24 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,865pp
Single from £2,390
Escorted tour
Christmas Markets by Train: Munich to Budapest – 8 Days
Munich, Salzburg, Vienna and Budapest's Christmas markets by train, with a small group of up to 12.
8 days
From £1,795
Tour overview
This 8-day small-group trip links four of Central Europe's most festive cities by comfortable train, from Bavaria through Austria to Hungary, with two nights in most stops to soak up the Christmas atmosphere. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a tour leader throughout. You stay seven nights in central hotels on a twin or multi-share basis, travelling between cities by train and on local public transport. Breakfast is included daily, with a welcome dinner in Munich, leaving plenty of freedom to eat your way around the market stalls.
In Munich an orientation walk with your leader takes you through the cosmopolitan Bavarian capital, from the Christmas market on the Marienplatz, beneath the Town Hall's Glockenspiel, to the Residenz, the Frauenkirche and the Viktualienmarkt. You then cross into Austria by train to Salzburg, built on the fortune of its salt mines and home to Mozart and the hills of The Sound of Music.
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A free day in Salzburg lets you explore at your own pace: you might take a trip to the salt mine at Berchtesgaden in the German Alps, visit the lakeside village of Hallstatt or simply wander the markets below the fortress and cathedral. In Vienna a leader-led walking tour passes the grand buildings and parks of the Ringstrasse, and a free day gives time for the markets in front of the City Hall and at Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs, as well as a slice of cake in a classic coffee house.
The final train journey takes you east to Budapest, the Pearl of the Danube, where grand boulevards and thermal baths meet the famous Christmas fair in Vörösmarty Square and the market in front of St Stephen's Basilica.
The physical rating is low, with walking in cold weather and carrying your own luggage on trains. This trip suits sociable travellers who want a flexible, good-value Christmas market journey with plenty of free time. Expect mulled wine, gingerbread, roasted chestnuts and handmade decorations at every stop, with old towns twinkling with lights after dark. Free days in Salzburg and Vienna let you shape the trip around your own interests.
Trip highlights
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Munich's Marienplatz market (Day 2)
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Salzburg below its fortress (Days 3–4)
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A free day for Berchtesgaden or Hallstatt (Day 4)
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Vienna's Ringstrasse and markets (Day 5)
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Schönbrunn Palace (Day 6)
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Budapest's Vörösmarty Square (Day 7)
Your route
5 stops from Munich to Budapest
- Munich Days 1–2
- Salzburg Days 3–4
- Berchtesgaden Day 4
- Vienna Days 5–6
- Budapest Days 7–8
Why choose this tour
Four great Christmas cities by train, with two nights in most. Plenty of free time and a small group, at a good price.
Best suited to
- Christmas market lovers on a budget
- Solo travellers looking for a sociable group
- Travellers who enjoy train journeys
- Independent-minded travellers
Day-by-day itinerary
8 days from Munich, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
-
Day 1 · Munich Arrive in Munich
A welcome meeting at 6pm.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 2 · Munich, Marienplatz Munich
An orientation walk and the Christmas markets.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Salzburg Salzburg
Travel by train to Salzburg.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Salzburg, Berchtesgaden Free day in Salzburg
Explore at leisure or visit Berchtesgaden or Hallstatt.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Vienna, Ringstrasse Vienna
Train to Vienna and a walking tour.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Schönbrunn Palace Free day in Vienna
Visit Schönbrunn or explore the markets.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Budapest Budapest
Train to Budapest and an orientation walk.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Budapest Trip ends in Budapest
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Munich (2 nights) Hotel
- Salzburg (2 nights) Hotel
- Vienna (2 nights) Hotel
- Budapest (1 night) 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 dinner
- Trains between Munich, Salzburg, Vienna and Budapest
- Orientation walks in Munich and Budapest
- Walking tour of Vienna
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Munich and from Budapest
- Optional day trips from Salzburg
- Meals not listed
- 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
- You want many meals included — most are free to choose
- 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 £1,795 per person, twin share, tour only. 39 upcoming departures.
26 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,860pp
Single from £2,385
27 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,820pp
Single from £2,345
29 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,860pp
Single from £2,385
01 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,820pp
Single from £2,345
02 Dec 2026
Twin share
£2,020pp
Single from £2,545
04 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,860pp
Single from £2,385
05 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,840pp
Single from £2,365
06 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,820pp
Single from £2,345
07 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,860pp
Single from £2,385
08 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,890pp
Single from £2,415
09 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,890pp
Single from £2,415
11 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,890pp
Single from £2,415
12 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,890pp
Single from £2,415
14 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,990pp
Single from £2,515
16 Dec 2026
Twin share
£2,030pp
Single from £2,555
17 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,960pp
Single from £2,485
25 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
26 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
27 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
28 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
29 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
30 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
01 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
02 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
03 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
04 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
05 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
06 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
07 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
Single from £2,320
08 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,865pp
Single from £2,390
09 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,865pp
Single from £2,390
10 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,865pp
Single from £2,390
11 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,865pp
Single from £2,390
12 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,865pp
Single from £2,390
13 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,940pp
Single from £2,465
14 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,940pp
Single from £2,465
15 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,940pp
Single from £2,465
16 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,940pp
Single from £2,465
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 between cities, with local public transport. You carry your own luggage.
Do I share a room?
Rooms are twin or multi-share, with solo travellers paired by gender.
Which countries do we visit?
Germany, Austria and Hungary.
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