Planet Rail
2026 Departures - London to Vienna including the Venice Simplon Orient Express
7 daysfrom $6,671
Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday
Vienna & Salzburg by First Class Rail
Explore Austria's imperial cities by first-class rail, experiencing the elegance of Vienna and the musical heritage of Salzburg.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Frankfurt (Adina Apartment Frankfurt Neue Oper)
London to Frankfurt am Main
Begin beneath the arched glass roof of London St Pancras International station and travel in Standard Premier Class on the Eurostar high-speed service, with a drink and light meal as you pass under the English Channel. At Brussels Midi, change onto the ICE service to Frankfurt, nicknamed 'Mainhattan' for its contrast of skyscrapers and medieval timber-framed houses. On arrival, head for the overnight hotel, the Adina Apartments Frankfurt Neue Oper (4 star), close to the station.
- Day 2overnight: Vienna (BW Premier Hotel Harmonie)
Frankfurt to Vienna
After breakfast, a possible whistle-stop tour of Frankfurt am Main before returning to the station to board the ICE service south east through Germany and into Austria to Vienna. Make your own way to your hotel for the next three nights, the BW Premier Hotel Harmonie (4 star), well located for the city's sights.
- Day 3overnight: Vienna (BW Premier Hotel Harmonie)
Exploring Vienna
Explore Vienna's history and culture: the Hofburg Palace, once the centre of the Hapsburg dynasty, the majestic Belvedere Palace with its collection of works by Gustav Klimt, and St Stephan's Cathedral with its colourful roof. Take a tram along the Ringstrasse, lined with grandiose buildings.
- Day 4overnight: Vienna (BW Premier Hotel Harmonie)
Exploring Vienna
Enjoy Vienna's traditional coffee houses before a trip further afield to the evocative Rococo-style Schönbrunn Palace, one of the city's most popular attractions.
- Day 5overnight: Salzburg (Imlauer Hotel Pitter)
Vienna to Salzburg
After breakfast, make your way to Vienna station to board the high-speed Railjet service to Salzburg. On arrival, head to your hotel for 3 nights, the Imlauer Hotel Pitter (4 star), in the heart of the city that provided the setting for The Sound of Music. This afternoon, explore Salzburg, perhaps with a walk into the old town, before choosing a restaurant for dinner.
- Day 6overnight: Salzburg (Imlauer Hotel Pitter)
Discovering Salzburg
Stroll through the pretty Mirabell Gardens, or visit Salzburg Cathedral and the palace of the former Prince-Archbishop. Take the funicular up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress for views over the city and surrounding mountains, or relax by the River Salzach with a coffee and a slice of Sacher cake.
- Day 7overnight: Salzburg (Imlauer Hotel Pitter)
Discovering Salzburg
A second day to discover Salzburg's attractions related to its most famous son, Mozart, and the city's best-known film, The Sound of Music.
- Day 8overnight: Zurich (Hotel Helmhaus)
Salzburg to Zurich
After breakfast, return to the station to board the Railjet service to Zurich. A pleasant stroll across the Limmat River leads to the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star) for the overnight stay. This evening, discover Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse and Old Town, the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and St Peterskirche churches, and perhaps an evening cruise on Lake Zurich.
- Day 9rail
Zurich to London - Homeward Bound
Savour your final morning before making your way to Zurich station to join the TGV service back to Paris, watching the mountainous scenery fade into French countryside. A private taxi transfer at Paris Gare de Lyon takes you across the city to the Gare du Nord for the final connection by Eurostar back to London.
Included
- First Class rail travel throughout on daytime trains, including Eurostar (Standard Premier) and ICE/Railjet/TGV services
- 1 night's accommodation at the Adina Apartment Frankfurt Neue Oper (4 star) in Frankfurt
- 3 nights' accommodation at the BW Premier Hotel Harmonie (4 star) in Vienna
- 3 nights' accommodation at the Imlauer Hotel Pitter (4 star) in Salzburg
- 1 night's accommodation at the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star) in Zurich
