The Christmas Classic Rail Circle Tour from/to Frankfurt Airport has a relaxed itinerary, a great way to enjoy this time of the year by visiting the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany and Austria.
©Thomas H. Giesick
The tour is set up to be very relaxed: when you arrive from your international flight your first hotel in Frankfurt is just minutes from the airport. The next day the High-Speed ICE train takes you to via Nuremberg to Munich. From Munich you will make day trips by rail to Salzburg and Innsbruck and by escorted coach to the Royal Castles, Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle. On your way back from Munich to Frankfurt Airport you will visit Heidelberg. The rail tour includes 2nd-class Rail tickets (see the tableau this is already included in the price of your tour) and there is an option to upgraded to 1st-class Rail for the long distance train rides . This is just an extra of US $ 219.00 per Person and includes seat reservations! Here you also find everything else that is included: transfers, rail tickets, tours and admissions.
Price per Person
| two sharing a double room | one in a single room | three sharing a triple room |
| US $ 1,499 | US $ 2,189 | US $ 1,449 |
Would you like to submit your personal information so we can check availability for your specific travel dates for this beautiful tour? On our BOOKING INQUIRY page you find a form which you may use to forward your personal information:
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Day 1 Frankfurt
It only takes 11 minutes from the airport local train station located below baggage claim in arrival Hall 1 of Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt Central Station. The fare is covered by the “Frankfurt Card”, which is already included in the price of the 8-Day Christmas Classic Rail Circle Tour Package. The Frankfurt Card also covers public transportation within Frankfurt that day, and it includes a variety of discounts (e.g., to museums and sights). Your hotel is located within a short walking distance of Frankfurt Central Station. Frankfurt is a very modern metropolis that nevertheless offers many historic sites, such as the Romerberg (hill of the Romans) with its gorgeously restored timber-framed houses, of course the Goethe Haus, where the world-famous poet once lived, the Paulskirche, a symbol for democracy and freedom in Germany, “Alt-Sachsenhausen“, where in Schellgasse number 6 you will find Frankfurt’s oldest timber-framed house, which was built around 1291, to name only a few of Frankfurt’s historic landmarks.
Christmas Market in Frankfurt ©Thomas H. Giesick; Nuremberg © Uwe Niklas and Munich ©James (jametiks/flickr.com)
The Frankfurt Museum Riverbank is one of the most important locations for museums in Germany and Europe. The exhibition buildings are lined up on both sides of the Main Riverbank, and several famous museums are to be found in the city center. Visit the “Stadel“, the German Museum of Architecture, as well as the Museum of Applied Art, or the “Schirn Kunsthalle” to name only a very few. Don’t miss out on Frankfurt’s “Zeil“, a huge pedestrian zone where shopping is the name of the game. So, if you arrive early enough in Frankfurt, visiting this interesting metropolis is certainly worthwhile.
Frankfurt’s Christmas market is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, with its beginnings reaching back to the year 1393. The location on Roemerberg Square is very romantic and the market attracts over 3 million visitors every year. Advent concerts and trumpet-playing from the tower of St. Nicholas’s Church are part of the daily program.
Day 2 Nuremberg
By High-Speed Rail (ICE), it takes less than 2,5 hours from Frankfurt to Nuremberg. The “Christkindles Markt” (Christ Child’s Market) in Nuremberg is among the most famous Christmas Markets in Germany. Held on Hauptmarkt Square, one can enjoy the delicious Nuremberg Bratwurst while marveling at the beautifully decorated stalls offering local and traditional handicrafts and specialties in a medieval atmosphere.
