Destinations: Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich
Destinations: Budapest, Munich, Vienna, Salzburg
Among the snowy splendour of Central Europe, a festive fantasy awaits you on this ultra-luxurious Golden Eagle rail journey. Travel from Budapest to Munich aboard the magnificent Danube Express, a conveyance that evokes the ‘Golden Age’ of European rail travel, where world-class on-the-track elegance is matched by unsurpassed service. Rest comfortably in your spacious Deluxe Cabin with private ensuite bathroom, then make the most of all-inclusive dining in the sophisticated restaurant car. Between scenic stretches of travel on board, alight in a winter wonderland of historic cities. Warm up with a comforting chimney cake by the ice rink in Budapest then take an enchanting horse-drawn carriage drive through Vienna. Sip mulled wine amid centuries of yuletide tradition at Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, then reach new heights of holly jolliness lost in the dazzling lights and picture-book stalls of Munich’s Marienplatz.
Superior Upgrade: Heighten the indulgence when you upgrade to a Superior Deluxe Cabin aboard the Danube Express, enjoying a luxurious UK king bed, additional daytime seating, a spacious double wardrobe and more space to breathe.
Munich to Budapest: This tour runs a reverse itinerary from Munich to Budapest on different dates. Please choose your package carefully.
Destinations: Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich
Destinations: Budapest, Munich, Vienna, Salzburg
Welcome to Budapest! Hungary’s spellbinding capital is a captivating blend of old and new – medieval basilicas rub shoulders with Ottoman-style courtyards and preserved Art Nouveau homes, and the city swirls with the steam of ancient bathhouses.
On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport (or train station) and transferred to the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, your luxury accommodation located right on the banks of the mighty Danube River. Here, find yourself steeped in the Golden Age splendour of old Budapest, with wrought-iron gates, a stained-glass lobby atrium and a magnificent spa.
This evening, soak up panoramic views across the Danube as you savour a welcome dinner at the hotel.
After breakfast, embark on a city tour of old Buda, located on the western banks of the Danube and modern Pest to the east. Begin with a visit to the magnificent Buda Castle, home to countless Hungarian Kings and still one of the most spectacular landmarks in the city. Enjoy sweeping views from atop ‘Castle Hill’ and continue your tour through the historic Castle District, stepping beneath the shadow of Matthias Church’s millennia-old spires and savouring the sight of the Danube from the height of Gellert Hill. Other highlights include the Citadel, Saint Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square, City Park and the city’s opera house, home of the Hungarian National Ballet dance company.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure – stroll along the city’s fairytale riverbanks, sample your way through the Great Market Hall’s assortment of providores and vintners or take a rejuvenating soak in any of Budapest’s famed thermal baths to beat the winter chill. To start your festive adventure, be sure to weave through the aisles of Budapest’s countless Christmas markets. At the Basilica, the season comes to colourful life with a spectacular light show and ice-skating rink. Be sure to grab the perfect Hungarian winter treat, a cylinder-shaped chimney cake, while you’re there.
Alternatively, relax at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace – spend time at the magnificent spa, sip cocktails at MÚZSA’s bar or enjoy afternoon tea accompanied by live harp or piano and fine Hungarian porcelain in the lobby.
After breakfast, enjoy the morning in Budapest at leisure – it’s the perfect chance to spend one final moment at the city’s legendary thermal baths.
In the early afternoon, enjoy a drinks reception in the ornate Royal Waiting Room at Budapest Nyugati station, before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express. This hotel-on-wheels offers new heights of luxury – spacious cabins on board each offer private ensuite facilities, a cosy living area and full-length picture windows so you take in every moment of your elegant journey across Central Europe. With an elegant dining car and a bar car that doesn’t close until the last patron leaves, a ride on board the Golden Eagle Danube Express is unlike anything else in the world.
Settle in for a delectable lunch on board and watch the winter wonderland of Hungary’s countryside as it whips by. This afternoon, arrive in magnificent Vienna. A vivid metropolis filled with palaces, coffee houses, music and opera halls, Austria’s capital draws millions of visitors every year for its tremendous historical significance: the city was home to Beethoven, Mozart and Sigmund Freud, among many others.
