It’s official: intercity rail travel is back, with more and more travelers opting for the speed and comfort of Europe’s rail network over flying. Seamless connections, city center arrivals, and stress-free border crossings: traveling by train is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to explore the continent. Get ready for a whirlwind trip through six cities in four countries, all connected by fast, comfortable trains.

The following itinerary, designed to take you straight to the heart of each destination, will transport you from Budapest to Berlin in style and without a hitch, all from the comfort of a modern train carriage. Hop on, relax, and enjoy the scenery from your window.

• Day 1: Berlin [opening photo]. Stay at the Hotel Wilmina, an elegant urban sanctuary in Charlottenburg that was once a 19th-century courthouse and women’s prison. Leave your bags and take a stroll through the leafy neighborhood, home to the Baroque masterpiece that is Charlottenburg Palace. The residential area of Charlottenburg is ideal for leisurely shopping and a visit to the Bröhan Museum. Head to Kurfürstendamm for Vietnamese coffee at DONGNAM Coffee Lab.
• Day 2: Berlin-Prague. After starting your day with Wilmina's seasonal breakfast, store your luggage at Berlin's Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) before your first train journey. A five-minute walk away is the Hamburger Bahnhof, a contemporary art museum housed in a former train station. Enjoy a leisurely Lebanese lunch at the nearby Casalot restaurant before returning to the station to catch the EuroCity train, which departs for Prague every two hours throughout the day.
• Day 3: Prague. Rise early to avoid the crowds and head to Charles Bridge to watch the sunrise. Then, return to Old Town Square via Karlova Street to try trdelník, traditional pastries with sweet nut fillings. Climb the steps of the Old Town Hall for panoramic views that include the Church of Our Lady before Týn, the House at the Stone Bell, and the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas. Stroll through the Jewish Quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the impressive Spanish Synagogue and the Old-New Synagogue, the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe.
• Day 4: Prague-Munich. Trains from Prague's main station take about six hours to reach Munich, so dedicate the day to the journey. A pre-purchased First Minute ticket costs just €39 on Czech Railways. The trains are modern and spacious, with free Wi-Fi and a drinks trolley that roams the aisles, though it's worth bringing a picnic to enjoy the scenery. Before boarding, pick up sandwiches, pastries, and salads at the nearby Lahůdky Zlatý kříž delicatessen and prepare for a scenic journey southwest across the German border.
• Day 5: Munich. After a brioche and butter breakfast at Café Luitpold on Brienner Strasse, spend the morning exploring the cultural heart of Maxvorstadt, a university district brimming with museums, libraries, and galleries. Start with the Alte Pinakothek, home to a wealth of historical artworks, before stopping at The Munich Readery bookstore. Packed with secondhand English-language books, it's a bibliophile's dream.
• Day 6: Munich. Enjoy the luxury of a free day in Munich. Spend a morning watching the city's urban surfers: Munich boasts numerous gardens and parks, though the English Garden usually attracts the largest crowds for surfing the Eisbach, an arm of the Isar River that flows through its grounds.

 

 

• Day 7: Munich-Salzburg. Several trains connect Munich to Salzburg, with journeys taking approximately two hours. Depart from Munich Central Station mid-morning on the Austrian ÖBB Railjet; its air-conditioned carriages, including a restaurant car, ensure a comfortable and fast journey across the border. Once in Salzburg, if you're in the mood for something spicy, head to Uncle Van on Steingasse for fresh prawn summer rolls and a bowl of hot pho.
• Day 8: Salzburg-Vienna. Spend the morning immersed in culture at the DomQuartier museum complex, or try baking a traditional apple strudel at the Edelweiss Cooking School, where classes include lunches of goulash or vegan and vegetarian options. Take an afternoon train to Vienna with ÖBB or WESTbahn.
• Day 9: Vienna. After breakfast, visit the Belvedere Museum, where you'll find Gustav Klimt's The Kiss,and then enjoy lunch of paprika chicken or pike-perch fillet at the nearby Edelgreisslerei Opocensky, a family-run bistro and delicatessen. Take the metro to the beautiful Schönbrunn Palace, which has a children's museum.
• Day 10: Vienna-Budapest. Hourly services from EuroCity, Railjet, and RegioJet connect Vienna to Budapest in just two hours and 40 minutes, so there's no need to book in advance. Finally, after 10 days of train travel, check into the Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa, slip into your bathrobe, and spend an afternoon at the hotel's wellness center (say "szia!" - hello! - to its 400 square meters of pool, sauna, and relaxation areas). Continue relaxing in true Hungarian style at the acclaimed Széchenyi Thermal Baths, a neo-Baroque labyrinth of indoor and outdoor pools, steam rooms, and beer baths.