Cox & Kings · Tailor-Made Journey

Vienna, Munich & Zurich by Rail

9-day rail journey from London to Vienna, Munich and Zurich

Vienna, Munich & Zurich by Rail, a rail journey with Cox & Kings

Cox & Kings puts together this 9-day tailor-made rail journey from London to Vienna, Munich and Zurich, with the whole trip covered by train rather than flights. The journey begins with an overnight sleeper service from Brussels to Vienna, in a private cabin run by Austrian Federal Railways. Three nights follow in Vienna, where days are left at leisure to explore the Hofburg and Schönbrunn palaces, St Stephen's Cathedral and the city's konditoreien patisseries, with an optional train side-trip to Bratislava. The journey continues by train to Munich for two nights around the Viktualienmarkt food market and the Residenz München palace, then on to Zurich for two nights beside the Limmat river, before returning to London via Paris and Eurostar. It suits travelers who want to see Vienna, Munich and Zurich without flying between them, with hotels and rail tickets already arranged but each city day left open to explore independently.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only 4 of the 9 days include a rail journey between cities (the overnight sleeper to Vienna, Vienna to Munich, Munich to Zurich, and the return to London); the other days are spent exploring each city at leisure.
  • Inclusions are described only as 'accommodation, itinerary and meal basis as described,' without listing which specific meals are provided.
  • Only two departure dates are listed, in April and July, priced from GBP 1,995 to GBP 2,095.

Day by day

  1. Day 1rail

    Arrive Vienna, Austria.

    Travel by train from London St Pancras to Vienna, connecting in Brussels with an overnight sleeper service, aboard which you have a private cabin.

  2. Day 2overnight: Hotel Kaiserhof

    Vienna

    Arrive in Vienna and check in at Hotel Kaiserhof Wien for 3 nights. Your room will be available for immediate occupancy.

  3. Day 3overnight: Hotel Kaiserhof

    Vienna

    Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Vienna. Highlights include the grand Habsburg palaces of Hofburg and Schönbrunn; St Stephen’s Cathedral, with its lofty tower and striped, multicoloured rooftop; and the city’s renowned konditoreien (patisseries) – perfect for a break between the sights.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Hotel Kaiserhof

    Vienna

    Continue your exploration of Vienna at leisure, or cross the border by train to visit Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, home to a hilltop castle and charming, cobbled old town. Trains from Vienna’s main railway station reach Bratislava in less than one hour.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Hotel Excelsior by Geisel

    Vienna

    Depart Vienna for Munich by train. Check in at Hotel Excelsior by Geisel for 2 nights.

  6. Day 6overnight: Hotel Excelsior by Geisel

    Munich

    Your day is at leisure to explore Munich, capital of Bavaria. The restored old town tempts visitors into the heart of the city, where you can admire the old and new townhalls that overlook Marienplatz square, taste food from the Viktualienmarkt, compare two contrasting churches – austere Frauenkirche and ostentatious Asamkirche – and visit the Residenz München, which houses a rare treasure: the jewel-encrusted Palatine Crown.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Hotel Adler Zürich

    Zurich

    Travel from Munich to Zurich, Switzerland, by train. Check in at Hotel Adler for 2 nights.

  8. Day 8overnight: Hotel Adler Zürich

    Zurich

    Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Zurich. Straddling the Limmat river, Zurich’s walkable old town is a must, with its leafy avenues, cobbled squares and traditional buildings with brightly painted window shutters. Landmarks include the Fraumünster church, whose clocktower is capped by a tall, slender spire that is oxidised vivid teal; and the equally handsome Grossmünster church, inaugurated in around 1220. Perhaps see the city from the water with a cruise along the Limmat.

  9. Day 9rail

    Return to the UK.

    Depart Zurich for Paris, before proceeding via Eurostar to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The overnight sleeper train from Brussels to Vienna, run by Austrian Federal Railways, includes a private cabin.
  • Day 4An optional train journey from Vienna's main station reaches Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, in less than an hour.
  • Day 6The Residenz München palace houses one of only two surviving examples of an English medieval crown.
  • Day 8Zurich's old town straddles the Limmat river, with the Fraumünster church's oxidised teal spire and the Grossmünster church, inaugurated around 1220.
  • Day 9The return journey travels from Zurich to Paris by train, then on to London St Pancras via Eurostar.

Included

  • Accommodation, itinerary & meal basis as described
  • International standard class train tickets to/from London & domestic rail travel
  • Sleeper train with private, en-suite cabin between Brussels and Vienna

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. This is an entirely rail-based tailor-made journey, including standard-class train tickets to and from London and an overnight sleeper with a private, en-suite cabin between Brussels and Vienna.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is a Cox & Kings tailor-made journey. Each city is explored independently with days left at leisure; the evidence does not mention a tour guide or manager.
Which hotels are used?
Hotel Kaiserhof in Vienna (3 nights), Hotel Excelsior by Geisel in Munich (2 nights), and Hotel Adler in Zurich (2 nights).
When does it depart?
The evidence lists two departure dates, in April and July, priced from GBP 1,995 to GBP 2,095.
Can I visit Bratislava?
Yes. On day 4 in Vienna, you can take an optional train to Bratislava, reaching Slovakia's capital in under an hour from Vienna's main station.
How much walking or activity is involved?
Activity level is listed as 'Moderate.' Days are built around self-guided city walking in Vienna, Munich and Zurich.

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