How much does it cost?

From CHF 2,960 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,631 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes, for the city-to-city legs: Montreux to Basel, Basel to Freiburg return, Basel to Colmar, Colmar to Strasbourg return, and Colmar to Frankfurt, all in 2nd class. The Geneva Airport to Montreux transfer and the Frankfurt to airport transfer are not included.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

It is self-guided. Magic Switzerland provides a custom travel itinerary with hotel directions and daily activity suggestions, but there is no tour guide accompanying you.

What hotels are included?

4-star hotels with breakfast: 2 nights each in Montreux, Basel and Colmar, and 1 night in Frankfurt, in standard double rooms with private facilities.

When is the best time to take this trip?

The itinerary is built around Christmas markets in each city, so it runs during the December festive market season.

What is not included?

International flights, local city taxes of approximately CHF 5 to 7 per person per night, the Geneva-Montreux and Frankfurt-airport transfers, and any meals or activities not listed in the itinerary.

Magic Switzerland · Self-guided rail tour

European Christmas Markets Package

Self-guided rail trip through Christmas markets in Switzerland, France and Germany

Magic Switzerland's European Christmas Markets Package is an 8-day self-guided rail trip from Montreux to Frankfurt, timed to the festive market season. Travellers move by 2nd-class train between four base cities: two nights each in Montreux, Basel and Colmar, and a final night in Frankfurt. Montreux opens the trip with the Chateau de Chillon and its lakeside Christmas market, before a rail transfer to Basel for its Munsterplatz and Barfusserplatz markets, with a self-guided day trip to the Black Forest town of Freiburg. From Colmar, travellers can choose a day trip to Strasbourg's Petite France or an excursion to the storybook villages of Riquewihr and Kaysersberg, alongside an Alsace wine tasting. The trip ends in Frankfurt's New Old Town before departure. Magic Switzerland provides a custom itinerary with hotel directions and daily suggestions, making this suited to independent travellers who want a self-guided rail route between well-known Christmas markets.

What to know before you look closer

Hotels are described only by city, star rating and number of nights; no specific property names are given in the available information.
The rail transfer from Geneva Airport to Montreux and any transfer from Frankfurt to the airport are not included in the price and must be arranged separately.
Only breakfast is included with the hotels; other meals, aside from the Alsace wine tasting, are not included.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Montreux
Arrival in Montreux
Arrival at Geneva Airport. Rail transfer to Montreux. Free time at leisure.
Day 2overnight: Montreux
Chateau de Chillon & Montreux Christmas Market
Visit the unique water castle Chateau de Chillon; in the afternoon explore the famous Montreux Christmas market on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Day 3railovernight: Basel
Berne or Neuchatel to Basel
Rail transfer to Basel (2h45), with a possible stop halfway in Bern or Neuchatel. Free time in Basel to explore the Christmas markets on Münster and Barfüsser Square.
Day 4railovernight: Basel
Day trip to Freiburg in Germany
Self-guided day trip to Freiburg by train (40 min one way): picturesque Old Town, historic architecture and festive Christmas markets, returning to Basel in the evening.
Day 5railovernight: Colmar
Colmar
Rail transfer to Colmar (45 min). Stroll the Old Town with its half-timbered houses and canals; tasting of typical Alsatian wines.
Day 6railovernight: Colmar
Day trip to Strasbourg or Riquewihr & Kaysersberg
Self-guided day trip to Strasbourg by train (30 min one way): Petite France, Strasbourg Cathedral and its Christmas markets; or an excursion to Riquewihr and Kaysersberg.
Day 7railovernight: Frankfurt
Frankfurt in Germany
Rail transfer to Frankfurt (3h). Explore the Christmas markets, stroll the New Old Town, and enjoy mulled wine and traditional Frankfurt specialities.
Day 8
Departure
Self-guided tour end; a custom travel itinerary with hotel directions and daily activity suggestions is provided throughout.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Visit the water castle Chateau de Chillon, then explore the Montreux Christmas market on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Day 4A self-guided day trip to Freiburg in Germany's Black Forest gateway takes in the Old Town and its Christmas markets.
Day 5A rail transfer to Colmar is followed by a stroll through the Old Town's half-timbered houses and canals, plus a tasting of Alsatian wines.
Day 6A self-guided day trip to Strasbourg visits Petite France, Strasbourg Cathedral and its Christmas markets, or an alternative excursion to Riquewihr and Kaysersberg.
Day 7A rail transfer to Frankfurt allows time to explore the city's Christmas markets and the New Old Town.

Included

2 nights in Montreux, Basel and Colmar, 4* hotel, standard double room with private facilities, breakfast
1 night in Frankfurt, 4* hotel, standard double room with private facilities, breakfast
Rail transfers in 2nd class: Montreux - Basel | Basel - Freiburg return | Basel - Colmar | Colmar - Strasbourg return | Colmar - Frankfurt
Alsace wine tasting
Custom travel itinerary
Service charge and taxes

Not included

International flights
Local city taxes, approx. CHF 5-7 per person/night
Transfer Geneva-Montreux and Frankfurt-Airport
Meals and activities not mentioned in the itinerary

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From CHF 2,960 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,631 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes, for the city-to-city legs: Montreux to Basel, Basel to Freiburg return, Basel to Colmar, Colmar to Strasbourg return, and Colmar to Frankfurt, all in 2nd class. The Geneva Airport to Montreux transfer and the Frankfurt to airport transfer are not included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: It is self-guided. Magic Switzerland provides a custom travel itinerary with hotel directions and daily activity suggestions, but there is no tour guide accompanying you.
What hotels are included?: 4-star hotels with breakfast: 2 nights each in Montreux, Basel and Colmar, and 1 night in Frankfurt, in standard double rooms with private facilities.
When is the best time to take this trip?: The itinerary is built around Christmas markets in each city, so it runs during the December festive market season.
What is not included?: International flights, local city taxes of approximately CHF 5 to 7 per person per night, the Geneva-Montreux and Frankfurt-airport transfers, and any meals or activities not listed in the itinerary.