Danube Express · 12 days · 11 nights
Balkan Explorer: Venice to Istanbul
Venice · Trieste · Postojna · Pula · Rijeka · Sarajevo · Mostar · Belgrade · Sofia · Plovdiv · Istanbul
Danube Express · 9 days, 8 nights
New Year in Vienna: Budapest Round Trip
Ring in the New Year in Vienna on a nine-day round trip from Budapest via Graz, Český Krumlov, Prague and Košice.
- BudapestDay 1
- KeszthelyDay 3
- GrazDay 4
- Semmering PassDay 4
- ViennaDay 4
- Český KrumlovDay 6
- PragueDay 6
- KošiceDay 8
- BudapestDay 8
Train stopExcursion by road
Duration9 days
Nights8
RouteBudapest → Budapest
Places visited8
From, per personUS$15,351
Overview
Two nights in Budapest lead into a winter circuit by private train: Lake Balaton's Festetics Palace, Graz and the Semmering Pass, then New Year's Eve in Vienna with a gala dinner and waltzing to midnight. Český Krumlov, Prague and Košice follow before a final night in Budapest.
- A tour of Festetics Palace in Keszthely
- Crossing the Semmering Pass by train
- A Viennese waltz lesson before New Year's Eve
- A New Year's Eve gala dinner with the Wiener Hofball Orchestra
- A horse-drawn carriage ride through Vienna on New Year's Day
- A vintage tram to Prague Castle and a Vltava river cruise
- A private classical concert in Prague
Day by day
Day 1Arrive in BudapestBudapest
You are met and taken to the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace for two nights. A welcome reception dinner opens the celebrations.
Day 2BudapestBudapest
A panoramic tour takes in the Castle District, St Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion, passing the Parliament, St Stephen's and Heroes' Square. After lunch you visit the Hungarian State Opera House, and dinner is a choice of dine-around options at the hotel.
Day 3KeszthelyOn board the Danube Express
A morning drinks reception in the Royal Waiting Room at Nyugati station precedes boarding. The train crosses winter Hungary through the Balaton Uplands to Keszthely at the western end of Lake Balaton, where you tour the baroque Festetics Palace before travelling into Austria overnight.
Day 4New Year's Eve: Graz & ViennaOn board the Danube Express
A short walking tour of Graz's courtyards and palaces comes with the option of a pumpkin seed oil tasting. The train then climbs the Semmering Pass, with lunch on board, to Vienna for a waltz lesson and a New Year's Eve gala dinner with the Wiener Hofball Orchestra, dancing through to midnight.
Day 5New Year's Day in ViennaOn board the Danube Express
After brunch on board, choose a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace and its Christmas market, or Heiligenkreuz Abbey in the Vienna Woods. Both groups then enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride and a private concert before dinner on the train towards the Czech Republic.
Day 6Český Krumlov & PraguePrague
Explore the UNESCO-listed old town of Český Krumlov, with the option of a festive brewery tasting. After lunch on board the train continues to Prague for dinner in the city and a private classical concert.
Day 7PragueOn board the Danube Express
A vintage tram climbs to Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral, followed by lunch in the city and a free afternoon for the markets. A cruise on the Vltava shows the illuminated city before dinner on board heading into Slovakia.
Day 8Košice & BudapestBudapest
A highlights tour of Košice includes its great oval main square. After a final lunch on board the train returns to Budapest for a night at the Four Seasons Gresham Palace (or similar) and a farewell dinner.
Day 9Depart Budapest
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport, or you can extend your stay in Budapest.
Where you spend each night
- Night 1Budapest
- Night 2Budapest
- Night 3On board the Danube Express
- Night 4On board the Danube Express
- Night 5On board the Danube Express
- Night 6Prague
- Night 7On board the Danube Express
- Night 8Budapest
The map is schematic. Dashed lines are excursions by road.
Most spacious
Superior Deluxe Class
12 cabins per departure · 8.6 m²
- King-size bed made up each evening
- Full-length sofa and two chairs for daytime
- Two large picture windows, one that opens
- En-suite shower room with WC (1.9 m²)
- Double wardrobe, safe, Wi-Fi and USB ports
Classic
Deluxe Class
5 cabins per carriage · 7.74 m²
- Two lower beds made up during dinner
- Two armchairs and a free-standing chair
- Large picture window that opens partially
- En-suite shower, washbasin and WC, heated towel rail
- Toiletries, dressing gown and hairdryer provided
Every cabin has its own private shower room, individually controlled air-conditioning and a dedicated cabin attendant.
- Five-star hotel nights in Budapest at the start and end
- Private en-suite cabin on the Danube Express
- Cabin attendant service with evening turndown
- An experienced tour management team throughout
- A UK-registered doctor and medical facilities on board
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All gratuities, on and off the train
- Luggage porterage throughout the journey
- Freshly prepared meals on board plus dining in local restaurants
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included
- Expertly guided off-train excursions as described in the itinerary
- Freedom of Choice touring options on selected days
- 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners
- VIP tickets to the New Year's Eve gala in Vienna
- Deposit
- 30% of the total at booking
- Final payment
- 125 days before departure
Dates and prices
Live availability. Choose a cabin type, then select Book Now to reserve online, or Join waitlist on sold-out dates.
Deluxe Class
December 28, 2026
US$ 16,686.00
US$ 15,351.12 pp dbl
December 28, 2027
US$ 18,842.00 pp dbl
December 28, 2026
US$ 24,858.00
US$ 22,869.36 pp sgl
December 28, 2027
US$ 28,036.00 pp sgl
Superior Deluxe Class
December 28, 2026
US$ 21,226.00
US$ 19,527.92 pp dbl
December 28, 2027
US$ 23,950.00 pp dbl
December 28, 2026
US$ 35,755.00
US$ 32,894.60 pp sgl
December 28, 2027
US$ 40,409.00 pp sgl
Join the waitlist
This departure is currently sold out. Leave your details and we will contact you the moment a cabin becomes available.
Questions about this journey
How is New Year's Eve celebrated?
After a waltz lesson in the afternoon, you attend a New Year's Eve gala dinner in Vienna with a performance by the Wiener Hofball Orchestra. Music and dancing carry on until midnight.
Do I need to know how to waltz?
No experience is needed. A group waltz lesson is held on the afternoon of New Year's Eve to get everyone ready.
What happens on New Year's Day?
After a leisurely brunch on board you choose between Schönbrunn Palace and its Christmas market or Heiligenkreuz Abbey in the Vienna Woods. Everyone then takes a horse-drawn carriage ride and attends a private concert.
Which cities does the journey visit?
The round trip runs Budapest, Keszthely, Graz, Vienna, Český Krumlov, Prague and Košice, then back to Budapest. It crosses Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
How many nights are on the train?
Five or six of the eight nights are spent on board. There are three hotel nights in Budapest: two at the start and one at the end.
What does it cost and when does it run?
Fares depend on the cabin class you choose and whether you travel as a couple or alone. Live dates and fares are shown on this page, and our reservations team can help on (866) 484-7882.
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