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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Vienna by First Class Rail

Seven-day First Class rail journey from London to Vienna with Bonn and Nuremberg.

Illustration of Vienna by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Vienna by First Class Rail is a seven-day independent rail holiday that takes you from London to Vienna with stops in Bonn and Nuremberg. The journey opens with a Eurostar departure from London St Pancras, whisking you through Brussels and on by high-speed ICE train into Germany. A single night in Bonn, Beethoven's birthplace on the Rhine, precedes a direct ICE service to Vienna, where you spend four full days exploring one of Europe's most refined capitals: the Hofburg and Belvedere palaces, St Stephen's Cathedral, traditional coffee houses, and the Rococo gardens of Schönbrunn. The itinerary then moves to Nuremberg for a final night exploring its medieval old town. All rail travel is in First Class or Standard Premier Class, and accommodation is in four-star hotels. Because it is independent, not escorted, you organise your own transfers and choose your own sightseeing pace each day, making this well-suited to seasoned independent travellers and couples who want First Class comfort and time to linger in Vienna.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is an independent, not escorted, tour; you arrange your own transfers between stations and hotels each day.
  • The price shown is based on two passengers sharing a twin or double room; Planet Rail should be contacted for single room availability and rates.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Bonn (Ameron Hotel Königshof)

    London to Bonn

    Begin at London St Pancras International station and join the Eurostar to Brussels, with a light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class as you travel at speeds of up to 186mph. At Brussels Midi, change onto the high-speed ICE service to Cologne, then connect onward to Bonn, on the banks of the Rhine. Check in for an overnight stay at the Ameron Hotel Königshof (4 star). Bonn, capital of West Germany until reunification, is the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven; his townhouse is now a museum of original scores, letters and instruments. This evening, dine at the hotel's Italian restaurant 'Oliveto', overlooking the Rhine.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vienna (Hotel Kaiserhof)

    Bonn to Vienna

    After breakfast, return to the station to board the direct ICE service to Vienna, travelling south east through Germany and into Austria in a First Class seat. Make your own way to your hotel for the next four nights, the Hotel Kaiserhof (4 star), superbly located with easy access to the city's principal attractions.

  3. Day 3overnight: Vienna (Hotel Kaiserhof)

    Exploring Vienna

    A full day to explore Vienna, the former Imperial capital with its rich cultural heritage. Many of its elegant public buildings sit on the Ringstrasse, the inner ring road encircling the historical core. Highlights include the impressive Hofburg Palace, seat of the Hapsburg dynasty for more than 600 years, or the Baroque Belvedere Palace with its collection of works by Gustav Klimt.

  4. Day 4overnight: Vienna (Hotel Kaiserhof)

    Exploring Vienna

    St Stephen's Cathedral, in the heart of Vienna with its bright tiled roof, offers virtually unrivalled views from the top of the tower. Discover more about Beethoven, who lived in Vienna for 35 years: his residence is now the Beethoven Museum, with a monument on Beethovenplatz, his tomb in the main cemetery, and Vienna's House of Music presenting his work in detail.

  5. Day 5overnight: Vienna (Hotel Kaiserhof)

    Exploring Vienna

    Enjoy Vienna's traditional coffee houses before a trip further afield to the evocative Rococo-style Schönbrunn Palace, one of the most popular attractions in the Austrian capital.

  6. Day 6overnight: Nuremberg (Hotel Victoria)

    Vienna to Nuremberg

    Bid farewell to Vienna and join the high-speed ICE service to Nuremberg. On arrival, head the short distance to the overnight hotel, the Hotel Victoria (4 star), close to the heart of the city. This afternoon, explore Nuremberg's old town, including the Kaiserburg and its museums, and choose from an array of excellent restaurants for dinner.

  7. Day 7rail

    Nuremberg to London - Homeward bound

    Return to Nuremberg main station for the start of the journey home. Travel on the high-speed ICE service to Frankfurt Airport, change trains and continue to Brussels aboard another ICE train. At Brussels Midi station make your way to the Eurostar terminal to board the Eurostar back to London St Pancras International, with the meal and drinks included in the Standard Premier service.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar from London St Pancras at 186 mph with a light meal and drinks in Standard Premier Class, then continue by high-speed ICE through Cologne to Bonn on the Rhine.
  • Day 2Travel in First Class on the direct ICE service from Bonn to Vienna through Germany and into Austria.
  • Day 4Climb to the top of St Stephen's Cathedral tower in Vienna for views over the city's historical core.
  • Day 5Visit Schönbrunn Palace, a Rococo-style former Imperial residence and one of Vienna's most popular attractions.
  • Day 6Travel by high-speed ICE from Vienna to Nuremberg, then explore the old town, Kaiserburg, and museums.

Included

  • First Class rail travel throughout, including Eurostar (Standard Premier) and ICE services
  • 1 night's accommodation at the Ameron Hotel Königshof (4 star) in Bonn
  • 4 nights' accommodation at the Hotel Kaiserhof (4 star) in Vienna
  • 1 night's accommodation at the Hotel Victoria (4 star) in Nuremberg

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all First Class rail travel: Eurostar in Standard Premier Class (London to Brussels and Brussels to London) and ICE high-speed services throughout the continental leg.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is independent and tailor-made. You travel at your own pace and make your own way to hotels from stations. No guide accompanies you.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar (London St Pancras to Brussels and return), ICE services (Brussels to Cologne, Bonn to Vienna direct, Vienna to Nuremberg, Nuremberg to Frankfurt to Brussels), and a regional service (Cologne to Bonn).
What hotels are included?
The Ameron Hotel Königshof (4 star, one night in Bonn), the Hotel Kaiserhof (4 star, four nights in Vienna), and the Hotel Victoria (4 star, one night in Nuremberg).
How much walking is involved?
Days in Vienna, Bonn, and Nuremberg involve city exploration on foot. St Stephen's Cathedral includes a tower climb. No long hikes are mentioned.
What is not included?
Meals beyond light refreshments on the trains, entrance fees to attractions, and transfers between stations and hotels are not included.

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