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Imperial Cities by Rail: Vienna, Prague & Berlin

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202420252026
10 days From £1,499 per person
4.5 stars(128 reviews)
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Explore the contrasts of three great cultural and historic European capitals on one fascinating rail holiday

Mobility Rating 3

2025 Tour code: 25EUS

About the tour

Delve into the imperial past and modern energy of three contrasting European capitals.

Uncover the timeless elegance of Vienna - the seat of the mighty Habsburg dynasty - and enjoy views of majestic palaces and grand, ornate buildings. Experience the medieval charm of the Czech capital, Prague, a magical city of exquisite architecture and a fondness for the fantastical and quirky.

Discover fascinating Berlin, the German capital with a unique and emotive past that has undergone a transformation into a vibrant and modern city.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Uncovering the elegance of Vienna
Uncovering the elegance of Vienna
As the seat of dynasties and empires, Austria’s capital has long played an important role in European history, evidenced by the stunning architecture along the Ringstrasse and in its many palaces.
Touring Prague’s charming medieval centre
Touring Prague’s charming medieval centre
Stroll along atmospheric streets and across the historic Charles Bridge in the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’, discovering the majestic history of its ancient castle complex.
Exploring the historic sights of Berlin
Exploring the historic sights of Berlin
Learn about the turbulent past of Germany’s capital on a guided tour and discover how it has reinvented itself into a welcoming and vibrant city that does not shy away from its history.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to the Bavarian city of Nuremberg

Meeting the Tour Manager and travelling group at London St Pancras this morning, your imperial adventure starts as we board the Eurostar to Brussels. In the Belgian capital, we switch trains and travel to Frankfurt, from where we continue to Nuremberg. Our route takes us through lush countryside, past charming towns of romantic timber-framed buildings and alongside the winding Main River, arriving in the Bavarian city in the evening.

The historic city of Nuremberg has a beautiful Old Town dotted with medieval buildings and surrounded by fortifications. Some of the main attractions include the 11th-century imperial castle with its romantic turrets and an incredible ornate fountain in the main market square. On arrival this evening, we have our first dinner together at the hotel, situated close to the station.

Please Note - For departures 24/03/25 and 22/09/25 we will overnight at the Intercity Hotel Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof Sud in Frankfurt.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Vienna Calling

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, we travel by train through Bavaria, crossing the Danube at Regensburg. This beautiful river guides us towards Austria and its grand capital, Vienna.

Arriving in the afternoon, there's time to explore at your leisure after checking in to our hotel. As the former capital of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna is a great city to wander round, with stately Baroque buildings appearing around almost every corner. Strolling northerly alongside the 14th-century Augustinian Church, you come to Josefsplatz. This opulent square was named in honour of Emperor Franz Josef II and is lined on three sides by elegant Baroque halls. Entry to the Augustinian Church is free and, despite its understated exterior, inside you can admire its grand altar. As the Habsburg's parish church, there are many connections to the imperial family, including a sculpted memorial to Archduchess Maria Christina.

Regrouping in the evening, we enjoy a meal at a local Austrian restaurant.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Exploring elegant Vienna

A guided tour after breakfast showcases Vienna's imperial architecture, including the Ringstrasse - an impressive boulevard encircling the Old City. Numerous grand buildings line the road, including the Vienna State Opera and the Austrian Parliament. The centrepiece is the Hofburg Palace, which symbolises the importance of the Habsburgs who ruled over most of east and central Europe from here between 1273 and 1918.

The rest of the day is spent at leisure either putting your newly acquired knowledge to use or relaxing in one of the city's sizeable green spaces. You may want to use the Hop On/Hop Off buses that cover the city's main sights as there is no need to pre-book. Between sightseeing, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a typical Viennese coffeehouse experience. These elegant cafés serve a range of coffees along with an enticing selection of pastries and cakes, including the delicious Sachertorte.

This evening, you dine independently and may wish to sample local specialities such as a Wiener schnitzel with a beer or a glass of chilled Grüner Veltliner wine.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Free day to discover the delights of Vienna

A full day at leisure provides the chance to explore Vienna at your own pace - and there are many great sights to uncover.

