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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Heidelberg, Bavaria, and the Alps

12-day multi-country rail trip from Frankfurt to Lucerne

Illustration of Heidelberg, Bavaria, and the Alps

Railbookers operates this 12-day, 11-night independent rail vacation through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, from Frankfurt to Lucerne, with rail travel included as per the itinerary and the operator's Rail Expert support along the way. After a night in Frankfurt taking in the Altstadt and the Romer town hall, the trip moves to Heidelberg for a small-group walking tour of its 14th-century university and Gothic architecture, then on to Munich for the Residenz palace museum and the English Garden. From Salzburg, where a funicular climbs to Hohensalzburg Fortress, a highspeed RailJet service crosses to Innsbruck for a cable car round-trip to the Nordkette and its views of the Karwendel. A second RailJet crosses the Alps via the historic Arlberg Pass into Switzerland, ending in Lucerne with a Mount Pilatus day trip by boat, cog railway, or cable car depending on the season. With two nights at most stops and hotels chosen from a list of options, this trip suits independent travelers who want a multi-country rail circuit through central European cities and Alpine scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence lists several hotel options per city, mixing budget chains such as Ibis and Holiday Inn Express with upscale properties such as Sofitel and Hilton, without specifying which one is booked at each stop.
  • Access to the top of Mount Pilatus on day 11 changes by season: a boat cruise and cog railway from May to November, or a bus ride and aerial gondola or cable car from November to April.
  • Most days are unguided, at-your-own-pace time to explore; the only guided activities named in the evidence are the Heidelberg walking tour, the Innsbruck cable car, and the Mount Pilatus day trip.
  • The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Railbookers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Frankfurt

    On arrival into Frankfurt make your way to your hotel for one night. Enjoy a stroll around the Altstadt (Old Town) and marvel at the impressive Romer - the 14th century town hall. That evening perhaps venture up Frankfurt Main Tower to enjoy some great views before dinner. (Overnight Frankfurt)

  2. Day 2rail

    Frankfurt to Heidelberg

    Make the 1hr train ride from Frankfurt to Heidelberg for a 2-night stay. Heidelberg is famed for its ancient University founded in the 14th century and its well-kept Gothic and renaissance architecture. the town square in the heart of the old town has a great selection of traditional cafes to enjoy dinner. (Overnight Heidelberg) B

    Meals: B

  3. Day 3

    Heidelberg

    Today have a short-guided tour of the gems of Heidelberg, then spend the day discovering one of Germanys most beautiful towns. (Overnight Heidelberg) B

    Meals: B

  4. Day 4rail

    Heidelberg to Munich

    Take the train to Munich via Mannheim and check into your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a walk around the Marienplatz before dinner. (Overnight Munich) B

    Meals: B

  5. Day 5

    Munich

    Why not pay a visit to the Munich Residenz today, a rich museum located in an Imperial Palace complex. After work up an appetite by exploring the vast English garden prior to dinner and beers in a traditional Bavarian Tavern. (Overnight Munich) B

    Meals: B

  6. Day 6rail

    Munich to Salzburg

    Take a short train ride from Germany to Austria and check in to your hotel. Perhaps take a walk along the river, or even climb up to the wonderful Franziskischlossl inn and restaurant overlooking the city for dinner with a view. (Overnight Salzburg) B

    Meals: B

  7. Day 7overnight: Salzburg

    Salzburg

    Spend the day discovering the beauty and charm of Salzburg at your own leisure. Explore the city’s baroque architecture, stroll through the quaint streets of Old Town, or take the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress for stunning views over the city. For a touch of old-world elegance, consider a horse and carriage ride through the historic center. B

    Meals: B

  8. Day 8

    Innsbruck

    Ride a highspeed RailJet service across Austria from Salzburg to Innsbruck. Rest of day at leisure. (Overnight Innsbruck) B

    Meals: B

  9. Day 9

    Innsbruck

    Today enjoy breath-taking vistas of the Austrian mountains with a round-trip cable car ride between Innsbruck city centre and the Nordkette, at the heart of the country's nature park. Visit a cable car station designed by Zaha Hadid, then watch the ground drop away as you travel to Seegrube. Get a bird's-eye view of Europe's steepest ski slope, and spot climbers on the rocky face of the Karwendel. Explore the mountain at your own pace before boarding the cable car to make the return trip to Innsbruck. (Overnight Innsbruck) B

    Meals: B

  10. Day 10

    Innsbruck to Lucerne Via The Arlberg Pass

    After breakfast board a highspeed RailJet service which crosses the Alps via the historic and spectacular Arlberg Pass to Zurich. Change trains on arrival for the short ride to Lucerne and settle into your hotel. (Overnight Lucerne) B

    Meals: B

  11. Day 11rail

    Mount Pilatus Day Trip

    Between May to November enjoy a short boat cruise before the steepest cog railway in the world takes you to the top of Mount Pilatus. From November to April the peak can be reached via a short bus ride, then spectacular aerial gondola and cable car from the other side of this mystical mountain. You can find out more about the tales of a dragon living within the mountain at the top, where you can also enjoy some lunch and soak up the views. Make your way back down via Gondola and Cable car before enjoying the evening surrounded by the breath-taking scenery of lake Lucerne. (Overnight Lucerne) B

    Meals: B

  12. Day 12rail

    End Of Tour

    Hope onto any of the direct trains to Zurich Airport, or speak to one of our Rail Experts about extending your holiday. B

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A short guided walking tour explores the gems of Heidelberg, home to a university founded in the 14th century and well-kept Gothic and renaissance architecture.
  • Day 7A funicular ride climbs to Hohensalzburg Fortress for views over Salzburg's baroque Old Town.
  • Day 9A round-trip cable car climbs from Innsbruck city centre to the Nordkette, passing a station designed by Zaha Hadid and offering a bird's-eye view of Europe's steepest ski slope and the rocky face of the Karwendel.
  • Day 10A highspeed RailJet service crosses the Alps via the historic Arlberg Pass from Innsbruck to Zurich, connecting on to Lucerne.
  • Day 11The Mount Pilatus day trip combines a boat cruise with the steepest cog railway in the world, or a bus ride and aerial gondola depending on the season, ending at the mountain's summit.

Included

  • Rail Travel as per itinerary 1 night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Frankfurt 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Heidelberg 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Munich 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Salzburg 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Innsbruck 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lucerne Small group walking tour of Heidelberg Cable Car round-trip to the top of Innsbruck Mount Pilatus Day Trip

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price of this trip?
Yes. Rail travel is included as per the itinerary, covering all the city-to-city legs from Frankfurt to Lucerne.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with Rail Expert support. Most days are at your own leisure, aside from a guided walking tour of Heidelberg.
Which trains are used on this trip?
Regional trains between the cities, plus highspeed RailJet services from Salzburg to Innsbruck and from Innsbruck to Zurich via the Arlberg Pass.
What is included besides rail travel and hotels?
A small-group walking tour of Heidelberg, a cable car round-trip to the top of Innsbruck's Nordkette, and the Mount Pilatus Day Trip.
How much walking is involved?
Days include city walking tours, a funicular in Salzburg, and a cable car in Innsbruck, with no hiking described in the evidence.
How much does this trip cost?
Railbookers prices this trip from $1,909 per person, in USD.

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