Europe By Rail - Budapest to Milan

Get ready for the European adventure of a lifetime! Starting in the vibrant city of Budapest, this 11-day rail journey is a whirlwind tour through Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, and Italy. From Budapest's ruin bars and thermal baths, to Vienna's chocolate-making, Lake Bled's stunning landscapes, Venice's iconic canals, and Milan's fashion-forward charm, you’ll be living your European dream every day! Explore, indulge, and party with your TruFam on this epic journey through Europe discovering the best sights, food, and of course beers along the way!

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We’ve perfected the balance between culture, adventure, beaches and parties. A high level of inclusions at a low cost. Think of a Ferrari for the price of a Ford. Highlights, hotspots & hidden gems are crafted into each itinerary with our own TruExclusives. We stay in a variety of different accommodations such as hotels, hostels, homestays, beach huts & even boats. Maximum adventure, minimum hassle.

What's Included

Activities
Budapest Orientation Walk Szechenyi Thermal Baths Visit Budapest's famous ruin bars Budapest Night Cruise Vienna Orientation Walk Chocolate Making in Vienna Bled Castle Viewpoint Ljubljana Orientation Walk Bled Bike Ride Venice Gondola Ride See Piazza del Duomo Explore Milan's canal district

Accommodation
10 Nights Accommodation Private Dorms

Transport
All transport included Travel by Rail Transport within each city

Tru Leader
Your Guide! Like travelling with your best mates and one of them happens to know where they're going!

Meals
5 X Breakfasts
WHERE WE STAY
BUDAPEST
VIENNA
LJUBLJANA AND LAKE BLED
VENICE
MILAN

Welcome to Budapest! Located in the heart of the city, this hostel offers an electric style with a modern touch. With comfortable beds, cozy bar and cafe, it is the greatest place to relax and unwind after a long day exploring the city!

*Please note all accommodation is subject to change but will be of a similar level*

Vienna is calling! Located just south of the city in Vienna's Favoriten district and with links to the city, this hotel is the perfect place for those who want to explore and tick off all the sights this place has to offer.

Slovenia is stunning and we cannot wait to arrive at this hidden gem on our Europe highlights adventure! Our accommodation in Ljubljana is in a perfect location for exploring, and when we make our way over to Lake Bled we'll be a short walk from the stunning water and close to the heart of town too. The cute garden here is a perfect base to relax and flick through all your incredible photos from the trip so far!

Just a short walk away from Venezia-Mestre's main train station, you'll stumble upon our Hostel in Venice and oh boy, it's all about those cool, modern vibes! Imagine swanky flat-screen TVs, beds so comfy they make clouds jealous, and free Wi-Fi to keep your Insta stories poppin'. Dreamy, right? You've got epic connections to the main island and the historic old town. So whether you fancy a train ride or a boat trip, it's all right on your doorstep!

We love Milan and this hostel is perfect for exploring the city as well as the surrounding areas - which makes you feel like a proper local! This hostel is slightly South of Milan and one Metro line away from the centre! It's in a beautiful area by the canals around Naviglio Grande. The perfect place to round off our Europe By Rail adventure!

Bucket List
Chocolate Making Vienna
Budapest Night Cruise
Cycle Around Lake Bled
Budapest Baths
Gondala Ride in Venice

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11
Day 1

Welcome to Budapest

Are you ready for a big European adventure by rail? Well, welcome to Budapest! The first stop on our epic Euro tour. Check in any time, the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. Budapest is filled with rich history and stunning architecture so take a look around! In the evening, we’ll meet up with your fellow TruTravellers and get this party started! We’ll head out and explore Budapest’s famous ruin bars! Top of our list is the famous Szimpla Kert!

Budapest
Visit Budapest's famous ruin bars
Day 2

Szechenyi Thermal Baths

Get ready to make a splash at Budapest's iconic Szechenyi Thermal Bath! Before we hit the hot tubs, we'll stroll through the city to see some of the most important landmarks of Budapest - we will see the beautiful parliament building and the Basilica of St. Stephen. Then, it's bathing suit time! You're free to soak as long as you like. Spend the rest of your day splashing away, swimming or relaxing in the local sauna. Head out with the TruFam, grab a delicious dinner and then we'll jump on a night cruise along the river - magical right?

Budapest
Budapest Walking Tour, Szechenyi Thermal Baths & Budapest night cruise
Day 3

Let's go to Austria

Pack your bags, Vienna, here we come! We’ll hop on the train and head to our next destination. Before we get too cosy in Austria, we'll take a quick orientation walk and then indulge in some Austrian spirits in the evening. Vienna, often called the "City of Music" and the "City of Dreams," offers 10/10 experiences to explore. From the ornate Schönbrunn Palace to the delights of Sachertorte, this city is a treasure trove of culture and cuisine. Vienna is like the whole pastry section of a bakery - full of delightful treats!

Vienna
Vienna Orientation Walk
Train from Budapest to Vienna
Day 4

Chocolate Making & Vienna By Night

Today, we're turning into Willy Wonka with a chocolate-making extravaganza. Brace yourselves for a sweet tooth takeover! During this experience, you'll learn the secrets of crafting silky-smooth chocolate, and you'll get to indulge in your creations. If you fancy it lets go to a bar, sip on some signature cocktails, challenge each other to a dance off or just sit back and unwind as you pinch yourself that yes you really are hopping around Europe! A sweet night. Sweet as chocolate some might say ;)

Vienna
Chocolate Making
1 x Breakfast
Day 5

We're off to Slovenia!

