Is train travel included?

Yes. The price includes 2nd-class rail tickets for all listed journeys: Frankfurt to Nuremberg, Nuremberg to Munich, Munich to Salzburg, Munich to Innsbruck, and Munich to Heidelberg. Day 8 return to Frankfurt Airport is also covered. First-class upgrade is available for $219 USD per person and includes seat reservations.

Is this tour escorted or independent?

Mostly independent. You receive a day-by-day itinerary and walking-tour suggestions. Two days include escorted group tours: an all-day coach tour to the Royal Castles on Day 4 and a four-hour Sound of Music tour in Salzburg on Day 5.

Which Christmas Markets are included?

The itinerary visits Christmas Markets in Frankfurt (Romerberg), Nuremberg (Christkindles Markt on Hauptmarkt Square), Munich (Marienplatz, operating since the 14th century), Salzburg, and Heidelberg (held across seven squares). Admission to the markets is free; they are visited on your own or during escorted tours.

What museum and castle admissions are included?

Included are the Imperial Castle in Nuremberg; five Munich museums (Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain); Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle (via escorted coach tour on Day 4).

What meals are included?

Buffet breakfast is included daily. Lunch, dinner, and all other meals are not included; you arrange and pay for these separately.

When does this tour run?

The tour operates during the Christmas season, November and December, when the Christmas Markets are open. Confirm exact departure dates with Travel to Europe (To-Europe) when booking.

No longer offered

Travel to Europe has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. Live alternatives are under Similar journeys below.

Travel to Europe · Independent rail vacation package

8-Day Christmas Classic Rail Circle (8R08)

Eight-day Christmas Markets rail circle Frankfurt to Heidelberg via Munich

Travel to Europe (To-Europe) operates this eight-day independent rail package that circles through Germany and Austria, starting from Frankfurt and ending in Heidelberg. The journey moves by high-speed ICE and Rail Jet trains, with a base in Munich for four nights from which you take day trips by rail to Salzburg and Innsbruck and an escorted coach excursion to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castles. The itinerary is designed around five traditional Christmas Markets in Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Munich, Salzburg, and Heidelberg, each set in historic town squares. Included are museum admissions across Munich, the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg, and castle tours with guides and transportation. Hotels are three-star or similar, centrally located near railway stations, with breakfast included daily. The pace is relaxed, with most nights spent in Munich allowing for unhurried exploration. This package suits families, couples, and first-time rail travellers seeking a guided-comfort experience with structure on key days and independence to wander the markets and streets.

What to know before you look closer

The single-room supplement is $800 USD above the double-room rate, a significant premium; triple-room pricing is slightly lower per person than doubles.
All hotels are marked 'or similar', meaning your final accommodation depends on availability and booking tier.
Most meals other than breakfast are not included; plan restaurant costs for lunch and dinner across the eight days.
Two days (Days 4 and 5) are escorted group tours; the remaining itinerary is independent with walking-tour suggestions only.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Commuter train from Frankfurt Int. Airport to Frankfurt Central Station (about 11 minutes), covered by the Frankfurt Card. Visit Frankfurt's Christmas Market on the Romerberg.
Day 2railovernight: Nuremberg
Nuremberg
High-Speed ICE rail (under 2.5 hours) from Frankfurt to Nuremberg. Visit the Christkindles Markt on Hauptmarkt Square and the Imperial Castle (admission included).
Day 3railovernight: Munich
Munich
Continue by rail to Munich. Munich admission package included; visit the Marienplatz Christmas Market, in place since the 14th century.
Day 4overnight: Munich
Escorted coach tour to the Royal Castles
All-day escorted coach tour via Oberammergau to Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle; admissions included.
Day 5railovernight: Munich
Day Trip to Salzburg
High-speed Rail Jet day trip from Munich to Salzburg (about 1:30 hrs). Includes the 4-hour Sound of Music tour at 2pm and the Salzburg Christmas Market.
Day 6railovernight: Munich
Day Trip to Innsbruck
Speed rail day trip from Munich to Innsbruck (under 2 hours) through the Alps via Rosenheim and Kufstein; visit the Goldenes Dachl and Christmas Market.
Day 7railovernight: Heidelberg
Heidelberg
3-hour speed-train ride from Munich to Heidelberg, with an included taxi transfer to the hotel in the Old Town. Visit the Heidelberg Christmas Market, held on seven squares.
Day 8rail
Frankfurt Int. Airport
Tour ends; taxi transfer to Heidelberg Central Station and train to Frankfurt International Airport (about 1 hour).

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2High-Speed ICE train from Frankfurt to Nuremberg in under 2.5 hours; visit the Christkindles Markt on Hauptmarkt Square.
Day 4All-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace via Oberammergau; admissions included.
Day 5Rail Jet day trip from Munich to Salzburg (1.5 hours); four-hour Sound of Music tour at 2pm and Salzburg Christmas Market.
Day 6Speed rail day trip from Munich to Innsbruck through the Alps (under 2 hours); visit the Goldenes Dachl and Christmas Market.
Day 7Three-hour train ride from Munich to Heidelberg; visit the Heidelberg Christmas Market across seven squares in the Old Town.

Included

2nd-class rail tickets for all listed journeys
Hotels as listed (or similar), centrally located near each train station
Buffet breakfast daily
Frankfurt Card
Admission to the Imperial Castle in Nuremberg
Munich admissions: Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain
All-day escorted coach tour to Oberammergau, Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle
4-hour Sound of Music tour in Salzburg
Taxi transfer from Heidelberg Central Station to hotel
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 price includes 2nd-class rail tickets for all listed journeys: Frankfurt to Nuremberg, Nuremberg to Munich, Munich to Salzburg, Munich to Innsbruck, and Munich to Heidelberg. Day 8 return to Frankfurt Airport is also covered. First-class upgrade is available for $219 USD per person and includes seat reservations.
Is this tour escorted or independent?: Mostly independent. You receive a day-by-day itinerary and walking-tour suggestions. Two days include escorted group tours: an all-day coach tour to the Royal Castles on Day 4 and a four-hour Sound of Music tour in Salzburg on Day 5.
Which Christmas Markets are included?: The itinerary visits Christmas Markets in Frankfurt (Romerberg), Nuremberg (Christkindles Markt on Hauptmarkt Square), Munich (Marienplatz, operating since the 14th century), Salzburg, and Heidelberg (held across seven squares). Admission to the markets is free; they are visited on your own or during escorted tours.
What museum and castle admissions are included?: Included are the Imperial Castle in Nuremberg; five Munich museums (Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain); Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle (via escorted coach tour on Day 4).
What meals are included?: Buffet breakfast is included daily. Lunch, dinner, and all other meals are not included; you arrange and pay for these separately.
When does this tour run?: The tour operates during the Christmas season, November and December, when the Christmas Markets are open. Confirm exact departure dates with Travel to Europe (To-Europe) when booking.