Trams & Trains of Austria

ITINERARY

Day 1 – London to Cologne

Morning Eurostar train from London St. Pancras to Brussels for an onward connection to Cologne and an overnight stay. We arrive in time for a relaxing evening in the old city.

Day 2 – Onwards to Innsbruck

A direct train from Cologne to Innsbruck follows the scenic Rhine route for the first stages of the journey. We arrive in Innsbruck early evening for a 5-night stay. The city’s tram network runs over six routes covering a total of 44km.

Day 3 – Innsbruck at Leisure

A full day to explore Austria’s fifth-largest city. Your tour leader will be on hand to lead an optional excursion, which is likely to be a ride on tram line 6. This panoramic line travels from Innsbruck through small villages south of the city. It takes a leisurely climb part way up Patscherkofel Mountain reaching rural areas where quaint houses line the streets and cows and sheep graze in surrounding Alpine meadows.

Day 4 – Zugspitze Round Trip

By rail to Garmisch Partenkirchen – gateway to the top of Germany. The Zugspitze, standing 2,962m above sea level, is Germany’s highest mountain. We take a comfortable ascent onboard the 90-year-old cogwheel train from Zugspitzbahn station via Grainau to Lake Eibsee and through the 4.5km Zugspitz tunnel. Our journey continues on the Gletscherbahn cable car from Zugspitze plateau to the top station, before returning to Lake Eibsee by cable car. Here we join the railway again for our return to Garmisch Partenkirchen and onwards to Innsbruck.

Day 5 – Zillertalbahn & Mayrhofen’s Cable Cars

A morning journey to Jenbach to catch the Zillertalbahn steam service to the market town of Mayrhofen at the end of the Zillertal Valley. Upon arrival there will be time for lunch before taking a ride on both the Penkenbahn, at 1,790m above sea level, and the 1,980m high Ahornbahn before returning to Jenbach and Innsbruck.

Day 6 – Lake Achensee Round Trip

We return to Jenbach by rail this afternoon, to enjoy a ride on the Achenseebahn. For over 130 years, this steam cog railway has made its way up the mountain to Lake Achensee, covering a distance of almost 7km and a 440m elevation. This railway – which is the oldest of its kind in Europe – terminates in Maurach, where we enjoy a boat trip across the lake before returning to Jenbach via cog railway.

Day 7 – On to Vienna

A morning departure from Innsbruck, taking a direct train to Vienna for a 3-night stay. An afternoon arrival allows time to relax or explore Austria’s capital.

Day 8 – At Leisure

A full day to explore Vienna’s extensive tram system. Austria’s capital city has over 100 miles of tram lines, and over 1,000 tram stops. In addition to the traditional trams, there are ULF (ultra low floor) trams that are more easily accessible. Explore Vienna’s magnificent ring boulevard with its glorious landmarks including the Vienna State Opera, Imperial Palace, Parliament and City Hall, accompanied by audio-visual information provided by the Vienna Ring Tram. Alternatively travel on one of the 29 tram routes that form the network.

Day 9 – Mariazell

Today we visit the tram museum at Mariazell by taking a train to St. Pölten where we transfer to the 760mm gauge railway to Mariazell. Our return to Vienna is again via St. Pölten.

Day 10 – Vienna to Frankfurt

Following breakfast we take the direct ICE service to Frankfurt for a 1-night stay. Time to explore Frankfurt’s tram network which consists of 10 lines and a fleet of 112 trams that are mostly low-floor.

Day 11 – Homeward Bound

We take the direct ICE along the high speed line to Brussels where we continue to London via Eurostar, arriving mid-afternoon.