01904 521 936
Tour Search



Germany

Germany Escorted Rail Holidays

Germany enjoys one of Europe's most advanced, efficient and reliable rail networks. Whether you're heading to an exciting city such as Berlin, Hamburg, Koblenz or Cologne, intent on discovering the natural beauty, medieval towns and rich cultural heritage of Bavaria or keen to experience the splendour of the Rhine Valley, German trains will get you there.

Sit back, relax in your seat and watch from your train window as Germany's beautiful and varied landscapes unfold before you. On a German rail tour, the journey is often as rewarding as the destination.

Find out more with a free brochure and enjoy weekly travel inspiration and offers in our e-newsletter.

Holiday ideas for Germany

Harz Mountains & the Rhine Gorge
4.4 stars(74 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSepOct
9 days from
£1,795 pp
View Details
Harz Mountains Christmas Markets
4.3 stars(29 reviews)
2024Dec
6 days from
£1,195 pp
View Details
The Harz Mountains
4.6 stars(67 reviews)
2025JanFeb
7 days from
£1,395 pp
View Details
Bavarian Christmas Markets
2024Dec
5 days from
£1,095 pp
View Details

45 results matching: Germany

Filter by
Clear All
Holiday type
Reset
Holiday length
Reset
Theme
Reset
Transport type
Reset
Additional options
Reset

Europe 2023

Order your rail holiday brochure today

Order today
Grand Imperial Cities
4.6 stars(118 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAug...
12 days from
£2,545 pp
View Details
12 days from
£2,545
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationAustria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Rhine Gorge
Rail & Cruise
Free Cabin Upgrade
4.3 stars(121 reviews)
2024MayJunJulSepOct
2025MayJunJul
8 days from
£1,895 pp
View Details
Free Cabin Upgrade
8 days from
£1,895
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance, Germany, The Netherlands
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Christmas Markets of the Rhine
Rail & Cruise
4.5 stars(86 reviews)
2024NovDec
5 days from
£1,295 pp
View Details
5 days from
£1,295
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationGermany
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Salzburg
Rail & Cruise
Free Cabin Upgrade
4.2 stars(65 reviews)
2024JunJulAug
2025JunJulAug
11 days from
£2,595 pp
View Details
Free Cabin Upgrade
11 days from
£2,595
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationAustria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Budapest
Fly & Cruise
Free Cabin Upgrade
4.5 stars(25 reviews)
2024JunJulAug
2025JunJulAug
8 days from
£1,695 pp
View Details
Free Cabin Upgrade
8 days from
£1,695
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationAustria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
  • Starts / EndsLondon Heathrow
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportFlight, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Glacier Express
Tour & Cruise
Free Cabin Upgrade
4.6 stars(39 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSep
2025MayJunJul
12 days from
£3,795 pp
View Details
Free Cabin Upgrade
12 days from
£3,795
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationGermany, Switzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation

