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Planet Rail · Independent tailor-made rail holiday

Imperial Cities: Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Nuremberg by First Class Rail

Five imperial cities across Central Europe by first-class rail from London

Illustration of Imperial Cities: Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Nuremberg by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's 12-day Imperial Cities tour moves you independently through five of Central Europe's great historical capitals using first-class rail and 4-star hotels. You begin in London, cross the Channel on Eurostar, and travel by ICE and Euro City trains through Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and Nuremberg before returning to London. The itinerary gives you full days in Prague, Budapest, and Vienna to walk the streets, see museums, and experience each city at your own pace. Day 1 starts with the Eurostar's 2-hour journey to Brussels followed by two ICE trains into Berlin. Day 2 morning is free for Berlin's Reichstag, Potsdamer Platz, Brandenburg Gate, and Wall memorials before an afternoon Euro City train to Prague. Days 3-4 are entirely yours in Prague. Day 5 brings a Euro City journey to Budapest. Day 11 features a high-speed ICE to Nuremberg with lunch service. Throughout, you navigate station-to-hotel transfers on your own. This suits experienced independent rail travellers, history enthusiasts seeking Central Europe's imperial architecture and museums, and luxury seekers who value first-class comfort without group constraints.

What to know before you look closer

  • You navigate independently between all stations and hotels; the package does not include guided arrival assistance or escorted transfers.
  • Hotels are listed as specific properties, but Planet Rail may substitute 'or similar' at the same standard if necessary; confirm your exact accommodation before booking.
  • The operator publishes no day-by-day meal plan or inclusion list beyond accommodation and rail; confirm what meals and activities are included with Planet Rail.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Berlin

    London to Berlin

    From London St. Pancras International board the Eurostar for the high-speed journey to Brussels in barely 2 hours, with a light meal and drinks in your Standard Premier Class seat. In Brussels change to the Inter City Express (ICE) to Cologne, then another ICE service to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Walk the short distance (700-800 metres) to the stylish Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Mitte (4 star).

  2. Day 2overnight: Prague

    Free-time in Berlin – Berlin to Prague

    The whole morning to explore Berlin’s main highlights: the Reichstag, Potsdamer Platz, the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, Checkpoint Charlie, Alexanderplatz and its TV tower, and the remains of the Berlin Wall. This afternoon board the Euro City service south to Prague and make your own way to the luxurious Appia Residence (4 star) for 3 nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Prague

    Prague

    A full day to experience the magnificent city of Prague: the Old Town with its attractive squares and narrow streets, Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the Josefov Jewish Quarter and Wenceslas Square. In the evening perhaps experience Prague’s vibrant nightlife and famous Pilsner beer.

  4. Day 4overnight: Prague

    Prague

    A second full day in Prague to explore the city’s highlights at your own pace.

  5. Day 5overnight: Budapest

    Prague to Budapest

    After breakfast make your way to Prague hl.n. station and board the Euro City service, travelling south skirting the border of Slovakia to Budapest. On arrival at Budapest-Keleti pu station make your own way to the highly rated Hotel Moments (4 star) for 3 nights.

  6. Day 6overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    Explore this historic city: the Castle District with its narrow streets and medieval atmosphere, the Royal Palace, the Budapest Parliament home to the crown jewels, St Stephen’s Basilica, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Gellert Hill and the Citadel.

  7. Day 7overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    A second full day in Budapest; perhaps the neo-renaissance State Opera building or Heroes Square with its millennium memorial commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of the arrival of the Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Vienna

    Budapest to Vienna

    From Budapest-Keleti pu station board the Rail Jet service west to Austria and Vienna. Make your own way to the elegant family-run Hotel Harmonie (4 star), well-located in the centre of Vienna, for 3 nights.

  9. Day 9overnight: Vienna

    Vienna

    Explore Vienna: the Spanish Riding School, Prater Park with the ferris wheel from ‘The Third Man’, the Baroque Belvedere Palace and the grandiose buildings lining the Ringstrasse, plus Vienna’s traditional coffee houses.

  10. Day 10overnight: Vienna

    Vienna

    A second full day in Vienna, with attractions further afield such as the evocative Schonbrünn Palace.

  11. Day 11overnight: Nuremberg

    Vienna to Nuremberg

    Board the high-speed ICE service from Vienna to Nuremberg, perhaps with lunch on board. Overnight at the highly-rated Melter Hotel & Apartments (4 star) near the station. This afternoon explore Nuremberg’s charming old town, including the Kaiserburg and its fascinating museums.

  12. Day 12rail

    Nuremberg to London – Homeward bound

    Travel on the high-speed ICE service to Frankfurt, change trains and continue to Brussels aboard another ICE train, then board the Eurostar with meal and drinks included in Standard Premier as you return to London St. Pancras International.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St. Pancras for Brussels in Standard Premier Class with meal and drinks, then ICE express trains carry you through Cologne to Berlin Hauptbahnhof.
  • Day 2Morning exploring Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Potsdamer Platz, and Berlin Wall remains; afternoon Euro City train south to Prague.
  • Day 5Euro City train from Prague skirting Slovakia's border en route to Budapest-Keleti.
  • Day 8Rail Jet service carries you west from Budapest to Vienna, Austria's capital.
  • Day 11High-speed ICE from Vienna to Nuremberg, with lunch available on board; explore Nuremberg's medieval old town and Kaiserburg castle.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes first-class rail across all legs: Eurostar (Standard Premier outbound and return), ICE, Euro City, and Rail Jet trains.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Independent. You make your own way between stations and hotels. There are no guides.
Which trains am I on?
Eurostar London to Brussels; ICE Brussels to Berlin and Vienna to Nuremberg; Euro City Berlin to Prague and Prague to Budapest; Rail Jet Budapest to Vienna.
What are the hotels?
Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Mitte (1 night), Appia Residence Prague (3 nights), Hotel Moments Budapest (3 nights), Best Western Hotel Harmonie Vienna (3 nights), and Melter Hotel & Apartments Nuremberg (1 night). All are 4-star.
How much walking is involved?
Each day includes walking to explore city highlights on your own. The walk from Berlin station to your hotel is 700-800 metres. Days in Prague, Budapest, and Vienna involve city-wide exploration at your own pace.
When does this trip run?
Planet Rail has not published departure dates in their materials. Contact them directly to confirm availability.

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