Imperial Europe Luxury Rail Tour. Visit the Imperial Cities of Central Europe and enjoy luxury accommodation in 5* Hotels in the cities of Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Berlin along this 1st-class Imperial Europe Rail tour. And enjoy an escorted tour into the spectacular landscapes of the Danube Valley, a private guided tour in Prague, a Hop-on Hop-off City tour in Budapest & more!
Bellevue Palace Berlin ©Thomas H. Giesick
This vacation package includes private transfers from/to the International Airports of Berlin and Budapest and the tour can be booked in both directions: either from Berlin to Budapest (as listed in the itinerary below) or from Budapest to Berlin! For details of what exactly is included in this vacation package please 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 $ 2,749 | US $ 4,639 | US $ 2,719 |
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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Day 1 Berlin
By private transfer you will get from Berlin Tegel Airport to your hotel located near Potsdamer Platz. Germany´s capital city is a great and dynamic metropolis. The unification of East and West Berlin 25 years ago changed the city in many ways. Berlin fascinates visitors it’s culture and history are unique.
German Chancellery and Brandenburg Gate Berlin ©Thomas H. Giesick
Your vacation package includes the 48 hour Berlin Welcome Card. With this card you will have discounts to 200 museums, city tours and attractions and it includes a pass for unlimited free use of the Berlin public transportation system. With your tour package you will receive Berlin Walking tour suggestions as well as information about the public buses “M100” and “M200”: the buses are public double decker buses which cover many sights of Berlin and are a perfect way to explore the city by hopping on and off those buses. They run very frequently all day from 5am until midnight and if you take both routes you will have a circle taking you from the former Center of East Berlin (“Berlin Alexanderplatz”) to the Center of West Berlin (“Bahnhof Zoo”, “Ku´damm” shopping area). Bus M200 takes you south of the “Tiergarten” to West Berlin´s Bahnhof Zoo where you may want to visit the “Gedachtniskirche” (Memorial Church) as well as the KaDeWe, continental Europe´s largest compartment store, which is located close to the Ku´damm. Bus M100 takes you back through the Tiergarten and partly north of it, passing the “Siegessaule” (Victory Column), Bellevue Palace (built in 1786 for the younger brother of Friedrich II, Ferdinand of Prussia, today: seat of the Germany´s President), the Reichstag (German Parliament), the Brandenburg Gate and the Museum Island back to Berlin Alexanderplatz.
Day 2 Berlin
On your second day in Berlin along your Imperial Europe Rail tour your Berlin Welcome Card will still be valid. However, your tour package also includes walking suggestions which cover many of the sights around Brandenburg Gate which can best be visited by foot. From the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag (German Parliament) the walking tour passes by the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, to Berlin´s new city center, the “Potsdamer Platz”, to “Checkpoint Charlie”, to East Berlin´s Culture- and Shopping Street “Friedrichstrasse” (site of the “golden twenties”), to the “Gendarmenmarkt”, where the German and French cathedrals are located, via the promenade street “Unter den Linden” to the Museum Island.
The remains of the wall can be visited at Berlin´s East Side Gallery where parts of the wall have been turned into a piece of art. If you are interested in Third Reich history a “must visit” is the documentation center “Topography of Terror“. It is located at the site from where the Nazis planned and managed most of their crimes. For those of you interested to visit a Concentration Camp Memorial site: a half day trip to the Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen in Oranienburg can be arranged (see Day 8 of our History Rail Tour “Fascination and Terror –Rise and Fall of the Third Reich”).
Prague Castle and Church of Ludmilla Czech © TO EUROPE s.r.o.
Day 3 Prague
In about 4.5 hours the “EuroCity” (EC) takes you from Berlin to Prague. Your hotel is located in walking distance from Prague Central Station. When you have checked in at your hotel you will be met by your tour guide to enjoy a private guided English-speaking Prague Walking tour. The tour will give you an overall impression of the marvelous historic Old Town of Prague with background information on the history and political developments. After the tour your guide will suggest a restaurant to you – of course you have to try some Czech culinary delights as well as a Pilsner Beer!
