Germany & Eastern Europe: 13-Day Self-Launched Grand Tour (Frankfurt to Warsaw)
13 days · Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia & Poland
Europamundo charges £1,310
No-markup version: ~£960 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Europamundo's 13-day coach tour from Frankfurt to Warsaw, covering the Rhine Valley, the fairy-tale castles of the Weser Uplands, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Bratislava, Krakow and Warsaw. Instead of a 72-seat coach with 4-star suburban hotels, you'll use Germany's excellent regional rail network, Czech and Hungarian intercity trains, and FlixBus/RegioJet coaches — staying in central hostels and guesthouses. You'll self-book the Rhine cruise, castles, and Auschwitz-Birkenau (book the official guided entry online well ahead — it's free but slots go fast). Expect an intense, fast-paced route with 5 countries and 4 currencies. Cost estimates are approximate and assume dorm/private-budget rooms, self-catered or casual food, and second-class rail booked in advance.
Day-by-day
Arrive Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Land at Frankfurt Airport and take the S-Bahn (S8/S9, ~£4.50, 15 min) into the Hauptbahnhof area. Check into a central hostel such as Five Elements Hostel or a budget hotel near the station. Spend the afternoon walking the Römerberg old town, the Main riverbank, and the Kleinmarkthalle food market. Buy any rail tickets for tomorrow and pick up an e-SIM or a Deutsche Bahn regional day ticket. Note: the original tour's 4-star airport hotels are far from the centre — a central hostel beats them for convenience.
🚌S-Bahn S8/S9 from airport, ~£4.50
🛏Central hostel or budget hotel near Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (dorm ~£22 / private ~£45)
- →Römerberg old town walk
- →Main riverside stroll
- →Kleinmarkthalle food market
Rhine Valley: Rüdesheim, Sankt Goar, Cochem & Cologne
Rhine Valley & Cologne, Germany
Take a regional train to Rüdesheim (~£9, 1h via Wiesbaden), then board a KD Rhine cruise down to Sankt Goar (~£22 one-way, or use the cheaper Bingen–Sankt Goar ferry crossing ~£8 for a shorter taste). Walk up to Rheinfels Castle ruins (~£5) or view Burg Katz. Continue by train to Cochem (~£14) for the Reichsburg castle and riverside old town, then on to Cologne (~£18). If time is tight, skip Dortmund and sleep in Cologne — it's more central and cheaper for the rest of the route. Evening: see the Cologne Cathedral at dusk (free) and a Kolsch in the Altstadt.
🚌Regional trains (Länder-Ticket or Sparpreis), ~£45 total; cruise ~£22
🛏Cologne hostel/guesthouse near Hauptbahnhof (dorm ~£25 / private ~£50)
- →KD Rhine river cruise Rüdesheim–Sankt Goar
- →Rheinfels Castle ruins
- →Cochem Reichsburg castle
- →Cologne Cathedral
Fairy-tale castles of the Weser Uplands
Trendelburg, Höxter & Hamelin, Germany
Rent nothing — use the regional rail + bus network. From Cologne, take a train to Hofgeismar (~£20) and bus to Trendelburg to see the medieval castle and Rapunzel Tower (free to view from outside; small fee for the tower). Move on by train to Höxter (~£10) for Corvey Abbey (UNESCO, ~£7 entry), then to Polle for the Cinderella castle ruins. Finish in the evening at Hamelin (~£8) for the Pied Piper old town, then train to Hannover (~£12) to sleep. This is a long day — the original coach covers it in one hit, so plan tight connections and buy a Schleswig-Holstein/Niedersachsen regional day ticket where possible.
🚌Regional trains and buses, ~£50
🛏Hannover hostel near Hauptbahnhof (dorm ~£24 / private ~£48)
- →Trendelburg Castle & Rapunzel Tower
- →Corvey Abbey (UNESCO)
- →Polle castle ruins
- →Hamelin old town
Goslar & Quedlinburg, then Berlin
Harz region & Berlin, Germany
Take a train from Hannover to Goslar (~£12, 1h) — the UNESCO-listed imperial town with its slate-and-timber market square and the Imperial Palace. Continue to Quedlinburg (~£10) for the castle hill, Collegiate Church, and half-timbered streets (the town hall is free to enter). Then take a train via Magdeburg to Berlin (~£22, 2.5h). Check into a hostel in Kreuzberg, Mitte, or Friedrichshain. Evening walk around the East Side Gallery and a beer in Boxhagener Platz.
🚌Regional and IC trains, ~£44
🛏Berlin hostel in Kreuzberg/Mitte (dorm ~£25 / private ~£50)
- →Goslar market square & Imperial Palace
- →Quedlinburg castle hill & town hall
- →East Side Gallery
Berlin in full
Berlin, Germany
Do it yourself rather than a coach panoramic tour. Join the free (tip-based) Sandemans or Alternative Berlin walking tour (~£0 + £5-10 tip) covering the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag exterior, Museum Island and Checkpoint Charlie. Walk to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (free) and the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse (free, excellent exhibition). Afternoon: book the Reichstag dome visit online in advance (free, register at bundestag.de) or Potsdam's Sanssouci Park by S-Bahn (~£6.60 day ticket). Evening in Kreuzberg or Neukölln.
🚌Berlin AB day ticket ~£8
🛏Berlin hostel (dorm ~£25 / private ~£50)
- →Free walking tour
- →Holocaust Memorial
- →Berlin Wall Memorial
- →Reichstag dome (book free slot)
Dresden interlude, then Prague
Dresden, Germany & Prague, Czech Republic
Take a FlixBus or RegioJet coach Berlin–Dresden (~£10, 2h) or a DB train (~£18). Spend 3 hours in Dresden's baroque Altstadt — Zwinger courtyards, Frauenkirche, and the Brühl Terrace over the Elbe (all free or donation). There's left-luggage at Dresden Hbf (~£3.50). Then take a RegioJet or FlixBus Dresden–Prague (~£12, 2h) — book online for the cheapest fares. Arrive in Prague and check into a hostel in Old Town, Vinohrady, or Žižkov (Old Town is pricier; Vinohrady is 2 metro stops out and much better value). Evening: walk Charles Bridge at sunset and grab a trdelník.
🚌Berlin–Dresden coach ~£10; Dresden–Prague coach ~£12
🛏Prague hostel in Vinohrady/Žižkov (dorm ~£16 / private ~£38)
- →Dresden Zwinger & Frauenkirche
- →Charles Bridge at sunset
Prague: castles, Old Town & the Vltava
Prague, Czech Republic
Buy a 24-hour Prague transit ticket (~£4.50) and metro to Hradčany. Do the Prague Castle circuit ticket (~£11) covering St Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane and the Old Royal Palace. Walk down through Nerudova Street into Malá Strana, see the Infant Jesus of Prague at the Church of Our Lady Victorious (free), and cross Charles Bridge. At the Old Town Hall see the Astronomical Clock strike (free outside; tower climb ~£10). Afternoon options: a Vltava river cruise (~£10-14 via GetYourGuide) or the Jewish Quarter (combined ticket ~£17). Evening: a Czech pub for svíčková and Pilsner (~£12).
🚌24h Prague transit pass ~£4.50
🛏Prague hostel (dorm ~£16 / private ~£38)
- →Prague Castle circuit
- →Malá Strana & Nerudova
- →Astronomical Clock & Old Town Square
- →Vltava river cruise
Lednice & Győr en route to Budapest
Lednice, Czech Republic & Budapest, Hungary
Take a train Prague–Břeclav (~£10, 2.5h) then a short local train to Lednice (~£1.50) for the UNESCO Lednice Castle and its English gardens (park free; castle interior ~£10). Return to Břeclav and take a cross-border train or coach toward Győr, Hungary (~£12). Győr's baroque old town and riverside are a pleasant 2-hour stop. Continue by train to Budapest Keleti (~£8, 1.5h). Check into a hostel in District VII (Jewish Quarter) — the best value and nightlife hub. Evening: ruin bar (Szimpla Kert) and a langos.
🚌Trains with an international ticket, ~£32
🛏Budapest hostel in District VII (dorm ~£15 / private ~£35)
- →Lednice Castle & gardens
- →Győr old town stroll
- →Ruin bar evening
Budapest: Buda, Pest & the Danube
Budapest, Hungary
Skip the coach panoramic — do it on foot and by tram. Morning: Castle Hill (funicular ~£4.50 or walk free) for Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church, then walk across the Chain Bridge. Afternoon: Parliament (book the interior tour online in advance, ~£12), St Stephen's Basilica, and the Great Market Hall for lunch (~£7). Take tram 2 along the Danube (single ticket ~£1.20). Optional: Széchenyi thermal baths (~£20) or a Danube evening cruise (~£12). Evening: a Hungarian dinner in District VII (~£14).
