It’s official – inter-railing is back, as travellers increasingly swap flights for the speed and ease of Europe’s rail network. Think zippy connections, city-centre arrivals, and stress-free border crossings: train travel is one of the fastest, most convenient, and still sustainable ways to explore the continent. Get ready for a whirlwind journey through six cities in four countries – all linked by quick, comfortable rail.
European train travel is having a renaissance. Ever since the pandemic, more travellers have been embracing the joys of ditching the skies and hitting the rails, with Interrail seeing a year-on-year rise in ticket sales. Making city breaks by train are not just more sustainable, they are also smoother, less stressful and more scenic. Even better, they come without the hassle of long queues at airports, from check-in desk tedium to security’s pats, pokes and scans. Firing you into the heart of each new destination like an arrow, the following itinerary is curated to take passengers from Budapest to Berlin seamlessly and in style, all from the comfort of a contemporary train carriage. Hop on, sit back, and watch the world go by from the window.
Day 1: Berlin
Check into the Wilmina Hotel, a chic urban sanctuary in Charlottenburg that was once a 19th century courthouse and women’s prison. Drop your bags and set off on foot through the leafy neighbourhood, home to the Baroque masterpiece that is Charlottenburg Palace. Charlottenburg’s residential locality is ideal for laidback shopping — and a trip to the Bröhan Museum. Head towards Kurfürstendamm to pick up a Vietnamese coffee at DONGNAM Coffee Lab before exploring the elegant boulevard’s many luxury boutiques, followed by concept stores and pop-ups aplenty at the Bikini Berlin mall. Attempt to conquer the XXL schnitzel at traditional pub Thomas Eck or, for more contemporary German cooking, return to Wilmina and dine at Lovis, secluded in the hotel’s lush gardens. Helmed by chef Sophia Rudolph, its vegan-friendly menu includes miso-glazed kohlrabi, oyster mushroom schnitzel and rhubarb tartelette.
Day 2: Berlin-Prague
After starting the day with Wilmina’s seasonal breakfast, store luggage at Berlin Hauptbahnhof ahead of your first train ride. A five-minute walk reveals Hamburger Bahnhof, a contemporary art museum housed in a former railway terminus. Enjoy a leisurely Lebanese lunch at nearby Casalot Restaurant before returning to the station to catch the EuroCity train, which departs to Prague every two hours during the day. Taking around four hours to wind around the bends of the Elbe and Vltava rivers, this comfortable train arrives into the heart of the Czech capital in good time to check into the Hotel BoHo Prague, a former Art Deco post office modernised into a stylish 57-room stay. Located just steps from Old Town, stroll five minutes from the front door to find vibrant Kantýna, where you can feast on chargrilled meats with beer on tap.
Day 3: Prague
Rise and shine early to avoid the crowds, heading to the Charles Bridge for sunrise, then working your way back to the Old Town Square via Karlova Street for trdelník — traditional pastries made with sweet, nutty fillings. Climb the stairs of the Old Town Hall for scenic views that take in Church of Our Lady before Týn, the Stone Bell House and the Baroque Church of St Nicholas. Meander towards the Jewish Quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the breathtaking Spanish Synagogue and the Old-New Synagogue — the oldest active synagogue in Europe. Stop at Bistro Sisters for chlebíčky (hearty open-faced sandwiches) or take a long lunch at La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise, sampling flavoursome small plates of rabbit, courgette and mustard or trout, dill and cream.
After dark, cross back over the Charles Bridge to the Malá Strana district and sip a glass of vintage rosé at Café Savoy, a lively establishment where Kafka once watched Yiddish theatre, or veer right for a more tranquil evening at the intimate Ikona Wine Bar. Finish with dinner at Pork’s Mostecká — the crispy pork knuckle is a must — or at U Krále Brabantského, the most historic medieval tavern in the city.
Day 4: Prague-Munich
Trains from Prague Main Station take around six hours to make the journey to Munich, so dedicate the day to travelling. An advance-purchase first-class, First Minute ticket costs just €39 from Czech Railways — however, these are non-flexible, so be certain about the time you wish to travel. Trains are slick and spacious, with free WiFi and a refreshment cart trundling up the aisles, though it’s worth bringing a picnic to accompany the views. Before boarding, stockpile sandwiches, cakes and salads at nearby deli Lahůdky Zlatý kříž, ready to settle in for a scenic southwestern ride across the German border. After a long day on the move, checking in at the House of Hütter – Münchner Kindl, a brightly coloured, delightfully eccentric bolthole in the Munich city centre, is just the tonic. Speaking of tonics, you can forgo tiresome reception admin to make your way straight to the opulent Bavarian bar, the perfect place to unwind with a welcome Kir Royale. Before long, your playfully patterned room beckons, where you can curl up in front of a crackling fire.
Day 5: Munich
After breakfasting on buttery brioche at Café Luitpold (cafe-luitpold.de) on Brienner Strasse, spend the morning uncovering the cultural hub of Maxvorstadt, a university district full of museums, libraries and galleries. Start with Alte Pinakothek (pinakothek.de/de/alte-pinakothek), where you’ll find a wealth of historic artwork from the 14th to 18th centuries, before stopping off at The Munich Readery (readery.de) bookshop. Piled with second-hand, English-language books, it’s a bibliophile’s dream. Soak up the energy of the famous Marienplatz square in the afternoon, leaving enough time to head down to Viktualienmarkt (viktualienmarkt-muenchen.de) a few minutes away. This farmer’s market-turned-foodie haven is a great spot for people-watching, especially when accompanied by a locally brewed draught in the beer garden. While there, seek out the Caspar Plautz (casparplautz.de) food stall, serving more than 20 different types of potato in a myriad of delicious forms.
Day 6: Munich
Enjoy the luxury of a free day in Munich. While away a morning watching the city’s urban surfers: Munich is home to numerous gardens and parks, though the English Garden tends to draw the biggest numbers to surf the Eisbach, a side arm of the Isar river flowing through the grounds. The Eisbach features an artificial wave, making it a magnet for experienced surfers who come year-round to exhibit their skills to a crowd. Bring a picnic and join friends and families for waterside fun. Later, the famous Hofbräuhaus beer hall is worth a peek for platters of white sausages and lashings of home-brewed bier, as is Olympia-Alm, located in the Olympiapark. The city’s loftiest beer garden offers spectacular views over Munich — and a quieter place to drink than the raucous Hofbräuhaus.
Day 7: Munich-Salzburg
A few different trains run from Munich to Salzburg, generally taking less than two hours. Depart München Hauptbahnhof mid-morning on the Austrian ÖBB Railjet; its air-conditioned carriages, including a restaurant car, make for a smooth, speedy journey across the border. Once in Salzburg, if you’re craving a bit of heat and spice by now, head to Uncle Van on Steingasse for fresh shrimp summer rolls and a bowl of hot pho. From there, you can trot over the Salzach river to check in at Hotel Goldgasse, a former coppersmith’s workshop in the heart of Old Town. In summer, the Salzburg Festival (salzburgerfestspiele.at) is a must for live music, opera and dramatic performances, but if you can’t get tickets, join the crowds lining the Kapitelplatz as it transforms into an open-air cinema screening the highlights. Book tickets to a Mozart concert in the grand marble hall of Mirabell Palace, before ending the night with a glass of Austrian wine back at Gasthof Goldgasse.
Day 8: Salzburg-Vienna
Spend the morning immersed in culture at the DomQuartier museum complex, or try your hand at baking a traditional apple strudel at the Edelweiss Cooking School, where classes come with lunches of goulash or vegan and vegetarian options. Take an afternoon train to Vienna via ÖBB or WESTbahn. The latter is particularly good for families, as kids will be thrilled with double-decker carriages that offer unrivalled views over lakes and valleys. In two and a half hours, you’ll arrive at Vienna’s Westbahnhof, just a six-minute taxi ride to the striking Altstadt Vienna, where rooms, suites and apartments are designed in collaboration with renowned artists and fashion designers. Buy a Vienna City Card to make the most of the excellent trams and U-Bahn, which will take you to the fabulous Prater Wien amusement park. Spend a fun evening on bumper cars and jaw-dropping rollercoasters while getting a taste for traditional pretzels, dumplings and spicy sausages from on-site Bitzinger Würstelstand — a Viennese institution.
Day 9: Vienna
Follow breakfast with a stint at the Belvedere Museum, home to Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, followed by a lunch of paprika chicken or zanderfilet at nearby Edelgreisslerei Opocensky, a family-run bistro and deli. Take the U-Bahn to the beautiful Schönbrunn Palace, which features a children’s museum where little travellers can dress up like royalty, before finishing the day at the Technisches Museum, with its interactive science and technology displays. If you’re in the mood for a chocolatey slice of Sachertorte, skip the tourist-trap Hotel Sacher to experience authentic indulgence at the historic Demel coffee house. For the best schnitzel and potato salad in the city, dine at the ever-popular Figlmüller Wollzeile — you’ll need to make a reservation well ahead of time.
Day 10: Vienna-Budapest
Hourly services with EuroCity, Railjet and RegioJet connect Vienna to Budapest in as little as two hours and 40 minutes, so there’s no need to book in advance. Arrive at Hungary in good time for lunch at Öcsi Étkezde in District 8, a genuine hidden treasure with only four tables, run by a husband and wife cooking wholesome, homely fare. Finally, after 10 days on the rails, check into the Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa, don your dressing gown, and spend an afternoon in the hotel’s sprawling wellness centre — say ‘szia!’ to 400 square metres of pool, sauna and relaxation spaces). Continue to relax the Hungarian way in the city’s lauded thermal waters at Széchenyi Baths, a Neo-Baroque maze of indoor and outdoor pools, steam rooms and beer baths.