Europe 2023

Order your rail holiday brochure today

Order today
Grand Alpine Explorer
4.5 stars(16 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSep
14 days from
£3,895 pp
View Details
14 days from
£3,895
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationAustria, Germany, Switzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International / London Heathrow
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Harz Mountains & the Rhine Gorge
4.4 stars(74 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSepOct
9 days from
£1,795 pp
View Details
9 days from
£1,795
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationGermany
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Free Cabin Upgrade
13 days from
£3,295
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationAustria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise, Hotel
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
7 days from
£2,695
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationGermany
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Free Cabin Upgrade
9 days from
£1,695
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationAustria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
Rail & Cruise
Free Cabin Upgrade
4.8 stars(28 reviews)
2024JunJulSep
2025MayJunJul
8 days from
£1,795 pp
View Details
Free Cabin Upgrade
8 days from
£1,795
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance, Germany, The Netherlands
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Our customers love our Germany tours
Harz Mountains Christmas Markets
30 Dec 2023
Dale Buche
5 stars
“It was overall a wonderful trip. The trains were great. The accommodations were wonderful and most of all our tour guide was exceptionally great. The towns we visited were everything I hoped they would be.
Collected by Trustpilot
Christmas Markets of the Rhine
25 Dec 2023
Melanie Gold
5 stars
“This 4-city cruise was a great introduction to the Rhine and the fabulous German Christmas markets. Food was excellent, the stateroom felt luxurious, the walking tours informative, and for travelers who speak only English, there are no language barriers. Most helpful was our Great Rail Journeys coordinator, who gave me such helpful advise when I opted to spend an additional day in Germany and return to the UK on my own.
Collected by Trustpilot
Bavarian Christmas Markets
23 Dec 2023
Susan Rose
5 stars
“A truly lovely trip. All places visited very interesting and full of Christmas atmosphere. Rothenburg is so very quaint and beautifully preserved. Highlight of the trip for us was visit to Thurn & Taxis Market in Regensburg, quite magical after dark. The local Germans flock to this market which speaks for itself. GRJ need to rethink train times to and from Regensburg to give the whole group a chance to see that market as it doesn't open until 3pm. We were lucky because we'd been on this tour in 2016 and knew this market wasn't to be missed so our outstanding TM, Graham, made sure we had our own tickets do we could travel back to Nüremburg separately later, along with another couple who trusted our recommendation and agreed the rest of the group had missed out. Graham was truly the best TM throughout the trip and it was proven again when one of our German trains home was cancelled and he rearranged the whole schedule so we arrived, as planned, at St. Pancras.
Collected by Trustpilot
Grand Imperial Cities
28 Oct 2023
Joanne Hulbert
5 stars
“All round great experience. Tour Manager (Kevin) was great, organised and prepared. The cities were great, just the right split between guided and free time. Have already recommended to others.
Collected by Trustpilot
The Majestic Rhine
14 Oct 2023
Robert
5 stars
“Modern boat with competent staff and excellent cuisine. Good balance with excursions and free time to relax and excellent value for money. Helpful and customer focused on board tour manager..
Collected by Trustpilot
Top of Europe & The Majestic Rhine
13 Oct 2023
Melinda Roe
5 stars
“Was a fantastic trip in some of the most beautiful places Reps were really helpful food on cruise was amazing also met some lovely people
Collected by Trustpilot
Harz Mountains and Rhine Gorge
12 Oct 2023
keith tomlinson
5 stars
“an excellant tour from beginning to end !! train travel worked like clock work!!! no rushing about! lovely hotels beautiful scenery very well organised by our tour manager john grundy nothing to much trouble!! luggage in advance would have helped but problems with german customs prevented prevented that ! a holiday to remember!" thank you" to all at "great rail journeys" best wishes keith tomlinson and shirley knott
Collected by Trustpilot
The Classic Blue Danube
27 Sep 2023
J W Smail
5 stars
“Wonderful cruise from start to finish. Extremely comfortable ship (Amadeus Riva). Delightful crew who provided first class service throughout - nothing was too much trouble. Menu choice and all meals incredibly high standard for a relatively small ship. All excursions interesting and well organised by cruise directors. Would highly recommend to others.
Collected by Trustpilot
Imperial Cities & Delights of the Danube
27 Sep 2023
Gill Cox
5 stars
“Excellent from start to finish
Collected by Trustpilot

Exploring Germany with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys creates every rail tour in Germany with care in order to ensure that our customers enjoy not only a wonderful travel experience with us but also obtain outstanding value for money.

The price of each of our Germany rail holidays includes all transport, a programme of excursions and activities that are designed to showcase the highlights of each destination we visit, accommodation and, where appropriate, selected meals. Some of our holidays, such as The Majestic Rhine and The Classic Danube, incorporate superb river cruises which provide our customers with an entirely new perspective on some of Germany's most stunning scenery.

 

 

Our itineraries also include free time, allowing our customers to further explore a destination at their own pace, arrange further enjoyable experiences or simply relax.

Our choice of overnight accommodation is based upon the convenience of location, quality, comfort, the range of facilities provided and, of course, value. Often we will choose friendly family-run hotels that offer guests a more personal service and an informal atmosphere.

