0  
+44 (0)1653 617001
back
back
back
back
back
back
back
back
back
back
 

Berlin to Prague – a city tour by train

A thrilling cross-border journey
 
Discover Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden (with City Cards included in each) before crossing the border to explore Prague on this fascinating rail journey. Follow the timeline of an historical and cultural revolution as you take a self-guided walking tour in each city.
Berlin to Prague – a city tour by train. 8 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Berlin to Prague – a city tour by train. 8 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A touring holiday by rail in Germany

Few cities have experienced such fluctuating fortunes as those of the former East Germany. But Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden have each emerged from the cloak of the Iron Curtain to become fully rejuvenated, and are now more culturally enriching than ever. Add to this a stay in beguiling Prague, and your journey is complete.
Journeying between these famous cities by rail, you not only discern a palpable sense of history, but can also chart the highs and lows of the past while marvelling at the architectural and cultural treasures that had remained hidden for so long. Using our self-guided walking routes (and included City Cards, entitling you to free or discounted visits) in each city, you are in for an enthralling trip.
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • Arrival in Berlin
    Night 1: at Hotel Honigmond or Garden Boutique Hotel (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of exploration.
  • Explore Berlin
    Nowhere symbolises the rejuvenation of Germany more perfectly than this engrossing capital, and our self-guided tour (plus included City Card) helps you absorb its chequered history to the full. While there are intriguing reminders of the Cold War around every corner, the ‘coolest city on the planet’ has plenty more to offer. There are expansive parks, boat trips on the River Spree plus myriad cultural diversions to enjoy. You can also experience Kaffeehäuser and Bierstuben on a grand scale, or stop for Currywurst on Potsdamer Platz, once a drab wasteland bisected by the Wall but today a potent symbol of the city’s remarkable renewal.
    East side gallery
    Brandenburg gate
  • Berlin to Leipzig
    Take the mid-morning train south to Leipzig, disembarking amid the grandeur of Central Station, the largest railway station in the world, in time for lunch, and with the afternoon free to relax or explore. Your base for two nights is the Baroque Hotel Fregehaus.
  • Explore Leipzig
    Like many musical luminaries – most famously Wagner, Mendelssohn and Bach – you will be drawn to this vibrant and youthful city, which resonates to the sound of the many musical events held throughout the year. Visit the 12th-century Nikolaikirche, scene of the peaceful Monday Demonstrations in 1989 which culminated in the eventual breaching of the Berlin Wall, and follow our walking route (again we include a City Card) through the Passagen, attractively restored glass-roofed arcades, where you can enjoy a meal of typical Saxon specialities in Auerbach’s Keller, Leipzig's second-oldest restaurant, which was immortalised by Wolfgang von Goethe in his play Faust.

    Easily reached from Leipzig by public transport is Schloss Colditz, the hill-top castle from which captured Allied officers famously hatched ingenious plans of escape with varying levels of success.
    Enjoy typical Saxon specialities in Auerbach's Keller
    Inside the 12th-century Nikolaikirche
  • Leipzig to Dresden
    Another mid-morning train journey brings you, in just over an hour, to Dresden, where you spend two nights at the Hotel Martha in elegant Neustadt, amid the area’s many boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. It is also no more than a stroll to reach the Altstadt (Old Town) across the river: carefully restored to its pre-war Baroque splendour, it is a quite remarkable achievement.
  • Explore Dresden
    With a picturesque setting on the River Elbe, and a vast collection of cultural treasures, Dresden’s burgeoning reputation is well deserved. Our self-guided tour (with included City Card) includes the magnificent Frauenkirche – formerly a war memorial and now a resplendent Lutheran church and powerful symbol of reconciliation – and the Zwinger Palace, a museum complex that houses the Gemäldegalerie (‘Old Masters Gallery’) and which was the elaborate Baroque playground of Augustus the Strong. You could also take a trip to historic Meissen, a short bus ride away and the home of exquisite porcelain. Alternatively, visit the elegant riverside Pillnitz Palace – the summer residence of the kings and electors of Saxony – by vintage paddle steamer, the very essence of Slow travel.
    Theaterplatz and statue of King John of Saxony
    Zwinger Palace
  • Dresden to Prague
    A scenic rail journey from Dresden takes you alongside the River Elbe and through ‘Saxon Switzerland’, crossing into the Czech Republic en route to Prague. Sit back and enjoy the ride as you glide past towering sandstone turrets and through the narrow gorge of the Elbe, marking the border between these two countries. Your hotel in the Czech capital is the historic, riverside Hotel Leonardo, perfectly placed to take in the city’s many attractions.
  • Explore Prague
    Prague is a hugely rewarding combination of fascinating history and cutting-edge style, and you can absorb this heady blend for yourselves – on foot and by tram – by following our self-guided tours. The city has worked its subtle magic on generations of visitors, and has lent inspiration to musicians and writers, from Mozart to Dvorák and from Kafka to Klíma. So follow in their footsteps, and admire the way the enterprising and open-minded Czechs have transformed their capital into such a compelling, modern masterpiece.
    Musicians on Charles Bridge
    Old Town square and astronomical clock tower
 

