London to Budapest by Train | Winter | 2024/2025

London to Budapest by Train | Winter | 2024/2025

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15 Days From

$3545

$2657

London to Budapest by Train | Winter | 2024/2025

15 Days Starting in London, United Kingdom and ending in Budapest, Hungary

Visiting: London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest

Tour operator:

Contiki

Tour code:

WLHMA19

Specialist Group:

18-30 Somethings

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

18-35

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English
From: $3545 $2657 Barrhead discount: -$888 -25%

NB: Prices correct on 04-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable winter journey from London to Budapest by train, exploring the heart of Europe in style. This rail tour takes you through eight captivating countries, offering a blend of iconic sights and unique experiences. Begin in London with a walking tour led by former homeless individuals, then savor the flavors of the East End. Travel to Paris for a cabaret show with dinner and champagne, and cruise Amsterdam's canals while hearing stories from refugees. Discover Berlin's vibrant Kreuzberg district, enjoy a traditional Czech dinner in Prague, and cruise the Danube in Budapest. With comfortable accommodations and authentic dining experiences, this tour promises a rich cultural immersion across England, France, Holland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary.

Highlights

  • Walking tour of the West End in London, hosted by former homeless individuals

  • Iconic train journey from London to Paris

  • Paris cabaret show with dinner and champagne

  • Canal boat tour in Amsterdam with stories from refugees

  • Exploration of Berlin's Kreuzberg district

  • Walking tour in Prague with traditional Czech dinner

  • Night time cruise down the Danube in Budapest with an authentic feast

Places You'll See

The London Eye

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Start London

Location: London

Accommodation Name: Royal National Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Dinner

Hello and welcome, train travellers! Our journey begins in the buzzing city of London. Exchange hellos with your crew before we head out to a local pub for a traditional British dinner. Cheers to our new adventure!

Day 2: London

Location: London

Accommodation Name: Royal National Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Morning! London is all yours today. First, we'll head out for a tour of the city on foot. Then, London is yours to explore. How about posing with your fave celebs at the Madame Tussauds wax museum? Or seeing the Big Ben IRL? Or even checking out the skyline from the London Eye? There's no getting bored here. This evening, you have the chance to join an East End food walking tour. Expect lip-smacking samples of the best international cuisine out there. What a night...

Day 3: London To Paris

Location: Paris

Accommodation Name: Ibis Styles Gare de l’Est Château Landon (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ta-ra, Thames. Time to hop on the Eurostar to Paris ��� after our buffet breakfast of course! An iconic train journey later, and we're in Paris. With no time to waste, you’ll visit a Perfumery, where you’ll take a look around and even have the chance to craft a signature scent of your own. We'll then get acquainted with the city's 'ooh la la' worthy sites with a free afternoon to see the icons and maybe check out some of Paris's coolest neighbourhoods, think, Montmartre or Le Marais!

Day 4: Paris

Location: Paris

Accommodation Name: Ibis Styles Gare de l’Est Château Landon (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Cuisine and cabaret day. We'll start this morning with an optional patisserie walking tour, winding our way around the cutest cafes in Paris, sampling dreamy pastries as we go. Afterwards, you’ve got all day to explore (and check out everything you missed yesterday). Tonight, it's off to a Parisian Cabaret Show, with a 3-course dinner and champagne to really switch on the sophistication.

Day 5: Paris To Amsterdam

Location: Amsterdam

Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Another day, another incredible European city... Dam That’s Preddy. Welcome to Amsterdam! This evening, we'll head to a local pancake house to try a soft and savoury Dutch delicacy. Then? You've got some free time. The night is still young. And the inky canals are just waiting to be explored!

Day 6: Amsterdam

Location: Amsterdam

Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Rise and shine! First up, we’ll take to the canals for a truly unique boat tour. We’ll see Amsterdam through the eyes of refugees – hearing their stories as we gawk at the splendid views, you’re guaranteed to step off the boat with a whole new perspective on life. The rest of the day is all about exploration – from Rijksmuseum to the Heineken Factory. This evening, opt to get an exclusive entry pass to the A'Dam Tower and Swing, skipping the queues to enjoy epic views over the sprawling city below. Afterwards the night is yours to explore this vibrant city and experience its legendary nightlife.

Day 7: Amsterdam To Berlin

Location: Berlin

Accommodation Name: B&B Berlin City Ost (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

You've been a blast, Amsterdam, but today we're making tracks for our next adventure.Hello Berlin! After an included dinner underneath the famous TV Tower, the evening is yours to explore the city's world-famous nightlife. The buzzing scene here is a joyous tribute to German reunification, and since the fall of the Berlin Wall the city has staked its claim as the techno capital of the world.

