The Polish Explorer | Transylvania & the Bosphorus | Bookings |
 |
 |
The Danube Express begins operations in May 2008.
Above are views of the interior of the first completed carriage, shown without linen and other passenger comforts.
More photographs will be published when they are available.
Deluxe Sleeping Cars
The deluxe sleeping car has just 5 air-conditioned cabins, accommodating up to 10 passengers in spacious compartments with two lower beds. The design carefully blends 21st century comfort with tasteful décor and fixtures that evoke the bygone era when elegance and style epitomised rail travel.
Each deluxe compartment has armchairs, a drinks table, wardrobe and a safe. The attached bathroom has a WC toilet, wash basin, power shower, hair dryer and a heated towel rail.
In the evening, the cabin attendant will make up the compartment with two lower berth beds.
Presidential Cars
The historic Presidential cars date from the 1950s and were once part of the Hungarian Government's fleet. They have a small lounge area and are ideal for a small private group. They are added to the train on special request at extra cost. These heritage cars are not air-conditioned. Toilet facilities and shower are in each car.
The Presidential Suite, for two people, has a private shower and WC toilet. The comfortable sofa converts to a small double bed. There are also four 2-berth compartments with wash basins offering comfortable seating by day, converting to upper and lower berths by night.
Classic Sleeping Cars
The classic sleeping car has 9 cabins, each for up to two people. Each classic compartment is air-conditioned and provides comfortable seating by day and upper and lower berths by night, with the cabin attendant making the conversion. There is a wash basin, mirror and hanging space for clothes. Toilet facilities and shower are at the end of the carriage corridor. All linen, towels and some toiletries are provided.
 |
 |
Restaurant Cars
All meals are served in a single sitting allowing passengers time to eat in comfort without being rushed. Breakfast is a relaxed meal with cold or hot courses. Lunch & dinner are table d'hôte. All meals are freshly prepared in onboard kitchens with a central European theme, although all tastes and dietary requirements are accommodated.
Lounge Cars
The Lounge car is the focal point of the train. It is here that passengers meet for pre-meal drinks, to chat or to listen to the pianist play favourite songs. Beer, wine and soft drinks are complimentary, but passengers pay for spirits.
Here are four itineraries which will take you to some of the most fabulous destinations in Central Europe, where experienced guides will show you the highlights.
Each departure affords you the opportunity to take in some spectacular scenery from the windows of your 'hotel on wheels'. Relax and enjoy the elegance and nostalgia of the Danube Express.
2008 Dates, Prices and Information
Departure Dates
Budapest - Balaton - Vienna - Alps - Budapest 8 June
Budapest - Alps - Vienna - Balaton - Budapest 11 June
Included
- Three nights bed, breakfast and evening meal in Budapest in twin/double rooms.
- Sightseeing tours of Budapest and Vienna.
- Two nights on the Danube Express with all meals and drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks) included.
- Visit Keszthely or the Hévíz spa, and Graz.
- Journey over the Semmering pass, the first railway built across the Alps.
- Flights with Lufthansa UK to Budapest and return.
- Services of a Tour Manager.
Prices
Classic sleeper two-berth (upper and lower berths) with washbasin
£1,600 per person
Supplement for twin-bedded Deluxe sleeping compartment with private shower/WC
£400 per person
Single supplement (single rooms in hotels, single occupancy of Classic sleeper)
£390
Two single adjoining Classic compartments on train, double/twin rooms in hotels
£200 per person
Additional Nights in Budapest
Per person (bed & breakfast), per night: Hotel Astoria
Double room £60 | Single room £110
Travel to/from Budapest
By Air
Prices include flights from / to London Heathrow, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh or Manchester with one change. If you wish to book your own flights we will be pleased to quote a price excluding flights.
Flight details will be advised during the booking process.
By Rail
Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) overnight to Munich, and from there direct to Budapest. Accommodation is First Class (Leisure Select on Eurostar) with two-berth sleepers from Paris to Munich. Compartments with shower and WC are available.
Supplements for travel by rail (subject to availability)
In two-berth compartment with washbasin
£270 per person
In two-berth compartment with private shower/WC
£345 per person
Single compartment with washbasin
£420 per person
Single compartment with private shower/WC
£490 per person
Train times will be advised during the booking process.
Departure from London by rail is one day earlier, return is one day later.
2008 Dates, Prices and Information
Departure Dates
Budapest - Tatra Mountains - Cracow - Prague - Berlin 21 May, 13 September and 29 September
Berlin - Prague - Cracow - Tatra Mountains - Budapest 24 May, 16 September and 2 October
Included
- Two nights bed, breakfast and evening meal in Budapest in twin/double rooms.
- Two nights bed, breakfast and evening meal in Berlin in twin/double rooms.
- Sightseeing tours of Budapest and Berlin.
- Three nights on the Danube Express with all meals and drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks) included.
- Full-day sightseeing tours of Prague and Cracow with lunch included.
- Flights with Lufthansa UK to Budapest and Berlin to UK or v.v.
- Services of a Tour Manager.
Prices
Classic sleeper two-berth (upper and lower berths) with washbasin
£2,190 per person
Supplement for twin-bedded Deluxe sleeping compartment with private shower/WC
£600 per person
Single supplement (single rooms in hotels, single occupancy of Classic sleeper)
£550
Two single adjoining Classic compartments on train, double/twin rooms in hotels
£300 per person
Additional Nights in Budapest and Berlin
Per person (bed & breakfast), per night:
Budapest - Hotel Astoria
Double room £60 | Single room £110
Berlin - Hotel Grosser Kurfürst
Double room £70 | Single room £115
By Air
Prices include flights from / to London Heathrow, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh or Manchester with one change. If you wish to book your own flights we will be pleased to quote a price excluding flights.
