Germany & Switzerland Rail Circle Tour. This 10-days/9-nights tour takes you from/to Frankfurt International Airport along a marvelous journey into the German, Austrian and the Alp Mountains of Switzerland.
View of Lucerne ©Swiss Image, Luzern Tourismus AG
With this vacation package, you will see spectacular landscapes and visit some of the most charming cities of Germany and Switzerland! Enjoy a wonderful Scenic-Panorama “Golden-Pass” train ride from Interlaken to Lucerne, on which you will have a marvelous view over snow-covered mountains. This beautiful vacation package includes second class rail all the way. The package can be upgraded to 1st-class Rail tickets for just US $ 259 per person for the entire tour except for the Express Bus from Munich to Zurich, where there is only one class of service. This includes seat reservations for the long-distance rails (see the tableau this is already included in the price of your tour). Here you also find everything else that is included: transfers, rail tickets, tours, and admissions.
Price per Person
| two sharing a double room | one in a single room | three sharing a triple room |
| US $ 2,209 | US $ 3,409 | US $ 2,029 |
Would you like to submit your personal information so we can check availability for your specific travel dates for this beautiful tour? On our BOOKING INQUIRY page, you find a form which you may use to forward your personal information:
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Wurzburg Residence © Romantische Strasse Tourismus Arbeitsgemeinschaft GbR, Imperial Castle and Heilig Geist Spital Nurmberg ©Thomas H. Giesick
Day 1 Wurzburg
Take the train from Frankfurt International Airport to Wurzburg Central Station. The city is idyllically located in the midst of vineyards, with the medieval Fortress Marienberg towering above. Wurzburg is an old bishop’s seat and a lively town, proudly presenting monuments of different eras. Culture, art, history and hospitality are ever-present in this remarkable city! Fortress Marienberg (admission included), Wurzburg´s landmark, has of course changed its appearance a great deal since it was first mentioned, today the oldest part of the fortress is the “Rundkirche” (round church) which was built in the year one thousand. The Cathedral, the Marienkapelle, the “Alte Mainbrucke” (old bridge across the river Main ), the Juliusspital and the “Kappele” are musts, but make sure that you do not miss out on the “Furstbischofliche Residenz“, Prince Bishops Residence (admission included). This “Palace above all Palaces” is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy this beautiful town which offers not only cultural but also culinary highlights such as the hearty cuisine and, of course, the world famous Frankenwein (Franconia wine!).
Day 2 Nuremberg
By High-speed Rail (ICE) it takes less than 2,5 hours from Frankfurt/Frankfurt Airport to Nuremberg. Your hotel is located in walking distance from Nuremberg Central Station (which is located just outside the Old City Wall surrounding Nuremberg Old Town and the Imperial Castle). Nuremberg’s history reaches back to the year 1050, its name “nourenberc” translates into “rocky hill”. Nuremberg’s famous landmark, the “Kaiserburg” (Imperial Castle), towers above the Old town, which is protected by the five kilometers long city wall, many towers and gates can still be visited. The medieval Castle is one of the most important imperial palaces dating from the middle ages from the 11th century (admission included). In the Third Reich Adolf Hitlers´Nazi Party had chosen Nuremberg for their Nazi Rallies and if you are interested in that part of history you may want to visit the Documenation Center Nazi Rally Grounds which are located just south of the Old Town.
When exploring the beauty of Nuremberg’s medieval Old Town you may want to start right at the Koenigstor (“Kingsgate”) which is the gate right across from Nuremberg Central Station. From where the timber framed buildings, the Gothic Church of St.Lawrence and the Church of St.Sebaldus can be easily reached by foot. Right next to the Koenigstor is the Handwerkerhof (craft center), here you will feel like you are back in the medieval times, there are craft workshops like they used to have a long time ago as well as a gingerbread bakery. Make sure to enjoy a Nuremberg Bratwurst along with a beer or a glass of “Frankenwein” (franconian wine).
Neuschwanstein Castle © Romantische Strasse Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gbr, Linderhof Palace © Softeis via Wikimedia Commons and Munich Town Hall © Thomas H. Giesick
Day 3 Munich
Start your tour with a ride on the commuter train from Munich Int. Airport directly to Munich Central Station. Your hotel is located in short walking distance from the station. The price of your tour already includes admission to many sights in Munich (Munich Residence and Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain) and with your tour package you will also receive walking suggestions for a self-guided walking tour through Munich City Center. Along this walking tour you will visit the Marienplatz with the New Town Hall (with the “Glockenspiel”), the Konigsplatz (King´s Square), cultural center in the 19th century and later, during the “Third Reich”, site of Nazi Party mass rallies and location of the Nazi Party headquarters in Germany, the English Garden as well as the the State Opera House.
