Which trains are used on this tour?

The tour uses ICE high-speed trains between Frankfurt and Nuremberg, Nuremberg and Regensburg, and Regensburg and Vienna; Rail Jet trains between Vienna and Salzburg and Salzburg and Munich; and an IC train from Munich to Heidelberg. All tickets are 2nd class, with an option to upgrade to 1st class for USD 269 per person.

Is the tour escorted or independent?

The tour is independent and self-guided. Travel to Europe provides a day-by-day itinerary and tour information sheets, but there is no tour manager. Two guided group experiences are included: a four-hour Sound of Music tour in Salzburg and an all-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles.

What is included in the package?

Included are all rail tickets in 2nd class, eight nights in three- and four-star hotels, buffet breakfast daily, admission to major sights (Kaiserburg, Vienna Card with 200+ discounts, Munich Residence Museum, and the castles tour), the Sound of Music tour, and transfers to and from hotels.

What is not included?

Not included are international airfare to and from Frankfurt, lunch and dinner (except as part of the two guided tours), gratuities, and the private airport shuttle upgrade from Heidelberg to Frankfurt.

When does this tour run?

The tour operates during the Christmas season in December. Contact Travel to Europe for specific departure dates and availability.

How much walking is involved?

The tour includes walking tours of Nuremberg, Regensburg, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, and Heidelberg Old Town; visits to castles and palaces; and an all-day coach excursion. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Travel to Europe (To-Europe) · Independent rail circle tour

9-Day Germany & Austria Christmas Rail Tour (9R01)

Nine-day rail circle through German and Austrian Christmas markets, Frankfurt to Frankfurt

Travel to Europe (To-Europe) designed this nine-day independent rail circle to showcase Christmas markets across Germany and Austria from December to early January. You depart from Frankfurt International Airport and travel by high-speed ICE and Rail Jet trains to Nuremberg, Regensburg, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Heidelberg, and back to Frankfurt, staying in solid three- and four-star hotels with breakfast included daily. The itinerary balances free time for exploring each city's Christmas markets and historic sights with two organized experiences: a guided Sound of Music tour in Salzburg and an all-day escorted coach journey to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles near Munich. On Day 3, you receive a 48-hour Vienna Card for unlimited public transport and museum discounts. This tour suits independent travellers who enjoy self-guided exploration, history buffs interested in imperial palaces and medieval towns, and anyone seeking the festive atmosphere of Central European Christmas celebrations without a daily tour manager.

What to know before you look closer

Single supplement is USD 980, bringing the total to USD 2999, which is nearly 50 percent above the per-person double rate.
The from-price of USD 2019 covers the rail-and-hotel package; international airfare to and from Frankfurt is not included.
Lunch and dinner are not included; only buffet breakfast daily and two guided group excursions are provided meals as part of the package.
The tour operates in December only (Christmas season); confirm specific departure dates with Travel to Europe before booking.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Nuremberg
Nuremberg
High-Speed Rail (ICE) from Frankfurt/Frankfurt Airport to Nuremberg (under 2.5 hours). Visit the Christkindles Markt on Hauptmarkt Square and the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle).
Day 2railovernight: Regensburg
Regensburg
High-Speed train (ICE) from Nuremberg to Regensburg (under an hour). Explore the best-preserved medieval city in Germany and its Christmas market treats.
Day 3railovernight: Vienna
Vienna
High-Speed train (ICE) from Regensburg to Vienna (about 3 hours). Visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace and the Christkindlmarkt in front of City Hall, using the 48-hour Vienna Card.
Day 4overnight: Vienna
Vienna
Full day of sightseeing in Vienna with the Vienna Card, including the Ringstrasse and Schonbrunn Palace and Garden, and an evening visit to the Christkindlmarkt.
Day 5railovernight: Salzburg
Salzburg
High-Speed 'Rail Jet' (RJ) from Vienna to Salzburg (about 2:40 hrs). Afternoon 4-hour English-speaking Sound of Music tour, plus the Salzburg Christmas market.
Day 6railovernight: Munich
Munich
High-Speed 'Rail Jet' (RJ) from Salzburg to Munich (about 1:40 hrs). Sightseeing including Marienplatz and the Munich Christmas Market.
Day 7overnight: Munich
Escorted coach tour to the Royal Castles
All-day escorted coach tour via Oberammergau to Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle, including a guided tour of the castle interior.
Day 8railovernight: Heidelberg
Heidelberg
About three-hour Speed Rail journey from Munich to Heidelberg Central Station, plus taxi transfer to the hotel. Walking tour of the Old Town, Heidelberg Castle, and the historic Christmas Market on seven Old Town squares.
Day 9rail
Frankfurt Int. Airport
Tour ends. Transfer from Heidelberg hotel to Frankfurt International Airport by rail or, alternatively, private airport shuttle (about an hour).

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Day 1: Arrive by ICE high-speed train at Nuremberg and explore the Christkindles Markt on Hauptmarkt Square and the Kaiserburg.
Day 3Day 3: Travel by ICE to Vienna and use the 48-hour Vienna Card to visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace and the Christkindlmarkt in front of City Hall.
Day 5Day 5: Take the Rail Jet to Salzburg for a four-hour English-speaking Sound of Music tour and the Salzburg Christmas market.
Day 7Day 7: All-day escorted coach tour via Oberammergau to Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle with guided interior tour.
Day 8Day 8: Speed Rail journey to Heidelberg for a walking tour of the Old Town, castle, and Christmas Market on seven historic squares.

Included

High-Speed rail tickets throughout (2nd class)
Admission to the Imperial Castle, Deep Well and Sinwell Tower in Nuremberg
48-hour Vienna Card (unlimited public transport plus 200+ discounts)
4-hour Sound of Music tour in Salzburg
Admission to Munich Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvillies-Theatre, Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain
All-day escorted coach tour to Oberammergau and the Royal Castles (Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace), with admissions
Taxi transfer Heidelberg Central Station to hotel
Rail transfer from Heidelberg to Frankfurt Int. Airport (optional upgrade to private airport shuttle available)
Buffet breakfast daily
8 nights hotel accommodation per itinerary

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are used on this tour?: The tour uses ICE high-speed trains between Frankfurt and Nuremberg, Nuremberg and Regensburg, and Regensburg and Vienna; Rail Jet trains between Vienna and Salzburg and Salzburg and Munich; and an IC train from Munich to Heidelberg. All tickets are 2nd class, with an option to upgrade to 1st class for USD 269 per person.
Is the tour escorted or independent?: The tour is independent and self-guided. Travel to Europe provides a day-by-day itinerary and tour information sheets, but there is no tour manager. Two guided group experiences are included: a four-hour Sound of Music tour in Salzburg and an all-day escorted coach tour to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles.
What is included in the package?: Included are all rail tickets in 2nd class, eight nights in three- and four-star hotels, buffet breakfast daily, admission to major sights (Kaiserburg, Vienna Card with 200+ discounts, Munich Residence Museum, and the castles tour), the Sound of Music tour, and transfers to and from hotels.
What is not included?: Not included are international airfare to and from Frankfurt, lunch and dinner (except as part of the two guided tours), gratuities, and the private airport shuttle upgrade from Heidelberg to Frankfurt.
When does this tour run?: The tour operates during the Christmas season in December. Contact Travel to Europe for specific departure dates and availability.
How much walking is involved?: The tour includes walking tours of Nuremberg, Regensburg, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, and Heidelberg Old Town; visits to castles and palaces; and an all-day coach excursion. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.