Accommodation

We have chosen the accommodation for its excellent location in each city.

In Berlin, we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. Both are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation.

Wherever you stay in Berlin, we recommend adding an extra night so that you have more time to explore. 

Please note: most beds in German hotels are normally one large base with two mattresses/duvets. We refer to these as 'Austrian Twins' and they are locally regarded to serve requests for both double and twin bedded rooms. Separate twin beds or traditional double beds with one large mattress are rare and cannot be guaranteed.
 

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
Currency converter
We can only accept payment in GBP, but you can use this converter to find out how much the holiday equates to in your own currency.
Please enter an amount Please enter a valid amount British Pound Sterling (GBP)
Currency is required
NB: this should be used as a guide only. Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in significant variation by the time you come to pay.

  • 8 nights: 04 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    4 Jan - 11 Mar 2024 £1265 £595
    12 - 31 Mar 2024 £1305 £630
    1 - 30 Apr 2024 £1390 £715
    1 May - 20 Jun 2024 £1455 £765
    21 - 27 Jun 2024 £1430 £725
    28 Jun - 23 Aug 2024 £1330 £640
    24 Aug - 30 Sep 2024 £1450 £725
    1 - 26 Oct 2024 £1410 £715
    27 Oct - 23 Dec 2024 £1265 £595
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £0

    Includes accommodation, meals, travel between hotels and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus a detailed information pack, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Included travel: Berlin–Leipzig–Dresden–Prague by rail

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel Fregehaus, Leipzig
    Larger: 04 Jan - 31 Dec 2024 £11
    Hotel Martha, Dresden
    Superior: 04 Jan - 31 Dec 2024 £11
    Hotel Leonardo, Prague
    Bookquet classic room: 04 Jan - 31 Dec 2024 £26
    Junior suite: 04 Jan - 31 Dec 2024 £29

