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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made independent rail holiday

Basel & Strasbourg Christmas Markets by Rail

Six-day Christmas market rail break: Basel and Strasbourg from London

Illustration of Basel & Strasbourg Christmas Markets by Rail

Tailor Made Rail's Basel and Strasbourg Christmas Markets trip is a six-day independent rail holiday from London to two festive cities separated by the Swiss-French border. You travel by Eurostar and high-speed TGV, with Standard Class seat reservations included, departing London St Pancras and arriving in Basel after a change in Paris. You spend three nights at Hotel GAIA in Basel, with two full days free to browse the Christmas markets on Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz along the Rhine or take optional day trips to alpine resorts like Wengen or Interlaken, or to other markets such as Montreux. A regional rail service then carries you to Strasbourg for two nights at Hotel des Vosges. Your final day explores Strasbourg's half-timbered old quarter, cathedral, and oldest Christmas markets before the TGV returns you to Paris and Eurostar home to London. The itinerary suits independent travellers and couples seeking a self-guided festive break with simple hotels and flexible exploration time.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package price excludes Eurostar and TGV rail fares; these are booked separately at the best available fares for Standard Class
  • Single supplements apply for sole occupancy; pricing shown is for two people sharing a twin or double room
  • Hotel upgrades to Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel or Sofitel Grand Ile in Strasbourg are available at extra cost

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Basel

    London to Basel

    Eurostar to Paris, walk to Gare de l'Est for the onward connection to Basel via Strasbourg. Check in for a 3-night stay at Hotel GAIA.

  2. Day 2overnight: Basel

    Basel

    Explore Basel's museums and galleries and the Christmas market on Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz. Optional day trip to another Christmas market such as Montreux, or an alpine setting like Wengen or Interlaken.

  3. Day 3overnight: Basel

    Basel

    Second free day in Basel, with the option of a day trip elsewhere.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Strasbourg

    Basel to Strasbourg

    Regional rail service back to Strasbourg; no seat reservations required, so timings are flexible. Check in at the Hotel des Vosges.

  5. Day 5overnight: Strasbourg

    Strasbourg

    Explore Strasbourg's half-timbered old quarter, its cathedral, and its Christmas markets, among the oldest in France.

  6. Day 6rail

    Strasbourg to London

    High-speed TGV back to the Gare de l'Est in Paris, then the Eurostar to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Explore Basel's Christmas markets on Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz along the River Rhine
  • Day 3Optional day trip to an alpine resort such as Wengen or Interlaken, or another Christmas market like Montreux
  • Day 5Wander Strasbourg's half-timbered old quarter and Gothic cathedral, visiting the oldest Christmas markets in France

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 5 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • A free day of travel from Basel or Strasbourg
  • Comprehensive directions to your hotel
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations is included. This covers the journey structure; Eurostar and TGV fares are booked separately at the best available fares.
Is this trip guided or independent?
Tailor Made Rail provides this as an independent rail holiday. You receive comprehensive directions and easy-to-follow travel documentation, but there are no escorted activities.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, onward connections to Basel via Strasbourg, regional rail between Basel and Strasbourg, and TGV from Strasbourg back to Paris and Eurostar to London.
What hotels are included?
Three nights at Hotel GAIA in Basel and two nights at Hotel des Vosges in Strasbourg, both with breakfast. Upgrades to Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois or Sofitel Grand Ile are available.
How much free time is there?
Two full free days in Basel and one in Strasbourg. Day trips to other Christmas markets or alpine resorts such as Montreux, Wengen, or Interlaken are optional.
When does this trip run?
The trip is designed for the Christmas market season. Confirm specific departure dates with Tailor Made Rail.

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