Flight details will be advised during the booking process.
By Rail
Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) overnight to Munich & Berlin; from Munich direct to Budapest. Accommodation is First Class (Leisure Select on Eurostar) with two-berth sleepers from Paris to Munich. Compartments with shower and WC are available.
Supplements for travel by rail (subject to availability)
In two-berth compartment with washbasin
£250 per person
In two-berth compartment with private shower/WC
£325 per person
Single compartment with washbasin
£395 per person
Single compartment with private shower/WC
£450 per person
Train times will be advised during the booking process.
Departure from London by rail is one day earlier, return is one day later.
2008 Dates, Prices and Information
Departure Dates
Budapest - Kosice - Auschwitz - Cracow - Malbork - GdaŽnsk - Warsaw 16 June and 1 September
Warsaw - Malbork - GdaŽnsk - Auschwitz - Cracow - Kosice - Budapest 19 June and 4 September
Included
- Two nights bed, breakfast and evening meal in Budapest in twin/double rooms.
- Two nights bed, breakfast and evening meal in Warsaw in twin/double rooms.
- Sightseeing tours of Budapest, Kosice, Auschwitz, Cracow, Malbork, Gda'nsk and Warsaw.
- Three nights on the Danube Express with all meals and drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks) included.
- Flights with Lufthansa UK to Budapest and Warsaw to UK or v.v.
- Services of a Tour Manager.
Prices
Classic sleeper two-berth (upper and lower berths) with washbasin
£2,090 per person
Supplement for twin-bedded Deluxe sleeping compartment with private shower/WC
£600 per person
Single supplement (single rooms in hotels, single occupancy of Classic sleeper)
£550
Two single adjoining Classic compartments on train, double/twin rooms in hotels
£300 per person
Additional Nights in Budapest and Warsaw
Per person (bed & breakfast), per night:Budapest - Hotel Astoria
Double room £60 | Single room £110
Warsaw - Bristol Hotel
Double room £80 | Single room £130
Travel to/from Budapest and Warsaw
By Air
Prices include flights from and to London Heathrow, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh or Manchester with one change in Frankfurt. If you wish to book your own flights we will be pleased to quote a price excluding flights. Flight details will be advised during the booking process.
By Rail
To Budapest - Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) overnight to Munich, and from there direct to Budapest.
To Warsaw - Eurostar to Brussels, a connection to Cologne, then Euro Night sleeper. Train accommodation is First Class (Leisure Select on Eurostar) with two-berth sleepers from Paris to Munich and Cologne to Warsaw or v.v. Compartments with shower and WC are available.
Supplements for travel by rail (subject to availability)
In two-berth compartment with washbasin
£280 per person
In two-berth compartment with private shower/WC
£375 per person
Single compartment with washbasin
£420 per person
Single compartment with private shower/WC
£515 per person
Train times will be advised during the booking process.
Departure from London by rail is one day earlier, return is one day later.
2008 Dates, Prices and Information
Departure Dates
Budapest - Transylvania - Bulgaria - Istanbul 13 May and 21 September
Istanbul - Bulgaria - Transylvania - Budapest 16 May and 24 September
Included
- Two nights bed, breakfast and evening meal in Budapest in twin/double rooms.
- Two nights bed, breakfast and evening meal in Istanbul in twin/double rooms.
- Sightseeing tours of Budapest and Istanbul.
- Three nights on the Danube Express with all meals and drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks) included.
- Sightseeing tours of Sighisoara, Bran Castle and Peles Palace.
- Full-day sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo with lunch included.
- Flights with Lufthansa UK to Budapest and Istanbul to UK or v.v.
- Services of a Tour Manager.
Prices
Classic sleeper two-berth (upper and lower berths) with washbasin
£2,290 per person
Supplement for twin-bedded Deluxe sleeping compartment with private shower/WC
£600 per person
Single supplement (single rooms in hotels, single occupancy of Classic sleeper)
£550
Two single adjoining Classic compartments on train, double/twin rooms in hotels
£300 per person
Additional Nights in Budapest and Istanbul
Per person (bed & breakfast), per night:
Budapest - Hotel Astoria
Double room £60 | Single room £110
Istanbul - Hotel Lares Park
Double room £55 | Single room £95
Travel to/from Budapest and Istanbul
By Air
Included in the above prices are flights from and to London Heathrow, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh or Manchester with one change in Frankfurt. If you wish to book your own flights we will be pleased to quote a price excluding flights. Flight details will be advised during the booking process.
By Rail
Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) overnight to Munich, and from there direct to Budapest. Train accommodation is First Class (Leisure Select on Eurostar) with two-berth sleepers from Paris to Munich or v.v. Compartments with shower and WC are available. This holiday is not offered without flying one way.
Supplements for travel by rail one way (subject to availability)
In two-berth compartment with washbasin
£170 per person
In two-berth compartment with private shower/WC
£210 per person
Single compartment with washbasin
£245 per person
Single compartment with private shower/WC
£280 per person
Train times will be advised during the booking process.
Departure from London by rail is one day earlier, return is one day later.
Find out much more about the Danube Express.
Click here to find out more about chartering the Danube Express.