You will be able to visit famous churches like Munich Frauenkirche, “Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), with a height of 325 ft. a Munich landmark, St. Peters Church, built in the 14th century and the Asam Church, which was built as a private chapel and integrated into an apartment building. The tour will pass by the most famous Munich shopping streets (Kaufinger street and Neuhauser street) as well as by the “Viktualienmarkt”, a traditional farmers market (open every day except on Sundays). The tour will take you by the famous “Alois Dallmayr” luxury delicatessen and coffee store as well as to the Hofbrauhaus of course, probably the world’s most popular beer hall. This may be a great place to enjoy a hearty dinner and a fresh Mass of beer (one mug holds 33.8 US fl oz)!
Day 4 Escorted coach tour to the Royal Castles
Another highlight of your Europe Rail tour will be a visit of the world famous Neuschwanstein Castle. You will be on an all-day escorted coach tour which will first take you to Oberammergau for a photo stop (you may want take a look at the Festival Hall where the Passion Play takes place every ten years.) The coach will then take you to Linderhof Palace, the Royal Villa of King Ludwig II. The Palace and Park were inspired by Versailles and the rooms are beautifully decorated and furnished. After a short drive through Austria and back into Germany you will get to Neuschwanstein Castle. The picture of Neuschwanstein is probably present in everybody’s mind and Neuschwanstein really seems to be taken out of a fairy tale. You will join an English-speaking guided tour through the Castle. The tour of the interior, the Throne Hall, the Hall of the Singers, the Grotto and all of the private rooms which were built for King Ludwig II, will make the picture perfect! After the tour of the inside make sure to take some time to explore the castle grounds. The view of Neuschwanstein from the bridge behind the castle is like no other! Your luxury coach will take you back to Munich where you will arrive in time for dinner.
Lake View Zurich © Swiss Image Lucia Degonda and Chappel Bridge Lucerne ©Swiss Image, Luzerne Tourismus AG
Day 5 Zurich
The direct train ride from Munich to Zurich Central Station takes a little over four hours. As a lifestyle capital located on the water, Zürich offers the unique mix of discovery, pleasure, nature and culture. The finest culinary highlights, unlimited shopping pleasure, over 50 museums and more than 100 galleries, Switzerland’s liveliest nightlife, numerous events and countless green oases in the center of the city tempt guests to linger and enjoy. If you want to have a glorious view of the Old Town, Grossmünster Church, City Hall, the Limmat river, the University and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Visit Lindenhof, a haven of peace and tranquility in the heart of the city. At the church “Fraumünster” you can find glass windows that has been created by Marc Chagall. If you want to do some shopping a visit of the “Bahnhofstrasse” is a must. The street runs from the Main Station right down to the lake. It is said to be among the most beautiful shopping areas in Europe and with its boutiques and stores it is also known to be one of the most exclusive and expensive shopping streets in the world. In Zürich you might want to look for a new Swiss made watch but you definitely have to try a piece of the Swiss Chocolate (Frey or Lindt)
Day 6 Lucerne
Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and an important tourist destination due to its location on the shore of Lake Lucerne – within sight of Mount Pilatus and Rigi. The train ride will be an absolute highlight of your tour, the Swiss Alp Mountain Scenery is just beautiful! Visit the Chapel Bridge: It is a 14th century wooden bridge crossing the Reuss River in the Old Town. The Chapel Bridge with the octagonal water tower is a famous landmark of Lucerne.
You will come across 17th century triangular painted roof panels lining the ceiling of this covered bridge, recounting important events from Swiss history and mythology. it is the most photographed monument in Switzerland. Don´t forget to visit one of the world’s most famous monuments: The Dying Lion of Lucerne. It was carved out of natural rock a renowned Danish/Icelandic sculptor, commemorates the hundreds of Swiss guards who were massacred during the French Revolution in 1792. Mark Twain says about the Lion of Lucerne that it is the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world.
