Is train travel included?

Yes. The package includes 2nd-class rail tickets for Frankfurt to Berlin, Berlin to Dresden to Prague (EuroCity), Nuremberg to Rothenburg, and Rothenburg to Wurzburg. Prague to Nuremberg is by express coach. First-class upgrades are available for USD 209 per person and include seat reservations.

Is this escorted or self-guided?

This is a self-guided independent tour. Walking tours in Berlin and Prague are optional suggestions. Two escorted experiences are included: an all-day Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour in Dresden and an English-speaking Night Watchman tour in Rothenburg ob der Tauber at 8pm.

What is included in the price?

2nd-class rail and express coach tickets, seven hotels (or similar) with buffet breakfast daily, the Dresden Hop-On Hop-Off tour, the Rothenburg Night Watchman tour, day-by-day itinerary, and all tickets and vouchers. Not included: airfare to Frankfurt, meals other than breakfast, and gratuities.

Which hotels are used?

Travel to Europe lists Hotel Hamburger Hof in Frankfurt, Adina Hotel Berlin Mitte in Berlin, Hotel Pullmann Dresden Newa in Dresden, Grandium Hotel Prague in Prague, Hotel Victoria in Nuremberg, Romantik Hotel Markusturm in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and Wurzburger Hof in Wurzburg. All hotels are listed as 'or similar.'

How much walking is involved?

The itinerary includes self-guided walking tours in Berlin (Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island area) and Prague (Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Golden Alley). The Night Watchman tour in Rothenburg is on foot. Expect typical city walking plus optional exploration.

When does this tour run?

The tour is designed for the Christmas market season in late autumn and December. Specific departure dates are not listed in the package details; contact Travel to Europe to confirm available dates.

Travel to Europe (To-Europe) · Independent rail & coach vacation package

10-Day Central Europe Christmas Rail Tour (10R01)

Christmas markets across Germany, Czech Republic, and Berlin by rail

Travel to Europe's 10-day Christmas Markets rail tour is a self-guided journey through Germany, Czech Republic, and Berlin, starting and ending at Frankfurt International Airport. The trip spans nine nights across seven cities, with rail connections between Frankfurt, Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and Wurzburg. Each day centers on Christmas markets: Frankfurt's market dates to 1393, Dresden's Striezelmarkt to 1434, and Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt and Rothenburg's Reiterlesmarkt are among Germany's most popular seasonal fairs. Travelers receive a 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card, an all-day Hop-On Hop-Off tour in Dresden, and an escorted Night Watchman tour in the medieval walled town of Rothenburg. Hotels are centrally located near train stations, and buffet breakfast is included daily. The itinerary balances independent exploration with two guided experiences, making it suitable for first-time rail travelers and independent explorers who want structure without constant group management.

What to know before you look closer

Hotels are listed as 'or similar,' meaning your final accommodation may differ from those named; confirm details when booking
Single-room pricing is nearly 62 percent higher than the per-person double rate, a substantial supplement for solo travelers
This is a self-guided tour; there is no full-time group leader, though two specific escorted experiences (Dresden and Rothenburg) are included
The Prague to Nuremberg leg uses an express coach rather than rail; confirm transport preferences with Travel to Europe

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Train from Frankfurt Int. Airport to Frankfurt Central Station (about 11 minutes). Visit Frankfurt's Christmas market on the Romerberg, dating to 1393.
Day 2railovernight: Berlin
Berlin
Train from Frankfurt to Berlin (hotel near Potsdamer Platz). Includes the 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card; visit the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market.
Day 3overnight: Berlin
Berlin
Berlin Welcome Card still valid; self-guided walking tour past the Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island; visit the 'Winter World' Christmas Market at Potsdamer Platz with its open-air ice rink.
Day 4railovernight: Dresden
Dresden
EuroCity train from Berlin directly to Dresden. Includes an all-day Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour; visit the Striezelmarkt Christmas Market (dating to 1434) at the Altmarkt.
Day 5railovernight: Prague
Prague
EuroCity train from Dresden directly to Prague (about 4 hours). Visit the Old Town Square, Charles Bridge and the Christmas Markets at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.
Day 6overnight: Prague
Prague
Optional free English-speaking walking tour; visit Prague Castle and the Golden Alley.
Day 7railovernight: Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Express coach from Prague to Nuremberg. Visit the Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child's Market) on Hauptmarkt Square, one of the most popular Christmas markets in Germany.
Day 8railovernight: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Train from Nuremberg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Includes the English-speaking Night Watchman tour (8pm); visit the Reiterlesmarkt Christmas Market by the historic Town Hall.
Day 9railovernight: Wurzburg
Wurzburg
Train from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Wurzburg. Visit the Christmas Market amid the vineyards-surrounded medieval city.
Day 10rail
Frankfurt Int. Airport
Train from Wurzburg to Frankfurt Int. Airport, where the tour ends.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Visit Frankfurt's Christmas market on the Romerberg, one of Germany's oldest markets dating to 1393
Day 2Receive a 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card and explore the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market
Day 4Travel on the EuroCity train from Berlin to Dresden and take an all-day Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour, then visit the Striezelmarkt Christmas Market, which dates to 1434 and features the world's tallest Christmas pyramid
Day 5Take the EuroCity train from Dresden to Prague, arriving for Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square Christmas Markets
Day 8Travel by train from Nuremberg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber and join the English-speaking Night Watchman tour at 8pm through the medieval town's Reiterlesmarkt Christmas Market

Included

2nd-class rail and express coach tickets for all listed journeys
Hotels as listed (or similar), centrally located near each train station
Buffet breakfast daily
Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour of Dresden (all-day ticket)
English-speaking Night Watchman tour in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Day-by-day itinerary, tickets, vouchers and city information

Not included

Airfare from/to your origin to/from Frankfurt International Airport
All meals other than breakfast
Gratuities (tips)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. The package includes 2nd-class rail tickets for Frankfurt to Berlin, Berlin to Dresden to Prague (EuroCity), Nuremberg to Rothenburg, and Rothenburg to Wurzburg. Prague to Nuremberg is by express coach. First-class upgrades are available for USD 209 per person and include seat reservations.
Is this escorted or self-guided?: This is a self-guided independent tour. Walking tours in Berlin and Prague are optional suggestions. Two escorted experiences are included: an all-day Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour in Dresden and an English-speaking Night Watchman tour in Rothenburg ob der Tauber at 8pm.
What is included in the price?: 2nd-class rail and express coach tickets, seven hotels (or similar) with buffet breakfast daily, the Dresden Hop-On Hop-Off tour, the Rothenburg Night Watchman tour, day-by-day itinerary, and all tickets and vouchers. Not included: airfare to Frankfurt, meals other than breakfast, and gratuities.
Which hotels are used?: Travel to Europe lists Hotel Hamburger Hof in Frankfurt, Adina Hotel Berlin Mitte in Berlin, Hotel Pullmann Dresden Newa in Dresden, Grandium Hotel Prague in Prague, Hotel Victoria in Nuremberg, Romantik Hotel Markusturm in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and Wurzburger Hof in Wurzburg. All hotels are listed as 'or similar.'
How much walking is involved?: The itinerary includes self-guided walking tours in Berlin (Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island area) and Prague (Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Golden Alley). The Night Watchman tour in Rothenburg is on foot. Expect typical city walking plus optional exploration.
When does this tour run?: The tour is designed for the Christmas market season in late autumn and December. Specific departure dates are not listed in the package details; contact Travel to Europe to confirm available dates.