This morning we are travelling towards Ljubljana. It's a stunning journey so be sure to get some photos in between your naps - yes we know train naps are the best! You'll be a pro now at sleeping on the go too! Once we arrive in Ljubljana we will go out on an orientation walk around the capital city, we'll walk along the canals and explore the old town too.

Travel to Slovenia
Ljubljana
Ljubljana orientation walk
Day 6

Magical Lake Bled Views

Today we'll get up early and take a picturesque bus journey to one of the absolute highlights of the trip - Lake Bled! Today we'll get up early and take a picturesque bus journey to one of the absolute highlights of the trip - Lake Bled. Lake Bled is an Instagram lover's dream so take some time to soak it all in… (quite literally if you spend some time at our favourite swimming spot.) We’ll watch the sun go down and sip beers lakeside as we take in these magical moments on tour.

Lake Bled
1 x Breakfast
Lake Bled swimming or Bled Castle Viewpoint (Dependent on season)
Day 7

Bike Rides & Adrenaline Pumping Afternoon

Wake up in paradise. Today, we're grabbing our bikes and exploring the countryside. We'll make our way outside of Bled, cycling through small villages and making pit stops for pics that scream "Instagram goals!" But wait, there's more! In the afternoon, choose from optional activities as it's time to kick our adventure levels into high gear. Picture this: thrilling rafting, epic kayaking, and a whole lot more! Lake Bled is a thrill-seeker's paradise. Whatever you choose you’re in for a treat!

Lake Bled
Bled Bike Ride
Day 8

Goodbye Slovenia - Hello Italy!

Our morning in Lake Bled is free to soak in more of those jaw-dropping views. Whether you want to savour a quiet moment by the lake, explore the charming town, or simply relax with a book, this is your chance to say farewell to this Alpine paradise in your own way. As we bid adieu to Lake Bled, take one last glance at the stunning landscapes that have left an unforgettable mark on your travel memories. We're Venice-bound, but rest assured, the magic of Lake Bled will stay with you forever.

Venice
Bus & Train to Venice
Day 9

Venetian Charm & Gondola Rides

Venice, baby! A Venetian adventure isn't complete without a gondola ride through the canals and we’ve got that to look forward to today! Brace yourself for gondoliers who could double as stand-up comedians, it really is an experience. Of course, there's more to Venice than canals and gondolas! Afterwards, it's all about exploring Venice's winding streets, sipping Aperol spritzes, and making your Rialto Bridge debut. This city is a living, breathing work of art, with hidden alleys, captivating history, and delectable Italian cuisine just waiting to be discovered!

Venice
1 x Breakfast
Venice Gondola Ride
Day 10

Ciao Milano!

Wake up and grab a coffee, it’s time to head to our final stop - Milan! Arrive in the afternoon and check into our hostel before we head out to explore. Our first stop will be the awe-inspiring Piazza del Duomo, a must-see for its architectural grandeur and breathtaking views. Nearby you'll find the famous old mall of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for some more insta worthy pics! Get ready for a night of delicious local food, and 10/10 tasty cocktails surrounded by the best company in the world (your TruFam duh) Tomorrow we say goodbye to our European adventure so tonight we go BIG!

Milan
1x Breakfast
See the famous Piazza del Duomo & Explore the Canal District
Day 11

Chilled Check Out

It’s time to say Ciao. Today is a chilled check out and we’re not quite ready to say goodbye. If you’re planning on travelling more of Europe your Leader is on hand for recommendations or help with onward travel plans. It’s been an insane 11 days of railing through Hungary, Austria, Slovenia and Italy. We’ve created memories to last a lifetime and taken enough pics to spam your instagram for the next 12 months. You’re a part of the TruFam and that’s for life so it’s not goodbye it’s see you later!

1 x Breakfast
Help with Onward Travel

Trip Departure Dates

Dates START - ENDAvailability REMAINING SPOTSPrice PER PERSON
July 2026
DATE: START - END12 Jul 2026 - 22 Jul 2026 priceU$1,995.00

FAQS

Where does the trip start & Finish?

The trip begins in Budapest and ends in Milan

Which airport do I need to fly into?

You will need to fly into Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)

What is the closest airport to the end destination?

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is the closest airport to Milan

Is my arrival transfer included / how do I get to my start location?

An arrival transfer is not included on this trip. It is easy and reasonably priced to get a taxi from Budapest airport to our start location. Otherwise, there is a train to central Budapest and you will then need get the metro.

What kind of accommodation is included on this trip?

The accommodation for this trip is dormitories. It will be a range of 4-8 beds per dorm. The dorms will be for the exclusive use of TruTravels so you will only ever be sharing with other people on the same tour.

 

Some of the accommodation will have shared bathrooms, located outside the dorms.

How do I get back to the start destination and is this included in the price? If not, how much is it?

To get back to the start destination you will need to book a flight to Budapest.

How much is my baggage allowance for the trains?

There is no limit on the baggage allowance - however, you will need to be able to place the luggage in the storage facilities on the train. Often these will be overhead.

How much is a pre night’s accommodation?

Please contact our sales team info@trutravels.com to get an accurate price for a pre-night at our start accomodation.

What is the currency?

The currency in the majority of destinations will be euros (EUR). In Budapest you will need Hungarian Forint (HUF).

Is my money protected?

Yep! You’re protected. TruTravels is both ABTA and ATOL registered meaning your money is safe.

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