Danube Express · 12 days · 11 nights
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Danube Express · 12 days, 11 nights
Eastern Europe Discovery: Budapest to Vienna
Twelve days from Budapest to Vienna through Poland, Berlin, Dresden, Prague and Salzburg, with a private Chopin recital in Warsaw.
- BudapestDay 1
- OświęcimDay 4
- KrakówDay 4
- WieliczkaDay 4
- WarsawDay 5
- MalborkDay 6
- GdańskDay 6
- BerlinDay 7
- DresdenDay 8
- PragueDay 8
- SalzburgDay 10
- HellbrunnDay 10
- Semmering PassDay 11
- ViennaDay 11
Train stopExcursion by road
Duration12 days
Nights11
RouteBudapest → Vienna
Places visited14
From, per personEUR 20,700
Overview
After two nights in Budapest the train heads north to Kraków and Auschwitz-Birkenau, Warsaw, Malbork Castle and Gdańsk, then Berlin, Dresden and two days in Prague. Salzburg and a crossing of the Semmering Pass lead to Vienna and a final night at The Ritz-Carlton.
- A guided visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau
- The Wieliczka Salt Mine and its carved Chapel of Salt
- A private Chopin piano recital in Warsaw
- Malbork, the great castle of the Teutonic Knights
- An organ concert at Oliwa Cathedral in Gdańsk
- The option to drive a Trabant through Berlin
- An opera performance and dinner at Prague's Municipal House
- Crossing the Semmering Pass to Vienna
Day by day
Day 1Arrive in BudapestBudapest
You are met and taken to the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace (or similar) for two nights. A welcome reception dinner looks out across the Danube.
Day 2BudapestBudapest
A coach tour covers the Castle District, St Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion, with an audio-guided visit to the Parliament and a private Opera House tour with drinks. After lunch in a local restaurant the rest of the day is free.
Day 3Budapest → PolandOn board the Danube Express
The morning is at leisure. After a drinks reception in Nyugati station's Royal Waiting Room, a brass band sees the train off in the afternoon, and a welcome dinner is served on board on the way to Poland.
Day 4Auschwitz-Birkenau & KrakówOn board the Danube Express
The train stops at Oświęcim for a guided visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau (please tell us at booking if you wish to attend). Lunch is in Kraków's Old Town, followed by the Wieliczka Salt Mine; a walking tour of the Old Town, Wawel Castle and the Jewish Quarter is offered instead.
Day 5WarsawOn board the Danube Express
A guided tour of the rebuilt Old Town and the Royal Route leads to the area of the former Ghetto and the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews. In the afternoon you attend a private Chopin piano recital.
Day 6Malbork & GdańskOn board the Danube Express
Visit Malbork Castle, the vast brick seat of the Teutonic Knights. After lunch on board, Gdańsk brings the European Solidarity Centre, an organ concert in Oliwa Cathedral and a stroll along the Long Market.
Day 7BerlinOn board the Danube Express
Arrive over breakfast for a full day seeing the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag. Options include driving a Trabant through the former East, or visiting the Checkpoint Charlie Museum or Museum Island, with free time after lunch.
Day 8Dresden & PragueOn board the Danube Express
A morning tour of Dresden visits the rebuilt Frauenkirche and Dresden Castle. After a late lunch on board you reach Prague to tour the Old Town Square, Charles Bridge and Jewish Quarter, then attend an opera performance and dinner at the Municipal House.
Day 9PragueOn board the Danube Express
A vintage tram climbs to the Prague Castle area and St Vitus Cathedral. After lunch there is free time in the Old Town before returning to the train.
Day 10SalzburgOn board the Danube Express
Explore Mirabell Palace, the Mozart Residence and Getreidegasse, where Mozart was born. In the afternoon visit Hellbrunn Palace and its playful trick fountains.
Day 11Semmering Pass & ViennaVienna
A final morning on board crosses the Semmering Pass to Vienna for lunchtime. The afternoon offers a private concert and Schönbrunn Palace or free time, and the evening brings a farewell dinner at The Ritz-Carlton, where you spend the night.
Day 12Depart Vienna
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport, or you can extend your stay in Vienna.
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 6On board the Danube Express
- Night 7On board the Danube Express
- Night 8On board the Danube Express
- Night 9On board the Danube Express
- Night 10On board the Danube Express
- Night 11Vienna
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 and Vienna
- 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
- 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
June 7, 2027
EUR 22,500.00
EUR 20,700.00 pp dbl
June 7, 2027
EUR 33,700.00
EUR 31,004.00 pp sgl
Superior Deluxe Class
June 7, 2027
EUR 28,700.00
EUR 26,404.00 pp dbl
June 7, 2027
EUR 47,900.00
EUR 44,068.00 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
Is the Auschwitz-Birkenau visit compulsory?
No. If you would prefer not to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau or the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a guided walking tour of Kraków's Old Town, Wawel Castle and the Jewish Quarter is offered instead. For ticketing, please tell us at booking if you wish to visit.
How much walking is involved?
A moderate level of mobility is recommended. Most excursions are gentle walks through historic centres, though some include steps and cobbles, such as the 360 steps into the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and alternatives can be arranged.
What is the Trabant experience in Berlin?
It is an optional chance to drive an East German Trabant through the former East of the city, along Karl-Marx-Allee and past the East Side Gallery. Guests who skip it can visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum or Museum Island instead.
Where do I stay before and after the train?
Two nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace (or similar) in Budapest at the start, and a final night at The Ritz-Carlton in Vienna. The eight nights in between are spent on board as the train travels.
Can dietary requirements be met?
Yes. The chefs prepare fresh regional menus daily and can cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low-sodium diets and food allergies if told at the time of booking.
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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