For complete peace of mind, customers are accompanied on their rail tour of Germany by one of our experienced and knowledgeable Tour Managers. On hand to answer questions and provide assistance, advice and information, the Tour Manager's role is to enable our customers to enjoy a memorable and worry-free trip.

Popular Tourist Destinations

From the magnificent snow-capped Alps that line southern Germany's border with Austria to the wide and pristine white sandy beaches that fringe the Baltic Sea at its northern tip, Germany possesses every kind of terrain and many areas of outstanding natural beauty. Unforgettable destinations include the Black Forest's fairy-tale inspiring expanse of dense evergreens and fir trees in which the mighty River Danube rises, the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge; a valley carved through slate rock by the river and which is renowned for its abundance of ancient castles and vineyards, and the Harz Mountains which offer a beguiling landscape of rugged peaks, wooded valleys, crystal lakes and waterfalls at the heart of Germany.

 

 

 

The Efficient German Rail Network

Train travel in Germany is excellent as trains are generally clean and well-maintained, whilst a typically German efficiency ensures punctuality; DeutscheBahn, the operator of Germany's national rail network reports that ninety percent of its trains arrive within five minutes of their scheduled time.

In the majority of Germany's towns and cities the railway station is conveniently situated toward the centre, providing quick and easy access to a destination's attractions and places of interest.

On some rural routes or those less frequented by passengers, services referred to as 'taxi trains' or 'rail buses' operate on a 'stop by request' basis in much the same way that a bus does.

German Trains

Discover the fantastic railways of Germany. It should come as no surprise that we love railways and we know many of you do too! That's why our tours feature some of the most iconic railways and trains on the continent.

Germany's Climate

As with many western European countries, Germany's climate is generally temperate and extreme temperatures, either hot or cold, are rare. Rainfall can occur at any time of year although in winter, eastern Germany, where temperatures are generally lower than in the west of the country, is more likely to experience snow.

Bavaria, in the south, has a typically Alpine climate and is a popular destination with skiers and snow-sports enthusiasts in winter. German summers tend to be warm and sunny with temperatures falling between 20°C and 30°C although rainfall increases slightly during June, July and August.

German Cuisine

Aspects of Germany's cuisine, such as the Black Forest Gateau, pork schnitzel and apfelstrudel (apple strudel) have gained popularity worldwide, but visitors on our tours will find many more specialities to enjoy. Wurst (sausage) is extremely popular; the country produces more than fifteen hundred different types, with individual regions producing their own unique variations. These are typically served with sauerkraut: finely shredded and fermented cabbage. Pork is the preferred meat and schweinshaxe - a pork hock served either roasted or boiled - is found on many German menus. Bread, of which there are more than six hundred varieties, and potatoes are both staples of German cuisine. Germany is also famous for its beer and produces a wide range of styles with pilsner, lager, weizen (wheat beer) and schwarzbier (black beer) among the most popular.

Latest articles from our journey blog
Wrapped Up Warm: Packing Essentials for Your Winter Holiday in Europe

Wrapped Up Warm: Packing Essentials for Your Winter Holiday in Europe

24/08/2023 · By

Winter in Europe is a magical time, filled with Christmas markets, snow topped mountains, glaciers, and Glühwein. But winter holidays do require a little more thought when it comes to packing than summer holidays. T shirts and swimsuits are easy, but considering the temperatures and the equipment you might need to make the most of a winter holiday is a bit more in depth. To get the right ratio between having everything you need and packing light for travelling can be tricky, but never fear, here’s our handy guide to packing the essentials for a winter holiday in Europe.

Read more
Breath-taking Vistas: The Top Swiss Train Routes for Winter Sightseeing

Breath-taking Vistas: The Top Swiss Train Routes for Winter Sightseeing

15/08/2023 · By

Renowned for its majestic Alps and stunning landscapes, Switzerland offers an unparalleled experience for winter sightseeing. One of the best ways to explore the beauty of this alpine wonderland is by hopping aboard the country's scenic train routes. Chugging past enchanting villages set against snow-capped mountains and frozen lakes, Switzerland by rail in winter is nothing short of breath-taking.

Read more