Nuremberg’s history dates back to the year 1050; its name “nourenberc” translates into “rocky hill”. Nuremberg’s famous landmark, the “Kaiserburg” (Imperial Castle), towers above the Old Town, which is protected by the five-kilometer-long city wall. Many towers and gates can still be visited. The medieval castle is one of the most important imperial palaces, dating from the middle ages from the 11th century (admission included). In the Third Reich Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party had chosen Nuremberg for their Nazi Rallies and if you are interested in that part of history, you may want to visit the Documenation Center Nazi Rally Grounds which are located just south of the Old Town. When exploring the beauty of Nuremberg’s medieval Old Town, you may want to start right at the Koenigstor (“Kingsgate”) which is the gate right across from Nuremberg Central Station. From here, the timber-framed buildings, the Gothic Church of St.Lawrence and the Church of St.Sebaldus can be easily reached by foot. Right next to the Koenigstor is the Handwerkerhof (craft center). Here, you will feel like you are back in the medieval times, there are craft workshops like they used to have a long time ago, as well as a gingerbread bakery. Make sure to enjoy a Nuremberg Bratwurst along with a beer or a glass of “Frankenwein” (franconian wine).
Neuschwanstein Castle ©Gliwi via Wikimedia Commons; Christmasmarket in Salzburg ©Tourismus Salzburg GmbH and Innsbruck ©TVB Innsbruck
Day 3 Munich
Continue your travels along the Christmas Classic Rail Tour from Nuremberg to Munich. Your hotel is located within a short walking distance from the Central Station. The price of your tour already includes admission to many sights in Munich (Munich Residence and Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain), and with your tour package, you will also receive walking suggestions for a self-guided walking tour through Munich City Center. Along this walking tour you will visit the Marienplatz with the New Town Hall (with the “Glockenspiel”), the Konigsplatz (King’s Square), a cultural center since the 19th century, and later, during the “Third Reich”, site of Nazi Party mass rallies and location of the Nazi Party headquarters in Germany, the English Garden, as well as the State Opera House. You will be able to visit famous churches like Munich Frauenkirche, “Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau” (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), with a height of 325 ft. a Munich landmark, St. Peters Church, built in the 14th century, and the Asam Church, which was built as a private chapel and integrated into an apartment building. The tour will pass by the most famous Munich shopping streets (Kaufinger Street and Neuhauser Street), as well as by the “Viktualienmarkt”, a traditional farmers market (open every day except on Sundays). The tour will take you by the famous “Alois Dallmayr” luxury delicatessen and coffee store, as well as to the Hofbrauhaus, of course, probably the world’s most popular beer hall. This may be a great place to enjoy a hearty dinner and a fresh mass of beer (one mug holds 33.8 US fl oz)! This is not far from the Marienplatz (Marien Square) where the Christmas Market has been located since the 14th century.
Day 4 Escorted coach tour to the Royal Castles
Another highlight of your Christmas Classic Rail tour will be a visit to the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle. You will be on an all-day escorted coach tour that will first take you to Oberammergau for a photo stop (you may want to take a look at the Festival Hall, where the Passion Play takes place every ten years). The coach will then take you to Linderhof Palace, the Royal Villa of King Ludwig II. The Palace and Park were inspired by Versailles, and the rooms are beautifully decorated and furnished. After a short drive through Austria and back into Germany, you will get to Neuschwanstein Castle. The picture of Neuschwanstein is probably present in everybody’s mind, and Neuschwanstein really seems to be taken out of a fairy tale. You will join an English-speaking guided tour through the castle. The tour of the interior, the Throne Hall, the Hall of the Singers, the Grotto, and all of the private rooms that were built for King Ludwig II, will make the picture perfect! After the tour of the inside, make sure to take some time to explore the castle grounds. The view of Neuschwanstein from the bridge behind the castle is like no other! Your luxury coach will take you back to Munich, where you will arrive in time for dinner and/or another visit to the Munich Christmas Market!
Day 5 Day Trip to Salzburg
In about 1 hour and 30 minutes, the High-Speed “Rail Jet” (RJ) will take you from Munich to Salzburg. Salzburg, a beautiful town close to the Alp Mountains, Birthplace of Mozart is also the site of the popular movie “The Sound of Music”. Join the English-speaking most unique 4-hour Sound of Music Tour yourself! This tour is an ideal opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Maria von Trapp while taking in local historical sights, both from the city of Salzburg and also the picturesque lakes and mountains surrounding the city. After the tour, you may want to walk across the Salzach River to take a look at Mozart’s Birthplace and the small shopping streets in the area. Here, you also find a wide choice of restaurants for dinner. Or you visit the wonderful Christmas Market in Salzburg, where you find various kinds of delicatessen. The historic market, which was first mentioned in the 15th century, is located at the foot of the Hohensalzburg fortress and around the Cathedral. This Christmas market offers many different crafts, local specialties, and other Christmas items.
