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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise Tour

Munich, Bavaria & the Classic Danube

Eleven-day escorted tour from Munich through Bavaria to Budapest via Danube cruise

Illustration of Munich, Bavaria & the Classic Danube

Great Rail Journeys operates a 11-day escorted tour that combines three nights exploring Bavaria's capital with a seven-night luxury cruise down the Danube. The journey begins in Munich, where guests stay in a 4-star centrally located hotel and visit the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, sample beer at the Höfbrauhaus, and tour the city's Gothic architecture. On Day 4, passengers travel by train to Passau and board MS Amadeus Cara for the river voyage. The ship carries them through five countries, stopping in Vienna for a guided tour of the Ringstrasse and a private Vienna Philharmonic performance, through the scenic Wachau Valley wine region with time in the charming village of Dürnstein, and into Bratislava and Budapest. Throughout the cruise, the itinerary balances structured guided tours with free time to explore. This trip suits couples and history enthusiasts who prefer guided comfort and want to experience Central Europe's imperial cities, abbey architecture, and river landscapes without navigating logistics themselves.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is high: GBP 4,299 compared to GBP 2,799 for a double, more than 50 percent above half the double rate
  • Day 6 offers a choice of excursion from Linz (Salzburg and Austrian Lake District, or Český Krumlov); the final selection depends on the operator's scheduling

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Munich

    Arriving in Bavaria

    Holiday begins at London Heathrow; meet Tour Manager and travel group, board flight to Munich. Coach transfer to centrally located hotel. Introductory meeting followed by first dinner at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Munich

    The sights and flavours of Munich

    Guided sightseeing tour of Munich: Marienplatz, neo-Gothic Town Hall, glockenspiel, Church of St Peter. Beer tasting at Oktoberfest Museum and visit to Höfbrauhaus, Munich's oldest beer house. Afternoon and evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Munich

    The fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle

    Visit Neuschwanstein Castle with included entrance; guided tour of the Romanesque Revival castle commissioned by King Ludwig II, with spectacular views over the Schwangau valley. Free time in the afternoon. Return to Munich for dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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

    To Passau, where we board our magnificent ship

    Leisurely morning in Munich; optional revisit to Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz or local shops. Walk to Munich railway station and take the train to Passau. Coach transfer to the Danube riverbank to board MS Amadeus Cara. Welcome cocktail, settle in, first five-course dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Linz)

    Sailing through enchanting landscapes to Linz

    First relaxing cruise downstream into Austria through scenic river landscapes of hills, vineyards, orchards, villages, castles and monasteries. Arrive in Linz; evening in the city with its Baroque and modern architecture. Multi-course dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route)

    Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov

    Choice of two excursions from Linz: (1) Day trip to Salzburg with photo stop at the Austrian Lake District; guided tour of Getreidegasse and UNESCO-listed Baroque Old Town. (2) Excursion to Český Krumlov, Czech Republic; guided tour of the palatial castle and UNESCO-listed Old Town. Return to ship for dinner; overnight cruise further into Austria.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route to Vienna)

    The Melk Abbey, Wachau Valley and charming Dürnstein

    Morning visit to Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey overlooking the Danube. After lunch, cruise through the scenic Wachau Valley wine region. Free time in Dürnstein village for wine tasting or exploring; view of the castle where Richard I of England was imprisoned. Continue sailing towards Vienna over dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Vienna)

    Discovering the magic of Vienna

    Arrive in Vienna for a guided tour: Ringstrasse boulevard, Opera House, Parliament Building. Free time to visit Schönbrunn Palace, try Sacher Torte, explore St Stephen's Cathedral or museums. Evening: private performance by four past members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Esztergom)

    Docking in Bratislava

    Relaxing morning sailing; arrive in Bratislava. Guided tour of the Baroque Old Town and castle district. Return to ship for lunch; continue downstream to Esztergom, former capital of Hungary, where the ship berths for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Budapest)

    The fascinating city of Budapest

    Sail towards Budapest navigating the scenic Danube Bend, passing Visegrád. Guided sightseeing tour of Budapest: State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion. Free time to explore. Dinner onboard followed by a traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe performance and a nighttime illuminated cruise along the Danube.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11

    Homeward bound

    Breakfast onboard; disembark MS Amadeus Cara and say farewell to the crew. Coach transfer to Budapest Airport for flight to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Guided tour of Neuschwanstein Castle, the 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace commissioned by King Ludwig II, with views across the Schwangau valley
  • Day 4Train journey from Munich to Passau on Deutsche Bahn, then embark on MS Amadeus Cara for a welcome cocktail and five-course dinner
  • Day 7Visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine monastery overlooking the Danube, followed by a cruise through the Wachau Valley wine region and time in Dürnstein village
  • Day 8Guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse, Opera House, and Parliament Building, with a private evening performance by four past members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra onboard
  • Day 10Guided sightseeing of Budapest including St Stephen's Basilica and Matthias Church, followed by a nighttime illuminated cruise along the Danube and a Hungarian Folklore performance

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 3 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation in Munich
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Standard Class rail travel (Munich to Passau)
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Munich and Budapest to London Heathrow
  • Breakfast each day
  • 6 lunches
  • 9 dinners
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Munich
  • Entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle with guided tour
  • Beer tasting at Höfbrauhaus and Oktoberfest Museum visit
  • Choice of excursion from Linz: Salzburg & Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov
  • Visit to Melk Abbey
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Vienna
  • Performance by past members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra onboard
  • Guided tour of Bratislava
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Budapest
  • Traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe performance onboard
  • Nighttime illuminated cruise along the Danube in Budapest
  • Coach transfers throughout

Not included

  • Travel insurance
  • Optional flight upgrades
  • Optional pre/post London hotel stays
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities (unless specified)
  • Items not mentioned in the inclusions

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 rail travel included?
Yes. The package includes Standard Class rail travel from Munich to Passau on Deutsche Bahn, plus all coach transfers and flights from London Heathrow to Munich and return from Budapest.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 11 days.
Which ship and how many nights onboard?
MS Amadeus Cara, a five-star river cruise vessel, accommodates passengers for seven nights from Passau through the Danube to Budapest.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily, six lunches, and nine dinners. All dinners include a drinks package with wine, beer, and soft drinks.
When does it depart?
Great Rail Journeys offers departures in June, July, August, and September 2026-2027. Check their website for specific dates and availability.
Is there a choice of activities?
Yes. On Day 6, passengers choose between a day trip to Salzburg with a photo stop at the Austrian Lake District, or an excursion to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic.

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