Search

Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Vienna, Budapest & Transylvania by Rail

Vienna, Budapest, and Transylvania by rail with sleeper train and castles

Illustration of Vienna, Budapest & Transylvania by Rail

Marvellous Escapes' 12-day Vienna, Budapest, and Transylvania by Rail combines elegant Central European cities with mountain scenery and legendary castles. Starting with three nights in Vienna, you attend a VIP classical concert at Schönbrunn Palace with dinner and priority seating. High-speed rail then carries you to Budapest for three nights, where a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus gives you flexibility to explore Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, thermal baths, and the Danube riverbanks at your own pace. The highlight comes on night 7 aboard an overnight sleeper train to Brasov, where you wake in Romania near the Carpathian Mountains. A small-group guided tour visits Bran Castle, Râșnov Fortress, and Peleș Castle, each steeped in medieval history. Two final days in Bucharest allow you to wander Belle Époque boulevards and neighborhoods at leisure. All flights from the UK, rail journeys, hotels with breakfast, and the major guided experiences are included, making this a structured yet unhurried pace through three countries.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of GBP 2199 includes return flights from the UK and all hotel accommodation; rail fares and internal transfers are part of the package, not supplementary.
  • Days 1-3 are based in Vienna with leisure time after the Schönbrunn concert; the trip's rhythm is mixed guided and unguided days.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vienna

    Vienna

    Fly from the UK to Vienna. Private transfer to your hotel on arrival.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vienna

    Vienna

    Visit to Schönbrunn Palace followed by a VIP classical concert with priority access, a welcome drink, front-row seating and sparkling wine.

  3. Day 3overnight: Vienna

    Vienna

    Full day at leisure in Vienna - historic streets, museums, cafes, and the Ringstrasse.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Budapest

    Budapest

    High-speed rail from Vienna to Budapest, crossing the border into Hungary. Check in to your hotel for a three-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    48-hour hop-on hop-off pass taking in Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, the Central Market Hall, the Szechenyi Chain Bridge and Pest's boulevards.

  6. Day 6overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    Continued use of the hop-on hop-off pass - Castle Hill, Pest's avenues, a Danube River cruise or the city's thermal baths.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Sleeper train

    Overnight Sleeper Train to Brasov

    Overnight sleeper train from Budapest to Brașov, crossing into Romania towards the Carpathian Mountains.

  8. Day 8overnight: Brasov

    Brasov

    Arrive in Brașov, a medieval city surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. Day at leisure exploring the old town and the Gothic Black Church.

  9. Day 9overnight: Brasov

    Brasnov

    Guided small-group tour of Transylvania's castles - Bran Castle (linked to the Dracula legend), Râșnov Fortress, and Peleș Castle.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Bucharest

    Bucharest

    Rail journey from Brașov to Bucharest. Remainder of the day free to explore the city's boulevards and Belle Époque architecture.

  11. Day 11overnight: Bucharest

    Bucharest

    Full day at leisure in Bucharest, exploring historic neighbourhoods, museums and landmarks at your own pace.

  12. Day 12

    Return home

    Private transfer from your hotel to Bucharest Airport for your return flight to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2VIP classical concert at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna with priority seating, welcome drink, and sparkling wine after a palace tour.
  • Day 5Explore Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, and the Central Market Hall in Budapest using a 48-hour hop-on hop-off pass.
  • Day 7Overnight sleeper train from Budapest to Brasov crosses the border into Romania toward the Carpathian Mountains.
  • Day 9Small-group guided tour of Transylvanian castles: Bran Castle, Râșnov Fortress, and Peleș Castle in the mountain landscape.

Included

  • 3-nights hotel accommodation in Vienna & Budapest with breakfast included
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Brasov & Bucharest with breakfast included
  • Seamless rail travel throughout your holiday
  • Private transfer to Bucharest Airport
  • Return flight to the UK
  • Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour in Budapest
  • Schönbrunn Palace Tour, Dinner & Concert
  • Small-group tour of Bran, Rasnov, and Peles Castle

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. Marvellous Escapes includes high-speed rail from Vienna to Budapest, an overnight sleeper train from Budapest to Brasov, and rail travel from Brasov to Bucharest.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Primarily independent with included guided experiences: a VIP concert at Schönbrunn Palace, a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus in Budapest, and a small-group tour of Transylvanian castles. Many days are unguided leisure time.
Do I sleep on the train?
Yes, on night 7 between Budapest and Brasov. You sleep in a cabin on the overnight sleeper train.
What hotels are included?
Three nights each in Vienna and Budapest, two nights each in Brasov and Bucharest, all with breakfast included.
Are flights included?
Yes, return flights from a UK airport to Vienna and return from Bucharest are included in the package price.
How much walking is involved?
City walking and leisure exploration in Vienna, Budapest, Brasov, and Bucharest. Castle tours and hill exploration are part of the Transylvania day. Most activity is self-paced except the guided castle tour.

Similar journeys