Explore the picturesque streets on a guided tour of Vienna’s circular grand boulevard, marking the bounds of the city’s historic centre. Take an enchanting ‘fiaker’ horse-drawn carriage through the wintry avenues, then taste tradition with a stop by Pirker for freshly baked gingerbread at the foot of towering Saint Stephen’s cathedral.
Later, return to your luxury locomotive for a fantastic welcome feast with your fellow travellers, savouring the subtle flavours of fine local ingredients and local delicacies. Tonight, sleep soundly in your supremely comfortable cabin.
Rise ready for discovery and set out for Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Austria’s largest art museum and home to the works of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Step outside and lose yourself at once in the charming Christmas market within Maria-Theresien-Platz.
Continue to imposing Hofburg Palace, where the House of Habsburg once took up residence in the winters. Walk the endless halls of this sprawling complex, then pause for a special choral performance of traditional Viennese festive folk songs.
After lunch, carry on to Schonbrunn Palace for a guided tour of the Habsburg Empire’s astounding summer residence. Outside the doors sits one of Vienna’s most elegant holiday markets, offering traditional handicrafts and delicate decorations. Against a softly snowing backdrop, Vienna truly comes to life with twinkling fairy lights and warming delights at every turn. Enjoy a satisfying serve of punch at the palace’s famed Café Restaurant Residenz, then spend the rest of your evening doing your Christmas shopping before dinner aboard the Danube Express.
Wake to a hearty breakfast onboard as you cross the breathtaking valleys of Semmering Pass, arriving in delightful Salzburg by lunchtime. Start your exploration of the city with a visit at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mirabell Palace, a baroque masterpiece built in 1606 by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his beloved mistress, Salome Alt. It’s a spectacular landmark, earning even greater renown thanks to its inclusion in The Sound of Music.
Walk a short distance from the palace to Market Square and the former Mozart Residence, now a museum. After learning about Austria’s most legendary composer, cross Makartsteg Bridge into the Old Town and walk down famous Getreidegasse shopping street, known for its hundreds of wrought-iron trade signs.
The rest of the day is spent at the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, where the yuletide tradition dates back to the late 15th century. Rugged up and ready to be enchanted, you’ll be free to wander the countless stalls as carollers fill the snowy scene with festive warmth. Grab a mug of cinnamon-topped mulled wine and breathe deep the scent of fresh pine. This is quintessential European Christmas festivity, brimming with sugar, spice and all things nice.
Later this evening, return to the warm comforts of your luxury hotel on the rails. Savour another spectacular dinner before retiring to your spacious cabin.
Indulge in an energising breakfast aboard your private train, then make your way to the sprawling complex of DomQuartier. Under the leadership of the city’s 17th-century prince-archbishops, the ornate cathedral and its opulent residence were masterfully constructed in the style of the Italian Baroque. Discover the intricate architecture of this grand palace, then step further back into Germanic history as your tour the 7th-century Benedictine monastery of Saint Peter’s Abbey. Climb up to the terrace perched atop the cathedral for one of the city’s finest views.
Return to the Golden Eagle for a filling and flavoursome lunch as the Bavarian countryside carries you over the border to Germany, where your final stop awaits.
Arriving in magical Munich, you’ll soon see why the city has earned a reputation for the holly and the jolly. Famed for beer halls and rich Bavarian traditions, as well as a fantastical forest backdrop, Munich is perfectly poised to offer heightened holiday splendour. Central to its seasonal cheer is the breathtaking Marienplatz market. Dating back to the 17th century, this Christmas market is a mesmerising mix of aromatic treats, from roasted chestnuts to hearty bratwurst, and glittering lights that surround the magnificent tree standing sentinel over each evening’s joviality.
Say goodbye to your cabin on the Danube Express and make your way to Sofitel Munich Bayerpost. This heritage hotel, located just beyond the doors of Munich Hauptbahnhof station, has been styled with modren French flair and comfort in mind. Be sure to pay a visit to the impressive subterranean pool and spa, located in the vaults of this once 19th-century post office.
Rise early for a trip to Munich’s beloved Haidhausen distict. From working-class roots, this popular residential quarter has grown to be a leafy maze of idyllic streets and courtyards that lend it a distinct village vibe. Dotted with beer gardens and cosy 18th-century inns, the festive spirit can be found in every nook and cranny of Haidhausen. Spend some time exploring the stalls of charming Weissenburger Platz Christmas Market, then conclude the morning with a traditional Bavarian white sausage and pretzel and the opportunity to taste the region’s famous array of beers at a typical inn.
