The Danube Express carries just fifty passengers, creating an atmosphere of unhurried exclusivity as it winds through Central and Eastern Europe. Freshly prepared meals using traditional regional menus are served in a single sitting in the elegant Restaurant car, ensuring every dinner becomes an occasion rather than a transaction.
A subtle blend of modern technology, refined décor and period fixtures evokes the golden age of rail travel, when elegance and style were quintessential elements of the journey itself. From champagne receptions and regional cuisine to engaging local guides and curated sightseeing at every stop, life on board is entirely taken care of.
The Danube Express is also available for private charter, opening Europe's superbly connected rail network to bespoke itineraries. Berlin, Budapest, Bratislava, Munich, Prague, Salzburg, Venice and Vienna are natural anchors, while countless smaller cities and towns await discovery at the client's direction.
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Accommodation
Superior Deluxe Cabin
At 93 sq ft (8.6 m²), the Superior Deluxe cabin offers the most generous space on board. By day it presents a full-length sofa and two armchairs; by night it transforms into a bedroom with a king-size bed (approximately 6'2" × 5'0" / 1.90 m × 1.52 m). Two full-size picture windows flood the cabin with natural light — one opens to the passing landscape. Facilities include a large double wardrobe, individual air-conditioning, dimmer lighting, reading lights, Wi-Fi, USB ports, power sockets and a safe. The private en-suite bathroom features a shower, washbasin, WC, heated towel rail, 230v/110v shaver socket, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.
Deluxe Cabin
The Deluxe cabin (83 sq ft / 7.74 m²) is equally well appointed. Two armchairs and a free-standing chair fill the space by day; at night twin beds (each 6'1" × 2'7.5" / 1.85 m × 0.80 m) are made up for a restful night's sleep. A partially-opening large picture window, full-length mirror, cupboard, full-length wardrobe, air-conditioning, dimmer lighting, reading lights, Wi-Fi, USB ports, power sockets and a safe complete the cabin. The private en-suite bathroom matches the Superior Deluxe specification throughout.
Lounge Car
Settle into the unhurried pace of life on board among wood-panelled walls, softly toned décor and comfortable sofas. A member of staff is on hand from mid-morning until the early hours to assist or serve refreshments.
Dining Car
The elegant yet unpretentious Restaurant car creates a comfortable, informal atmosphere in which all meals are served in a single sitting. Experienced chefs prepare regional specialities from local and seasonal ingredients, composing menus with care to satisfy all tastes. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Itineraries
Choose the journey that calls to you. Each itinerary may be reserved through our concierge.
Castles of Transylvania
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A seven-day rail journey through four countries, tracing the legend of Vlad the Impaler across Romania's most dramatic castles and palaces, with one hotel night in Istanbul and one in Budapest.
Istanbul – Veliko Tarnovo – Sinaia (Peles Castle) – Brasov (Bran Castle) – Sighisoara – Sibiu – Kecskemet – Lajosmizse – Budapest. The tour includes one night at the Four Seasons Sultanahmet Hotel, Istanbul, and one night at the Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest.
Walk the beautifully preserved medieval streets of Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Visit Sibiu's Evangelic Cathedral, where Vlad's son was buried after his assassination. Discover Bran Castle — Bram Stoker's inspiration for the residence of Count Dracula — and the magnificent Peles Castle set deep in the Carpathian Mountains.
from £9,800 per person (twin)
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Balkan Explorer
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A sweeping 12-day odyssey from Venice to Istanbul, tracing the Adriatic coast and Balkan interior through Ljubljana, Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Belgrade, Sofia and beyond, with two pre-train hotel nights at Venice's Hotel Danieli.
Venice – Trieste – Postojna – Ljubljana – Sarajevo – Mostar – Dubrovnik – Belgrade – Skopje – Sofia – Plovdiv – Istanbul. Two hotel nights at the Hotel Danieli, Venice, precede boarding; the final night is spent at a five-star hotel in Istanbul.
City tours with meals both on and off the train allow guests to absorb the extraordinary variety of cultures, landscapes and histories encountered across this diverse collection of countries.
from £17,600 per person (twin)
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Eastern Europe Discovery
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Twelve days ranging through Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria, revealing the medieval, baroque and gothic splendours of Eastern Europe's most captivating cities, with two included hotel nights.
Budapest – Krakow – Warsaw – Malbork – Gdansk – Berlin – Dresden – Prague – Salzburg – Vienna. Two hotel nights are included en route.
- Riveting lectures and insights from guest speaker Major Gordon Corrigan MBE
- Poignant visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau
- Private Chopin recital in a historic Warsaw palace
- Wine-tasting at Wackerbarth Castle in the Elbe Valley
- Drive a VEB Trabant through the streets of East Berlin
- Private concert at Palais Auersperg featuring the Vienna Supreme Orchestra
from £16,275 per person (twin)
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Christmas Markets of Central Europe
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The ultimate Christmas itinerary: eight days weaving through snow-capped Austrian Alps and four of Europe's finest Christmas markets in Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg and Munich, with two hotel nights and signature festive experiences.
Budapest – Vienna – Salzburg – Munich (or reverse). Two hotel nights included; two days in each of the four cities.
Signature experiences include a magical concert of Viennese Christmas folk songs, a traditional Fiaker horse-drawn carriage ride along Vienna's grand boulevards, and a tasting session of Pirker gingerbread in front of the iconic St Stephen's Cathedral.
from £16,275 per person (twin)
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New Year in Vienna
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A circular nine-day New Year voyage from Budapest through Graz, Vienna, Cesky Krumlov, Prague and Kosice, celebrating New Year's Day in the heart of Vienna with a stylish blend of musical celebration and architectural discovery.
Budapest – Keszthely – Graz – Vienna – Cesky Krumlov – Prague – Kosice – Budapest.
From Budapest the train crosses a winter wonderland of valleys beneath the towering Austrian Alps, visiting a collection of beautiful capital cities and hidden gems. New Year's Day is spent in Vienna, combining musical celebration, rich history and tours of architectural treasures.
from £11,795 per person (twin)
Enquire about this itineraryDeparture Dates
| Date | Direction / Route | From | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 28 Aug 2026 | Venice → Istanbul | £17,600 | Available | Reserve → |
| Wed, 23 Sep 2026 | Istanbul → Budapest | £9,800 | Available | Reserve → |
| Fri, 2 Oct 2026 | Venice → Istanbul | £17,600 | Available | Reserve → |
| Fri, 23 Oct 2026 | Istanbul → Budapest | £9,800 | Available | Reserve → |
| Thu, 3 Dec 2026 | Budapest → Munich | £16,275 | Available | Reserve → |
| Mon, 28 Dec 2026 | Budapest → Budapest | £12,300 | Available | Reserve → |
| Mon, 7 Jun 2027 | Budapest → Vienna | £16,275 | Available | Reserve → |
Cabins & Prices
| Cabin / Suite | Basis | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Deluxe | per person, twin | £ 12,700 |
| Superior Deluxe | single | £ 21,100 |
| Deluxe | per person, twin | £ 9,800 |
| Deluxe | single | £ 14,700 |
Prices are indicative and subject to change and availability. Contact us for the latest rates and offers.