Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Munich, Salzburg, and Zurich

7-day independent rail trip from Munich through Salzburg to Zurich

Illustration of Munich, Salzburg, and Zurich

Railbookers runs this 7-day, 6-night independent rail vacation from Munich through Salzburg to Zurich, with two nights booked in each city. Munich opens with a small group walking tour of the Glockenspiel, Frauenkirche Cathedral, and the Opera House, before the train continues to Salzburg for two nights that include a half-day guided day trip to the UNESCO-listed lakeside village of Hallstatt. The onward train to Zurich crosses the Austrian Alps and the Arlberg Pass, arriving at a hotel for two final nights in Switzerland, where a guided walking tour of the Old Town is followed by a boat trip on Lake Zurich. Travel between the three cities is independent, so beyond these included tours and the day trip, travelers plan their own time. It suits travelers who want Bavarian, Austrian Alpine, and Swiss sightseeing in one week with some guided orientation in each stop rather than a fully self-planned trip.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip's 17 hotels are listed as OPTIONS across price tiers in each city rather than one fixed hotel, so the property you get depends on the tier and city combination you choose.
  • No current departure dates are listed in the evidence; confirm availability and pricing directly with Railbookers before booking.

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 take this opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of one of Munich's famous beer halls and sample Weisswürste – the Bavarian white sausage delicacy!

  2. Day 2overnight: Munich

    Munich

    Today take a walking tour and visit some of the main landmarks of Munich, including the Glockenspiel, Frauenkirche Cathedral, and the Opera House with a local expert. Soak up the local life at the Viktualien market then relax in the beautiful English Garden and maybe even watch the river surfers on the Eisbach. This evening why not try some more beer sampling at the world's most famous tavern - The Hofbräuhaus am Platz.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Salzburg

    Munich to Salzburg

    Spend another morning in Munich before taking the train to Salzburg. On arrival in Salzburg, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Salzburg is your first taste of Austria, the mountains…The Sound of Music! Try the restaurants on the right side of the river around Linzergasse for a real taste of Salzburg. For an adventure into Austrian beer, you must head for the atmospheric Mullner Brewery - officially known as the Augustiner Braustubel.

  4. Day 4overnight: Salzburg

    Day Trip to Hallstatt from Salzburg

    Today, you will explore one of Austria's true gems on a half-day guided tour from Salzburg to the picturesque village of Hallstatt. Discover the enchanting beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, nestled between the mountains and a serene lake. Capture stunning views, stroll along the pastel shops, and immerse yourself in the idyllic alpine atmosphere.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zurich

    Salzburg to Zurich

    Head to the train station this morning for a scenic train ride from Salzburg to Zurich. Be sure to have your camera ready as you pass through some of the most beautiful parts of Austria and the famous Arlberg Pass. Arrive in Zurich and check into your hotel for a two-night stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Following breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Zurich with an expert guide to introduce you to the city and the old town. Explore the city by bus to get an overview of the various districts. Embark on a guided walking tour of the Old Town and discover the city and its beautiful surroundings from the water during an audio-guided boat trip on Lake Zurich. The rest of the evening is yours at leisure.

  7. Day 7rail

    Your Journey Ends in Zurich

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels. If you would like to extend your journey to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all the arrangements.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A walking tour of Munich with a local expert visits the Glockenspiel, Frauenkirche Cathedral, and the Opera House.
  • Day 4A half-day guided day trip from Salzburg reaches Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage lakeside village set between the mountains and a lake.
  • Day 5The train from Salzburg to Zurich crosses the Austrian Alps and the Arlberg Pass.
  • Day 6A guided walking tour of Zurich's Old Town is followed by an audio-guided boat trip on Lake Zurich.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Munich
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Salzburg
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • Small group city tour of Munich
  • Daytrip to Hallstatt from Salzburg
  • Small group city tour of Zurich with cruise

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, rail travel is included as per the itinerary, crossing the Austrian Alps and the Arlberg Pass between Salzburg and Zurich.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Travel between the three cities is independent; Munich and Zurich each include a small group city tour and there is a guided half-day trip to Hallstatt from Salzburg.
Which cities does the trip visit?
Munich in Germany, Salzburg in Austria, and Zurich in Switzerland, with a day trip to Hallstatt from Salzburg.
What is included besides trains and hotels?
A small group city tour of Munich, a half-day guided day trip to Hallstatt, and a small group tour of Zurich that includes a Lake Zurich cruise.
How much does it cost?
The trip is priced from 1,039 USD per person.

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