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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Vienna & Salzburg by First Class Rail

Nine days London to Paris via Vienna and Salzburg on first-class rail

Illustration of Vienna & Salzburg by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Vienna and Salzburg by First Class Rail is a 9-day independent holiday that carries you from London through six European countries to Paris on first-class daytime trains. You begin with Eurostar from London St Pancras across the English Channel to Brussels, then travel by ICE through Germany to Vienna for three nights at the four-star BW Premier Hotel Harmonie. Day trips take you to the Hofburg Palace, Belvedere, St Stephan's Cathedral, and the Rococo Schönbrunn Palace, and you ride Vienna's historic tram along the Ringstrasse. The Railjet carries you to Salzburg for three nights at the four-star Imlauer Hotel Pitter, where you explore Mirabell Gardens, the fortress with its mountain views, and Mozart's birthplace. A second Railjet leg brings you to Zurich for one night before the TGV carries you through the Alps and French countryside to Paris, where a private taxi transfer and final Eurostar connection return you to London. This is an independent journey; Planet Rail books all trains and hotels, but you navigate your own way between stations, choose your restaurants, and plan your daily activities.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is an independent holiday, not escorted; Planet Rail arranges the trains and hotels, but you navigate between stations and hotels on your own and choose your own meals and activities
  • The from-price of £1,795 (approximately USD 2,397) is based on two people travelling together; the operator does not publish single supplements or availability for specific dates

Day by day

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Travel beneath the arched glass roof of London St Pancras International station and cross the English Channel on Eurostar in Standard Premier Class with a drink and light meal included
  • Day 3Explore Vienna's Hofburg Palace, once the centre of the Hapsburg dynasty, and ride the tram along the Ringstrasse lined with grandiose buildings
  • Day 4Visit Schönbrunn Palace, a Rococo-style palace and one of Vienna's most popular attractions
  • Day 6Take the funicular up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg for views over the city and surrounding mountains
  • Day 9Watch mountainous scenery fade into French countryside as the TGV carries you from Zurich toward Paris

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, first-class rail throughout on all daytime trains is included: Eurostar (Standard Premier Class), ICE, Railjet, and TGV services
Is this trip escorted or independent?
This is an independent, tailor-made holiday. Planet Rail books your trains and hotels, but you are not with a guide group. You make your own way to hotels and choose your own restaurants and activities
Which hotels are included?
The Adina Apartment Frankfurt Neue Oper (4 star) for 1 night, the BW Premier Hotel Harmonie (4 star) in Vienna for 3 nights, the Imlauer Hotel Pitter (4 star) in Salzburg for 3 nights, and the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star) in Zurich for 1 night
Are meals included?
Meals are not mentioned as included beyond a drink and light meal on the Eurostar. You choose and pay for your own restaurants and coffee houses in each city
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The itinerary includes city walking tours and exploration, with an optional funicular ascent to Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg for views. No strenuous hikes are described

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