All transport fares and daily budgets benchmarked for 2026.
Core Planning
Cross-Border • 8 Days
Prices verified: Aug 2026 Source: Bus fare

Central Europe and Swiss Alps: Munich, Zurich, Lucerne and Vienna

A regal 8-day grand Central European tour. Experience Munich’s Marienplatz and English Garden, take the EuroCity tilt train past Lake Constance into Zurich and Lucerne, and ride the trans-alpine Railjet into imperial Vienna.

Trip Duration 8 Days
Estimated Total €960
Daily Average ~€120/day
Travel Style mid_range
Itinerary route

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  1. 1
    Munich 2 days
  2. 2
    Zurich 1 day
  3. 3
    Lucerne 2 days
  4. 4
    Vienna 3 days

Intercity route legs

Munich → Zurich train • Approx 212 💡 Book via DB / SBB (EuroCity Express ECE) at least 2 to 4 weeks ahead for lowest fares.
~€19.90
Zurich → Lucerne train • Approx 41 💡 Book via SBB CFF FFS (InterRegio) at least 2 to 4 weeks ahead for lowest fares.
~€27.00

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Munich Marienplatz and Beer Halls

Munich

Arrive in Munich. Watch the Glockenspiel chimes on Marienplatz, walk through Viktualienmarkt, and dine at Augustiner-Keller.

Estimated day spending: €95.00
Day 2

English Garden Surfers and Residenz

Munich

Watch the Eisbach river surfers, tour the grand Munich Residenz palace, and walk through the leafy English Garden.

Estimated day spending: €95.00
Day 3

EuroCity Express to Zurich

Zurich

Take the 3h32 scenic EuroCity train past Lake Constance to Zurich HB. Walk along the Limmat river into the Old Town.

Estimated day spending: €140.00
Day 4

Train to Lucerne and Chapel Bridge

Lucerne

Take the 41-minute train to Lucerne. Walk across Chapel Bridge, view the Lion Monument, and take an afternoon paddle steamer on Lake Lucerne.

Estimated day spending: €150.00
Day 5

Mount Rigi Queen of the Mountains

Lucerne

Ascend to Mount Rigi summit by cogwheel train for sweeping panoramic views across 13 alpine lakes.

Estimated day spending: €145.00
Day 6

Trans-Alpine Railjet to Vienna

Vienna

Board the scenic Railjet train across the Austrian Alps through Innsbruck and Salzburg into Wien Hauptbahnhof.

Estimated day spending: €110.00
Day 7

Imperial Vienna: Hofburg and Stephansdom

Vienna

Tour Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, walk the grand Ringstrasse boulevard, and eat Sachertorte with melange coffee in a traditional coffeehouse.

Estimated day spending: €115.00
Day 8

Schonbrunn Palace and Departure

Vienna

Tour Schonbrunn Palace gardens and Gloriette before transferring to Vienna Airport on the City Airport Train.

Estimated day spending: €110.00

✂️ What I Would Cut If Short on Time

Drop Vienna and focus on Munich, Zurich, and Lucerne to shorten to 5 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.

Munich to Zurich by Bus
Typical minimum €13.99, about €5.91 below this itinerary's stored leg estimate.
Fare source

Make the itinerary fit your trip

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