Is rail travel included?

Yes, 2nd-class rail tickets are included for all journeys listed in the itinerary, including trains to Wurzburg, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Munich, Salzburg (day trip), Heidelberg, and Frankfurt. First-class upgrades are available for an additional USD 149 per person and include seat reservations.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

This is a self-guided independent tour with walking-tour suggestions. However, Travel to Europe includes four escorted experiences: the Night-Watchman tour in Rothenburg, the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg, the all-day Royal Castles coach tour, and the Frankfurt Card walking tour.

What meals are included?

Buffet breakfast is included daily. Lunch and dinner are not included except where specific tours include them.

Which hotels are included?

Travel to Europe books centrally located hotels near train stations in each city: Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nuremberg, Munich (three nights), Heidelberg, and Frankfurt. Hotels are listed as 'or similar', so the exact property may vary by booking tier.

How much walking is involved?

The itinerary includes city walking tours, castle visits, and Christmas Market exploration. The all-day Royal Castles coach tour is driven, but other days involve walking through historic towns and markets.

What admissions are included?

Included admissions: Wurzburg Residence and Marienberg Fortress, Imperial Castle in Nuremberg, Munich Residence Museum, Nymphenburg Palace, and other Munich museums, Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle (via coach tour), Frankfurt Card entry to museums, and the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg.

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

9-Day Christmas Magic Rail Tour (9R04)

Nine-day Christmas Markets rail tour through Germany and Austria

Travel to Europe's 9-Day Christmas Magic Rail Tour is a self-guided rail package through Germany and Austria, departing from Wurzburg and ending in Frankfurt over nine days. The itinerary follows regional and long-distance trains through seven cities famous for their Christmas Markets: Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nuremberg, Munich, Salzburg, Heidelberg, and Frankfurt. Hotels are centrally located near train stations in each city, with three consecutive nights in Munich allowing time for a day trip to Salzburg and an all-day excursion to the Royal Castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. Travel to Europe arranges the rail tickets, hotels, breakfast, and key admissions, while adding four escorted experiences: a Night-Watchman tour through the medieval town of Rothenburg, a Sound of Music tour in Salzburg, a coach tour to the royal palaces, and a Frankfurt Card for independent museum access. This trip suits first-time rail travellers and history lovers who value both independence and the comfort of a planned itinerary, though the frequent one-night hotel stays create a brisk rhythm.

What to know before you look closer

Single-room supplement is high: USD 2,899 versus USD 1,909 per person for double occupancy (51% more for one traveler)
Most hotel stays are one night only; only Munich allows three-night adjustment to pace
Christmas Market dates and operating schedules are not specified; confirm with the operator that markets will be running on your tour dates

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Wurzburg
Frankfurt Int. Airport / Wurzburg
Train from Frankfurt Int. Airport to Wurzburg. Visit Fortress Marienberg (admission included) and the Wurzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, plus the Christmas Market.
Day 2railovernight: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Regional rail from Wurzburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Includes the English-speaking Night-Watchman tour, a true highlight, and the Reiterlesmarkt Christmas Market.
Day 3railovernight: Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Rail (under 1.5 hours) from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Nuremberg. Admission to the Imperial Castle included; visit the Christkindles Markt on Hauptmarkt Square.
Day 4railovernight: Munich
Munich
ICE train (about 1:20 hrs) from Nuremberg to Munich. Munich admission package included; visit the Marienplatz Christmas Market.
Day 5railovernight: Munich
Day trip to Salzburg
High-speed rail day trip to Salzburg with the 4-hour Sound of Music tour at 2pm and Salzburg's historic Christmas Market (first mentioned in the 15th century).
Day 6overnight: Munich
Escorted coach tour to the Royal Castles
All-day escorted coach tour via Oberammergau to Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle; admissions included.
Day 7railovernight: Heidelberg
Heidelberg
About 3-hour Speed-Train InterCity from Munich to Heidelberg, with an included taxi transfer to the Old Town hotel. Visit Heidelberg Castle ruins and the Heidelberg Christmas Market (seven squares, with an ice rink).
Day 8railovernight: Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Train from Heidelberg to Frankfurt; includes the Frankfurt Card and a visit to Frankfurt's Christmas Market (dating to 1393) on the Romerberg.
Day 9rail
Frankfurt Int. Airport
Tour ends after breakfast; train from Frankfurt Main Station to Frankfurt International Airport (about 10 minutes).

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2English-speaking Night-Watchman tour through Rothenburg ob der Tauber during the Reiterlesmarkt Christmas Market
Day 3Visit the Imperial Castle in Nuremberg and explore the Christkindles Markt, one of Germany's most famous Christmas Markets
Day 5Day trip to Salzburg by Rail Jet train with a 4-hour Sound of Music tour and the historic Christmas Market dating to the 15th century
Day 6All-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace via Oberammergau, with admissions included
Day 7InterCity train to Heidelberg and visit the Christmas Market spread across seven squares in the Old Town, featuring an ice rink

Included

2nd-class rail tickets for all listed journeys
Hotels as listed (or similar), centrally located near each train station
Buffet breakfast daily
Admission to the Wurzburg Residence and Marienberg Fortress
English-speaking Night-Watchman tour in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
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
Frankfurt Card
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 rail travel included?: Yes, 2nd-class rail tickets are included for all journeys listed in the itinerary, including trains to Wurzburg, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Munich, Salzburg (day trip), Heidelberg, and Frankfurt. First-class upgrades are available for an additional USD 149 per person and include seat reservations.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: This is a self-guided independent tour with walking-tour suggestions. However, Travel to Europe includes four escorted experiences: the Night-Watchman tour in Rothenburg, the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg, the all-day Royal Castles coach tour, and the Frankfurt Card walking tour.
What meals are included?: Buffet breakfast is included daily. Lunch and dinner are not included except where specific tours include them.
Which hotels are included?: Travel to Europe books centrally located hotels near train stations in each city: Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nuremberg, Munich (three nights), Heidelberg, and Frankfurt. Hotels are listed as 'or similar', so the exact property may vary by booking tier.
How much walking is involved?: The itinerary includes city walking tours, castle visits, and Christmas Market exploration. The all-day Royal Castles coach tour is driven, but other days involve walking through historic towns and markets.
What admissions are included?: Included admissions: Wurzburg Residence and Marienberg Fortress, Imperial Castle in Nuremberg, Munich Residence Museum, Nymphenburg Palace, and other Munich museums, Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle (via coach tour), Frankfurt Card entry to museums, and the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg.