26 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,540pp
Single from £1,905
Escorted tour
Christmas Markets by Train: Budapest to Zagreb – 8 Days
Budapest, Graz, Ljubljana, Lake Bled and Zagreb's Christmas markets by train, with a small group of up to 12.
8 days
From £1,465
Tour overview
This 8-day small-group trip follows the Christmas markets of four countries by train, travelling the way locals do from the Danube to the foothills of the Alps. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a tour leader throughout. You travel by train, bus and local public transport, and stay seven nights in simple, central hotels on a twin or multi-share basis. Seven breakfasts are included, along with a traditional Croatian lunch and a tasting of Christmas snacks and mulled wine in Budapest, leaving plenty of freedom to graze the market stalls.
The trip begins in Budapest, Hungary's grand capital on the Danube. After a welcome meeting, an orientation walk with your leader ends at the Budapest Christmas Fair in Vörösmarty Square, one of Europe's most celebrated markets, where you sample festive treats and mulled wine. A train then takes you across the border to Graz, Austria's second city, which has no fewer than 14 Christmas markets during the season, including a nativity scene carved from ice.
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Next you travel by train to Ljubljana, Slovenia's charming capital, where the old town's riverside cafés and bridges are strung with lights. A one-hour bus ride takes you to Lake Bled, among the most beautiful Alpine resorts in the world, with its island church and clifftop castle, and in winter its own lakeside Christmas market.
The final stop is Zagreb, Croatia's capital, whose month-long Advent festival has repeatedly been voted one of Europe's best, with markets, concerts and ice rinks across the city. A cable car ride to Sljeme, the summit of Mount Medvednica, gives a panoramic view of the city and often snow, before a traditional Croatian lunch.
The physical rating is low, with walking in cold weather and carrying your own luggage on trains. This trip suits sociable, budget-conscious travellers who want an authentic festive adventure across Central Europe. Expect mulled wine, gingerbread, roasted chestnuts and handmade decorations at every stop, with old towns twinkling with lights after dark. Train journeys between the cities are part of the adventure, with views of snowy hills and rivers along the way.
Trip highlights
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Mulled wine at Budapest's Vörösmarty Square (Day 2)
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Graz and its 14 Christmas markets (Day 3)
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Ljubljana's festive old town (Day 4)
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A day at Lake Bled (Day 5)
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Zagreb's Advent festival (Day 6)
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A cable car up Sljeme (Day 7)
Your route
6 stops from Budapest to Mount Medvednica
- Budapest Days 1–2
- Graz Day 3
- Ljubljana Days 4–5
- Lake Bled Day 5
- Zagreb Days 6–8
- Mount Medvednica Day 7
Why choose this tour
Four countries' Christmas markets by train, at a great price. Less-visited markets in Graz, Ljubljana and Zagreb, with a small group.
Best suited to
- Christmas market lovers on a budget
- Solo travellers looking for a sociable group
- Travellers who enjoy train journeys
- Return visitors to Europe
Day-by-day itinerary
8 days from Budapest, Hungary to Zagreb, Croatia
-
Day 1 · Budapest Arrive in Budapest
A welcome meeting at 6pm.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 2 · Budapest, Vörösmarty Square Budapest
An orientation walk and the Christmas fair, with mulled wine.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Graz Graz
Travel by train to Graz and its markets.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Ljubljana Ljubljana
Travel by train to Slovenia's capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Lake Bled Lake Bled
A day trip by bus to Lake Bled.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Zagreb Zagreb
Travel by train to Zagreb's Advent festival.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Mount Medvednica, Zagreb Sljeme
Ride the cable car to Sljeme and enjoy a Croatian lunch.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 8 · Zagreb Trip ends in Zagreb
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Budapest (2 nights) Hotel
- Graz (1 night) Hotel
- Ljubljana (2 nights) Hotel
- Zagreb (2 nights) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 7 nights in hotels
- Meals 7 breakfasts and 1 Croatian lunch
- Christmas snacks and mulled wine tasting in Budapest
- Trains, buses and local public transport
- Orientation walks with your leader
- Bus to Lake Bled and the Sljeme cable car
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Budapest and from Zagreb
- Meals not listed
- Optional activities
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a coach — you travel by train and public transport
- You want luxury — hotels are simple
- You want a private room — rooms are twin or multi-share
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,465 per person, twin share, tour only. 25 upcoming departures.
27 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,465pp
Single from £1,830
28 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,510pp
Single from £1,875
29 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,465pp
Single from £1,830
30 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,650pp
Single from £2,015
02 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,635pp
Single from £2,000
04 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,480pp
Single from £1,845
06 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,510pp
Single from £1,875
08 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,495pp
Single from £1,860
09 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,465pp
Single from £1,830
10 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,590pp
Single from £1,955
12 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,550pp
Single from £1,915
14 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,720pp
Single from £2,085
16 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,550pp
Single from £1,915
25 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,540pp
Single from £1,905
27 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,540pp
Single from £1,905
29 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,540pp
Single from £1,905
01 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,540pp
Single from £1,905
03 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,540pp
Single from £1,905
05 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,540pp
Single from £1,905
07 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,540pp
Single from £1,905
09 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,540pp
Single from £1,905
11 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,600pp
Single from £1,965
13 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,600pp
Single from £1,965
15 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,600pp
Single from £1,965
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 trip run?
During the Christmas market season, from late November through December.
How do we travel?
By train, bus and local public transport. You carry your own luggage on and off.
Do I share a room?
Rooms are twin or multi-share, with solo travellers paired by gender.
Which countries do we visit?
Hungary, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
What should I pack?
Warm layers, a hat, gloves, waterproof shoes and a bag that is easy to carry.
How many people travel together?
Up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a tour leader.
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