From Paris to Vienna, via the picturesque cities of Heidelberg, Munich, and Salzburg, this 1st-class rail journey takes you through the heart of Central Europe, with historic cities and cultural treasures.
DURATION
5 days / 4 nights
STARTS / ENDS
Paris / Vienna
PRICE FROM
$1,329 per person
STYLE
Self-guided, independent
STOPS
Heidelberg, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna
INCLUDES
4 hotel nights, breakfast, 2nd-class rail, Sound Of Music tour, Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace tour
Price Per Person
Choose your room
US-$ 1,399
US-$ 2,099
US-$ 1,329
Upgrade to 1st class rail — long-distance rides, seat reservations included.
Check availability for your dates
Send your travel dates and we’ll confirm space on this itinerary within 1–2 business days.
Your Journey Starts Here
Your Day-by-Day Travel Itinerary
This is your personalized travel journey through Europe. Each day is packed with exciting activities and delightful experiences. At every step, enjoy the freedom of exploring at your own pace. Our suggested itinerary helps you discover the beauty and culture of each destination you visit.
By High-Speed train (TGV) you will get from Paris, the “city of love” (via Mannheim) to the romantic city of Heidelberg. Since in Heidelberg the Central station is a little bit outside of the Old Town the tour already includes a taxi transfer to your hotel which is located in the historic heart of Heidelberg.
Your tour package includes a suggestion for a walking tour through the Old Town, a “must do” – of course – is a visit of the ruins of Heidelberg Castle which is idyllically towering above the Old Town located at the Neckar River. If you do not want to take the walk up there is also a mountain train which you could take. From the Castle you have a beautiful view over the city and the Neckar River. The historic Old Town is a lively city with many students living there. In your tour information sheets you will find a recommendation where to go for a typical dinner.
DAY 2
By taxi transfer you will get from your hotel in the Old Town to Heidelberg Central Station from where you continue your rail tour by taking a speed-train (IC/EC) directly to Munich Central Station. Your very well rated hotel is in walking distance from Munich Central Station Munich. Travel time is about 3 hours so you will be able to start sightseeing in Munich in the early afternoon. With your tour package you will also receive a walking tour suggestion for Munich which will take you to the Marienplatz (Marien square) with the famous Glockenspiel (carillon), to the Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady) and to the Hofbrauhaus for example. Your tour package includes admission to the Residence Museum & Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum and Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain.
If you are interested in visiting nearby Dachau Memorial Site you may want to add an extra day in Munich (please let us know at the time of the booking). For information about the day trip by rail from Munich please visit our blog.
DAY 3
You have a beautiful escorted coach tour ahead of you today which takes you from Munich into the Alp Mountains. Along the way from Munich to Linderhof Palace, “Royal Villa” of King Ludwig II, beautifully furnished, you will visit Oberammergau for a short stop which allows you to visit the site where the passion play takes place. For many visitors to Germany the highlight is the visit of Neuschwanstein Castle which seems to be taken out of a fairy tale! Seeing the castle from the outside is unforgettable, a (English-speaking) tour of the insight will make a perfect picture! You will have time to explore the castle grounds and you may want to consider taking a short walk to the bridge located behind the Castle from where you have a great view of Neuschwanstein Castle and the Bavarian Alps landscape. Afterwards the coach will take you back to Munich where you will arrive around 6:30pm.
By high-speed rail (e.g. “Rail Jet”) you will travel from Munich to Salzburg. Your very well rated hotel in Salzburg is located in the Old Town, in walking distance from the rail station. Depending on the train you choose from Munich you may have time for some sightseeing in Salzburg before you join the (English-speaking) most unique 4-hour Sound of Music tour. This tour is an ideal opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Maria von Trapp whilst taking in local historical sights both from the city of Salzburg and also the picturesque Lakes and Mountains region along the way.
Your tour will end around 6pm at the Mirabellplatz from where it is a short 5 minute walk through the lovely Mirabellgarden down to the river Salzach. Across from the river you find the oldest part of Salzburg with Mozart’s Birthplace, the Residence and the funicular going up to Fortress Hohensalzburg. Along the “Getreidegasse” you find many shops as well as restaurants for dinner.
After breakfast you may want to continue your France, Germany and Austria Rail tour by taking a train from Salzburg to Vienna, travel time is about 2.5 hours. Your tour with us ends in Vienna. Please let us know if you would like to add accommodation in Vienna and/or a Vienna city tour to this package.
| Day 1 - Paris to Heidelberg/ Heidelberg | High-Speed 1st-class Train from Paris Est. to Mannheim (compulsory reservation), Train to Heidelberg | Holländer Hof (or similar if not available), located in the Old Town (taxi transfer provided) | Taxi transfer from Heidelberg Central Station to your hotel in Heidelberg Old Town |
| Day 2 - Heidelberg to Munich/ Munich | 1st class ticket - also valid for Speed "IC" trains) from Heidelberg directly to Munich (travel time about 2:20 hrs) | King´s Hotel First Class (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Heidelberg, taxi transfer from your hotel in Heidelberg Old Town to Heidelberg Central Station, 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 3 - Royal Castles/ Munich | no train ticket needed | King´s Hotel First Class (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 4 - Munich to Salzburg/ Salzburg, Salzburg to Nuremberg | 1st class ticket - also valid for High-Speed "Rail-Jet" trains) from Munich directly to Salzburg (travel time about 1:30 hrs) | Hotel IMLAUER & Bräu (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Salzburg Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich, 4 hr Sound of Music |
| Day 5 - Salzburg to Vienna/ Vienna | 1st class ticket - also valid for High-Speed "Rail-Jet" trains) from Salzburg directly to Vienna (travel time about 2:25 hrs) |
- Modify the starting point and/or the ending point of your journey
- Discover the opportunity to add an exciting sightseeing tour or consider visiting additional cities during your trip to enhance your travel experience even further
- For any other inquiries or questions you may have, please feel free to ask, and we will do our utmost to assist you in every possible way
Do you need any more information or assistance regarding this matter?
If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to help with anything you may need.
An Engaging Overview Highlighting the Unique Aspects of Your Tour Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question? We're here to help.
The ruins of Heidelberg Castle can be reached via a cable railway. The tickets can be acquired locally at Heidelberg’s Kornmarkt
The Royal Castles are a formal title for Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace, both of which we like to include with our tours in Munich
Neuschwanstein Castle is known as arguably the most picturesque castle in Germany, and perhaps even all of Europe; it has served as the inspiration for many other buildings, as well as art, literature and culture
There are a lot of famous restaurants and breweries worth visiting in Munich, though we tend to recommend the famous Hofbräuhaus, which you may learn more about via your complementary Additional City Information documents
Salzburg has a certain pride that one of its most famous residents was Wolfgang Amadé Mozart. His birthplace is dubbed the Mozarthaus (lit. Mozart-House) and has been repurposed into a museum dedicated to his family and his works
Still have more questions?
If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to help with anything you may need.