Search

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Imperial Cities by Rail: Vienna, Prague & Berlin

Ten-day escorted rail tour from London through Vienna, Prague to Berlin

Illustration of Imperial Cities by Rail: Vienna, Prague & Berlin

Great Rail Journeys' Imperial Cities by Rail is a 10-day escorted tour from London to Berlin, traveling through three of Europe's greatest capitals: Vienna, Prague and Berlin. Departing London St Pancras by Eurostar, you travel via Brussels, Frankfurt and Nuremberg to arrive in Vienna on Day 2. The tour spends three nights in Vienna, two in Prague and three in Berlin, with guided tours of each city's historic districts. Day 3 includes a guided exploration of Vienna's Ringstrasse and Hofburg Palace; Day 5 features a guided tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter with entry to four historic synagogues; Day 8 covers Berlin's Wall, East Side Gallery and Brandenburg Gate. Throughout the journey, a UK Tour Manager travels with the group, handling logistics while you enjoy substantial free time each day to explore independently. Breakfast is provided daily; four dinners are included, with other meals at your choice. This tour suits first-time rail travellers seeking expert guidance, history enthusiasts drawn to imperial architecture and Jewish heritage sites, and couples wanting structured travel with flexibility to pursue their own interests.

What to know before you look closer

  • The group size may reach 40 people; confirm the departure date and actual group size with Great Rail Journeys.
  • Several evenings require dining independently; only four dinners are included, though breakfast is provided every day.
  • Pre-registration is required to visit the Reichstag in Berlin; this is an optional activity not included in the core itinerary.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Nuremberg

    London to the Bavarian city of Nuremberg

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Brussels. Switch trains and travel to Frankfurt, then continue to Nuremberg through lush countryside, past charming towns of romantic timber-framed buildings and alongside the winding Main River. Arrive in the Bavarian city in the evening. First dinner together at the hotel, situated close to the station. Note: For departure 8th June, travel via Frankfurt, staying at the Intercity Frankfurt.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Vienna

    Vienna Calling

    After breakfast, travel by train through Bavaria, crossing the Danube at Regensburg, towards Austria and its grand capital, Vienna. Arrive in the afternoon with time to explore at leisure. In the evening, transferred to an Austrian restaurant for dinner. Note: For departures 7th & 28th September, stay at the Austria Trend Ananas in Vienna.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Vienna

    Exploring elegant Vienna

    A guided tour after breakfast showcases Vienna's imperial architecture, including the Ringstrasse boulevard and the Hofburg Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure. Hop On/Hop Off buses available. Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Vienna

    Free day to discover the delights of Vienna

    A full day at leisure to explore Vienna at your own pace. Options include Schönbrunn Palace and gardens, the Spanish Riding School, St Stephen's Cathedral, Prater gardens and the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel. Dine independently tonight.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Prague

    By rail to the Czech capital, Prague

    Leave Vienna after breakfast by train, travelling through Brno before arriving in Prague in the early afternoon. Join a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter (Josefov), visiting Maisel Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery, Pinkas Synagogue, the Old New Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogue. Check in to the four-star hotel ahead of dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Prague

    Touring Prague's ancient castle district

    A guided tour introduces the 'City of a Hundred Spires', including Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, St George's Basilica, Golden Lane and Charles Bridge. The rest of the day is free to visit Old Town Square and the astronomical clock. Dine independently tonight.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: Berlin

    Journey to Berlin, a city of contrast

    Board a train from Prague after breakfast, following the River Elbe through Bohemian/Saxon Switzerland. Arrive in Berlin in mid-afternoon and check in to the hotel overlooking Alexanderplatz. Optional ascent of the Fernsehturm TV tower. Dinner at the hotel this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Berlin

    Guided tour of historic Berlin

    Sightseeing tour with an expert guide covering the Berlin Wall route, East Side Gallery and Brandenburg Gate. Free time in the afternoon to visit the Reichstag (pre-registration required). Dine independently tonight.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Berlin

    Berlin at leisure

    Free day to explore Berlin at your own pace. Options include Bernauer Strasse and the Berlin Wall Memorial, Museum Island, Charlottenburg Palace and gardens, or a trip to Potsdam and Park Sanssouci. Dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, travel from Berlin's main railway station to Brussels via Cologne, then switch to the Eurostar for the final leg, arriving at London St Pancras in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar at London St Pancras and travel through Brussels and Frankfurt to Nuremberg, passing lush countryside, timber-framed towns and the winding Main River.
  • Day 3Guided tour of Vienna's imperial landmarks, including the Ringstrasse boulevard and Hofburg Palace.
  • Day 5Guided tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter (Josefov), visiting the Maisel Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Pinkas Synagogue, Old New Synagogue and Spanish Synagogue.
  • Day 6Guided tour of Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, St George's Basilica, Golden Lane and Charles Bridge in the City of a Hundred Spires.
  • Day 7Train from Prague follows the River Elbe through Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland before arriving in Berlin; hotel overlooks Alexanderplatz.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 9 nights' 3 & 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 4 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes Eurostar Standard Class and all regional and intercity rail travel throughout the tour, plus coach transfers.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Escorted. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London to Berlin. Guided tours are provided in Vienna, Prague and Berlin; however, significant free time is available each day.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar (London to Brussels), international rail from Brussels through Frankfurt to Nuremberg, and regional or intercity trains between Nuremberg, Vienna, Prague, Berlin and back to Brussels.
What meals are included?
Breakfast every day and four dinners. The included dinners are on Day 1 in Nuremberg, Day 2 in Vienna, Day 5 in Prague and Day 7 in Berlin. Other dinners are independent.
How much free time is there?
Days 3 and 4 in Vienna are free after breakfast, Day 6 in Prague has free time after the guided tour, and Day 9 in Berlin is entirely free. Evening dining is also independent on several nights.
What is the physical difficulty level?
Moderate. There are guided walking tours in each city, including exploration of Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge. An optional ascent of Berlin's Fernsehturm TV tower is available.

Similar journeys