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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail

Imperial Cities & Delights of the Danube

13-day rail and Danube cruise from London to Frankfurt via Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Vienna

Illustration of Imperial Cities & Delights of the Danube

Great Rail Journeys operates this 13-day escorted journey blending rail travel with a seven-night river cruise on MS Amadeus Imperial. The tour departs London on Eurostar, passes through Berlin and Prague with guided city tours, then boards the ship in Budapest for a week sailing the Danube through Vienna, Bratislava, and the Wachau Valley before disembarking in Passau and returning to London via Frankfurt. Five nights are spent in four-star hotels; the remaining seven nights are onboard the luxury ship with five-star service, all meals, and a drinks package included nightly. Days balance guided exploration (sightseeing tours of major cities, a visit to the 11th-century Melk Abbey, and evening performances onboard) with free time to wander Prague's Charles Bridge, explore Vienna's coffeehouses, or choose between a full-day excursion to Salzburg or the fairytale Czech town of Český Krumlov. This paced, all-inclusive itinerary suits couples, history enthusiasts, and travelers seeking guided comfort without daily logistical concerns.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement (from GBP 5999) is nearly 54% above half the double room price (GBP 3899 doubled = GBP 7798 per couple), making solo travel significantly more expensive.
  • Day 10 requires choosing one excursion: either Salzburg with the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov; you cannot do both.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    From London to Cologne by rail

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Brussels. Continue by rail to Cologne, dominated by its Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest church in northern Europe. Check in to the hotel and enjoy the first group dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Berlin

    Arrival in Berlin, a city of contrasts

    Travel by train from Cologne to Berlin. After checking in, the afternoon is free to explore at leisure, options include the Reichstag glass dome, East Side Gallery, Museum Island (including the Pergamon Museum), Tiergarten, Berlin Zoo or the Bauhaus Archive. Three-course dinner at a nearby hotel in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Prague

    Discovering Berlin and by rail to Prague

    Sightseeing tour of Berlin with a local guide, covering Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate. After lunch, travel by rail to Prague, passing the sandstone cliffs of Bohemian Switzerland en route.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Prague

    Uncovering the historic charm of Prague

    Guided walking tour of Prague beginning at Prague Castle, the largest medieval complex in Europe, including St Vitus Cathedral, St George's Basilica, Golden Lane, Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square with its famous astronomical clock (installed 1410). Afternoon at leisure to explore the city.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: MS Amadeus Imperial (Budapest)

    To Budapest where we board our luxurious ship

    Travel by rail from Prague to Budapest. Board MS Amadeus Imperial, welcomed with cocktails and a Hungarian folklore performance at dinner. Evening illuminations cruise along the Danube, taking in the neo-Gothic Parliament building, Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (Danube Bend)

    Exploring Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'

    Sightseeing tour of Budapest covering Heroes Square, the State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Free time after lunch. Evening cruise through the scenic Danube Bend, passing Visegrad and Esztergom.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (en route to Vienna)

    Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava

    Arrive in Bratislava with views of the gleaming white castle. Guided tour of the 'Little Big City' covering attractive squares, palaces, historic churches and quirky statues. Views from the hilltop castle over the Old Town and the SNP (UFO) Bridge. Free time to explore after lunch onboard. Depart after dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (Vienna)

    Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna

    Guided tour of Vienna along the Ringstrasse, including the Opera House and Parliament. Free time to explore, options include St Stephen's Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace and Viennese coffeehouses. Evening performance onboard by four former members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (Wachau Valley)

    Melk Abbey and the scenic Wachau Valley

    Free time in Dürnstein to explore the charming streets and view the hilltop castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley, Austria's famous wine region. Dock at Emmersdorf and visit the 11th-century Benedictine Melk Abbey with its stunning Baroque church.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (en route to Passau)

    Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov

    Wake in Linz. Choose between two excursions: (1) Day trip to Salzburg with a stop in the Austrian Lake District, guided tour of Getreidegasse (Mozart's birthplace) and the UNESCO-listed Baroque Old Town; or (2) Excursion to Český Krumlov in Czechia, a UNESCO-listed fairytale Bohemian town with a palatial castle above the Vltava River. Return to ship for dinner; overnight cruise into Germany.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (Passau)

    Crossing the German border to Passau

    Final day of the Danube cruise, drifting through beautiful scenery into Germany past vineyards, orchards, villages, medieval castles and monasteries. Arrive in Passau, the 'Three Rivers City' at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Guided tour of the Baroque Old Town including St Stephen's Cathedral and Veste Oberhaus fortress. Farewell gala dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  12. Day 12railovernight: Frankfurt

    From the Danube to Frankfurt am Main

    Disembark after breakfast and travel by rail through Germany to Frankfurt. The city's medieval Old Town features the historic Römer building. Check in to the hotel; free time to explore before the final group dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  13. Day 13rail

    Homeward bound

    Depart Frankfurt by rail after breakfast, travel to Brussels and board the Eurostar to London St Pancras, marking the end of the tour.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then rail onward to Cologne to see the Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Day 3Guided sightseeing of Berlin with a local guide covering Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall, and the Brandenburg Gate, then rail to Prague passing Bohemian Switzerland's sandstone cliffs.
  • Day 4Guided walking tour of Prague beginning at Prague Castle and covering St Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane, Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Square with its astronomical clock installed in 1410.
  • Day 5Board MS Amadeus Imperial in Budapest, welcomed with cocktails and Hungarian folklore performance; evening cruise viewing the Parliament building, Buda Castle, and Chain Bridge illuminated.
  • Day 9Cruise the Wachau Valley, Austria's wine region, and visit the 11th-century Benedictine Melk Abbey with its Baroque church overlooking the Danube.

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 5 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Imperial
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First Class rail travel (standard class option also available on some departures)
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • 4 breakfasts, 4 dinners on the Imperial Cities tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
  • Superb excursions included
  • Guided walking tour of Prague
  • Sightseeing tour of Berlin with local guide
  • Sightseeing tour of Budapest
  • Guided tour of Bratislava
  • Guided tour of Vienna
  • Visit to Melk Abbey with guided tour
  • Choice of excursion: Salzburg & Austrian Lake District OR Český Krumlov
  • Guided tour of Passau
  • Evening Budapest illuminations cruise
  • Hungarian folklore performance onboard in Budapest
  • Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra members' performance onboard

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all First Class rail travel (standard class available on some departures), with named trains including Eurostar from London to Brussels and InterCity services connecting Cologne, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, and Frankfurt.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escort the entire journey, including guided walking tours of Prague and sightseeing tours of Berlin, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Passau.
What accommodation is included?
Five nights in four-star hotels (Cologne, Berlin, Prague two nights, Frankfurt) and seven nights aboard the five-star MS Amadeus Imperial river cruise ship.
What meals are included?
Four breakfasts and four dinners during the hotel portion; breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily during the seven-night cruise, including a gala dinner in Passau. A drinks package with dinner is provided every night on the ship.
When does the tour depart?
Great Rail Journeys offers four departures: June 2027, July 2027, August 2026, and September 2027.
What is the starting price and what does it cover?
From GBP 3,899 per person (approximately USD 5,207). This covers rail travel, hotel accommodation, the seven-night cruise with meals and drinks, guided tours, luggage service from home to the ship and back, and coach travel throughout.

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