Day 6 Day Trip to Innsbruck
Speed Rail will take you in a little less than two hours from Munich Central Station to Innsbruck in Austria—capital of Tyrol. You will be able to enjoy a very scenic train ride since the train will take you right through the Alp Mountains, passing Rosenheim and Kufstein. Innsbruck is known as the “Capital of the Alps“. From Innsbruck Central Station it is just about a 10-minute walk to the Old Town where you find one of the highlights of Innsbruck: the “Goldenes Dachl“ (golden roof), where the Christmas Market is also located. Most of the sights are on the right bank of the River Inn, from which the town takes its name. Innsbruck’s boulevard and central pedestrian area is “Maria-Theresien-Strasse” which offers a nice street view with the mountains seen in the back. The oldest part of town, the Altstadt, is a small area between the river and the semi-circle of road known as the Graben (now a street, but once the route of the old moat that surrounded this part of town). Delivery vehicles are allowed down the cobbled streets at certain times of day, but otherwise pedestrians can wander around uninterrupted. A good orientation point is the Sprungstadion Ski Jump—built in 1964 for the Winter Olympics—that sticks up rather incongruously on the southern side of town.
Christmas Market in Heidelberg © Philipp Rothe Heidelberg Marketing and Frankfurt Int. Airport ©Thomas H. Giesick
Day 7 Heidelberg
In a three-hour train ride by Speed Rail from Munich to Heidelberg Central Station, you will continue your Christmas Classic Vacation. Since the station is a little bit outside of the Old Town, where your hotel is located, your tour already includes a taxi transfer from Heidelberg Central Station to your hotel. Heidelberg is a beautiful historic town located along the banks of the Neckar River and the most significant sight is certainly the ruin of Heidelberg Castle, which towers above the city. Since your hotel is located right inside of the Old Town of Heidelberg, it is easy to explore historic Heidelberg by foot. Your tour package will include walking tour suggestions for the Old Town. Along the walking tour, you will see the Old Bridge from which you have a nice view of the Old Town and the castle ruins above. You will also pass by the “Marktplatz” (market place), which is the main square of Heidelberg, the “Peterskirche” (St. Peter’s Church) and the historic University of Heidelberg. Heidelberg’s University was founded in 1386 and it is the oldest University in Germany and with more than 30.000 students, it is still one of the most important universities in Germany today. If you want to enjoy a view over Heidelberg and the Neckar River, you may want to walk up to the grounds of the castle ruins or—for a small fee—take the historic funicular up and down Heidelberg Castle. The historic Christmas Market is held on seven squares around the Old Town, featuring those typical stalls displaying Christmas handicrafts and local specialties. At night enjoy the splendid view of the illuminated castle.
Day 8 Frankfurt Int. Airport
Today, your 8 Day Christmas Classic Vacation Package ends. Depending on the departure time of your flight from Frankfurt International Airport, we will arrange a taxi transfer from your hotel to Heidelberg Central Station and a train from there to the airport. The train from Heidelberg Central Station to Frankfurt International Airport takes about an hour.
