History Rail Tour Third Reich. We know about the evil, the terror, and destruction. But how could it happen? Find out why people were fascinated and others were terrorized.
Eagles Nest – Kehlsteinhaus © Thomas H. Giesick
How the Nazi movement got into power, how they terrorized and how they got defeated. Visit Munich, “Hauptstadt der Bewegung” (Capitol of the movement) where it began, Nuremberg, “Stadt der Reichsparteitage” (City of the Party Conventions), the “Kehlsteinhaus” (Eagles Nest), present to Adolf Hitler to his 50th birthday, located near Salzburg on top of the Obersalzberg, where Hitler lived on the “Berghof”, and to Berlin, Capitol of the Third Reich, where it all ended. The tour will also take you to two concentration camps: KZ Dachau (near Munich) which was the first concentration camp the Nazis built right after they came into power in 1933 and KZ Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg (near Berlin), where the administration center of all of the concentration camps was located. The rail tour includes unrestricted 2nd-class Rail tickets (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 $ 1,379 | US $ 2,149 | US $ 1,249 |
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View 9 Day History Rail tour: “Fascination and Terror” (9R05) Tour in a larger map
DAY 1 Munich Airport / Munich
You tour starts right from Munich Int. Airport from where you will take a train taking you directly to Munich Central Station, where your hotel is located. In Munich the rise of the Nazi movement began and the “Braune Haus” (Brown Haus) was the national headquarters of the NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers Party). Your tour starts with a visit of the “NS Documentation Center” (admission not included) which has been built at the Brienner Strasse 34, where the “Braune Haus” was located.
Depending on your arrival time in Munich you may also have time for a visit of the City Museum. The permanent exhibition “National Socialism in Munich” shows the development of the NSDAP (German National Socialism German Workers Party) which was founded in Munich and always had its headquarters here.
Entrance to the Hofbrauhaus and Marienplatz in Munich © Thomas H. Giesick
The tour information sheets will list many places in Munich which can be visited by foot like the historic Hofbrauhaus beer hall where Adolf Hitler, who had joined the Nazi movement in 1919, gave one of his first speeches in front of large audiences. Or the “Koenigsplatz” (King´s square) which was re-designed by the Nazis and which included the “Ehrentempel” (temple of honor) of the fallen putschists. Also, buildings like the “Fuehrerbaus” (leaders building), “Haus der Deutschen Kunst” (House of German Art) and buildings where Hitler had lived when he moved to Munich.
Entrance of KZ Dachau “work makes (you) free” © Thomas H. Giesick
DAY 2 Dachau Memorial Site and Munich
In the morning you travel to Dachau to visit KZ Dachau which was the first Concentration Camp of Nazi Germany, soon erected after Hitler came into power in 1933. Rail to Dachau and the bus to the Memorial Site is included in the price of the tour, admission to the Memorial Site is free. At the site you may join an English-speaking tour organized by volunteers working for the memorial site or get an audio guide which is available in English. The 22-minute documentary “The Dachau Concentration Camp” is shown in English several times a day (free of charge). Including the travel time from/to Munich Central Station, you need about 4-5 hours for a visit. For more detailed information you may also want to look at our Blog “Dachau memorial site – day trip by rail from Munich”.
Dachau Memorial Site © Thomas H. Giesick
DAY 3 Salzburg
By speed rail, it only takes a little less than 90 minutes from Munich to Salzburg. Your hotel is located in walking distance from Salzburg Central Station. The city is known for Mozart, “The Sound of Music” and also for the “Mozartkugeln” (Mozart Ball), the delicious praline made out of pistachio, marzipan, nougat and dark chocolate.
Salzburg © Thomas H. Giesick
In 1938, when Austria was annexed to Germany, Salzburg was the only city in Austria where a book burning took place (at the “Residenzplatz”) and Salzburg´s Synagogue was burned. Jewish inhabitants were forced to sell their homes and businesses and soon Salzburg was among the first cities in Austria declaring itself “Arianised” – “free of Jews”. Since Adolf Hitler spent much time at the “Berghof” on the Obersalzberg Mountain (Eagles Nest) located above Berchtesgaden, he used Klessheim Palace (which today is the seat of Salzburg casino) for hosting international guests.
Residenzplatz and Hohensalz Fortress in Salzburg © Thomas H. Giesick
Day 4 Eagles Nest Berchtesgaden/ Salzburg
In the morning you will take a modern bus from Salzburg for a half-day guided tour to the Kehlsteinhaus, located close to nearby Berchtesgaden/Germany, in English-speaking countries known as the “Eagles Nest”.
Elevator to the Eagles Nest © Thomas H. Giesick
The Eagles Nest was built for Adolf Hitler for his 50th birthday as a present from his party. It is an architectural masterpiece: the building on a rock on top of the mountain, a road cut into the mountain ending in front of a tunnel leading to a golden brass elevator through which one can reach the summit. Truly impressive and this is what it was supposed to be: to impress and dazzle people. For information about what to expect at the Eagles Nest, you may want to look at our Blog “Eagles Nest – day trip from Salzburg” where you also find some impressions of this day trip.
Site where the Berghof used to be, entrance to the bunker © Thomas H. Giesick
You will be back in Salzburg around 1:30 pm. From the provider of the Eagles Nest tour, you will receive a day pass ticket to use the public buses within Salzburg at no extra charge. Enjoy your time in Salzburg for some additional sightseeing this afternoon!
DAY 5 Nuremberg
By High-Speed Rail it takes about 3 hours from Salzburg to Nuremberg. Nuremberg is world-known for its Christkindlesmarkt, but it also has many sights which are worth visiting like the impressive Imperial Castle, medieval St. Lorenz Church or the Toy Museum for example. Included in the price of the tour is the Nuremberg Card which covers public transportation within the greater Nuremberg area (Zone A) and admission to nearly all museums and attractions in Nuremberg for two consecutive days.
St. Elisabeth’s Church, Imperial Castle and Heilig Geist Spital in Nuremberg ©Thomas H. Giesick
Of course, a visit to Nuremberg’s famous landmark, the “Kaiserburg” (Imperial Castle), is a “must do”. The famous 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 covered by your Nuremberg Card). After your Castle visit, you may want to explore the beauty of Nuremberg’s medieval Old Town. One can start at the Koenigstor (“Kingsgate“), 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 there 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.
DAY 6 Nazi Rally Grounds / Nuremberg
Nuremberg is world-known for its Christkindlesmarkt, but it also has many sights which are worth visiting like the impressive Imperial Castle, medieval St. Lorenz Church or the Toy Museum for example. But Nuremberg once was “Stadt der Reichsparteitage” (city of the party rallies) – a fact which was not easy for the town to deal with until they decided to use part of the monumental Congress Hall for the museum and documentation center which opened in 2001.
Documentation Center Nazi Rally Grounds in Nuremberg © Thomas H. Giesick
Its permanent exhibition “Faszination und Gewalt” (Fascination and Terror) is concerned with the causes, connections, and consequences of the Nazi movement in Germany. It is structured in a chronological order and first shows the fascination, extensively managed with means of modern marketing and media. After the visit of the Documentation Center, you may also consider the Rally Grounds with the “Great Road” (leading towards the Imperial Castle located in the Old Town) and the Zeppelinfield with the large Grandstand. For information about what to expect at the Nazi Rally Grounds you may also want to look at our Blog “Documentation Center Nazi Rally Grounds” where you also find some impressions of the museum and the Rally Grounds.
Nazi Rally Grounds: Congress Hall, Great Road, Zeppelinfield © Thomas H. Giesick
The price of your tour also includes admission to “The Memorium Nuremberg Trials” which you may want to visit in the afternoon. After the war Trials of leading representatives of the Nazi regime were held here in courtroom 600. Please note that the courtroom itself can also be visited but only if there is no trial going on – since it is in use nowadays.
Day 7 Berlin
After breakfast, you will take the direct High-speed “ICE” train from Nuremberg to Berlin which takes about 4.5 hours. When you have checked into your hotel you may want to start your tour by following our Berlin WWII walking tour suggestion. Those will take you from the Potsdamer Platz to the German Resistance Memorial Center, to the “Reichstag” (German Parliament), to the Brandenburg Gate, to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and to the Topography of Terror Documentation Center.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Brandenburg Gate © Thomas H. Giesick
The Secret State Police Office with its own “house prison,” the leadership of the SS and the Reich Security Main Office were located on the site where the Topography of Terror Documentation Center is located today. Its permanent exhibition “Topography of Terror: Gestapo, SS, and Reich Security Main Office” focuses on the central institutions of the SS and police during the “Third Reich” and the crimes that they committed throughout Europe.
Day 8 Sachsenhausen Memorial Site / Berlin
In the morning take the train from Berlin Central Station to Oranienburg Station (takes about 30 minutes). The Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen is about 15-20 walking minutes from the station. About 30,000 prisoners died in the concentration camp; even though KZ Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg was originally not intended as an examination camp (those camps were built in the East). These dead’s were caused by exhaustion due to very hard labor, by diseases due to poor living conditions and diet, by abuse and medical experiments, etc.
Courtyard Sachsenhausen Memorial ©Thomas H. Giesick
The camp had an outstanding position because it was also the administrative center of all of the concentration camps. KZ Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg was intended to set a standard for other concentration camps, in its design and also in the treatment of prisoners. For more detailed information you may also want to look at our Blog “Sachsenhausen memorial site – day trip by rail from Berlin”.
You should be back in Berlin in the early afternoon and you have time for some more sightseeing in Berlin with your “Berlin ABC” pass which allows unlimited use the public transportation system in Berlin. Especially the double decker busses “100” and “200” are great for sightseeing since they take you to a number of sights: Bus 100 takes you from “Alexanderplatz – TV Tower” via Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Bellevue Palace (seat of the German President), Siegessaeule (Victory Column), to former West Berlin (“Ku-Damm”, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, “KaDeWe” – the largest department store in Continental Europe), Bus 200 takes you back south of “Tiergarten” via “Potsdamer Platz”.
Reichstag, German Chancellery, Bellevue Palace © Thomas H. Giesick
On most days it is possible to arrange a tour of the Reichstag. This is free of charge but needs to be arranged way in advance. If you are interested please let us know as soon as you booked the tour so we can schedule a time.
Day 9 Berlin / Berlin Int. Airport
After breakfast – depending on your flight schedule – you may use your “Berlin ABC” pass for some more sightseeing in Berlin. The pass also covers the fare for the Airport bus which takes you to Berlin Tegel International Airport for your departure flight.
This is already included in the price of your tour
| Day 1 - Munich Int. Airport to Munich/ Munich | Unrestricted ticket (not restricted to a specific time or train type) from Munich Int. Airport to Munich Central Station (travel time about 45 minutes) | King´s Hotel Center (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | |
| Day 2 - Munich/ Dachau | Ticket for unlimited free use of the public transportation system (buses, trams, subways) within Munich as well as to/from Dachau and for the public bus from Dachau Station to the Memorial Site | King´s Hotel Center (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich, Self guided Tour to Dachau Memorial |
| Day 3 - Munich to Salzburg/ Salzburg | Ticket - also valid for High-Speed "Rail-Jet" trains) from Munich directly to Salzburg (travel time about 1:30 hrs) | Mozart Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Salzburg Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich |
| Day 4 - Salzburg/ Eagles Nest/ | no train ticket needed | Mozart Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Salzburg Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Salzburg, Half day escorted coach tour to Eagles Nest |
| Day 5 - Salzburg to Nuremberg/ Nuremberg | Ticket - also valid for High-Speed "ICE" trains) from Salzburg to Nuremberg (travel time about 3:00 hrs) | 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 Salzburg, 2-Day Nuremberg Card - free use of public transportation system; free admission to all museums and sights such as the Imperial Castle |
