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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail tour

Steam around the Austrian Lakes

Eight-day escorted tour of Austrian lakes by paddle steamer and steam train from Salzburg

Illustration of Steam around the Austrian Lakes

The Railway Touring Company's 8-day Steam around the Austrian Lakes is an escorted tour for rail and heritage transport enthusiasts. Based in Salzburg for seven nights, it combines private charter cruises on Alpine lakes aboard historic paddle steamers with journeys on some of Austria's steepest and most picturesque steam-powered rack railways and narrow-gauge lines. Day three features a paddle-wheeler cruise on Wolfgangsee followed by a climb aboard the 1893 Schafbergbahn to Mount Schafberg's summit, where dinner awaits at the summit restaurant. On day four, a narrow-gauge steam charter runs the Taurachbahn through Mauterndorf. Day six brings the 1871 Gisela paddle steamer on Lake Traunsee and a ride on Gmunden's tiny urban tramway. The itinerary includes a side trip to Bavaria's Eagle's Nest and Lake Königsee, plus free days in Salzburg to explore Hellbrunn Palace and the city's Mozart sites with a complimentary Salzburg Card. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, handling all transport, most meals, and lodging. This tour appeals to repeat rail travellers, couples, and history lovers seeking a leisurely, guided immersion in Austrian mountain and lake culture.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed: July 2026. Confirm availability with The Railway Touring Company before booking.
  • The from-price (GBP 2,345) includes London flights and all rail, cruise, and coach travel; however, a Ground Only option (GBP 2,195) excludes UK flights and hotel transfers on arrival and departure day, which you must arrange separately.
  • All seven nights are in Salzburg; the tour is day-based rather than a progressive journey, so expect coach transfers to and from each day's activity.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Salzburg

    Arrive in Salzburg

    Direct flight from London to Salzburg, transfer to hotel with lunch nearby. Receive an all-inclusive Salzburg Card (trolleybus network, fortress funicular, Monchsberg elevator, museums, Mozart sites, Stiegl brewery). Rest of day free.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Salzburg

    The palaces and mountain railways of Salzburg

    Free day to explore Hellbrunn Palace, the optional Untersbergbahn cableway to the 1972m Untersberg summit, or the optional Salzburger Lokalbahn local railway. Group dinner at a typical Austrian restaurant in the evening.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Salzburg

    Paddle cruise on Wolfgangsee and steam at the Schafberg rack railway

    Charter cruise on Wolfgangsee aboard the historic 1873 paddle-wheeler Kaiser Franz Josef, then ascent of Mount Schafberg by private steam train on its rack and pinion railway (1893). Dinner at the summit restaurant, descent by steam train, return to Salzburg by coach.

  4. Day 4overnight: Salzburg

    Alpine steam at Mauterndorf on the Taurachbahn

    Coach transfer to the castle town of Mauterndorf for a private charter on the narrow-gauge Taurachbahn to St. Andra, with photo and run-past stops. Time in Mauterndorf's town centre and castle before returning to Salzburg via Hohenwerfen Castle.

  5. Day 5overnight: Salzburg

    The Eagle's Nest and Alpine cruise at Lake Konigsee in Bavaria

    Visit to the Eagle's Nest, Hitler's mountain-top residence and command post at the Berghof above Berchtesgaden, followed by a cruise on Lake Konigsee. Return to Salzburg for an evening at leisure.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Salzburg

    Paddle steamer cruise on the Traunsee, Gmunden tramway

    Travel to Gmunden for a private charter cruise on Lake Traunsee aboard the paddle steamer Gisela of 1871, with buffet lunch aboard. Ride one of Austria's smallest urban tramways in Gmunden, then return to Salzburg by OBB service train.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Salzburg

    Steam in Tyrol at the Zillertalbahn and the Achenseebahn

    First Class OBB service train from Salzburg to Jenbach, then the narrow-gauge Zillertalbahn to Mayrhofen, known for its summer 'Plandampf' steam. Back at Jenbach, ride the antique rack railway (dating from 1889) up to the Achensee. Return to Salzburg in First Class. Farewell dinner at 'Die Weisse' Brauhaus.

  8. Day 8

    Return to London

    Transfer to Salzburg airport for the morning flight back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Private charter cruise aboard the 1873 paddle-wheeler Kaiser Franz Josef on Wolfgangsee, followed by ascent of Mount Schafberg on the 1893 steam rack railway and dinner at the summit.
  • Day 4Narrow-gauge Taurachbahn steam charter from Mauterndorf to St. Andra with photo and run-past stops.
  • Day 6Private charter cruise on Lake Traunsee aboard the 1871 paddle steamer Gisela, with buffet lunch aboard, and ride on Austria's smallest urban tramway in Gmunden.
  • Day 7First Class service train to Jenbach, then the Zillertalbahn narrow-gauge train to Mayrhofen, and ascent via the 1889 Achenseebahn rack railway.

Included

  • Flights from London to Salzburg and back to London
  • 7 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • 2 lunches
  • 3 dinners
  • All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary
  • All specially chartered trips on heritage trams and vintage ships
  • All train and road coach travel as detailed in the itinerary
  • All transfers and visits as detailed in the itinerary
  • A complimentary 48-hour Salzburg Card tourist pass
  • Admission to the Eagle's Nest at the Berghof
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 2,345 includes all specially chartered steam trains, trams, and vintage ships, plus OBB service trains and all coach travel as detailed in the itinerary. A Ground Only option (GBP 2,195) excludes international flights from the UK but still includes all local rail and coach.
What trains and heritage railways are featured?
The tour includes the Schafbergbahn (1893 steam rack railway), the Taurachbahn (narrow-gauge steam charter), the Zillertalbahn (narrow-gauge to Mayrhofen), the Achenseebahn (1889 rack railway), and the Gmunden tramway. Cruises are on the 1873 paddle-wheeler Kaiser Franz Josef and the 1871 paddle steamer Gisela.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout the 8 days.
Where do we stay, and how many nights?
The tour is based in Salzburg for all 7 nights. You return to the same hotel each evening after day excursions to the lakes and mountains.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily. The tour provides 2 lunches and 3 dinners, plus a buffet lunch aboard the Lake Traunsee paddle steamer and dinner at the Mount Schafberg summit restaurant.
When does this tour run?
The operator lists one departure in July 2026 at GBP 2,345 per person.

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