Tour overview

This 9-day escorted tour visits some of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland, travelling by comfortable coach with extra legroom. A tour director looks after you throughout, with local experts in key cities, and several days have a relaxed start. You stay eight nights: two at the Munich Marriott, two at the AC Hotel in Innsbruck, three at Hotel Stadt Lörrach on the edge of the Black Forest and one at the Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport, a short walk from the terminal. Eight breakfasts and five dinners are included, with airport transfers at set times.

In Munich an orientation tour ends at the Marienplatz, where the Town Hall's Glockenspiel plays above the stalls, followed by a free day to join a food walk or visit the Residenz and its Treasury. You travel past Lake Chiemsee to Salzburg, where a local expert leads you through the baroque old town to Mozart's birthplace for a musical demonstration, before continuing to Innsbruck.

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Innsbruck's medieval old town and the Golden Roof make a fairy-tale setting for its markets, and you explore by horse and carriage. Through the Arlberg tunnel you return to Germany, pausing on the little island town of Lindau on Lake Constance before reaching your base near the Black Forest. Freiburg, a lively university city, has stalls spread around its medieval Münster.

Crossing the Rhine into Alsace, you visit Strasbourg, whose Christmas market is one of the oldest in Europe, set around its great Gothic cathedral. The tour ends in Zurich, with a visit through the old town and its traditional markets and a farewell dinner, before your final night at the airport.

The physical rating is low, with walking on cobbles in winter weather. This tour suits travellers who want to soak up the festive spirit in several countries, with an expert to handle every detail. Departures run from late November to early December, when the markets are in full swing, with mulled wine, gingerbread and handmade decorations at every stop and twinkling lights in each old town after dark.

Trip highlights

  • Munich's Marienplatz and Glockenspiel (Day 1)
  • Salzburg and Mozart's birthplace (Day 3)
  • Innsbruck by horse and carriage (Day 4)
  • Lindau on Lake Constance (Day 5)
  • Strasbourg's historic Christmas market (Day 7)
  • Zurich's old town markets (Day 8)

Your route

10 stops from Munich to Zürich

9-day route: Munich – Salzburg – Innsbruck – Lindau – Freiburg – Strasbourg – Zurich
  1. Munich Days 1–2
  2. Lake Chiemsee Day 3
  3. Salzburg Day 3
  4. Swarovski Crystal Worlds Day 3
  5. Innsbruck Days 3–4
  6. Lindau Day 5
  7. Lörrach Days 5–7
  8. Freiburg Day 6
  9. Strasbourg Day 7
  10. Zürich Days 8–9

Why choose this tour

Christmas markets in four countries, with relaxed starts and central hotels. An airport hotel at the end, so there's no early transfer home.

Best suited to

  • Christmas market lovers
  • Couples and friends looking for a festive break
  • Solo travellers wanting company at Christmas time
  • Travellers who prefer coach touring
Festive candle holders at the Strasbourg Christmas market

Day-by-day itinerary

9 days from Munich, Germany to Zurich, Switzerland

  1. Day 1 · Munich, Marienplatz Arrive in Munich

    An orientation tour ending at the Marienplatz, then dinner.

    Hotel
    Munich Marriott or similar
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Munich Free day in Munich

    Join a food walk or visit the Residenz.

    Hotel
    Munich Marriott or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Lake Chiemsee, Salzburg, Innsbruck Salzburg to Innsbruck

    Explore Salzburg and Mozart's birthplace on the way to Innsbruck.

    Hotel
    AC Hotel Innsbruck or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Innsbruck, Golden Roof Innsbruck

    A horse and carriage ride and the old town's markets.

    Hotel
    AC Hotel Innsbruck or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Lindau, Lörrach Lindau to the Black Forest

    Stop on the island town of Lindau on the way to Lörrach.

    Hotel
    Hotel Stadt Lörrach or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Freiburg Freiburg

    Explore Freiburg's markets around the Münster.

    Hotel
    Hotel Stadt Lörrach or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Strasbourg Strasbourg and Alsace

    Visit Strasbourg's historic Christmas market.

    Hotel
    Hotel Stadt Lörrach or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Zurich Zurich

    Explore Zurich's old town markets and enjoy a farewell dinner.

    Hotel
    Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Zurich Airport Depart Zurich

    Walk to the terminal for your flight home.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Innsbruck's old town below the snowy Alps

Where you stay

  • Munich (2 nights) Munich Marriott or similar
  • Innsbruck (2 nights) AC Hotel Innsbruck or similar
  • Lörrach (3 nights) Hotel Stadt Lörrach or similar
  • Zurich (1 night) Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 8 nights in hotels
  • Meals 8 breakfasts and 5 dinners
  • Coach travel with extra legroom
  • Munich orientation and Salzburg's old town with a local expert
  • Mozart's birthplace with a musical demonstration
  • Innsbruck horse and carriage ride, Lindau, Freiburg, Strasbourg and Zurich
  • Airport transfers at set times
  • Tour director throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Munich and from Zurich
  • Optional activities in Munich
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A Christmas market stall in Zurich

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a small group — coach groups can reach 40
  • You dislike the cold — winter days are chilly
  • You want Christmas Day itself — departures are in late November and December
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Salzburg and its fortress in winter

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,903 per person, twin share, tour only. 20 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

When does this tour run?

During the Christmas market season, from late November through December.

Which countries do we visit?

Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland.

Are airport transfers included?

Yes, at scheduled times when your flights match the itinerary. The final hotel is at Zurich Airport.

What should I pack?

Warm layers, a hat, gloves and comfortable shoes with good grip.

How much walking is there?

Moderate walking in old towns on cobbled streets.

How big is the coach group?

Up to 40 travellers, with a tour director.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £2,903
See dates & prices