09 Apr 2027
Twin share
£4,495pp
Single from £6,287
Escorted tour
Country Roads of Austria, Bavaria & Switzerland – 12 Days
Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Innsbruck and Lucerne by coach, with Neuschwanstein, the Glacier Express and a tour director.
12 days
From £4,005
Tour overview
This 12-day escorted tour follows the country roads and mountain railways of the Alps, from imperial Vienna through Bavaria and the Tyrol to the lakes of Switzerland. You travel by comfortable coach with extra legroom, with a tour director throughout and local experts in the cities, and several days have a relaxed start. You stay eleven nights in well-located hotels: two in Vienna, two in Salzburg at the ARCOTEL Castellani, two at the Munich Marriott, two in Innsbruck, one in St Moritz and two at the Astoria in Lucerne. Eleven breakfasts and six dinners are included, from a welcome dinner with wine in Vienna to a dine-around evening in Innsbruck and a summit dinner on Mount Stanserhorn.
In Vienna a local expert leads a private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. On the way to Salzburg you visit the Benedictine abbey of Melk above the Danube and the basilica of Mondsee, famous from The Sound of Music. In Salzburg you see the Mirabell Gardens, the cathedral and the fortress, and hear a pianoforte demonstration in Mozart's birthplace.
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A boat crosses Lake Chiemsee to Herrenchiemsee, King Ludwig II's grandest palace, inspired by Versailles, before you reach Munich for an orientation of the Marienplatz and its Glockenspiel, with time to explore or join an optional excursion. You then visit Ludwig's fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle on the way to Innsbruck, where a local expert guides you past the Imperial Palace and the Golden Roof, with a visit to a nearby ski jump.
Entering Switzerland through the Engadine Valley, you spend a night in glamorous St Moritz, then board the Glacier Express, climbing through the spiral tunnels of the Albula Pass and over the Landwasser Viaduct towards Andermatt, before continuing to Lucerne. A free morning by the lake and the Chapel Bridge ends with dinner at the summit of Mount Stanserhorn.
The physical rating is low. This tour suits travellers who want three Alpine countries in one journey, with palaces, lakes and mountain railways. Relaxed starts on several days help keep the pace comfortable.
Trip highlights
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Schönbrunn Palace with a local expert (Day 2)
-
Melk Abbey and Mozart's Salzburg (Days 3–4)
-
Herrenchiemsee on Lake Chiemsee (Day 5)
-
Neuschwanstein Castle (Day 7)
-
The Glacier Express (Day 10)
-
Dinner on Mount Stanserhorn (Day 11)
Your route
15 stops from Vienna to Zürich
- Vienna Days 1–2
- Melk Abbey Day 3
- Mondsee Day 3
- Salzburg Days 3–4
- Herrenchiemsee Palace Day 5
- Munich Days 5–6
- Dachau Day 6
- Neuschwanstein Castle Day 7
- Oberammergau Day 7
- Innsbruck Days 7–8
- St. Moritz Day 9
- Andermatt Day 10
- Lucerne Days 10–11
- Stanserhorn Day 11
- Zürich Day 12
Why choose this tour
Three Alpine countries in one journey, with the Glacier Express included. King Ludwig's palaces, Mozart's Salzburg and Habsburg Vienna with local experts.
Best suited to
- First-time visitors to the Alps
- Travellers who prefer coach touring
- History and music lovers
- Couples and friends travelling together
Day-by-day itinerary
12 days from Vienna, Austria to Zurich, Switzerland
-
Day 1 · Vienna Arrive in Vienna
Meet your tour director for a welcome dinner with wine.
- Hotel
- InterContinental Vienna or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 2 · Schönbrunn Palace Vienna and the Habsburgs
A private tour of Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens.
- Hotel
- InterContinental Vienna or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Melk Abbey, Mondsee, Salzburg On to Salzburg
Visit Melk Abbey and Mondsee on the way to Salzburg.
- Hotel
- ARCOTEL Castellani or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg Salzburg
Tour the old town and hear a pianoforte demonstration at Mozart's birthplace.
- Hotel
- ARCOTEL Castellani or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 5 · Lake Chiemsee, Herrenchiemsee, Munich Herrenchiemsee to Munich
Cross Lake Chiemsee to King Ludwig II's palace.
