservations, and each morning begins with hotel breakfast. The package suits independent travellers comfortable with self-guided itineraries and those with rail experience who enjoy multiple train changes and scenic valley routes.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are listed 'or similar,' meaning the final accommodation depends on availability and the tier you select; confirm the exact properties with Tailor Made Rail.
  • Prices are for standard class rail travel and best available fares; supplements may apply during peak periods and at short notice.
  • Single supplements apply for sole occupancy; the quoted price is based on two people sharing a twin or double room.
  • Day 8 involves multiple train changes (Lindau to Strasbourg, then TGV to Paris, then a walk to Gare du Nord for Eurostar); allow time for connections.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Heidelberg

    London to Heidelberg

    Eurostar to Brussels, connecting onto the scenic Rhine Valley route via Cologne to Heidelberg, arriving in time for dinner, for a 3-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Heidelberg

    Heidelberg

    A wander around the Altstadt and hilltop castle, a climb up the Philosophenweg (Philosopher's Walk), or a boat cruise along the Neckar River.

  3. Day 3overnight: Heidelberg

    Heidelberg

    Further time to explore Heidelberg, which inspired painters and poets including Goethe, Mark Twain and J M W Turner.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lindau

    Heidelberg to Lindau

    A lunchtime departure via Ulm (with its towering cathedral, the tallest in the world) and the shores of Lake Constance, arriving in Lindau mid-afternoon, for a 3-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lindau

    Lindau and Lake Constance

    Explore walkable Lindau, or take a boat to Konstanz, Friedrichshafen (Zeppelin Museum) or Bregenz across the border in Austria.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lindau

    Lindau and Lake Constance

    Visit the flower island of Mainau, with its year-round floral displays, or walk the lakefront and surrounding hills.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Basel

    Lindau to Basel

    A direct train to Basel Bad station, with an evening at leisure in Basel's historic core.

  8. Day 8rail

    Basel to London

    A train to Strasbourg, then a high-speed TGV to Paris Gare de l'Est, walking to the Gare du Nord for the Eurostar back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then the scenic Rhine Valley train route via Cologne arriving in Heidelberg in time for dinner.
  • Day 2Day 2: Optional climb up the Philosophenweg (Philosopher's Walk) from Heidelberg's Altstadt to the hilltop castle, or boat cruise on the Neckar River.
  • Day 4Day 4: Midday train through Ulm (home to the world's tallest cathedral) along the shores of Lake Constance, arriving in the island resort of Lindau mid-afternoon.
  • Day 5Day 5: Boat excursions from Lindau to Konstanz, Friedrichshafen to visit the Zeppelin Museum, or Bregenz in Austria across the lake border.
  • Day 6Day 6: Visit to Mainau, a flower island on Lake Constance with year-round floral displays.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 7 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations where required, and proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions.
Is this an escorted group tour or independent?
Tailor Made Rail operates this as an independent rail holiday. You travel on your own schedule with easy-to-follow travel documentation and email despatch of tickets; there is no guide.
What trains are used?
Eurostar from London to Brussels, scenic trains through the Rhine Valley to Heidelberg, regional trains to Lindau, a direct train to Basel, and high-speed TGV from Strasbourg to Paris.
Which hotels are included?
Tailor Made Rail books handpicked hotels: Heidelberger Hof Hotel (or similar) for 3 nights, Bayerischer Hof (or similar) for 3 nights in Lindau, and Essential by Dorint Basel City (or similar) for 1 night.
What is included in the price?
All rail journeys in standard class, 7 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast, seat reservations, and travel documentation. Not included: meals beyond breakfast, optional boat trips or museum visits.
When does it run and how much does it cost?
Year-round. Low season (November to March) starts from GBP 1199; high season (April to October) from GBP 1349. Prices are for two people sharing a room.

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