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Tailor Made Rail · Rail holiday

Venice and Vienna by Rail

Seven-day rail loop from Turin through Venice and Vienna with Alpine crossings

Illustration of Venice and Vienna by Rail

Tailor Made Rail's Venice and Vienna by Rail is a 7-day, 6-night journey beginning in Turin and ending in Cologne, with two nights in each of Venice and Vienna and a return sleeper train across the Alps. The route follows the Eurostar from London through Paris, then climbs the Alps on the TGV into northwest Italy. From Venice, you take the direct Railjet to Vienna, crossing the famous Semmering Pass through mountainous Austrian terrain with lunch in the restaurant car. Stays are in three-star hotels with breakfast included. Day 3 is unguided in Venice, where you choose between exploring St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge or quieter islands like Murano and Burano. Day 5 is equally free in Vienna, with highlights such as the Belvedere Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, and the Spanish Riding School at your own pace. The signature moment arrives on Day 6: an evening departure on a sleeper train in a private two-berth compartment, arriving in Cologne the next morning with breakfast served in your cabin. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking a leisurely pace, and those interested in European imperial history.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar', meaning the final property depends on availability at the time of booking.
  • The itinerary notes an alternative route to Venice via the Swiss Alps with stops in Zurich, Lausanne or Lucerne; confirm which routing applies to your dates.
  • Rail travel is Standard Class; First Class upgrades are available at an additional cost of £200 per person or individually for each journey.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    London to Turin

    Embark at London St Pancras on the Eurostar to Paris. After an easy crossing between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon, board a TGV train to north-west Italy, starting on the fast line through French farmland at up to 200mph before a twistier, scenic route across the Alps through the Fréjus Tunnel into Italy. Arrive in Turin in the evening and transfer to the Starhotels Majestic (or similar).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Venice

    Turin to Venice

    Make your way to Porta Nuova station in Turin for the train through to Venice, taking around 4 hours. Cross the lagoon into Venice Santa Lucia station and check in for 2 nights at the Hotel Bisanzio (or similar). Alternative route: travel to Venice via the Swiss Alps, with a stop in a Swiss lakeside city such as Zurich, Lausanne or Lucerne.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Venice

    A full day exploring the narrow alleys, pretty squares and Grand Canal vistas of Venice, including St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge, or getting away from the crowds at Murano, Burano or the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Vienna

    Venice to Vienna

    Board the twice-daily Austrian Railjet train direct to Vienna, with restaurant-car lunch as the scenery becomes mountainous crossing into Austria, through Klagenfurt and over the famous Semmering Pass to the capital. Check in at the Hotel Stefanie (or similar) for a 2-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Vienna

    Vienna

    A full day at leisure in Vienna, with its elegant boulevards, baroque architecture and imperial palaces. Highlights include the Belvedere and Schönbrunn Palaces, the Spanish Riding School and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Overnight sleeper (Vienna to Cologne)

    Vienna and sleeper to Cologne

    Another day in Vienna, perhaps visiting St Stephen's Cathedral, cruising the Danube or discovering the Hundertwasserhaus. In the evening, collect your bags and make your way to Vienna's central station for the sleeper service to Cologne.

  7. Day 7

    Cologne to London

    Arrive at Cologne main station around 8am, having usually received a continental breakfast in your cabin, before the onward journey to Brussels and back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The TGV crosses the Fréjus Tunnel into Italy, climbing the Alps at up to 200 mph through French farmland before switchback descent into Turin.
  • Day 4The Railjet climbs the Semmering Pass between Villach and Vienna, crossing into Austria with mountain scenery and restaurant-car lunch.
  • Day 6A private two-berth sleeper compartment departs Vienna's central station in the evening, arriving in Cologne around 8 am with continental breakfast served in the cabin.

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 5 nights’ centrally located hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Private two-berth compartment on the overnight sleeper from Vienna to Cologne
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office

Questions travellers ask

Is all the rail travel included in the price?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail includes Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations on the Eurostar, TGV, Railjet, and Vienna-to-Cologne sleeper train.
What is included in the price?
Standard Class rail travel with reservations, five nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, a private two-berth compartment on the sleeper train, travel documentation, and ticket delivery by email, post, or collection from their London office.
Which trains are used on this trip?
Eurostar from London to Paris, TGV from Paris to Turin, Railjet from Venice to Vienna, and a sleeper train from Vienna to Cologne.
Is this an escorted tour or self-guided?
The package does not specify guided tours or escort; you have full days at leisure in Venice and Vienna and make your own way between stations and hotels.
When does this trip run?
Tailor Made Rail lists low season (November to March) at £1,049 and high season (April to October) at £1,199; contact the operator for specific departure dates.
How much walking is involved?
You explore Venice's narrow alleys, squares and Grand Canal, visit Vienna's baroque palaces and museums, and move between stations and hotels with luggage; moderate walking and stair climbing are expected.

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