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MIR Corporation · Rail Journey

Christmas Markets from Budapest to Munich by Private Train

Eight-day private train journey from Budapest to Munich through Vienna and Salzburg.

Illustration of Christmas Markets from Budapest to Munich by Private Train

MIR Corporation's eight-day Christmas Markets journey takes you aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express, a luxury private train that departs Budapest and arrives in Munich. You spend four nights aboard the train crossing Hungary, Austria, and Germany, with additional nights in Budapest and Munich to explore each city with local guides. The route passes through Vienna, where you ride by horse-drawn carriage through the Old Town to see St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace, and Salzburg, where you walk Getreidegasse and visit the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, one of Europe's oldest Christmas markets. Throughout the journey you visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mirabell Palace in Salzburg and Budapest's baroque and neoclassical architecture. All meals aboard the train, wine and beer at set meals, guided tours, transfers between cities, and gratuities are included. This trip suits couples and history travelers seeking luxury rail travel through Central Europe's cultural capitals during the festive season.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is significant: USD 17,450 versus USD 11,600 for double occupancy, a surcharge of roughly USD 5,850 (50 percent above half the double rate).
  • International airfare to Budapest and from Munich is not included.
  • Drinks beyond draft beer in the Bar Car and wine or beer at set meals carry an additional cost.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Budapest

    Budapest (Hungary)

    Arrive in UNESCO-listed Budapest, built in the grand style of the Habsburgs. Visit the Royal Palace, the largest baroque palace in Hungary used by Franz Josef of Austria, and Matthias Church, originally built in 1255. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from Gellert Hill, and admire the facade of Budapest's magnificent neo-Renaissance Opera House, decorated with statues of some of the world's greatest composers.

  2. Day 2overnight: Budapest

    Budapest (Hungary)

    Arrive in UNESCO-listed Budapest, built in the grand style of the Habsburgs. Visit the Royal Palace, the largest baroque palace in Hungary used by Franz Josef of Austria, and Matthias Church, originally built in 1255. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from Gellert Hill, and admire the facade of Budapest's magnificent neo-Renaissance Opera House, decorated with statues of some of the world's greatest composers.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Vienna (Austria)

    Enjoy a morning reception at the Royal Waiting Room in Budapest's Nyugati station before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train and departing for Vienna. Settle into your comfortable cabin and have lunch on board as the train heads for Vienna. Explore Vienna, Austria's capital, and indisputably the center of the musical world in the 18th and 19th centuries. Take a romantic carriage ride in the heart of Old Town Vienna, the Innere Stadt, admiring its main religious edifice, St. Stephen's Cathedral.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Vienna (Austria)

    Enjoy a morning reception at the Royal Waiting Room in Budapest's Nyugati station before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train and departing for Vienna. Settle into your comfortable cabin and have lunch on board as the train heads for Vienna. Explore Vienna, Austria's capital, and indisputably the center of the musical world in the 18th and 19th centuries. Take a romantic carriage ride in the heart of Old Town Vienna, the Innere Stadt, admiring its main religious edifice, St. Stephen's Cathedral.

  5. Day 5overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Salzburg

    Explore Salzburg, a city that looks like a picture from a fairy-tale, that perfectly captures the charming coziness of the festive season. Discover 17th-century Mirabell Palace and the Mozart Residence turned into museum. Walk along Getreidegasse, Salzburg's most famous street. And finally, enjoy Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, one of the most beautiful and oldest Christmas markets in the world.

  6. Day 6overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Salzburg

    Explore Salzburg, a city that looks like a picture from a fairy-tale, that perfectly captures the charming coziness of the festive season. Discover 17th-century Mirabell Palace and the Mozart Residence turned into museum. Walk along Getreidegasse, Salzburg's most famous street. And finally, enjoy Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, one of the most beautiful and oldest Christmas markets in the world.

  7. Day 7overnight: Munich

    Munich (Germany)

    Munich, the third-largest city in Germany, is the capital of Bavaria, one of the oldest states in Europe. Munich is a cultural hub, renowned for its museums, art galleries, nightlife and beer gardens. Discover the 17th-century Nymphenburg Palace; the English Garden, with its famous sunbathing area; the Hofbrauhaus, serving beer since 1644; the futuristic Allianz Arena that lights up when a night game is being played; and the BMW headquarters and museum. This evening enjoy the farewell dinner.

  8. Day 8overnight: Munich

    Munich (Germany)

    Munich, the third-largest city in Germany, is the capital of Bavaria, one of the oldest states in Europe. Munich is a cultural hub, renowned for its museums, art galleries, nightlife and beer gardens. Discover the 17th-century Nymphenburg Palace; the English Garden, with its famous sunbathing area; the Hofbrauhaus, serving beer since 1644; the futuristic Allianz Arena that lights up when a night game is being played; and the BMW headquarters and museum. This evening enjoy the farewell dinner.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Visit the Royal Palace in Budapest, the largest baroque palace in Hungary, and climb Gellert Hill for panoramic views of the city.
  • Day 3Day 3: Board the Golden Eagle Danube Express at Budapest's Nyugati station for a reception in the Royal Waiting Room, then depart by train for Vienna with lunch served on board.
  • Day 4Day 4: Explore Vienna's Old Town by horse-drawn carriage, visiting St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Burgtheater, and the Hofburg Imperial Palace.
  • Day 5Day 5: Walk Getreidegasse, Salzburg's most famous street, and visit the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world.
  • Day 7Day 7: Explore Munich's 17th-century Nymphenburg Palace and the English Garden, and visit the Hofbrauhaus, serving beer since 1644.

Included

  • Accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train.
  • Hotel accommodation per the itinerary (2 nights in Budapest, 2 nights in Munich).
  • All meals starting with dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on final tour day.
  • A generous allowance of wine or local beer, soft drinks, and water with all lunches and dinners.
  • Complimentary tea, coffee, and mineral water around the clock from your car attendant while on board the train.
  • Complimentary draft beer in the Bar Car for all passengers.
  • Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates and in the tour start/end cities.
  • All guided off-train tours per itinerary.
  • The services of an experienced Train Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.
  • All gratuities.
  • Baggage handling.

Not included

  • International airfare or surface transport to the starting/ending cities of the tour.
  • Items of a purely personal nature (laundry, telephone, bar account, photography at museums, etc.)
  • Optional pre- or post-tour extensions.
  • Drinks, beyond draft beer in the Bar Car, and beer and wine at set meals.
  • Visa fees, any excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, vaccination or medical costs.
  • Travel and trip cancellation insurance.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train for four nights (Days 3-6), all meals on board, and complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks at set meals are included.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is escorted. MIR Corporation provides an experienced Train Tour Manager and local guides for all scheduled off-train tours in each city.
Which train is used?
The Golden Eagle Danube Express, a private train operating from Budapest to Munich.
What hotels are included?
Two nights in a Budapest hotel and two nights in a Munich hotel. Specific hotel names and tiers are not listed in the itinerary.
When does this tour depart?
MIR Corporation lists departures in December 2026 and December 2027, priced from USD 11,600 to USD 13,100 per person.
How much walking is involved?
The tour is rated Activity Level 2 (Moderate), involving city walking tours, visits to palaces and churches, and a horse-drawn carriage ride in Vienna.

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