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Central Europe • 21 Days
Prices verified: Aug 2026 • Source: České Dráhy (ČD) / DB EuroCity Train fare

21-Day Wave 1 Mega Route: Berlin to Ljubljana Grand Circuit

The definitive overland journey through Wave 1. Connects Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Lake Balaton, Maribor, Ljubljana, and Lake Bled purely by train and coach.

Trip Duration 21 Days
Estimated Total €1,120
Daily Average ~€53/day
Travel Style backpacker
Itinerary route

Swipe to follow the full route.

  1. 1
    Berlin 2 days
  2. 2
    Dresden 1 day
  3. 3
    Prague 3 days
  4. 4
    Vienna 3 days
  5. 5
    Budapest 3 days
  6. 6
    Lake Balaton (Balatonfüred & Siófok) 1 day
  7. 7
    Maribor 1 day
  8. 8
    Ljubljana 4 days
  9. 9
    Lake Bled 2 days
  10. 10
    Lake Bohinj 1 day

Intercity route legs

Berlin → Dresden train • Approx 1h 45m 💡 EuroCity train.
~€9.90
Dresden → Prague train • Approx 2h 15m 💡 Elbe canyon scenic line.
~€14.00
Prague → Vienna train • Approx 4h 00m 💡 RegioJet yellow train.
~€14.00
Vienna → Budapest train • Approx 2h 40m 💡 ÖBB Railjet.
~€19.00
Budapest → Lake Balaton (Balatonfüred & Siófok) train • Approx 1h 15m 💡 Balaton InterCity.
~€5.80
Ljubljana → Lake Bled bus • Approx 1h 15m 💡 Arriva public bus.
~€6.00

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Berlin

Berlin

Arrival and check-in. Walk Brandenburg Gate.

Estimated day spending: €56.00
Day 2

Berlin Wall History

Berlin

Bernauer Straße and Kreuzberg street food.

Estimated day spending: €54.00
Day 3

EuroCity to Dresden

Dresden

Baroque architecture and Zwinger palace.

Estimated day spending: €52.00
Day 4

Elbe River Canyon to Prague

Prague

Scenic rail through sandstone cliffs into Prague.

Estimated day spending: €50.00
Day 5

Prague Castle & Malá Strana

Prague

St. Vitus Cathedral and traditional Czech lunch.

Estimated day spending: €50.00
Day 6

Old Town & Charles Bridge

Prague

Sunrise on Charles Bridge and Old Town alleys.

Estimated day spending: €50.00
Day 7

RegioJet to Vienna

Vienna

Yellow train to Vienna. St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Estimated day spending: €60.00
Day 8

Imperial Vienna & Opera

Vienna

Hofburg Palace and evening standing-room opera.

Estimated day spending: €62.00
Day 9

Schönbrunn Gardens

Vienna

Palace parklands and Naschmarkt stalls.

Estimated day spending: €58.00
Day 10

Railjet to Budapest

Budapest

Express train to Budapest. Ruin bar evening.

Estimated day spending: €52.00
Day 11

Buda Castle & Citadella

Budapest

Fisherman’s Bastion and sweeping Danube views.

Estimated day spending: €54.00
Day 12

Széchenyi Thermal Baths

Budapest

Soaking in historic outdoor mineral pools.

Estimated day spending: €56.00
Day 13

Train to Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton (Balatonfüred & Siófok)

Lakeside promenade and fresh fried fish.

Estimated day spending: €48.00
Day 14

Cross-Border Train to Maribor

Maribor

Slovenian rail to Maribor. Old Vine House visit.

Estimated day spending: €48.00
Day 15

Train to Green Ljubljana

Ljubljana

Car-free historic center and dragon bridge.

Estimated day spending: €52.00
Day 16

Ljubljana Castle & Market

Ljubljana

Hilltop castle and riverside willow walks.

Estimated day spending: €52.00
Day 17

Bus to Emerald Lake Bled

Lake Bled

Postcard lake walk and Ojstrica viewpoint hike.

Estimated day spending: €56.00
Day 18

Lake Bohinj & Mount Vogel

Lake Bohinj

Triglav National Park alpine scenery.

Estimated day spending: €58.00
Day 19

Vintgar Gorge Wooden Boardwalks

Lake Bled

Turquoise river canyon boardwalk hike.

Estimated day spending: €55.00
Day 20

Return to Ljubljana

Ljubljana

Relaxed evening along the river in Ljubljana.

Estimated day spending: €52.00
Day 21

Ljubljana Departure

Ljubljana

Public bus to Ljubljana Airport for departure.

Estimated day spending: €55.00

✂️ What I Would Cut If Short on Time

Skip Lake Balaton and Maribor to travel directly between Budapest and Ljubljana, reducing the itinerary to 16 days.

Make this trip cheaper

These options use the current typical minimum fare in our route records. They are not guaranteed quotes, and prices can change before booking.

Vienna to Budapest by Bus
Typical minimum €9.00, about €10.00 below this itinerary's stored leg estimate.
Fare source
Ljubljana to Lake Bled by Train
Typical minimum €5.20, about €0.80 below this itinerary's stored leg estimate.
Fare source
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