Berlin to Budapest by Train: Dresden, Prague & Bratislava – 8 Days
Berlin, the Bastei, Prague, Bratislava and Budapest by train, in a small group of up to 16.
Tour overview
This 8-day small-group trip travels by train through four countries of Central Europe, from Berlin to Budapest, with plenty of free time in each city. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a group leader throughout. Trains run between city centres, with air-conditioning and power points, so there is no time lost getting to airports. You stay in simple, central hostels and hotels on a twin-share basis, some with shared facilities, which keeps the price low. Breakfast is included on most days. The trip is land-only, starting in Berlin and ending in Budapest.
Berlin opens with a free day to explore the Brandenburg Gate, the remaining stretches of the Berlin Wall, the Reichstag and the city's museums, perhaps by bike or on a river cruise along the Spree. An early train takes you to Dresden, the Baroque city on the Elbe rebuilt after the Second World War, and on to Rathen for a hike to the sandstone pinnacles of the Bastei in Saxon Switzerland, with some of the finest views in Germany.
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A scenic train ride along the Elbe valley brings you to Prague, where your leader takes you on an orientation walk through the Old Town and you sample Czech beer at a local brewery. A free day follows for Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and the cafés and galleries of the Little Quarter.
The journey continues to Bratislava, Slovakia's compact capital on the Danube, with a free day to explore its Old Town, castle and riverside cafés, and finally to Budapest. Here the Buda Castle district, the Parliament on the Danube and the thermal baths are all within easy reach for a final evening.
Travelling by train is part of the appeal. The line from Dresden to Prague follows the Elbe through a gorge of sandstone cliffs and riverside villages, and the later legs cross the plains of Moravia and the Danube lowlands. Your leader handles tickets and connections, so you can sit back and enjoy the view, and arriving in the centre of each city means you can be exploring within minutes of stepping off the train.
The physical rating is low, with one short hike and plenty of walking in cities. This trip suits budget-conscious travellers who like independent time and want to see four capitals in a week by train.
Trip highlights
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A free day in Berlin (Day 2)
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Dresden and a hike to the Bastei in Saxon Switzerland (Day 3)
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The Elbe valley train ride to Prague (Day 4)
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A Czech brewery tasting in Prague (Day 4)
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Bratislava's Old Town on the Danube (Day 6)
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Budapest's Castle District (Day 7)
Your route
6 stops from Berlin to Budapest
- Berlin Days 1–2
- Dresden Day 3
- Bastei Day 3
- Prague Days 4–5
- Bratislava Day 6
- Budapest Days 7–8
Why choose this tour
Four capitals in a week by train, arriving in each city centre. Lots of free time to explore independently, at a very good price.
Best suited to
- Rail lovers and city-break fans
- Budget-conscious travellers
- First-time visitors to Central Europe
- Independent travellers who want a leader and company
Day-by-day itinerary
8 days from Berlin, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
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Day 1 · Berlin Arrive in Berlin
Welcome to Germany. Meet your leader and group at 6pm in Berlin. Arrive early to take a cruise on the Spree or visit the museums around Potsdamer Platz.
- Hotel
- Hostel
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Day 2 · Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, Reichstag Free day in Berlin
A free day to explore Berlin at your own pace: the Brandenburg Gate, the remains of the Berlin Wall, the Reichstag and Museum Island, on foot or by bike.
- Hotel
- Hostel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Dresden, Rathen, Bastei Dresden and the Bastei
Take an early train to Dresden, then travel to Rathen to hike up to the Bastei, where sandstone pinnacles rise above the Elbe in Saxon Switzerland National Park.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Elbe Valley, Prague Train to Prague
Ride the train along the Elbe valley into the Czech Republic. In Prague, join your leader for an orientation walk and a tasting at a local brewery.
- Hotel
- Hostel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Prague Castle, Charles Bridge Free day in Prague
A free day for Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square and the cafés of the Little Quarter.
- Hotel
- Hostel
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Day 6 · Bratislava Bratislava
Travel to Bratislava, Slovakia's capital on the Danube, with free time to explore its Old Town, castle and riverside.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 7 · Budapest, Buda Castle Budapest
Continue to Budapest, with the rest of the day free for the Castle District, the Parliament on the Danube or a soak in the thermal baths.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Budapest Trip ends in Budapest
The trip ends after breakfast. Extra nights in Budapest can be arranged when you book.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Berlin (2 nights) Hostel
- Dresden (1 night) Hotel
- Prague (2 nights) Hostel
- Bratislava (1 night) Hotel
- Budapest (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 7 nights in central hostels and hotels, twin-share
- Meals 5 breakfasts
- Transport trains between Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Bratislava and Budapest
- A hike to the Bastei in Saxon Switzerland and a brewery tasting in Prague
- Group leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Berlin and from Budapest
- Airport transfers
- Meals not listed
- Optional activities and entrance fees
- Single supplement, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want flights included — they are not
- You want comfortable hotels — accommodation is simple, partly hostels
- You want a fully guided trip — most days are free
- You want most meals included — breakfast on most days only
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,090 per person, twin share, tour only. 29 upcoming departures.
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.
How do we travel?
By train between each city, arriving in the centre. Trains usually have air-conditioning, toilets and power points.
What is the accommodation like?
Simple, central hostels and hotels on a twin-share basis. Some have shared bathrooms, and air-conditioning is not always available.
How much free time is there?
Plenty. Berlin, Prague and Bratislava each have a free day, and your leader can suggest things to do.
How active is the trip?
The physical rating is low. The Bastei hike is short, and the rest of the walking is in cities.
What meals are included?
Breakfast on five days. Other meals are free for you to try local restaurants.
Are flights included?
No. You fly into Berlin and out of Budapest, both with frequent flights from the UK.
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.
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