Day 4 Prague
The Old Town can easily be explored by foot from your centrally located hotel and today you have all day to take a closer look at some of the highlights you have seen the day before. Maybe you want to take a short walk into the Old Town (“Staré město”) since in Prague’s historic Center numerous historic buildings and monuments can be seen. At “Staroměstské náměstí, the Old Town Square, you will find the famed Astronomical Clock (Orloj), built into one side of the Old Town Hall Tower, the gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn as well as the mural-covered Storch building. If you walk a little further towards Prague´s Vltava River you will find another highlight – the Karlův most (Charles Bridge). Construction of Prague’s most famous medieval bridge started in 1357 under King Charles IV. The bridge connects the Lesser Town with the Old Town. From the Charles Bridge you have a great view of the Hradčany (Castle District) with Prague Castle towering above the city of Prague. Back in 870 constructions of the first buildings began, many buildings were added during the centuries. Maybe you would like to cross the Charles Bridge again and take a closer look into Prague Castle? You will pass the Lesser Quarter (Malá Strana, “little quarter”) which is one of the most historic parts of town.
Day 5 Vienna
In about 4 hours the Speed Rail “EuroCity” (EC) will take you from Prague to Vienna located in the east of Austria, close to the borders to Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. The price of your Imperial Europe vacation package already includes the 48 hour Vienna Card. With this card you enjoy more than 200 discounts in Vienna, at museums and sights, theaters and concerts, in shops, cafes, restaurants and also the “Heurige” wine taverns. But most importantly with this card you also enjoy unlimited free public transportation within Vienna. Even though your hotel is located in the City Center it is great to have the option to take the subway, a street-car or a public bus. On your first day in Vienna you may want to visit the Imperial Palace, for example, the “Hofburg Vienna”, the center of the former Habsburg Empire. The Palace was Sisi´s Imperial home and household, and the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Silver Collection can be visited here. At the Vienna Hofburg you also find the Spanish Riding School where you may want to watch a performance or join a practice session and also the Old Town Hall which is close by. In immediate walking distance of the Hofburg you will find the State Opera House, definitely one of the world’s most famous Opera Houses where the Vienna Opera Ball takes place every year. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna and it is a “must see” as well as smaller churches like the “Universitatskirche” (Jesuits Church) and the “Peterskirche” (St. Peter’s Church).
Another option is to visit the “Ringstrasse”, a circular road around the inner city districts of Vienna. In the 19th century, the road was replacing the Old City Wall which had been built in the 13th century. Many of the buildings you find along this road, the Austrian Parliament Building or the University of Vienna for example, were built around the 1850´s. You may also want to visit Schonbrunn Palace and its beautiful Garden. Your Vienna Card covers the fare to get there; the subway station “Schonbrunn” (subway line U4) is very close to the entrance of Schonbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the Habsburg family and home of Maria Theresa. The Rococo palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria and nowadays is one of the most visited sights in Vienna. It all started with the building of a mansion on hunting grounds in 1548 just outside of Vienna. The impressive Palace in its present form (it has 1,441 rooms!) was built and remodeled around the 1750s by Maria Theresa. Make sure to plan in some time for a visit of Schonbrunn Garden before you take the subway back to the city center.
Schoenbrunn Palace ©Österreich Werbung, Horvath and Church of Mariahilf Vienna © Österreich Werbung
Day 6 Day trip to the Danube Valley, Melk and Danube River Cruise
Today you will be picked up at your hotel for a day trip which takes you from Vienna into the Wachau, a picturesque valley along the Danube, known for its excellent wine. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you enjoy the view of medieval castles, impressive monasteries and a breathtaking landscape along this tour.
You will first travel from Vienna to Krems, a pretty town on the banks of the Danube River. After a short visit of the historical city Centre the bus tour continues on to Spitz. Along the way you will see the ruins of Duernstein Castle, where the English King Richard the Lionheart was held captive. By boat you will cruise on the Danube River downstream to the town of Melk. Lush vineyards shape the landscape of the Danube Valley – the views on both sides of the Danube are spectacular!
After the boat trip, you arrive at Melk where the bus awaits you and takes you to the nearby Benedictine Abbey. This impressive baroque building was awarded the prize “Best Historic Destination of the World” together with the Wachau in 2008. On a guided tour you will see the magnificent marble hall, the precious abbey library and the church with its unique frescoes. After this enjoyable day trip, we take you back from the Danube Valley to the Vienna State Opera. Your 48 hour Vienna Card is still valid that day so you may use the public transportation system for some additional sightseeing in Vienna in the evening, to enjoy a nice dinner and to get back to your hotel.