The sprawling Schönbrunn Palace overlooks extensive decorative gardens, at the end of which is a 200ft hill topped with an 18th-century gloriette. You might like to pay to tour the palace and the grounds, or even visit the world's oldest zoo. Under the grand entrance to the Hofburg, you will find the Spanish Riding School, home to the incredible Lipizzan dancing horses (pre-booking is required for performances). Vienna's Gothic masterpiece St Stephen's Cathedral is in Stephansplatz, the beating heart of the city, and boasts great views from the top. For a more laid-back way to enjoy Vienna's skyline, head to Prater gardens. Here, you can ride the Wiener Riesenrad - a giant Ferris wheel that, like many places in Vienna, featured prominently in the Orson Welles film The Third Man.

Tonight, you are free to dine at your leisure in one of the city's many excellent restaurants.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - By rail to the Czech capital, Prague

Leaving Vienna after breakfast by train, we head to the neighbouring Czech Republic, or Czechia as it is now known. Passing sweeping fields, sleepy towns and verdant forests, we travel through Brno, the country's second city, before arriving in Prague in the early afternoon.

A tour guide introduces us to the beautiful 'City of a Hundred Spires', around which copper-domed churches shimmer beside the curving Vltava River. Following the ornately decorated façades of grand buildings, we are led to the Old Town Square, the focal point of Prague life since the 12th century. One of the most fascinating features of the square is the renowned astronomical clock. Installed in 1410, it's one of the oldest working pieces of its type.

Dinner tonight is in our 4-Star hotel, located near Prague castle. This well-appointed hotel has three restaurants, a café, a flower shop and a wellness centre.

Please Note - For departure 11/09/2025 we will stay at the Vienna House by Wyndham Andel's Prague.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Touring Prague’s ancient castle district

The most famous locations in the 'Golden City' of Prague are explored on a guided tour after breakfast. Our sightseeing begins at Prague Castle. Dating from the 9th century, this is the largest medieval complex in Europe. The most eye-catching building is the huge Gothic St Vitus Cathedral, the south entrance of which is adorned with golden mosaics. We also see one of Prague's oldest buildings, St George's Basilica, reputedly dating from 920 AD, and the small, colourful houses of Golden Lane.

With the tour concluding near the castle, you might like to start your free afternoon with a stroll across the Charles Bridge, looking at the 75 decorative statues that populate its walls. Josefov, Prague's thought-provoking Jewish Quarter, relays the long history of Jewish Prague. You might want to view the Old New Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in Europe, or the appropriately named Spanish Synagogue with an exterior evoking Andalucía's Alhambra.

Dining on your own tonight gives you the chance to sample hearty and delicious Czech food and a glass of frothy beer.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 - Journey to Berlin, a city of contrast

Boarding a train from Prague after breakfast today, our scenic route follows the River Elbe out of Czechia. On the way, look out for sandstone cliffs blanketed by rich forests near the German border. On the Czech side, this beautiful area is called Bohemian Switzerland, while the Germans refer to it as Saxon Switzerland, due to the impressive landscape being perceived as similar to stunning Swiss scenery.

Arriving in Berlin in mid-afternoon, we check in to our hotel overlooking Alexanderplatz. Considered the heart of Berlin since the Middle Ages, this large square became the nerve centre of East Berlin during the Cold War. Today, it is a vibrant location with excellent public transport links making it easy to get around this fascinating city.

To get a great overview of Berlin, you might like to ascend the 1,200-foot TV tower opposite our hotel. Called the Fernsehturm, it is one of the most recognisable symbols of the city and is visible from many parts of Berlin. Booking is required but the views are incredible. This evening, we have dinner at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Guided tour of historic Berlin

Setting out on a sightseeing tour this morning, our expert guide helps us uncover the fascinating history of Berlin, contrasting it with the city's vibrant present.

There are reminders of the past scattered across Berlin, some more prominent than others. The route of the Berlin Wall is marked today by a double row of cobblestones laid into the streets. One of the longest-remaining sections has been covered in brightly coloured street art as part of the East Side Gallery. The tour concludes at the Brandenburg Gate - a spectacular 18th-century neoclassical monument that is the city's oldest surviving gate and now a symbol of unity.