Would you like to download an overview of the 8 Day Christmas Classic Rail Circle (8R08) as a pdf to print it out or to forward it to a friend? Please download it right here:This is already included in the price of your tour
| Day 1 - Frankfurt Int. Airport to Frankfurt/ Frankfurt | Frankfurt Card which covers the commuter train from Frankfurt Int. Airport to Frankfurt | Hotel Hamburger Hof (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Frankfurt Central Station | Frankfurt Card for free use of public transportation within Frankfurt and discounts |
| Day 2 - Frankfurt to Nuremberg / Nuremberg | Train ticket from Frankfurt to Nuremberg (travel time about two hours) | Hotel Victoria (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Nuremberg Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Frankfurt, Admission to the Imperial Castle |
| Day 3 - Nuremberg to Munich/ Munich | Train ticket from Nuremberg to Munich (travel time about 1:10 hours) | King´s Hotel Center (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Nuremberg, Admission Residence Museum, Treasury, Admission Cuvilliés-Theatre, Admission Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Admission Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Admission Marstallmuseum and Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain |
| Day 4 - Royal Castles/ Munich | no train ticket needed | King´s Hotel Center (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich, All day escorted coach tour to Oberammergau and to the Royal Castles - Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace, Admission Neuschwanstein Castle (Hohenschwangau), Admission Linderhof Palace & Park (Ettal) |
| Day 5 - Day trip to Salzburg/ Munich | Train ticket from Munich directly to Salzburg (travel time about 1:30 hrs one way) | King´s Hotel Center (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich, 4 hr Sound of Music tour in Salzburg |
| Day 6 - Day Trip to Innsbruck/ Munich | Train ticket from Munich directly to Innsbruck (travel time about 1:45 hrs one way) | King´s Hotel Center (or similar if not available), located within 10 walking minutes from Munich Central Station | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich |
| Day 7 - Munich to Heidelberg/ Heidelberg | Train ticket from Munich directly to Heidelberg (travel time about 2:20 hrs) | Hotel Hollander Hof (or similar if not available), located in the Old Town (taxi transfer provided) | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Munich, taxi transfer from Heidelberg Central Station to your hotel in Heidelberg Old Town |
| Day 8 - Heidelberg to Frankfurt Int. Airport/ Frankfurt Int. Airport | Train ticket from Heidelberg Central Station to Frankfurt Int. Airport (FRA) | no hotel needed | Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Heidelberg, taxi transfer from your hotel in Heidelberg to Heidelberg Central Station |
The tour package we provide includes a day by day itinerary as well as all tickets, vouchers and information necessary to enjoy a great independent tour. It also contains general information about the cities you visit which you can downloaded from our website once your tour is confirmed.
This is not included in the price of your tour
- Airfare from/to your origin to/from Frankfurt International Airport
- all meals other than breakfast (which is included)
- gratuities (tips)
You have booked the tour already and would like to download the to-europe tour package for this tour now? Please download them right here:
(EXTENDED) 7-DAY CHRISTMAS Classic RAIL CIRCLE TOUR As you predicted I really enjoyed Heidelberg, a great place to finish my German Christmas market tour. I was lucky to enjoy Heidelberg’s first snow this winter…and the hotel was beautiful…I had a balcony room at the front overlooking the bridge and river! I will certainly recommend your services to others. – Robyn M., Australia
We are fortunate to have travelers from all over the world on our pre-packaged tours and we would love to have your feedback! If you have been traveling along this tour with us please leave us a review below – we greatly appreciate your time! (your Email address will not be displayed)
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I enjoyed a great trip with family and friends with our tour organized by To-Europe. We saw fantastic Christmas Markets, Museums, Castles, Cities and more. They helped us in unforseen problems of snow storms, train strikes, and any questions that we had. What could have been a disaster, in any of those situations, was easily avoided and taken care of to our liking. I have recommended them to my friends who are also interested in visiting Europe.
This was our first trip to Europe and it couldn’t have been more exciting. The Christmas Markets were so much fun. When we got hit with a snowstorm and all transportation was stopped, Thomas came to the rescue with a new hotel which was just as lovely as the rest. Unfortunately due to the snow we were unable to get to Salzburg or Innsbruck but that did not dampen our spirits at all…….it simply means we need to go back! Do not hesitate using this tour company as they are top notch all the way!