View of Interlaken ©Swiss Image Lucia Degonda and Bern ©Swiss Image Bern Tourismus
Day 7 “Golden Pass” Panorama train ride
In the morning take the Scenic-Panorama “Golden-Pass”-train ride from Lucerneto Interlaken. Interlaken (Latin for “between the lakes”) is nestled between two lakes: Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. It also affords a view of the worlds famous Icy Icons: the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The Jungfrau – Top of Europe – can be reached by train. The tour does not include the tickets for the train journey up to the mountain since it will not be worth going up there if you have bad weather. Even in the summer time there can be days with snowfall and fog. However, if the weather is nice we recommend to go – this wonder-world of eternal snow and ice is absolutely stunning. Tickets can be bought right at the Interlaken West Station (where you arrived). Visit the Ice Palace and its sculptures or enjoy the breathtaking views from the Sphinx look-out terrace over the Aletsch Glacier, the longest ice stream in Europe, to the surrounding mountain peaks of the neighboring countries.
Day 8 Bern
In less than one hour the Speed Rail will take you from Interlaken to Bern. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote about Bern: “It is the most beautiful that we have ever seen”. Albert Einstein lived here from 1903 until 1905. Don´t miss to visit the Cathedral of Bern. It is Switzerland’s largest ecclesiastical building. Construction started in 1421, the spire was finally completed in 1893. At its portal you can see a depiction of the Last Judgment. Climb up Switzerland´s highest church to have a marvelous view cross the city and into the Bernese Mittelland and the snow-capped mountains of the Bernese Oberland. The Old Town ob Bern is very scenic and it has a unique medieval character. The historic center, almost completely surrounded by the Aare River, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Very unique are the numerous arcades you will find in Bern.
After a long day you may want to have something to eat at the Schwellenmätteli, a famous restaurant in Bern. Located on the banks of the River Aare you’ll feel like you’re on an island vacation.
Day 9 Frankfurt
It takes about four hours from Bern to Frankfurt Central Station. Your hotel is located within a short walking distance of Frankfurt Central Station. Frankfurt is a very modern metropolis which nevertheless offers many historic sites such as the Romerberg (hill of the Romans) with its beautifully restored timber-framed houses, the Goethe Haus where the world famous poet once lived; the Paulskirche, symbol for democracy and freedom in Germany; “Alt-Sachsenhausen“, where in Schellgasse number 6 you will find Frankfurt’s oldest timber-framed house, built around 1291, to name only a few of Frankfurt’s historic landmarks.
The Frankfurt Museum Riverbank is one of the most important locations for museums in Germany and Europe. The exhibition buildings are lined up on both sides of the Main riverbank, several famous museums are to be found in the city centre. Visit the “Stadel“, the German Museum of Architecture as well as the Museum of Applied Art or the “Schirn Kunsthalle” to name only a very few. Don’t miss out on Frankfurt’s “Zeil“, a huge pedestrian zone where shopping is the name of the game. So, if you arrive early enough in Frankfurt, visiting this interesting metropolis is certainly worthwhile.
Romer, Opera House, Skyline of Frankfurt © Thomas H. Giesick
Day 10 Frankfurt International Airport
Today your tour ends after breakfast. Take the train for a very short train ride from Frankfurt Central Station right into the terminal of Frankfurt International Airport. You have a wide variety of trains going during the day and you may take a train at your convenience. The train ride takes about 11 Minutes.
Would you like to download an overview of the 10 Day Germany & Switzerland Rail Circle Tour (10R03) as a pdf to print it out or to forward it to a friend? Please download it right here:This is already included in the price of your tour
| Day 1 - Frankfurt Int. Airport to Wurzburg/ Wurzburg | Ticket (also valid for High-Speed "ICE" trains) from Frankfurt Int. Airport directly to Wurzburg (travel time about 1:30 hrs) | Wurzburger Hof (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Wuerzburg Central Station) | Admission to the Wurzburg Residence and Marienberg Fortress (open March 16th to October, closed on Mondays) |
| Day 2 - Wuerzburg to Nuermberg/ Nuremberg | Ticket (also valid for High Speed "ICE" trains) from Wurzburg directly to Nuremberg (travel time about an hour) | Hotel Victoria (or similar if not available), located within the Old Town, right across from Nuremberg Central Station - 3 walking minutes) | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Wurzburg, Admission to the Imperial Castle in Nuremberg, admission to the Deep Well and to the Sinwell Tower |
| Day 3 - Nuremberg to Munich/ Munich | Ticket (also valid for High Speed "ICE" trains) from Nuremberg directly to Munich (travel time about 1:10 hrs) | King´s First Class Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Nuremberg, Admission Residence Museum, Treasury, Admission Cuvilliés-Theatre, Admission Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Admission Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Admission Marstallmuseum and Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain |
| Day 4 - Royal Castles/ Munich | no train ticket needed | King´s First Class Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich, All day escorted coach tour to Oberammergau and to the Royal Castles - Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace, Admission Neuschwanstein Castle (Hohenschwangau), Admission Linderhof Palace & Park (Ettal) |
| Day 5 - Munich to Zurich/ Zurich | Ticket (also valid for Speed "EC" trains) from Munich directly to Zurich (travel time around 4:30 hrs) | Bristol Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Lucerne Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich |
| Day 6 - Zurich to Lucerne/ Lucerne | Ticket from Zurich to Lucerne (travel time about an hour) | Waldstatterhof Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Lucerne Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Zurich |
| Day 7 - Lucerne to Interlaken/ Interlaken | Golden Pass Ticket from Lucern to Interlaken (travel time about 1:50 hrs) | Metropole Swiss Quality Interlaken Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Interlaken Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Lucerne, Scenic-Panorama "Golden-Pass"-train ride from Lucerne to Interlaken |
| Day 8 - Interlaken to Bern/ Bern | Ticket (also valid for High Speed "ICE" trains) from Interlaken directly to Bern (travel time about an hour) | Hotel Allegro Grand Casino (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Bern Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Interlaken |
| Day 9 - Bern to Frankfurt/ Frankfurt | Ticket (also valid for High Speed "ICE" trains) from Bern directly to Frankfurt (travel time about 4:00 hrs) | Hotel Hamburger Hof (or similar if not available), located within 3 walking minutes from Frankfurt Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Bern |
| Day 10 - Frankfurt to Frankfurt Int. Airport/ Frankfurt Int. Airport | Ticket (also valid for High Speed "ICE" trains) from Frankfurt to Frankfurt Int. Airport (travel time about 12 minutes) | no hotel needed | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Frankfurt |
The tour package we provide includes a day by day itinerary as well as all tickets, vouchers and information necessary to enjoy a great independent tour. It also contains general information about the cities you visit which you can downloaded from our website once your tour is confirmed.
This is not included in the price of your tour
- Airfare from/to your origin to/from Munich International Airport
- all meals other than breakfast (which is included)
- gratuities (tips)
You have booked the tour already and would like to download the to-europe tour package for this tour now? Please download them right here:
STRASBOURG, BLACK FORREST & INTERLAKEN CUSTOM TOUR Hi Thomas, We had a FABULOUS trip to the Black Forest, France and Switzerland. You do a remarkable job in finding excellent locations, wonderful hotels, and all the directions we need to make our way from place to place. Again, thanks for all that you do! – Jackie T., Oklahoma, USA
We are fortunate to have travelers from all over the world on our pre-packaged tours and we would love to have your feedback! If you have been traveling along this tour with us please leave us a review below – we greatly appreciate your time! (your Email address will not be displayed)
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We just got back from our 10 day tour of Germany and Switzerland. We were so impressed As we are about land back in the U.S, we were so impressed with the trip you put together for us. Great cities. Nice, clean hotels conveniently located a short walk from the train stations. Train tickets already printed and ready to use so we didn’t have to fool with that, and printouts via your emails that listed the track number, our seat numbers, and departure and arrival times. Passes for use of the public transport system in a few of the cities. A good list of stuff to see and do on your website that we took with us. You guys were also very responsive over the last two years whenever I would email you with a question or concern. Just an all around wonderful experience. Thank you very much.
We just got back from a vacation in Europe and we had an amazing time,Especially memorable was the customized rail tour we arranged with to-europe.com. A dream I had was to one day experience the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria and go up to the "Top of Europe" Jungfraujoch. I was not sure how to combine this idea in one vacation until I read on to-europe.com website that they had options for me to visit both areas, Our train tour was fantastic and I saw so much more that what I bargained for. Extra tours that were not planned for we also did a long the way and this added value to our tour. Every day after every train trip we did something new and each experience (tour) was unique and memorable. The trains are really efficient.. Many had WIFI in them to our amazement, The hotels were excellent and a short trip from the train stations. We met many people along the way.....but what was most memorable to me was that to-europe.com was able to customize my vacation experience in such a way that i got to make my "2 dreams" reality. The team that organised my trip was also very efficient. Every hotel, train and tour was booked accordingly with all documentation there when we got to our first hotel. All vouchers that were emailed to me were correct and even the post made it in a short period of time all the way to South Africa. I would like to thank Michaela, Thomas and Petra for all the organisation behind the scenes that led to a fantastic vacation. I would recommend booking tour through this company any day! Thank you guys!
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