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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail & river cruise holiday

Luxury Danube Cruise

London to Paris via luxury Danube cruise through Vienna and Budapest

Illustration of Luxury Danube Cruise

Planet Rail's Luxury Danube Cruise is a 9-day tailor-made journey that combines independent first class rail travel with a 7-night luxury river cruise through the heart of Europe. You begin with Eurostar from London to Brussels, then travel first class through Frankfurt to Nuremberg, where you board the 5-star AmaSonata. From there, the ship carries you eastward through medieval towns, UNESCO sites, and Austria's vineyard valleys, calling at Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, and Budapest. Each port offers a choice of guided walking tours, bike rides, or themed excursions, allowing you to explore at your own pace. After disembarking in Budapest on day 8, you board high-speed ICE trains through Munich and across France back to Paris and London. This trip suits independent travellers who want the luxury and convenience of a cruise combined with the freedom and elegance of first class rail. All meals, wines, and shore excursions are included on board, and one night in Munich bridges your journey home.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary involves overnight train travel on days 1 and 7; confirm comfort with sleeper arrangements before booking.
  • Some hotels and shore excursion details are marked 'or similar'; your final accommodation and tour offerings depend on availability and the date chosen.
  • The from-price (3495 GBP) covers the package; if you do not live within the stated UK rail gateway region, additional rail fare to London may apply.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: On board, Nuremberg

    London to Nuremberg and onwards to your luxury 5 star cruise ship

    Your holiday begins as you arrive at London St Pancras International. Join the Eurostar and travel to Brussels, enjoying the light meal and drinks served at your seat. In Brussels you change trains and continue into Germany, travelling via Frankfurt to Nuremberg. Here you make your way to your floating hotel for the next seven nights. Take the time to settle in ahead of this evening's Welcome Dinner. The ship remains in Nuremberg overnight.

  2. Day 2overnight: On board

    Nuremberg

    A day to discover Nuremberg on a choice of three excursions: a guided tour through the beautiful medieval city showcasing the Imperial Castle, town wall and Market Square fountain; the city's most important WWII sites including the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the Nuremberg Trials Memoriam and Courtroom 600; or a tasting of traditional Franconian specialties including Nuremburger Bratwurst, Rot bier and lebkuchen. Back on board, you cruise through the Main-Danube Canal on your way to Regensburg.

  3. Day 3overnight: On board

    Regensburg

    Explore one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities on a guided walking tour showcasing the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. Alternatively, sample Bavarian specialties such as beer, sausage and pretzels, or join a bike tour to Walhalla to see the Neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens.

  4. Day 4overnight: On board

    Passau

    Arrive in Passau, an attractive German town on the Austrian border. Enjoy a walking tour along Passau's cobblestone streets admiring the Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen's Cathedral, or choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube and a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress for panoramic views over three rivers. Later you continue into Austria, heading for Linz.

  5. Day 5overnight: On board

    Melk and the Wachau Valley

    This morning you reach Melk, crowned by its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's largest monasteries, with a guided tour. Alternatively join a guided bike tour through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley, or a walking tour along Dürnstein's cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche. Later, relax on board as you sail through the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley.

  6. Day 6overnight: On board

    Vienna

    The 'City of Waltzes' offers a treasure trove of gems: your city tour takes in the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, concluding in Vienna's historic UNESCO-listed city centre before a visit to St. Stephen's Cathedral. For a more active exploration, take a guided bicycle ride including the majestic Ringstrasse. Your afternoon is free.

  7. Day 7overnight: On board

    Budapest

    Having travelled into Hungary overnight, arrive in Budapest, the 'Queen of the Danube'. Your city tour begins at the vibrant Great Market Hall and takes in both the Buda and Pest sides of the river; alternatively hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views. Spend your last evening on board cruising around the famed Parliament Building as the city turns on her dazzling lights.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Munich

    Disembark in Budapest

    This morning you bid farewell to the ship as you disembark and take the train to Munich. Here you spend tonight at the highly-rated Eurostars Book Hotel (4 star), conveniently located close to Munich's main station.

  9. Day 9rail

    Munich to London – homeward bound

    After breakfast you return to Munich's main station and travel on the high-speed ICE service to Mannheim, changing for another ICE train to Paris Gare de l'Est. Walk the short distance to the Gare du Nord and connect with the Eurostar to London, savouring the meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service before returning to London St. Pancras International.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St Pancras International, then first class trains carry you through Brussels, Frankfurt, and into Nuremberg to board your luxury 5-star cruise ship.
  • Day 5Reach Melk and its UNESCO-listed Benedictine Abbey, then sail through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley with its vineyard-rich hillsides.
  • Day 6Vienna's city tour includes the Opera House and the Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs in the historic centre; cyclists can ride the majestic Ringstrasse.
  • Day 7Arrive in Budapest and cruise past the famed Parliament Building as the city lights turn on for your final evening on board.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to Nuremberg and Budapest to London via Munich (Standard Premier Class on Eurostar)
  • First Class UK rail one-way and possibly return depending on your home address
  • Transfers between the station and your ship
  • 7 night cruise on 5 star AmaSonata or similar ship in an outside 2-berth Category E en-suite cabin
  • All meals on-board, plus wine, beer and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner
  • Shore excursions from the ship
  • 1 night at the Eurostars Book Hotel, Munich (4 star)

Questions travellers ask

Is all rail travel included in the price?
Yes. Planet Rail includes first class rail from London to Nuremberg, overnight to Budapest, and then first class ICE trains back to Paris. Eurostar is Standard Premier class. If you live outside the UK rail gateway area, additional fare may be needed to reach London.
Is this an escorted tour or self-guided?
It is a tailor-made, self-guided rail journey with guided shore excursions from the ship. You travel independently between rail stations and join the ship at Nuremberg; on board, you choose from guided walking tours, bike tours, and themed excursions at each port.
What ship will I travel on?
You will travel on the AmaSonata or a similar 5-star river cruise ship (capacity 162 passengers) in an outside 2-berth, en-suite cabin.
What meals are included?
All meals on board the ship are included, plus wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Meals on trains are included in the first class fares (Eurostar includes light meals and drinks at your seat).
How much walking and activity is involved?
Shore excursions include guided walking tours through medieval cities, bike tours, and optional hikes to viewpoints such as Veste Oberhaus Fortress. Most days offer a choice of active or more leisurely guided options.
When does this trip run?
Planet Rail publishes no departure calendar in the available information; contact the operator to confirm available dates for this tailor-made holiday.

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