- Hotel
- Munich Marriott or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 6 · Munich, Marienplatz Munich
An orientation tour and free time, with optional excursions.
- Hotel
- Munich Marriott or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Neuschwanstein Castle, Innsbruck Neuschwanstein to Innsbruck
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle on the way to Innsbruck.
- Hotel
- Hilton Garden Inn Innsbruck Tivoli or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 8 · Innsbruck, Golden Roof Innsbruck
A guided walk of the old town and a ski jump visit.
- Hotel
- Hilton Garden Inn Innsbruck Tivoli or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Engadine Valley, St Moritz St Moritz
Travel through the Engadine Valley to St Moritz.
- Hotel
- Crystal or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 10 · Albula Pass, Landwasser Viaduct, Lucerne Glacier Express to Lucerne
Ride the Glacier Express, then continue to Lucerne.
- Hotel
- Astoria Lucerne or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 11 · Lucerne, Mount Stanserhorn Lucerne and Stanserhorn
A free morning, then dinner at the summit of Mount Stanserhorn.
- Hotel
- Astoria Lucerne or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 12 · Zurich Tour ends
Transfer to Zurich airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Vienna (2 nights) InterContinental Vienna or similar
- Salzburg (2 nights) ARCOTEL Castellani or similar
- Munich (2 nights) Munich Marriott or similar
- Innsbruck (2 nights) Hilton Garden Inn Innsbruck Tivoli or similar
- St Moritz (1 night) Crystal or similar
- Lucerne (2 nights) Astoria Lucerne or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 11 nights in hotels
- Meals 11 breakfasts and 6 dinners
- Coach travel with extra legroom and the Glacier Express from St Moritz towards Andermatt
- Schönbrunn Palace, Melk Abbey, Mondsee and Salzburg with local experts
- Lake Chiemsee boat and Herrenchiemsee Palace
- Neuschwanstein Castle and Innsbruck's old town
- Funicular and cable car to Mount Stanserhorn
- Tour director throughout
Not included
- Flights to Vienna and from Zurich
- Optional excursions
- Meals not listed
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a small group — coach groups can reach 40
- You want a hiking holiday — walks are short
- You want to stay longer in Switzerland — most nights are in Austria and Germany
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £4,005 per person, twin share, tour only. 21 upcoming departures.
23 Apr 2027
Twin share
£4,046pp
Single from £5,838
07 May 2027
Twin share
£4,343pp
Single from £6,190
14 May 2027
Twin share
£4,995pp
Single from £6,826
21 May 2027
Twin share
£4,365pp
Single from £6,236
28 May 2027
Twin share
£4,298pp
Single from £6,096
04 Jun 2027
Twin share
£4,450pp
Single from £6,215
11 Jun 2027
Twin share
£4,005pp
Single from £5,770
18 Jun 2027
Twin share
£4,450pp
Single from £6,402
25 Jun 2027
Twin share
£4,450pp
Single from £6,215
02 Jul 2027
Twin share
£4,005pp
Single from £5,770
16 Jul 2027
Twin share
£4,095pp
Single from £5,958
23 Jul 2027
Twin share
£4,550pp
Single from £6,413
30 Jul 2027
Twin share
£4,550pp
Single from £6,413
13 Aug 2027
Twin share
£4,550pp
Single from £6,413
20 Aug 2027
Twin share
£4,095pp
Single from £5,958
27 Aug 2027
Twin share
£4,095pp
Single from £6,068
03 Sep 2027
Twin share
£4,316pp
Single from £6,116
10 Sep 2027
Twin share
£4,316pp
Single from £6,116
17 Sep 2027
Twin share
£4,568pp
Single from £6,616
01 Oct 2027
Twin share
£4,253pp
Single from £6,266
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Is the Glacier Express included?
Yes, the section from St Moritz towards Andermatt.
Is Neuschwanstein included?
Yes, subject to availability of entry slots.
Which countries do we visit?
Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Is an airport transfer included at the end?
Yes, from Lucerne to Zurich airport.
How much walking is there?
Mostly short walks in towns and palaces, with a steep path at Neuschwanstein.
How big is the coach group?
Up to 40 travellers, with a tour director.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary