Christmas markets by train: three rail routes through Central Europe

Many of the best-known Christmas markets sit on main railway lines, a few hours apart. A train trip lets you see several in one week without driving or flying between them.

Below are three routes that link market cities in this guide. The journey times are rough planning figures for a typical daytime train, the same ones the trip planner uses. They are not a timetable: check the rail operator’s journey planner and book before you go.

Each stop shows the market’s published 2026/27 dates. Use them to choose the order: start where the market opens first, and finish where it runs latest.

Saxony to Bohemia: Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague

1. Berlin · Germany

   WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt · 23 November – 31 December 2026

2. Then about 1 hr 15 mins by train (148 km in a straight line)

   Leipzig · Germany

   Leipzig Christmas Market · 24 November – 23 December 2026

3. Then about 1 hr 10 mins by train (100 km in a straight line)

   Dresden · Germany

   Dresden Striezelmarkt · 25 November – 24 December 2026

4. Then about 2 hrs 20 mins by train (117 km in a straight line)

   Prague · Czechia

   Prague Christmas Markets · 28 November 2026 – 6 January 2027

Franconia to the Danube: Nuremberg, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest

1. Nuremberg · Germany

   Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt · 27 November – 24 December 2026

2. Then about 1 hr 15 mins by train (151 km in a straight line)

   Munich · Germany

   Munich Christkindlmarkt · 20 November – 24 December 2026

3. Then about 1 hr 40 mins by train (116 km in a straight line)

   Salzburg · Austria

   Salzburg Christkindlmarkt · 19 November 2026 – 1 January 2027

4. Then about 2 hrs 30 mins by train (251 km in a straight line)

   Vienna · Austria

   Vienna Christmas Market at the Rathaus · 13 November – 26 December 2026

5. Then about 2 hrs 40 mins by train (216 km in a straight line)

   Budapest · Hungary

   Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market · 13 November 2026 – 1 January 2027

The Low Countries to the Rhine: Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, Heidelberg

1. Amsterdam · Netherlands

   Amsterdam Christmas markets · 3 December – 27 December 2026

2. Then about 1 hr 50 mins by train (172 km in a straight line)

   Brussels · Belgium

   Brussels Winter Wonders · 27 November 2026 – 3 January 2027

3. Then about 1 hr 50 mins by train (183 km in a straight line)

   Cologne · Germany

   Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market · 16 November – 23 December 2026

4. Then about 1 hr 15 mins by train (153 km in a straight line)

   Frankfurt · Germany

   Frankfurt Christmas Market · 23 November – 22 December 2026

5. Then about 1 hr by train (78 km in a straight line)

   Heidelberg · Germany

   Heidelberg Christmas Market · 23 November – 22 December 2026

Typical rail, approximate — not a timetable.