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Planet Rail · Independent tailor-made rail holiday

Lake Bled by First Class Rail

First-class rail loop from London to alpine Lake Bled, Munich, Heidelberg

Illustration of Lake Bled by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Lake Bled by First Class Rail is an 8-day independent holiday from London through Germany, Austria, and Slovenia, returning to London. Starting with Eurostar to Brussels, you travel in first-class comfort through Munich and the Austrian Alps to Lake Bled, where you stay for five nights at the Hotel Triglav. The package includes a night in Munich en route and a final night in Heidelberg before the return journey along the Rhine Gorge. Each segment links by direct first-class train, leaving you free to explore on arrival days and during your extended stay at Lake Bled, where the surrounding Alpine scenery and thermal waters are the main draw. An optional day trip by train reaches Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital. This itinerary suits independent travellers who value first-class rail travel and scenic routes, couples seeking both movement and a stable base, and those comfortable navigating stations and hotels without a guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is self-guided travel; you arrange your own transfers between stations and hotels on each arrival day.
  • Hotel Triglav in Lake Bled is marked as 'modern and stylish' with a 4-star rating; confirm exact amenities with Planet Rail before booking.
  • The itinerary covers five free days at Lake Bled; activities like island visits, castle entry, and lake cruises are not included in the package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Munich

    London to Munich

    From St Pancras International join the Eurostar service to Brussels, with a light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class. In Brussels change trains and continue to Munich, the Bavarian capital, for an overnight stay at the comfortable Eurostars Book Hotel (4 star), ideally located close to the station.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lake Bled

    Munich to Lake Bled

    A morning in Munich for a whistle-stop tour of the main sights, then take the direct train to Lake Bled. This spectacular journey is one of the most scenic in Europe, passing through Salzburg with ever more dramatic views towards the Tauern Tunnel, then descending across the border into Slovenia, arriving at Lake Bled in the early evening. Five nights at the modern and stylish Hotel Triglav (4 star).

  3. Day 3overnight: Lake Bled

    Exploring Lake Bled and the surrounding area

    A free day at Lake Bled. One of the most popular options is to visit the island near the centre of the lake, home to the 15th century Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary with its imposing spire.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lake Bled

    Exploring Lake Bled and the surrounding area

    Perhaps visit Bled Castle, one of Slovenia’s best-loved attractions, perched on a precipice overlooking the town with a history dating back more than a thousand years.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lake Bled

    Exploring Lake Bled and the surrounding area

    Enjoy a cruise on the lake’s sparkling waters, or head into the Julian Alps.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lake Bled

    Exploring Lake Bled and the surrounding area

    Venture further afield by train to Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital, with the Ljubljanica River flowing past Baroque buildings and under the ramparts of the castle, crossed by the famous Tromostovje (Triple Bridge) designed by Jože Plečnik.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Heidelberg

    Lake Bled to Heidelberg

    After breakfast take the direct train back through the impressive Austrian Alps and into Germany, continuing through Munich and northwards through Bavaria to the delightful city of Heidelberg. Overnight at the Europaischer Hof Hotel (5 star).

  8. Day 8rail

    Heidelberg to London via the Rhine Gorge - Homeward bound

    Travel by rail along the scenic Rhine Gorge, admiring the brooding castles and sloping vineyards of this UNESCO World Heritage region, to Cologne. Change to the high-speed service to Brussels and connect with the Eurostar to London St Pancras International, with light meal and drinks in Standard Premier.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The direct train from Munich climbs through the Tauern Tunnel into the Austrian Alps, then descends into Slovenia, arriving at Lake Bled in the early evening with views of the dramatic peaks.
  • Day 3Visit the island in the centre of Lake Bled, home to the 15th-century Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary with its imposing spire.
  • Day 6A day trip by train to Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, to see the Baroque buildings along the Ljubljanica River and the Tromostovje (Triple Bridge) designed by Jože Plečnik.
  • Day 8The journey home follows the scenic Rhine Gorge line with views of brooding castles and sloping vineyards in the UNESCO World Heritage region before the final Eurostar to London.

Included

  • First Class Rail travel throughout your journey (Standard Premier on Eurostar)
  • 4 star accommodation throughout your holiday

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes first-class rail travel throughout the journey (Standard Premier on Eurostar), covering London to Brussels, Brussels to Munich, Munich to Lake Bled via Salzburg, Lake Bled to Heidelberg via the Austrian Alps, and Heidelberg to Cologne and Brussels back to London.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
This is an independent, self-guided rail holiday. You make your own way between stations and hotels, though Planet Rail books all transport and accommodation.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar (Standard Premier class) connects London and Brussels, and direct first-class trains run Munich to Lake Bled via Salzburg and the Tauern Tunnel, Lake Bled to Heidelberg via the Austrian Alps and Munich, and Heidelberg to Cologne via the Rhine Gorge line, with a high-speed service to Brussels.
What hotels are included?
The Eurostars Book Hotel (4 star) in Munich for 1 night, Hotel Triglav (4 star) at Lake Bled for 5 nights, and the Europaischer Hof Hotel (5 star) in Heidelberg for 1 night.
What is the total cost?
From £1,795 (approximately $2,397 USD). This covers first-class rail travel and accommodation; activities and meals are not included.
How much walking is involved?
There are free days at Lake Bled with optional activities such as visiting the island church, Bled Castle, lake cruises, and a day trip to Ljubljana. Munich and Heidelberg each offer city sightseeing; the itinerary does not describe a structured walking tour.

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