Day 8: Berlin

Location: Berlin

Accommodation Name: B&B Berlin City Ost (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

2 walking tours today. This morning, take a historical walking tour, including a visit to the site of Hitler's bunker. This evening, you’ll have the chance to explore Berlin's oh-so-historical (and oh-so-hipster) Kreuzberg district and finish off with dinner.

Day 9: Berlin To Prague

Mr Kane!
Panagiotis Myrelis
Steffen Breitung

Location: Prague

Accommodation Name: Ibis Praha Old Town (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Berlin you've been a blast, but we're making tracks for new adventures today, jumping on the train to Prague. Arriving in Prague, we'll explore the cobblestones, cathedrals and castles on a walking tour, before refuelling with a traditional Czech dinner. Believe us when we say that the beer here is the best in Europe.

Day 10: Prague

Mr Kane!
Panagiotis Myrelis
Steffen Breitung

Location: Prague

Accommodation Name: Ibis Praha Old Town (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Time to explore more of Prague - catch the tram to one of Prague's outer neighbourhoods like hipster Vršovice, boasting art nouveau buildings, offbeat coffee haunts and streets lined with communal pianos. Prague is a paradise for beer lovers too, so don't forget to check out some of the city's coolest bars (of which there are many to choose from!). Or better yet, join a food tour where you'll be shown some of the very best spots to eat.

Day 11: Prague To Vienna

Location: Vienna

Accommodation Name: A&O Vienna Hauptbahnhof (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We're jumping on another train today and making our way to Austria. Ah Vienna! We'll kick things off in this grand capital with a walking tour and explore the opulent classical architecture and wide streets. Evenings can be spent like a local, watching the sun set over the Donaukanal at a gorgeous beach bar or a classic Viennese coffee house.

Day 12: Vienna

Location: Vienna

Accommodation Name: A&O Vienna Hauptbahnhof (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Waking up in the stunning capital of Vienna, a city known for its coffee culture and baroque architecture, we'll have plenty of adventures to pursue today before ending the day (if you choose) at Habibi & Hawara for a wholesome Make Travel Matter® dinner.

Day 13: Vienna To Budapest

Location: Budapest

Accommodation Name: Ibis Budapest City South Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we're making our way to Hungary! Another scenic train ride will take us into the grandeur of Budapest. Tonight, something a bit different, as we have the option to escape the masses and cook dinner with the locals. This immersive, fully interactive experience will bring us closer than ever before to Hungary’s rich history and culinary culture.

Day 14: Budapest

Location: Budapest

Accommodation Name: Ibis Budapest City South Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning choose to learn about the past & present of Hungarian history and culture culminating at Budapest's most famous thermal baths - Széchenyi - enjoying the most traditional spa experience in the world. The water here is supplied by 2 thermal springs to make up the largest medicinal baths in Europe. Tonight we'll enjoy the best way to experience the city's flamboyant architecture, as we take a dreamy night time cruise down the Danube, getting to see all of Budapest's historical buildings from the water as we enjoy a drink.

Day 15: End Budapest

Location: Budapest

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we say farewell to our Contiki family and our European adventure, but we'll stay in touch, and we'll no doubt be back soon enough.

What's Included

  • Accommodations

    Comfortable and centrally located hotels such as Royal National Hotel, Ibis Styles, and Holiday Inn Express.

  • Meals

    Daily breakfasts and several dinners, including traditional and authentic dining experiences.

  • Transport

    All train travel between cities, starting from London and ending in Budapest.

  • Tours and Activities

    Guided tours and activities, including a walking tour of the West End in London, Paris cabaret show, canal boat tour in Amsterdam, exploration of Berlin's Kreuzberg district, walking tour in Prague, and a night time cruise down the Danube in Budapest.

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included in the tour package.

  • International Travel

    International flights to and from the starting and ending locations are not included.

  • Optional

    Optional activities and excursions are not included in the tour package.

