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Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Tyrolean Explorer

12-day rail journey through Tyrol from London to Paris

Illustration of Tyrolean Explorer

Tailor Made Rail's Tyrolean Explorer is a 12-day self-guided rail holiday from London to Paris, centred on the Alpine region of Tyrol that straddles Austria, Germany, and Italy. Departing London on Eurostar, travellers connect through Brussels and Baden-Baden before boarding the Austrian RailJet for the climb across the Arlberg Pass via Liechtenstein to Innsbruck, where three full days allow exploration of the Old Town or cable-car access to the Nordkette mountain chain. The journey continues south over the dramatic Brenner Pass into South Tyrol, with stops in the spa town of Merano and the medieval cathedral city of Bressanone. Eastward lies Lienz, the capital of East Tyrol, at the confluence of the Drava and Isel rivers, before the final leg through Munich and Heidelberg returns you to London via Paris. All rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations, and 11 nights in handpicked hotels with breakfast are included, along with easy-to-follow documentation and proactive rerouting in case of disruptions.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels listed as 'or similar,' meaning the final accommodation may vary by availability.
  • The itinerary involves multiple connections and train changes across five countries; confirm current schedules with Tailor Made Rail before booking.
  • Standard-class rail is included; First Class upgrade available for an additional GBP 200 per person.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Baden-Baden (Der Kleine Prinz Hotel or similar)

    London to Baden-Baden

    Eurostar to Brussels, connecting onto a German ICE train, then down to the spa town of Baden-Baden - a choice of the high-speed line or the scenic Rhine Gorge route south of Cologne.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Innsbruck (AC Hotel Innsbruck or similar)

    Baden-Baden to Innsbruck

    A regional train through the Black Forest to Singen, connecting to Zurich for the direct Austrian RailJet service across the Arlberg Pass, via a brief foray into Liechtenstein, to Innsbruck.

  3. Day 3overnight: Innsbruck (AC Hotel Innsbruck or similar)

    Innsbruck

    Explore the 'largest mountain resort in the Alps' - the Old Town, or a cable car up to the Nordkette mountain chain for hiking and views.

  4. Day 4overnight: Innsbruck (AC Hotel Innsbruck or similar)

    Innsbruck

    Second day to explore Innsbruck and its surrounding outdoor pursuits.

  5. Day 5overnight: Merano (Hotel Europa Splendid or similar)

    Merano

    Climb the spectacular Brenner Pass route, changing trains at Brenner, then through the Dolomites to the South Tyrolean spa town of Merano.

  6. Day 6overnight: Merano (Hotel Europa Splendid or similar)

    Merano

    Explore Merano's mild climate and Trauttmansdorff Castle, just outside the centre.

  7. Day 7overnight: Bressanone (Hotel Gruner Baum or similar)

    Bressanone

    A regional service east through South Tyrol to Bressanone (Brixen), known for its medieval historic centre and 10th-century cathedral.

  8. Day 8overnight: Bressanone (Hotel Gruner Baum or similar)

    Bressanone

    Explore the cathedral square, arcades, bars and restaurants of Bressanone.

  9. Day 9overnight: Lienz (Vergeiner's Hotel Traube or similar)

    Lienz

    East via Brunico, crossing from South Tyrol into Austria's East Tyrol (Osttirol), to the regional capital Lienz.

  10. Day 10overnight: Lienz (Vergeiner's Hotel Traube or similar)

    Lienz

    Explore Lienz at the confluence of the Drava and Isel rivers, including the 750-year-old Bruck Castle.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Munich (Eurostars Book Hotel or similar)

    Lienz to Munich

    A regional train to Spittal Millstättersee, connecting with an InterCity service north to Munich via Salzburg, departing the Tyrol for Bavaria.

  12. Day 12rail

    Munich to London

    A German ICE train to Heidelberg, connecting to a TGV across the border to Paris, then the Gare du Nord for the return Eurostar to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Austrian RailJet climbs the Arlberg Pass via Liechtenstein to Innsbruck.
  • Day 5Ascend the spectacular Brenner Pass route, changing trains at Brenner, then traverse the Dolomites to Merano.
  • Day 3Cable car access to Nordkette mountain chain above Innsbruck for hiking and panoramic views.
  • Day 7Regional train through South Tyrol to Bressanone, a medieval town with a 10th-century cathedral.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 11 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. All rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations where required, and despatch of tickets by email are included. First Class upgrade is available for an additional GBP 200 per person.
Is this trip guided or self-guided?
Self-guided. Tailor Made Rail provides easy-to-follow travel documentation and proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions, but the holiday is independent exploration.
What is included in the price?
All rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations, 11 nights' accommodation with breakfast, travel documentation, email ticket despatch, and proactive rerouting support.
Which trains are used on this journey?
Eurostar (London to Brussels), German ICE (Brussels to Baden-Baden), regional trains through the Black Forest and South Tyrol, Austrian RailJet via the Arlberg Pass, trains over the Brenner Pass, and TGV to Paris.
How many nights are in each location?
Baden-Baden 1 night, Innsbruck 3 nights, Merano 2 nights, Bressanone 2 nights, Lienz 2 nights, Munich 1 night.
What is the physical demand of this trip?
Walking tours through historic town centres, stairs in hotels and stations, and luggage handling. Innsbruck offers optional cable car access and hiking on the Nordkette mountain chain.

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