Budapest Castle Area and Budapest Zitadelle ©Ungarn Tourismus
Day 7 Budapest
In a little less than three hours, you will be in Budapest. Budapest is one of Europe’s most charming and romantic cities. It consists of two very different cities, Buda on the West bank of the Danube River and Pest on the East bank. Most of Budapest’s famous sights are concentrated on Castle Hill on the Buda side, in downtown Pest and along the riverside walkways. You are holding a 48 hour Hop-on Hop-off City tour ticket which is a great way to explore the City. The most popular attraction of Budapest is the Royal Palace which is towering on the Castle Hill above the city as well as the Parliament Building – a neo-gothic jewel, beautifully situated overlooking the Danube. St. Stephen’s Basilica is the main church of Budapest. It is an important example of neoclassical architecture. The mummified right hand of Hungary´s first king, St. Stephen, is kept in the chapel. The 96-meter high dome can be seen from anywhere in the city and the inside is beautifully decorated with mosaics. Also worth visiting is the State Opera House.
Day 8 Budapest
Your 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off City ticket is still valid today and you may want to take another tour to see more of Budapest. Later on you may want to walk down to the Danube to visit the Chain Bridge (Szechenyi lanchid) as well as stroll along the Danube River bank. The “Shoes on the Danube Bank” can be found there; it is a memorial which honors the Jews who were killed by fascist in Budapest during World War II. The Jews in Budapest were ordered to take off their shoes, and were shot at the edge of the water so that their bodies fell into the river and were carried away. The memorial represents their shoes left behind on the bank.More detailed information about the horrors can be found at the Holocaust Memorial Center with its Exhibition Hall, the Synagogue and the “Wall of Victims”.
Day 9 Budapest Int. Airport
By private transfer you will get from your hotel to Budapest Airport or Budapest Cruise Ship Port where your tour ends. Please provide your departure details so we can arrange your transfer accordingly.
Would you like to download an overview of the 9 Day Imperial Europe Luxury Rail Tour (9R08) 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 - Berlin Tegel to Berlin/ Berlin | Ticket for unlimited free use of the public transportation system (buses, trams, subways) within Berlin | The Mandala Hotel (or similar if not available) | Private transfer from Berlin Tegel to your hotel, 48 hrs Berlin Welcome Card, Berlin Walking suggestions |
| Day 2 - Berlin | Ticket for unlimited free use of the public transportation system (buses, trams, subways) within Berlin | The Mandala Hotel (or similar if not available) | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Berlin, 48 hrs Berlin Welcome Card, Berlin Walking suggestions |
| Day 3 - Berlin to Prague/ Prague | First Class Speed train ticket from Berlin directly to Prague (travel time about 4:40 hrs) | Art Nouveau Palace Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Prague Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Berlin, Private guided English-speaking City tour of Prague |
| Day 4 - Prague | no train tickets needed | Art Nouveau Palace Hotel (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Prague Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Prague |
| Day 5 - Prague to Vienna/ Vienna | First Class Speed train ticket from Prague directly to Vienna (travel time about 4:10 hrs), Ticket for unlimited free use of the public transportation system (buses, trams, subways) within Vienna | Le Meridien Vienna Hotel (or similar if not available) | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Prague, 48 hrs Vienna Card |
| Day 6 - Day trip into the Danube Valley, Melk and Danube River Cruise/ Vienna | Ticket for unlimited free use of the public transportation system (buses, trams, subways) within Vienna | Le Meridien Vienna Hotel (or similar if not available) | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Vienna, 48 hrs Vienna Card, Day Trip thru Danube Valley (by coach and boat) |
| Day 7 - Vienna to Budapest/ Budapest | First Class Speed train ticket from Vienna directly to Budapest (travel time about 2:35 hrs) | Boscolo Budapest, Autograph Collection Hotel (or similar if not available) | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Vienna, 48 h Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus ticket in Budapest |
| Day 8 - Budapest | no train tickets needed | Boscolo Budapest, Autograph Collection Hotel (or similar if not available) | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Budapest, 48 h Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus ticket in Budapest |
| Day 9 - Budapest to Budapest Airport or Budapest Cruise Ship Port | no train tickets needed | no hotel needed | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Budapest, private transfer to Budapest Airport or Budapest Cruise Ship Port |
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 your origin to Berlin Tegel Airport/from Budapest International Airport 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 package for this tour now? Please download them right here:
10-DAY CENTRAL EUROPEAN RAIL TOUR Hi Thomas, I meant to send you an email yesterday right after I came back from the vacation but I was tied up with other things – few pending business related work from my company. Both my wife and I really enjoyed European vacation trip you arranged for us. All extra activities you arranged for us such as dinner cruse on evening, city bus tour, etc. were very good and all choice of the hotel in different cities were excellent. Train ride between cities was also very smooth and good. In overall, we had a really good time and very satisfied with your services. Thank you! – In Don B., Vancouver, BC, Canada
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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Very pleased with trip planning and responsiveness of the to-Europe team. Would definitely recommend them to others and will use them for additional trips in the future.
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