🚌Budapest single tickets ~£4
🛏Budapest hostel (dorm ~£15 / private ~£35)
- →Castle Hill & Fisherman's Bastion
- →Chain Bridge walk
- →Parliament tour (pre-booked)
- →Széchenyi thermal baths
Bratislava & Trenčín, then Krakow
Bratislava & Trenčín, Slovakia, & Krakow, Poland
Take an early train Budapest–Bratislava (~£13, 2.5h) and spend 3 hours in the compact old town: Bratislava Castle (free grounds, ~£9 interior), St Michael's Gate, and the UFO bridge walkway. Then take a train up the Váh valley to Trenčín (~£7, 1.5h) to see the castle on its crag (free grounds; castle entry ~£5) and the Roman inscription. Continue Bratislava/Trenčín–Krakow (~£15 with a change at Žilina or Ostrava). This is the longest travel day — book the evening leg in advance via RegioJet or PKP Intercity. Arrive Krakow late and check into a hostel in Kazimierz or the Old Town fringe.
🚌Cross-border trains, ~£35
🛏Krakow hostel in Kazimierz (dorm ~£14 / private ~£32)
- →Bratislava old town & castle
- →Trenčín Castle
- →Evening arrival in Kazimierz
Krakow Old Town & Auschwitz-Birkenau
Krakow & Oświęcim, Poland
Book the official Auschwitz-Birkenau guided entry through the museum website (visit.auschwitz.org) as early as possible — entry is free but timed slots sell out weeks ahead; independent travellers must join a slot. Get there via bus or train from Krakow (~£3 each way, 1.5h) or a shared shuttle (~£8 return). Allow 3.5-4 hours at the site; be prepared for an emotionally heavy day. Return to Krakow in the late afternoon and decompress in the Old Town: Main Market Square, St Mary's Basilica (free), and a walk up Wawel Castle Hill (free; State Rooms ~£9). Evening pierogi dinner (~£8).
🚌Bus/train to Oświęcim ~£6 return
🛏Krakow hostel (dorm ~£14 / private ~£32)
- →Auschwitz-Birkenau official guided visit (pre-booked)
- →Krakow Main Market Square
- →Wawel Castle Hill
Krakow to Warsaw
Warsaw, Poland
Morning: either continue exploring Krakow (Schindler's Factory ~£8, or the Wieliczka Salt Mine ~£18 including transport — book ahead) or take a mid-morning EIP/EIC train to Warsaw (~£15-25, 2.5h). There are also FlixBus options (~£7, 4h) for budget travellers. Check into a hostel in Śródmieście or Praga. Do your own Warsaw walk: the reconstructed Old Town (UNESCO), Royal Castle exterior, and the Warsaw Rising Museum (pre-book a slot ~£7 — it's excellent and fills up). Evening: a milk-bar (bar mleczny) meal for ~£5 — the best value in Poland.
🚌EIP train Krakow–Warsaw ~£25
🛏Warsaw hostel in Śródmieście/Praga (dorm ~£15 / private ~£35)
- →EIP train to Warsaw (or Schindler's Factory in Krakow)
- →Warsaw Old Town walk
- →Warsaw Rising Museum (pre-booked)
- →Milk-bar dinner
Warsaw finale & departure
Warsaw, Poland
Morning at leisure: Łazienki Park and the Chopin Monument (free, plus free Chopin concerts in summer), the Palace of Culture viewing terrace (~£6), or the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews (~£8). Grab a final zapiekanka and coffee. Transfer to Chopin Airport (SKM S2/S3 train ~£2.50, 25 min) or Warsaw Modlin by bus (~£9). If you need extra time, add a night in Warsaw rather than trying to squeeze in a day trip.
🚌SKM train to Chopin Airport ~£2.50
🛏None (departure day)
- →Łazienki Park & Chopin Monument
- →Palace of Culture terrace
- →POLIN Museum (optional)
Self-launched vs. Europamundo
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Europamundo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£960 | £1,310 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £350 per person (27%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Europamundo-style trips? Check them out here.~£960
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Germany & Eastern Europe: 13-Day Self-Launched Grand Tour (Frankfurt to Warsaw) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £960 per person for 13 days in Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia & Poland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Europamundo?+
Yes — Europamundo charges around £1,310 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £960 — a saving of roughly £350 (27%) per person.
How long is the Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia & Poland trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia & Poland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, budget trip through Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia & Poland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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