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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Munich, Berlin, and Lucerne

Three-city rail trip linking Munich, Berlin, and Alpine Lucerne

Illustration of Munich, Berlin, and Lucerne

Railbookers operates this 8-day, 7-night independent rail vacation across Munich, Berlin, and Lucerne, using Deutsche Bahn and Swiss Railways trains between cities. The trip opens with two nights in Munich, including a small-group day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, before a high-speed ICE train carries travelers north to Berlin for two nights of sightseeing at the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall's East Side Gallery. A rail journey then crosses from Germany into Switzerland for three nights in Lucerne, the longest stop on the trip. There, a steam cruise on Lake Lucerne connects to the world's steepest cogwheel railway for a day trip up Mount Pilatus, and the final evening includes a gourmet dinner cruise on the lake. With three overnight stops of two or more nights each, the pace suits travelers who want time to settle into each city rather than changing hotels nightly, and who enjoy both city history and mountain scenery. A 3-Day Swiss Pass and rail travel throughout are included.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence doesn't list current departure dates for this package; confirm availability directly with Railbookers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Munich

    Your Journey Begins in Munich

    Welcome to Munich! Make your way to your hotel and check in for a two-night stay. Perhaps enjoy one of Munich's famous beer halls and sample Weisswürste.

  2. Day 2overnight: Munich

    Munich

    Venture outside of Munich today to visit the famous Neuschwanstein castle. Spend a few hours exploring with your guide before heading back to Munich for the evening.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Berlin

    Munich to Berlin

    Check out and enjoy the rest of the morning in Munich. Journey north on a high-speed ICE train to Berlin. Check in for a two-night stay and browse the shops on Potsdamer Platz.

  4. Day 4overnight: Berlin

    Berlin

    Explore Berlin at your own pace and visit the Berlin Wall's East Side Gallery and the Brandenburg Gate. Your included walking tour introduces the city's landmarks and monuments.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lucerne

    Berlin to Lucerne

    Enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on your rail journey from Germany to Switzerland. Arrive in Lucerne and check in to your hotel for a three-night stay.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lucerne

    Day Trip to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne

    Enjoy a trip to the top of the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, starting with a steam cruise on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then a 30-minute ride with an average gradient of 35%.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lucerne

    Lucerne

    Explore Lucerne's picturesque Chapel Bridge with its original 17th century paintings and the old town. In the evening, enjoy a gourmet dinner cruise on Lake Lucerne.

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Lucerne

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels to Zurich Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A small-group guide leads a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle outside Munich.
  • Day 4An included walking tour visits the Berlin Wall's East Side Gallery and the Brandenburg Gate.
  • Day 6A steam cruise across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad connects to the world's steepest cogwheel railway, which climbs Mount Pilatus at an average gradient of 35 percent.
  • Day 7Lucerne's Chapel Bridge, painted with 17th-century artwork, and a gourmet dinner cruise on Lake Lucerne close out the trip.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Munich
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Berlin
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lucerne
  • 3 Day Swiss Pass
  • Day trip to Neuschwanstein castle from Munich
  • Multi-day Hop-on, Hop-off pass in Berlin
  • Small group walking tour of Berlin
  • Day trip to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne
  • Gourmet Cruise on Lake Lucerne

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes, along with breakfast-included hotel nights (two in Munich, two in Berlin, three in Lucerne) and a 3-Day Swiss Pass.
Which cities does the trip visit?
Munich, Berlin, and Lucerne, in that order, with onward travel to Zurich Airport at the end.
What day trips are included?
A day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich and a day trip to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with small-group guided elements, including the Neuschwanstein Castle tour and a Berlin walking tour.
How much walking or activity is involved?
City walking tours plus a Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway ascent to the summit; no hikes are described.

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