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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise Tour

Munich, Bavaria & the Beautiful Danube

Munich, Bavaria, and Danube Valley on rail, coach, and river cruise

Illustration of Munich, Bavaria & the Beautiful Danube

Great Rail Journeys operates this 11-day escorted tour combining Bavarian culture with a luxury Danube River cruise through four countries. The itinerary begins with three nights in Munich, where you tour the city's beer halls and visit Neuschwanstein Castle, the 19th-century palace that inspired Disney's designs. On day 4 you travel by train to Passau and board the MS Amadeus Cara for a seven-night cruise downstream through Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. The ship docks in Vienna, where you explore the Ringstrasse and Opera House; in Budapest, where a night-time illuminated cruise showcases the Parliament Building and Chain Bridge; in Bratislava, touring the Baroque Old Town; and in Linz. Onboard highlights include a five-course dinner with Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra musicians performing classical pieces, a traditional Hungarian folklore show, and a drinks package with dinner each evening. Great Rail Journeys includes most meals, guided city tours, castle and abbey visits, and all transport from London Heathrow.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single-room supplement is substantial: GBP 4099 compared to GBP 2599 for a double, making solo travel significantly more expensive
  • This is primarily a river cruise with one pre-cruise hotel stay; rail is limited to the Munich-to-Passau segment on day 4
  • Departures are limited to July and August in 2026 and 2027; confirm availability before booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Munich

    Arriving in Bavaria

    Holiday begins at London Heathrow where you meet the Tour Manager and travel group before boarding your flight to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. On arrival, a coach transfer takes you to the centrally located hotel for check-in. An introductory meeting is followed by dinner at the hotel's restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Munich

    The sights and flavours of Munich

    Guided sightseeing tour of Munich starting at the Fish fountain, wandering historic streets, admiring Marienplatz with its neo-Gothic Town Hall and famous glockenspiel, and seeing the Church of St Peter. Sample local food and beers, visit the Oktoberfest Museum to learn about brewing history and the 'Reinheitsgebot' purity law, then visit Munich's oldest beer house, the Höfbrauhaus. The rest of the day is at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Munich

    The fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle

    Visit Neuschwanstein Castle after breakfast. Entrance included. Enjoy spectacular views overlooking the Schwangau valley and explore the castle's ornate interiors, lavish murals and opulent throne room. Free time in the afternoon to soak up the grandeur. Return to Munich later in the afternoon with dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Passau/underway)

    To Passau, where we board our magnificent ship

    Leisurely morning in Munich with free time to revisit Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz or browse local shops. Walk to Munich's railway station to join the train to Passau. On arrival, a motorcoach transfers to the banks of the Danube where the ship awaits. Welcomed with a cocktail in the lounge, shown to onboard accommodations, and enjoy the first five-course dinner on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (underway to Vienna)

    The Melk Abbey, Wachau Valley and charming Dürnstein

    Morning visit to Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, including its beautiful Baroque church. After lunch, cruise through the Wachau Valley with free time in the quaint village of Dürnstein to sample local wine or wander the charming streets. After dinner onboard, four past members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra perform classical pieces as the ship sails into Vienna.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (underway to Budapest)

    Discovering the magic of Vienna

    Guided tour of Vienna including the illustrious Ringstrasse boulevard, the world-renowned Opera House and the imposing Parliament Building. Free time to explore the city at leisure – visit St Stephen's Cathedral, Schonbrunn Palace, museums or enjoy a Sacher Torte at a coffee shop. Dinner onboard as the ship begins its overnight sail towards Budapest.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (moored Budapest)

    The fascinating city of Budapest

    Enjoy breakfast onboard while sailing towards Budapest. Arriving after lunch, a sightseeing tour covers the State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Return to the ship for dinner, followed by a traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe performance and a nighttime illuminated cruise along the Danube taking in the Parliament building, Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (underway to Bratislava)

    Sailing through the beautiful Danube Bend

    Morning at leisure in Budapest – revisit sights or relax in one of the city's thermal baths. Begin cruising to Bratislava after lunch, navigating the scenic Danube Bend, passing the village of Visegrad with its dramatic hilltop castle and the town of Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary. End the day with a five-course meal onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (underway to Linz)

    Docking in Bratislava

    Arrive in Bratislava, welcomed by the castle overlooking the Danube. Guided tour of the Baroque Old Town and castle district, exploring historic buildings, Baroque palaces, museums and galleries. Return to the ship for lunch, then continue downstream towards Linz in Austria.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (underway to Passau)

    A day in Linz

    Calm morning on the Danube with a leisurely breakfast and time on the sun deck. Arrive in Linz after lunch for a guided tour of the town, including the charming Main Square, historic old town architecture and the serene City Park. Rest of the day at leisure. Return to the ship for a gala dinner as the final cruise towards Passau begins.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11

    Homeward bound

    The ship docks in Passau. Disembark and say goodbye to the crew. A coach transfer takes you from the riverfront to Munich Airport for the return flight to London Heathrow, arriving back in the UK where the tour concludes.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: tour Neuschwanstein Castle with entrance included, exploring ornate interiors, lavish murals, and the opulent throne room overlooking the Schwangau valley
  • Day 5Day 5: visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine monastery on a rocky outcrop above the Danube, then cruise the Wachau Valley and explore the village of Dürnstein
  • Day 7Day 7: guided tour of Budapest's State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, and Fisherman's Bastion, followed by a nighttime illuminated cruise past the Parliament Building and Chain Bridge
  • Day 8Day 8: cruise through the Danube Bend, passing the hilltop castle of Visegrad and the town of Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 3 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Return flights from London Heathrow to Munich
  • Breakfast each day
  • 6 lunches
  • 9 dinners
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Superb excursions included (Neuschwanstein Castle entrance, guided tours of Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Linz, Melk Abbey visit)

Not included

  • Flight upgrades (available at extra cost)
  • London hotel stays before/after tour (available at extra cost)
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Standard Class rail travel from Munich to Passau on day 4, plus all coach transfers and return flights from London Heathrow to Munich.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escort the tour throughout the 11 days.
What ship is used?
MS Amadeus Cara, a five-star river cruise ship where you stay for seven nights.
Which cities are included?
Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, and Linz with guided tours. The itinerary also covers Neuschwanstein Castle, Melk Abbey, the Wachau Valley, Dürnstein, Visegrad, and Esztergom.
What meals are provided?
Breakfast each day, six lunches, and nine dinners. Dinners during the cruise include a drinks package. Hotel dinners are provided in Munich.
What is not included?
Flight upgrades, London hotel stays before or after the tour, personal expenses, and travel insurance are not included.

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