Rhine Valley to the Swiss Alps by Train
September 2027 (posted date is tentative)
On this adventure we’ll visit Germany, France, and Switzerland to experience medieval towns, Alsace vineyards, Alpine landscapes, castles, scenic boat rides, cable cars, and lots of trains!
This immersive journey will take us through some of the most atmospheric destinations in central Europe—although you may find that our travel between destinations is as memorable as the destinations themselves.
The format will be an informal shared travel experience so the itinerary is intended as a guide rather than a rigid schedule—and it could change. Everyone is ultimately responsible for their own activities, planning decisions, and daily logistics.
You’ll also be responsible for booking your own flights, accommodations, and train travel, though I’ll provide detailed guidance on that over the next months. Rental cars won’t be necessary since we’ll rely on trains, buses, taxis, and our own two feet to get around.
No hikes are planned as we’ll get plenty of steps in exploring each destination on foot.
We’ll fly into Frankfurt (FRA) and out of Zurich (ZRH)
Sometime around October I’ll announce which hotels I’ve booked, and you can copy those, or book elsewhere nearby.
My own focus on this trip will be to absorb the oldest parts of town, but you’re welcome to venture out wherever you’d like.
Signing up now isn’t a commitment, but please stay aware of your RSVP and cancel if you change your mind.
OVERVIEW
Bacharach Germany - 2 nights
Colmar France - 2 nights
Lucerne Switzerland - 3 nights
ESTIMATED ALL-INCLUSIVE COST
Single occupancy $4900
Doubles $3800
BUDGET
Flights $900 - 1200
Hotels* $2200 - singles / 1100 - doubles
Meals & beverages $700
Local travel $500
Excursions $200
Meetup Organization $100
*Lower-cost lodging is available. Prospective hotels are mid-priced, well-situated in town, and appeal to my own aesthetics.
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Overnight flight
Arrive in Frankfurt around 8AM Sunday
Day 2 - Arrive in Bacharach Germany
Train from Frankfurt airport to medieval Bacharach (1.5 hrs), drop luggage at hotel, explore the village, lunch, train to Rhens (30 mins), scenic Rhine cruise through the heart of the UNESCO Rhine Gorge back to Bacharach (3.5 hrs), evening in town
Day 3 - Excursion to Burg Eltz
Taxi to 12th-century fairy-tail Burg Eltz Castle (1 hour each way), explore the castle and grounds, return to Bacharach by mid-afternoon
Day 4 - Travel to Colmar France
Train to whimsical Colmar (5+ hrs - depart at your leisure), drop luggage at hotel, explore the Old Town and canal
Day 5 - Excursion to Kaysersberg & Riquewihr (reek-veer)
Bus to the charming medieval village of Kaysersberg (30 mins), then on to picturesque Riquewihr (10 mins), wine tasting, lunch, explore the village, return to Colmar by evening
Day 6 - Travel to Lucerne Switzerland
Train to picturesque lakeside Lucerne (2.5 hrs - depart at your leisure), drop luggage at hotel, explore the Old Town, historic bridges, and lakeside vistas
Day 7 - Excursion to Murren
Train, gondola, then mountain railway to the quintessential Alpine Village of Murren (3 hrs), lunch, wander, shopping, return to Lucerne by evening
Day 8 - Excursion to Mount Pilatus
Experience the Golden Round Trip — boat across Lake Luzerne to Alpnachstad (1 hour) - ride the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the summit (30 min), explore, lunch, descend by gondola, bus back to Lucerne by mid-afternoon
Day 9 - Return home
Train to Zurich airport for return flight 😢