This evening, toast to your winter tour during a resplendent farewell dinner.
After one last decadent breakfast in your hotel, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward travels. Your Christmas adventure comes to a close, but memories of market magic will keep you warm through those cold winter nights and the holidays ahead.
With over 600 years of tradition to tap, the festive season brings a warm glow and crisp charm to Central Europe. As you explore the many delights of these historic cities, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a white Christmas in true European style at some of the world’s oldest holiday markets. From the 15th-century magic of Salzburger Christkindlmarkt to the Bavarian beauty of Marienplatz and its dazzling lights, winter is the perfect canvas for jolly Austrian, German and Hungarian hospitality. Take a spin on the ice rink in front of magnificent Saint Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, then grab a chimney cake for a taste of the local delights.
This hotel-on-wheels offers new heights of luxury – with spacious, boutique cabins on board, each offering private ensuite facilities, a cosy living area and full-length picture windows so you can take in every moment of your journey across Eastern Europe. With an elegant dining car and a bar car that doesn’t close until the last patron leaves, a journey across Europe onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express is unlike anything else in the world. Exclusive, extravagant and oh-so-chic, it’s the perfect host to your journey-of-a-lifetime, exploring the very best of Hungary, Austria and Germany.
Booking Summary: After you book, please follow the instructions in your booking summary email and ensure you complete your traveller information details in full.
Update 19 December 2024: Amendments & Cancellations section updated, please see below.
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Accommodation for the duration of your tour is included in the Tour package.
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Golden Eagle Danube Express Cabins
Pre- & Post-Tour Accommodation Pre- and post-tour accommodation can be booked to extend your stay before or after your tour by contacting our Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com.
Luxury Escapes uses a range of accommodation partners. For pre- and post-tour accommodation options where we can offer the same hotel as the start and end of your tour, your pre- and post-tour accommodation will be booked independent of your tour. If the hotel for your tour changes, this will be independent of your pre- or post-tour accommodation booking. In this instance, change fees may apply on your pre- or post-tour accommodation, if you choose to change; change fees can be found in your ‘My Escapes.’
For pre- and post-tour accommodation bookings, you may be required to check out of your room and check in again on the first or last day of your tour. You will need to confirm these details directly with hotel.
Please contact the Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com for further information.
Baggage Restrictions
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Health and Fitness Acknowledgement:
Your tour begins at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) and ends at Munich International Airport (MUC) with roundtrip airport transfers. Alternatively, your tour begins and ends at the reverse ports.
Roundtrip flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. If your chosen tour departure date is guaranteed at the time of booking, you may be able to purchase flights immediately. If your tour departure date is not yet guaranteed (still pending minimum numbers), flights should not be booked until you receive an update on the status of your tour.
If traveling from Budapest to Munich, please book your flights to arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) by 5pm on Day 1 and depart from Munich International Airport (MUC) after 11am on Day 8. If traveling in reverse, please book your flights to arrive at Munich International Airport (MUC) by 5pm on Day 1 and depart from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) after 11am on Day 8.
Airport transfers are included in your tour on the first and last day. To organise transfers prior to Day 1 or after Day 8, please contact the Tour Operator ahead of departure.
Important: Please allow for travelling time from international countries. International flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements and ensure that you arrive at your starting location on your chosen tour start date.
(optional) (optional) A visa may be required for the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website, Visas Direct, to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa, please let us know and we will be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit the website.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements (subject to availability). Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
Important Destination Information:
Hungary
Time zone: GMT+1 (Central European Time)
Telephone: +36
Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city.
Language: Hungarian
Climate: Hungary has a continental climate, with hot, rainy summers (Jun-Aug) and cold, snowy winters (Dec-Feb).
Dress code: Relaxed but respectful, especially when visiting religious institutions.
Austria
Time zone: GMT+1 (Central European Time)
Telephone: +43
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city.
Language: German
Climate: Austria experiences temperate and alpine climates with generally cold winters (Dec-Feb) and warm summers (Jun-Aug).
Germany
Time zone: GMT+1
Telephone: +49
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available, with credit cards widely accepted within the city. Cash is advised when visiting rural areas.
Language: German
Climate: Germany experiences a temperate climate, with cloudy, cold winters (Dec-Feb) and warm summers (Jun-Aug).