Travel bucket list idea:
Eastern Europe, Multiple countries
Bucket List Experience
Introduced in 2008, the Danube Express is your introduction the cities and sights of eastern European countries: Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Turkey.
The varied itineraries range from 7–13 days, some with a night in a hotel en route. Off-train excursions include cultural sites, caves, boat cruises and heritage railways.
The train is not as luxurious as others, and lacks the period charms of the Orient Express, but the en-suite cabins are a generous size and well designed. Regional specialities are served in the three-course meals with free-flowing house wine and beer, and there is a lounge/bar car with piano.
Current departure points are Basel, Budapest, Istanbul, Vienna and Venice. Some of the itineraries focus on a country such as Switzerland or a theme like the Castles of Transylvania.
At least one overnight stay in a top hotel at the point of departure is usually included in the package.
The dress code is smart casual for evenings.
The train operates from April to October, although there is an option of seeing in the new year on a 9-day post-Christmas tour.
Our writer’s recommended tour operators to book with
Altrincham, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom (UK)
UK-based operator of some of the world’s most iconic and luxurious rail journeys over the last 30 years, notably Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Mongolia, China, Central Asia and India.
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Inspiration
All the romance, excitement and adventure of travel – with all of the luxury. Train expert, journalist and train enthusiast Anthony Lambert recommends the world’s greatest train journeys to do in a lifetime.