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel Fregehaus, Leipzig (B&B) Double room Single room
    04 Jan - 30 Apr 2024 £86 £139
    01 May - 08 May 2024 £108 £181
    09 May - 27 May 2024 £86 £139
    28 May - 01 Jun 2024 £121 £209
    02 Jun - 10 Jun 2024 £86 £139
    11 Jun - 20 Jun 2024 £108 £181
    21 Jun - 13 Sep 2024 £86 £139
    14 Sep - 28 Sep 2024 £92 £151
    29 Sep - 24 Oct 2024 £86 £139
    25 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £92 £151
    01 Nov - 31 Dec 2024 £86 £139
    Peak dates: add £36pp/n (£72p/n in a single room) if staying 11-14 Mar or 25-27 Mar. Add £22pp/n (£44p/n in a single room) if staying 12-24 May, 23-24 Oct, 27-28 Nov, 4-5 Dec or 11 Dec.
    Hotel Martha, Dresden (B&B) Double room Single room
    04 Jan - 31 Dec 2024 £84 £126
    Hotel Leonardo, Prague (B&B) Double room Single room
    04 Jan - 18 Mar 2024 £46 £88
    19 Mar - 06 Apr 2024 £66 £125
    07 Apr - 10 Apr 2024 £110 £213
    11 Apr - 04 Jul 2024 £103 £200
    05 Jul - 31 Aug 2024 £66 £125
    01 Sep - 02 Nov 2024 £103 £200
    03 Nov - 26 Nov 2024 £46 £88
    27 Nov - 28 Nov 2024 £66 £125
    29 Nov - 03 Dec 2024 £46 £88
    04 Dec - 05 Dec 2024 £66 £125
    06 Dec - 31 Dec 2024 £46 £88
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Berlin for the outward flight; Prague for the homeward flight
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying to Berlin and home from Prague. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Dresden (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Birmingham Czech Airlines,  jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Berlin Brandenburg easyJet 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Bristol easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Berlin Brandenburg Ryanair 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Nottingham East Midlands jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Berlin Brandenburg easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Dresden (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Edinburgh easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Berlin Brandenburg easyJet,  Ryanair 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Glasgow jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Humberside - Berlin Brandenbrug (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Berlin Brandenbrug (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Leeds Bradford jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Berlin Brandenburg easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Berlin Brandenburg British Airways 
    London City - Dresden Air France 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - London City British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Berlin Brandenburg British Airways,  easyJet 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Gatwick Czech Airlines,  easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Berlin Brandenburg British Airways,  Eurowings 
    Heathrow - Dresden (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Heathrow British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Berlin Brandenburg easyJet 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Luton Wizz Air 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Berlin Brandenburg easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Berlin Brandenburg Ryanair 
    Stansted - Dresden Ryanair 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Stansted easyJet,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Berlin Brandenburg easyJet,  Ryanair 
    Manchester - Dresden (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Manchester easyJet,  jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Berlin Brandenburg easyJet 
    Return route Airline
    Prague - Newcastle jet2 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying to Berlin and home from Prague. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Berlin Brandenburg

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    own travel arrangements from airport to hotel pay locally flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    rail Prague Hl.N to Berlin airport (4h30) £110 1800

    Connecting travel options - flying via Prague

    Outward route
    not recommended in this direction
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    own travel arrangements from hotel to airport pay locally flexible
What is included
  • 8 nights
  • 8 breakfasts
  • city maps and notes for walking tours
  • detailed cultural information
  • city cards
  • rail travel between cities
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 5 reviews
  • Mrs D Broomfield
    Chelmsford
    04 September 2023

    We thoroughly enjoyed our trip Beyond the Iron Curtain. We found it more relaxing to have additional nights in Berlin and Prague. The hotels were all in great locations and were full of local character.

  • Mrs P Bell
    Guildford
    03 September 2023

    We really enjoyed our trip "Beyond the Iron Curtain" and particuallry like the concept of independent travel but with bookings done for us and walking notes and guidance provided. All four hotels we stayed in were very nice, although being in a convenient city centre location (Prague) can be noisy. Good to be in interesting, boutique type hotels rather than big chains.

    Plenty to do in each city. The weather was glorious and we chose to be outside so didn't visit any museums but we did enjoy the hop on - hop off sightseeing bus rides in each place. Two of those (Leipzig and Prague) also included boat trips. Caution when buying the tickets though - not all trips have english commentary. Check first if that's an issue.

    A personal highlight for us was dinner in the rotating restaurant high up in the Fernsehturm in Berlin. Get there early (7pm) to see Berlin in daylight, then by the time you finish dinner you see it lit up at night. Magical!

    We felt that, for us, the visitor cards were a waste of money - in Berlin we only used the welcome card to get from the airport to the central station. In Leipzig we could only use it for a 2 euro reduction on the bus trip. In Dresden we didn't use it at all. Maybe if we visted every possible museum it might have been worthwhile but Inntravel might like to rethink these cards as most restaurants, cafes and attractions didn't accept them.

