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Vacations By Rail · Escorted rail & river cruise

Munich, Bavaria & the Beautiful Danube

Danube river cruise with Munich, Vienna, Budapest, and Bavarian rail.

Illustration of Munich, Bavaria & the Beautiful Danube

Vacations By Rail's Munich, Bavaria and the Beautiful Danube is an 11-day escorted tour that blends three nights in Bavaria with a seven-night luxury cruise on the Danube River. The journey begins in Munich, where guests tour Marienplatz and the glockenspiel, visit the Hofbrauhaus for a beer-history experience, and make a guided trip to Neuschwanstein Castle in the Alpine foothills. On Day 4, guests travel by Deutsche Bahn regional rail to Passau and board the MS Amadeus Cara. The cruise then glides through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley, with stops in Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, and Linz. Each day includes guided sightseeing: Vienna's Ringstrasse and imperial landmarks, Budapest's Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, plus Melk Abbey and the charm of Bratislava's Baroque old town. Dinner is provided every night, accompanied by a drinks package, and an evening performance by former Vienna Philharmonic members entertains guests as the ship sails to Vienna. This tour suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and history lovers who prefer guided comfort and an unhurried pace with two-night or longer stays in each base.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price; these must be booked separately.
  • The itinerary shows a flexible train ticket to Munich airport on Day 11 is included, but the specific train service is not named.
  • Three nights are hotel-based in Munich; the remaining seven nights are aboard the ship, making this as much a river cruise as a rail tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Munich

    Arriving in Bavaria

    Arrive in Munich and make your own way to the hotel; meet the Tour Manager and group for a first dinner together.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Munich

    Soaking up the sights and flavors of Munich

    Sightseeing tour of Marienplatz, the Town Hall and glockenspiel, and the Church of St. Peter, followed by a beer-history visit to the Hofbrauhaus.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Munich

    Marveling at fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle

    Guided visit to Neuschwanstein Castle in the foothills of the Alps, with entrance included.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Ship

    Boarding our luxurious ship in Passau

    Free morning in Munich, then train to Passau and coach to the river to board the MS Amadeus Cara, with a welcome cocktail and first dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    Melk Abbey in the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley

    Visit Melk Abbey, cruise through the Wachau Valley with free time in Durnstein, and an evening performance by former Vienna Philharmonic members as the ship sails to Vienna.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    Discovering the magic of imperial Vienna

    Guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse including the Opera House and Parliament, with free time to visit St Stephen's Cathedral or Schonbrunn Palace.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Exploring Budapest, the "Pearl of the Danube"

    Cruise the Danube Bend past Visegrad, tour Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion in Buda and the State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica in Pest, with a folklore dinner and night cruise.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    Sailing through the beautiful Danube Bend

    Free morning in Budapest, then cruise the Danube Bend past Visegrad and Esztergom toward Bratislava.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava

    Guided tour of Bratislava's Baroque old town and castle district, then cruising toward Linz.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Ship

    Guided tour of cultural Linz

    Guided tour of Linz including the Hauptmarkt and Old Town, with a farewell gala dinner onboard as the ship sails toward Passau.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11rail

    Traveling home

    Disembark in Passau; a flexible train ticket to Munich airport is included to begin the journey home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Guided visit to Neuschwanstein Castle in the Alpine foothills with entrance included.
  • Day 5Tour of Melk Abbey followed by a cruise through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley with free time in Durnstein, and an evening performance by former Vienna Philharmonic members as the ship sails to Vienna.
  • Day 7Guided tour of Budapest's Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion in Buda, the State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica in Pest, with a folklore dinner and night cruise on the Danube.
  • Day 9Guided tour of Bratislava's Baroque old town and castle district before cruising toward Linz.

Included

  • Escorted throughout by our 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 your tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes Standard Class rail travel from Munich to Passau, plus a flexible train ticket from Passau back to Munich airport on Day 11. All other transport is by cruise ship and coach.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes, a Tour Manager and Cruise Director team accompanies the group throughout the entire 11 days.
What is included in the price?
Three nights in a 4-star hotel in Munich, seven nights on the MS Amadeus Cara, all rail and coach travel, breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, a drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise, entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle, and guided tours in Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Linz.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, and cancellation and travel insurance are not included but can be arranged.
Which river cruise ship is used?
The MS Amadeus Cara, described as a luxury five-star river cruise vessel.
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating 2, indicating moderate walking on guided city tours, castle visits, and abbey exploration, plus typical stairs and urban navigation in historic centers.

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