London to Budapest by Train | Winter | 2025/2026
London to Budapest by Train | Winter | 2025/2026
London to Budapest by Train | Winter | 2025/2026
15 Days Starting in London, England and ending in Budapest, Hungary
Visiting: London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WLHMA20
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable winter journey from London to Budapest by train, exploring the heart of Europe in style. This tour takes you through eight captivating countries, including England, France, Germany, and Hungary, with scenic train rides connecting iconic cities. Begin in London, where you'll meet fellow travelers and explore the city's landmarks. In Paris, learn the art of fragrance at a perfume house, and in Amsterdam, savor classic Dutch pancakes. Discover Berlin's poignant history with a local guide, wander Prague's fairytale streets, and stroll through Vienna's architectural wonders. Conclude your adventure in Budapest, experiencing its famous thermal baths and a magical night-time cruise on the Danube. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and a mix of included meals, with plenty of free time to explore each city's unique charm. This rail tour promises a perfect blend of guided experiences and personal discovery.
Highlights
Itinerary
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
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
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
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Meals
The tour includes 4 dinners and 14 breakfasts.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at various hotels including Royal National Hotel in London, Ibis Styles Gare de l’Est Château Landon in Paris, Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside in Amsterdam, B&B Berlin City Ost in Berlin, Ibis Praha Old Town in Prague, A&O Vienna Hauptbahnhof in Vienna, and Ibis Budapest City South Hotel in Budapest.
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Transportation
Transportation includes train journeys between cities such as London to Paris, Paris to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Berlin, Berlin to Prague, Prague to Vienna, and Vienna to Budapest.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours are included in various cities such as a walking tour in London, a visit to a Perfumery in Paris, a historical walking tour in Berlin, and a walking tour in Vienna.
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Activities
Activities include a canal boat tour in Amsterdam, a visit to the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, and a night time cruise down the Danube in Budapest.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as the East End food walking tour in London, the patisserie walking tour in Paris, and the entry pass to the A'Dam Tower and Swing in Amsterdam are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Flights
Flights to and from the starting and ending locations (London and Budapest) are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and any related travel documentation costs are not included.
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.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in well-rated hotels such as the Royal National Hotel in London, Ibis Styles Gare de l’Est Château Landon in Paris, Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside, B&B Berlin City Ost, Ibis Praha Old Town, A&O Vienna Hauptbahnhof, and Ibis Budapest City South Hotel.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 4 dinners and 14 breakfasts.
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour features train journeys connecting major European cities, including the Eurostar from London to Paris, and scenic train rides to Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest.
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Are there any guided tours included in the itinerary?
Yes, guided tours are included in various cities such as a walking tour in London, a visit to a Perfumery in Paris, a historical walking tour in Berlin, and a walking tour in Vienna.
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What activities are included in the tour?
Activities include a canal boat tour in Amsterdam, a visit to the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, and a night-time cruise down the Danube in Budapest.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, optional activities such as the East End food walking tour in London, the patisserie walking tour in Paris, and the entry pass to the A'Dam Tower and Swing in Amsterdam are available but not included in the tour price.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
No, travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Are flights included in the tour package?
No, flights to and from the starting and ending locations (London and Budapest) are not included.
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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.
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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.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Terms and Conditions
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