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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Zurich and Vienna

Independent rail journey from Zurich to Vienna via the Arlberg Pass

Illustration of Zurich and Vienna

Railbookers operates this 7-day, 6-night independent rail vacation between Zurich and Vienna. Three nights in Zurich open with a guided walking tour of the Old Town and a boat trip on Lake Zurich, followed by a full day climbing to Jungfraujoch, one of Europe's highest peaks, by luxury coach and the Eiger Express gondola. A high-speed train then crosses the Arlberg Pass to Vienna, with alpine views along the route, for a three-night stay. In Vienna, a sightseeing pass covers a choice of attractions, and day 6 includes an after-hours tour of Schönbrunn Palace with dinner and a classical concert of Mozart and Strauss in the Orangery. Breakfast is included every day. The trip suits travellers drawn to two contrasting cities, Swiss alpine scenery, and Vienna's imperial history, who want the ease of pre-booked highlights without a group tour structure.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are chosen from a list of 12 accommodation options across different tiers and cities, so which specific hotel you get depends on the option selected at booking.
  • No departure dates are listed in the evidence for this package; confirm current availability with Railbookers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Your Journey Begins in Zurich

    Welcome to Zurich! Make your way to your hotel, and once checked in take a stroll around the city's beautiful Old Town where you will find a great selection of local restaurants for dinner.

  2. Day 2overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Following breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Zurich with an expert guide to introduce you to the city and the old town. Explore the city by bus to get an overview of the various districts. Embark on a guided walking tour of the Old Town and discover the city from the water during an audio-guided boat trip on Lake Zurich.

    Meals: B

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zurich

    Day Trip to Jungfraujoch and Bernese Oberland

    Following breakfast, ascend to one of Europe's highest peaks on a full-day trip to the magnificent mountain region of Jungfrau from Zurich. Travel by luxury coach through the Bernese Oberland region to Grindelwald. Board the Eiger Express gondola and ascend the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jungfraujoch mountain pass.

    Meals: B

  4. Day 4railovernight: Vienna

    Zurich to Vienna

    Board a high-speed train travelling along the Arlberg Pass route from Zurich to Vienna this morning. Enjoy breath-taking alpine views along the way. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a three-night stay. Stretch your legs with a wander around some of the city's highlights such as the Anchor Clock, the Opera House and the Hofburg.

    Meals: B

  5. Day 5overnight: Vienna

    Vienna

    Following breakfast, get your bearings in the grand Austrian capital by using your sightseeing pass, giving a choice of up to three sightseeing attractions to visit for the day.

    Meals: B

  6. Day 6overnight: Vienna

    Schonbrunn Palace Concert

    Following breakfast, a morning at leisure to wander through the yet-uncovered parts of the city. In the evening, enjoy a romantic evening at the Schonbrunn Palace: an after-hours tour of the Palace, dinner in a selected restaurant, and a classical music concert featuring Mozart and Strauss in the Orangery.

    Meals: B

  7. Day 7rail

    Your Journey Ends in Vienna

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels. If you'd like to extend your journey to another city, just ask your Rail Expert.

    Meals: B

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A guided walking tour and bus tour introduce Zurich's Old Town, followed by an audio-guided boat trip on Lake Zurich.
  • Day 3A day trip climbs by luxury coach and the Eiger Express gondola to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Jungfraujoch, one of Europe's highest peaks.
  • Day 4A high-speed train crosses the Arlberg Pass from Zurich to Vienna with alpine views along the way.
  • Day 6An after-hours tour of Schönbrunn Palace is followed by dinner and a classical music concert featuring Mozart and Strauss in the Orangery.

Included

  • Rail travel as per the itinerary
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Vienna
  • Small-group walking tour of Zurich
  • Small-group tour to the Jungfrau and Bernese Oberland from Zurich
  • Vienna sightseeing pass
  • Schönbrunn Palace concert with dinner

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel is included as per the itinerary, including the Zurich to Vienna leg, which runs along the Arlberg Pass on a high-speed train.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Guided elements are limited to a small-group Zurich walking tour, the Jungfraujoch day trip, and the Schönbrunn Palace evening.
What hotels are included?
The package offers 12 accommodation options across tiers and cities, from the Crowne Plaza Zurich and Hotel Zeitgeist Vienna Hauptbahnhof up to Baur Au Lac, Park Hyatt Zurich, The Dolder Grand, and the InterContinental Hotel Vienna.
How many nights are spent in each city?
3 nights in Zurich and 3 nights in Vienna.
What is included besides rail and hotels?
A small-group walking tour of Zurich, a small-group day trip to Jungfraujoch and the Bernese Oberland, a Vienna sightseeing pass with a choice of up to three attractions, and a Schönbrunn Palace concert with dinner.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day, plus dinner as part of the Schönbrunn Palace concert evening on day 6.

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