| Day 6 - Nuremberg | no train ticket needed | 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 Nuremberg,2-Day Nuremberg Card - free use of public transportation system; free admission to all museums and sights such as the Nazi Rally Grounds and Nuremberg Trials |
| Day 7 - Nurmberg to Berlin/ Berlin | Ticket - also valid for High-Speed "ICE" trains) from Nuremberg directly to Berlin (travel time about 4:45 hrs) | Hotel Gat Point Charlie (or similar if not available), from Berlin Central Station with commuter train to Station Potsdamer Platz (covered by your Berlin Welcome Card) located within 10 walking minutes from Potsdamer Platz Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Nuremberg, 72-hour Greater Berlin & Potsdam Welcome Card (free use of public transportation system; discounts on many cultural and touristic highlights) |
| Day 8 - Berlin | Greater Berlin & Potsdam Welcome Card covers the transportation to/from Sachsenhausen/Oranienburg and for the public bus from Oranienburg Station to the Memorial Site | Hotel Gat Point Charlie (or similar if not available), from Berlin Central Station with commuter train to Station Potsdamer Platz (covered by your Berlin Welcome Card) located within 10 walking minutes from Potsdamer Platz Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Berlin, 72-hour Greater Berlin & Potsdam Welcome Card (free use of public transportation system; discounts on many cultural and touristic highlights), visit of Sachsenhausen Memorial |
| Day 9 - Berlin to Berlin Tegel Airport/ Berlin Tegel Airport | Greater Berlin & Potsdam Welcome Card covers the transportation to Berlin Tegel (travel time about 30 minutes) | no hotel needed | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Berlin |
Your tour package includes all tickets, vouchers and information necessary to enjoy a great independent tour. The tour package also contains tour information sheets (20-35 pages) with general information about the tour and a day by day itinerary which you can download from our website once your booking is confirmed.
This is not included in the price of your tour
- Airfare from your origin to Munich International Airport
- Airfare from Berlin Tegel to your origin
- 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 information package for this tour now? Please download them right here:
We just got home yesterday and wanted you to know that everything was WONDERFUL!! We had such a great time and took tons of photos… we will add some to your site. The hotels were all very nice and charming…we loved the owner!! It was a perfect vacation and I say “Thank You” once again for getting it so right!
– Cindy A., Philadelphia, PA, 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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Had a great time with everything perfectly arranged by Petra. Train connections worked seamlessly , Hotels were excellent and one was exceptional (Victoria Nuremberg).
Thomas asked me if, for a small surcharge I wished to upgrade rail travel to first class, and I was so glad I did. It was brilliant.
Thank you Thomas and everybody it was a great trip and I absolutely recomommend this company
"The Fascination and Terror" rail tour was wonderful. Thomas and Michaela were very helpful and answered all our questions one step at a time. The hotels, train stations, and all the helpful walking directions and sight-seeing directions were most useful. We would highly recommend To-Europe to anyone who is looking for a little assistance with a self-guided tour through Germany.
I can’t say enough about our trip to Germany and Austria!!! We booked the 9 Day-History Rail Tour “Fascination and Terror,” we had an absolutely amazing time, and we learned so much about WWII! This is an experience we will never forget and booking with To-Europe was the best decision. Thomas, Michaela, and Petra made everything so easy, and they were very quick to respond to our questions and concerns. From the hotel accommodations to the pre-booked travel, we were able to enjoy our trip without worrying about the quality of the hotels or which travel tickets to purchase. We really enjoyed all the information that was provided in our tour packet, and the day trip suggestions were really helpful. One of our favorite days was the trip to the Eagles Nest, the scenery was absolutely beautiful! It was a perfectly coordinated trip and it was the perfect way to do a self-guided tour while not having to worry about all the details. This was our first time booking with To-Europe but we will certainly be booking with them in the near future! Thank you!
We toured with To-Europe: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich and it was fascinating and wonderful! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and learned lots. The hotels were very charming and in great central locations. The rail arrangements, as well as the walking suggestions were most helpful and everything went well. We had a great time. Thank you again for the arrangements and follow up.
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