I started planning a Christmas Market rail tour in March of 2023 for my 80 year old mom, my sister, daughter and best friend. It was a lot to take on and I could not have planned a succesful trip without the help of To-Europe! They put us up in the greatest hotels and provided all the documentation we needed in an organized and very detailed fashion. They responded each question with politeness and punctuality. We added four days on to our trip at the last minute and they were able to quickly plan our transportation and accommodations even though it was not on the normal tour they offer. When we arrived in Germany and asked questions they were quick to answer once again and even proactively called us when there was a train strike to help pivot our plans. We also arrived in Munich the day after a large snowstorm where many travelers were getting stuck on trains overnight. Because of their quick thinking and advise we did not have to endure any setbacks. I would happily use To-Europe again and would highly recommend them to family and friends.
The trip from start to finish went with our any hitches and was a complete success because of the super staff of To-Europe!! Thank you Thomas and Michele!!!
This trip was awesome. The sights and scenery were gorgeous. The recommendation for comfortable shoes is very true as my wife and I walked between 7-10 miles a day and that's not counting elevation changes. It was truly an awesome trip. The service and response from the travel agents was second to none. They were calling me at their night time on their weekend helping me through some last second flight changes. I'd highly recommend this trip to anyone.
We cannot begin to tell you how much we enjoyed this trip!!! Everything was organized completely and the staff was always available to answer any questions via email or phone promptly. All of our hotels were superb and with easy walks to where ever we wanted to go. My husband keeps telling everyone it was the best trip ever and i agree!!! Already thinking about where we want to go next and will definitely book with you again 🙂 Thanks for such a memorable adventure !!!
We thoroughly enjoyed the 8 Day Christmas Classic Rail tour. Trip planning, hotels, and rail travel were well organized. The hotels were nice and in great locations. The Christmas Markets were all good with our favorite being the Nuremberg markets. We loved the castle tours in Munich and both day trips to Salzburg and Innsbruck. Being from Texas, we also appreciated the beautiful snow. We would highly recommend this tour to our friends.
I have done Christmas Market Tours for several years but this was the best organized with the finest hotels and train connections that I have experienced. To-europe is a premium organization that offers first class service at an affordable price. The clarity of their explanations is excellent as are all of their support services. I will definitely do business again with them.
I'd first like to say that I am a very list oriented person, I like to know where we're going and what times to be places. So all the lists they gave me soothed my heart, I LOVED having train listings of what time it left and which gate to find it at, and being nervous in a different country it was SUPER easy to find your right train.
All the hotels they picked were amazingly comfortable. really cute. and right next to the train station AND markets and what's not to like about free breakfasts.
All the locations were amazing and definitely got you in the Christmas spirit, it was cold even when it wasn't snowing so still bring winter gear!
The castle tours and Sound of Music tour were so much fun and the guides were funny and interactive making it so much more enjoyable, and the snow covered everything was just a winter wonderland.
I will definitely be using this site again, they e-mailed me everything I needed and answered all my questions quickly and kindly. I highly recommend this tour!! And I will constantly brag about this site 🙂
The trip was great, the Christmas Markets were really Magical at the end of the long days touring Museums and seeing the sights. Each city I visited was so unique and beautiful and romantic, it made the hustle of catching the trains and sticking to the tight schedule very rewarding, will recommend it to anyone who is into the romanticism of the European experience with the old towns and castles and fortresses, to the old cobble streets and the old Medievial buildings. Will recommend to anyone who is looking for that planned European tour experience.
This was a wonderful trip - ability to pick the trains you wanted to take gave us the flexibility we wanted. The hotels were very nice and close to the markets. The itinerary of the different towns was a perfect pace as well as the tours booked. Definitely would recommend To-Europe to anyone looking to book a trip to Europe and unsure how to navigate the train and hotel arrangements. They are very responsive and accommodating. Will use them again for another trip to Europe.
My friend and I enjoyed every moment of this trip. All we had to do was make sure we caught the right train. All the accommodation and train tickets were organised, so we could just relax and enjoy the sights. The hotel accommodation, in each town, was excellent. We had single rooms but they were spacious, clean, comfortable and accessible to the main tourist spots. I would recommend the Christmas markets to everyone, especially people from the southern hemisphere - we have nothing like this festive atmosphere. I would definitely recommend Thomas and his team and hope to use their services again in the future.
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