Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail & river cruise holiday

Luxury Danube Cruise

Luxury Danube Cruise, a rail journey with Planet Rail

Explore the heart of Europe on a luxury Danube cruise, gliding past Vienna, Budapest, and the Wachau Valley's vineyards in style and comfort.

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.

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)

Similar journeys, different answers