  • Mrs A Williams
    Kingston Upon Thames
    26 April 2023

    Tips for Berlin: We recommend a vegan restaurant, 'Vegan 87', at Elisabeth-Schwarzhaupt-Platz 5,10115, about 1-2 mins from Nordbahnof S-Bahn station and just a few mins walk from Hotel Honigmond. It was very popular on the evening we ate there. It's a vegan Asian restaurant offering noodles, sushi, broths, salads, desserts etc., and a range of alcoholic and soft drinks. The staff are very friendly and service is very good. We very much enjoyed the Berlin walking tour. We covered about a third of it on our first day, stopping off at places of interest as we went. It helped us get our bearings in the City and we returned to it later during our four day stay. Some of our highlights - an evening tour of the Reichstag - culminating in a view of the City from the glass dome. Booking slots become available two months in advance and one needs to book then as it's very popular; the Olympic Stadium built for the 1936 games; the Stasi Museum; and the Tranenpalast (site of German division) at Friedrichstrase station.  

  • Mr G Fisher
    Canada
    06 December 2022

    I had some difficulty following the walking directioins this time, especially the ones around Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. The directions approaching and leaving were ambiguous. Offering N-S-E-W is not very helpful to a stranger and the direction to Stresemannstrasse was not clear. I thought the street you were referencing is now called Potzdamer Platz Strasse but that would not be the first time I was in error. It would be helpful if when you make reference to various museums (very helpful) you would also list the address not just the website. It would be helpful if the walking directions included distances especially when it is longer than a five minute walk in any one direction. I love all the suggestions for things to do. Apply as early possible for ticket to the Saturday Bach motet sings at St. Thomas as they sell out early, especially in December. Directions out of the Dresden-Neustadt HB are very hard to follow/orient. Both doors out of the HB have a "city' label above and it is a "hard" right to the closest crossing. You may want to revisit the use of the Dresden City Card for free entry as this is not always the case. In the Frauenkirche, use of cameras is permitted. Transport museum/Dresden is closed on Mondays as is the Albertinum. An alert that Czechoslovokia does not use the Euro would be appreciated. Again, your suggestions are many and so appreciated. It is just a bit dicy to be trying to decipher directions when -3 or -4 and snowing and once again, one's Google Map cuts out and you are literally left out in the cold; ordinarily, I would not mind a few missteps and retracing but in winter not very pleasant. Any help you can provide to locating the proper place to stand on the train platform for your wagon would be great; however, as I discovered, DB is not always very good at this one, even from a human being! Overall, your ideas are many and so thorough. You always offer a way to get to know a city in a minimum of time, especially the historical/social background.

  • Mr E Brumby
    Australia
    09 September 2022

    There are so many reasons that we would have no hesitation in recommending Inntravel for walks in Europe:

     

    1. Inntravel's customer service, from pre-sale to post-sale, was exemplary in every respect: friendly, responsive, timely .... and thoroughly professional. (Will, with whom we made initial contact, was especially helpful and responsive.)

    2. Pre- and post-walking travel arrangements proceeded far more smoothly and easily than we had expected.

    3. The location and quality of hotels also exceeded our expectations.

    4. The walking routes and terrain were in total accord with out expectations (and abilities) and provided a range and variety of experiences.

    5. Luggage and taxi transfers proceeded flawlessly.

    6. The institution of WhatsApp-enabled communication and App-based maps and walking guides will only enhance what is already an excellent set of services
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • The information that we send to you 2-3 weeks before your holiday includes practical information about each stage of your journey so that you can travel confidently from one hotel to another, recommendations for places to visit and eat out in each place, plus cultural information about the area. Where applicable, we also provide notes for a self-guided walking tour of most cities, and some large towns. Sample travel pack >
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Germany, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is German. The currency is the Euro. German time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to the Czech Republic, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is Czech. The currency is the Koruna. Czech time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Last fetch time is : 10/30/2024 12:07:48 AM

currency iplookup:

cookie value: null

querystring value: null