Dining Summary

  • 4 Dinner (D)
  • 14 Breakfast (B)

Included Experience

  • London: Meet your new gang of besties. After a few beers you’ll feel like you’ve known each other for decades.
  • London: Follow your Trip Manager on a stroll around the UK capital to tick off some of the major sights. Just don’t forget to pack an umbrella for the famous (unpredictable) British weather.
  • Paris: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a Parisian perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).
  • Paris: Looking for the perfect souvenir? After a guided tour, you’ll have the chance to craft a sumptuous scent of your own – with a local guide on hand to help.
  • Amsterdam: We'll head to the local Dutch Pancake House to end the day in style - chomping down on some satisfying savoury pancakes. It doesn't get more classic Dutch than this...
  • Berlin: Discover the history of 20th century Berlin with our Local Guide & get up close to notorious Third Reich spots. Get the low-down on Hitler's last days at the site of his underground bunker & learn about Goebbels, the sinister spin doctor at the former Reich's Propaganda Ministry. You'll hear about East German communism before making a sobering visit to the Holocaust Memorial.
  • Prague: Walk through the winding cobbled streets and head up into the fairytale-like Castle District for panoramic city views.
  • Prague: Hang out with your Contiki fam and sample some classic Czech food and drink.
  • Vienna: Boost your step count with a stroll around Vienna. See St Stephen’s Cathedral and the State Opera House as you go.

FAQs

  • London: Travelling to (and through) the UK & Northern Ireland? You’ll need Essential Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)From January 8, 2025, UK law means that if you’re entering/transiting through the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you travel. Confused? Don’t be – just read on here.

Mode of Transport

Travel seamlessly between cities with all train travel included, starting from London and concluding in Budapest.

Accommodation

Enjoy comfortable and centrally located hotels such as Royal National Hotel, Ibis Styles, and Holiday Inn Express throughout your journey.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?

    You will stay in comfortable and centrally located hotels such as the Royal National Hotel, Ibis Styles, and Holiday Inn Express.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Yes, daily breakfasts and several dinners are included, featuring traditional and authentic dining experiences.

  • What type of transportation is used between cities on this tour?

    All train travel between cities is included, starting from London and ending in Budapest.

  • What unique experiences are included in the tour?

    The tour includes a variety of unique experiences such as a walking tour of the West End in London, a Paris cabaret show, a canal boat tour in Amsterdam, exploration of Berlin's Kreuzberg district, a walking tour in Prague, and a night time cruise down the Danube in Budapest.

  • Is international travel included in the tour package?

    No, international travel is not included in the tour package.

  • What is the starting and ending point of the tour?

    The tour starts in London and ends in Budapest.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.

Reviews of this operator

Trusted Customer  

Northern Choice plus Kaikoura

16-Jan-2023

The trip ran so smoothly and was well organised! The extra add ons were amazing and all the services were spot on. Food places were reasonable. I'm definitely booking my next contiki trip again soon!

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Sophie  

Exceptional customer service

14-Jan-2023

Contiki were exceptional in providing customer service. They provided me with lots of information and were quick in responding to all my questions. I found that they were super helpful.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Trusted Customer  

First time traveling with Contiki. Highly recommend! You’ll have a blast

17-Jan-2023

First time traveling internationally since Covid and glad I spent the trip with Contiki. The travel, lodging, meals, activities everything was planned effortlessly. Going to Greece in may with contiki. Highly recommend

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Trusted Customer  

Amazing trip. Made great friends and memories. Can’t wait for my next trip

15-Jan-2023

I had 24 people on my contiki and I think it was the perfect number, we all got to know each other well and got along great. Our tour guide was fun and knowledgeable, the hotels were nice and in great locations.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Tanner Stokes  

My amazing trip to Africa

13-Jan-2023

Sherif was an excellent tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about every single small detail at each site that we visited. In addition to his great service, he has a glowing spirit that made me feel like I had family with me the entire trip. Anything that I was concerned about, he always had an answer and was there to help. I truly enjoyed my experience and will purchase a tour with him in the future

Feefo Trusted Reviews

Save on this tour

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1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Saturday

Mar 01, 2025 - Mar 15, 2025
$3905 $2744

Barrhead discount: -$1161

Saturday - Saturday

Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
$3639 $2728

Barrhead discount: -$911

London to Budapest by Train | Winter | 2025/2026

Saturday - Saturday

Nov 29, 2025 - Dec 13, 2025
$3545 $2657

Barrhead discount: -$888

London to Budapest by Train | Winter | 2025/2026

Saturday - Saturday

Dec 13, 2025 - Dec 27, 2025
$3545 $2657

Barrhead discount: -$888

London to Budapest by Train | Winter | 2025/2026

Saturday - Saturday

Feb 07, 2026 - Feb 21, 2026
$3455 $2764

Barrhead discount: -$691

London to Budapest by Train | Winter | 2025/2026

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.

    Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.

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