For lunch, you might find time to try a bratwurst or pretzel for an authentic taste of German cuisine, or a currywurst - a favourite of Berliners. With free time in the afternoon, you might like to visit the Reichstag building. Entry is free, but you need to register in advance. You dine independently tonight, and the historic Nikolai Quarter and the arches between Hackescher Markt and Alexanderplatz abound with appealing restaurants.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 9 - Berlin at leisure

Today is free to explore Berlin at your own pace. To the north of the city is Bernauer Strasse, along which the Berlin Wall used to run. Many of the buildings now have street art referencing this, and the Berlin Wall Memorial can be visited at the western end of the street. Viewing the Wall in this location is incredibly poignant as it brings home how loved ones and neighbours were separated for nearly 30 years. You could also visit the Museum Island, home to a range of interesting attractions.

Elsewhere, the Baroque Charlottenburg palace was constructed at the start of the 1700s and is the only remaining royal residence of the Hohenzollern dynasty. It was inspired by designs from western Europe, notably the Palace of Versailles, and sits in spectacular landscaped gardens. Alternatively, you could travel to Potsdam, famed for its palaces and Park Sanssouci, a Baroque flower garden.

After sightseeing, you are free to enjoy dinner independently. Berlin boasts an impressive range of restaurants catering for all tastes.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 10 -Homeward bound

Each different from the next, three impressive capital cities have showcased Europe's varied history spanning more than a thousand years. The also revealed their unique charms, whether it was the classical grandeur of Vienna, the medieval beauty and quirkiness of Prague or the rejuvenated Berlin. Whether your interests lie in the cultural, historic, architectural or gastronomic, a blend of expertly guided sightseeing tours and free time to explore independently has provided opportunities to uncover these three beautiful cities your own way.

After breakfast, we make our way to Berlin's main railway station to begin our journey home. Travelling by train to Brussels via Cologne, we switch to the Eurostar for the final leg of our trip, arriving at London St Pancras this evening where your adventure through European history comes to an end.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Hotels

Park Inn Berlin-Alexanderplatz

Park Inn Berlin-Alexanderplatz, Berlin

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Vienna House by Wyndham Diplomat, Prague

Vienna House by Wyndham Diplomat, Prague

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Simm’s Hotel, Vienna

Simm’s Hotel, Vienna

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Train

Eurostar

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London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.5 stars4.5 / 5 · 128 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (76)
  2. 4 stars
    (43)
  3. 3 stars
    (5)
  4. 2 stars
    (3)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

Tina

5 stars

Submitted 1/Nov

Great experience, packs a lot in in the time. Travel light & wear good walking shoes to get the best out of it.

Collected by Trustpilot

steven Johnson

4 stars

Submitted 14/Oct

excellent tour, great guides throughout,great hotels.

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Richard Parry

5 stars

Submitted 4/Oct

From start to finish was just fantastic. The rep Chris Sanders did everything possible for us to have a good time. He made sure all the information was well dissipated and made sure everyone knew what was going on. I would definitely recommend Great Rail Journey , especially in the company of the rep Chris.

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Mr Geoff Brown

5 stars

Submitted 1/Oct

Excellent and really interesting. Well organised. Busy but packed a lot in. Full recommend

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Helen Say

5 stars

Submitted 1/Oct

Superb holiday, well organised and great fun. There's lots of scrambling on & off trains with luggage but it's all part of the fun, and the permanent presence of a friendly & knowledgeable tour guide ensured that everything ran smoothly, including making sure we stood on the right part of the station platform and allocating our reserved seats on the various trains. Some hotels were better than others but we were there for the sightseeing so that didn't spoil our overall enjoyment. Our journey to Vienna was delayed due to flooding but the tour guide organised an extra night in Nuremburg and arranged some additional meals, tours and museum visits for us while we were stuck, which was an added bonus and one of the highlights of the holiday. If we'd been traveling independently we would have been stuck, but GRJ got it all sorted without breaking a sweat and kept us fully informed. Would 100% recommend for the people, places, and adventure!

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Helen Say
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Phil Ottley

4 stars

Submitted 28/Sep

It was a great trip, except for some very early starts. I would have liked more time in Prague.

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