Austria in eight days · Christmas markets by train
Best of Austria: Vienna · Salzburg · Innsbruck · Munich
Three days in Vienna, a day on the Danube, three Alpine cities. You can't fit more Austria into one week. 8 days by train, start any day between 14 November and 19 December 2026.
8 days · 7 nightsTrain about 6 hoursGuaranteed from 2 guestsfrom €2,290 p.p.
Prices guaranteed for bookings until 30 November 2026
Book by 30 November and your price is locked in – no surcharges later.
Early bird 2027
Advent 2027 at 2026 prices
Book by 24 December 2026 and travel any time between 15 November and 24 December 2027 at today's price.
Look forward to Advent in Vienna, Wachau, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Munich
Picture this: Vienna's Rathausplatz bathed in warm light, the trees in the park hung with glowing hearts, and somewhere a brass band playing Silent Night. For three days the imperial city is yours, with Schönbrunn Palace, winding Biedermeier lanes and the craft market on Spittelberg.
Then things slow down. In the Wachau your gaze drifts across the Danube and the wintry vineyards to the golden-yellow Melk Abbey. On to Salzburg, where Mozart was born and the Christkindlmarkt stands right in front of the cathedral, and to Innsbruck, where the snowy peaks reach all the way down to the old town. Munich bids you farewell with its big market on Marienplatz.
Highlights
Three nights in Vienna, with Schönbrunn Palace and a guided market stroll
A winter day in the Wachau with Melk Abbey and Dürnstein
Salzburg's Christkindlmarkt between the cathedral and the Residenz
Innsbruck's old town with the Golden Roof against the mountains
Grand finale on Munich's Marienplatz
At a glance
RouteVienna, Wachau, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich
Train timeabout 6 hours, split into four short legs
For whomfor everyone discovering Austria for the first time
Travel datesArrival any day, 14 November – 19 December 2026
LanguageTours in English, other languages on request; from 20 guests your own tour leader
Your route
5 cities, one week, all by train
Vienna · Schönbrunn and the GlorietteWachau · Dürnstein on the DanubeSalzburg · the fortress above the old townInnsbruck · the city beneath the NordketteMunich · Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz
Day by day
Day 1
Vienna
Servus Vienna
Pick-up at the airport and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, your first stroll to the Christmas market in front of City Hall, where the scent of roasted almonds hangs in the air.
Day 2
Vienna
Imperial Vienna
In the morning a Viennese guide shows you the Inner City on a tip-based tour, from St. Stephen's Cathedral along the Graben to the Hofburg. In the afternoon you visit Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburgs' summer residence. In the evening a local takes you across Spittelberg and Am Hof, with punch and stories from old Vienna.
Day 3
Vienna
Winter in the Wachau
By train to Melk and a visit to the baroque abbey high above the Danube. By regional bus through the quiet vineyards to Dürnstein with its blue church tower and on to Krems, then back to Vienna by train.
Day 4
Salzburg
To Salzburg
In two and a half hours the train brings you to Mozart's city. A tip-based tour leads along Getreidegasse with its wrought-iron guild signs to the cathedral. You spend the evening at the Christkindlmarkt, one of the oldest in Austria.
Day 5
Salzburg
Salzburg from above
The fortress funicular, included in your ticket, takes you up to Hohensalzburg Fortress, with the city and its domes at your feet. Later a guide tells you about Salzburg's Advent traditions, and there is time for the market in the Residenz courtyard.
Day 6
Innsbruck
Innsbruck, city in the mountains
The train runs through the Inn Valley to Innsbruck. You explore the old town with the Golden Roof, visit the Hofburg and stroll across the markets beneath the Nordkette in the evening.
Day 7
Munich
Servus Munich
On to Munich. A tip-based tour takes you through the old town and into the magnificent Residenz of the Bavarian kings. In the evening you get to know the markets around Marienplatz, with mulled wine and gingerbread.
Day 8
Munich
Goodbye
Transfer to Munich Airport and home, with plenty of memories in your luggage.
What's included
Included
7 nights in central hotels with breakfast (3★ or 4★)
All train journeys between the cities, 2nd class, seats reserved
Airport transfer on arrival and departure
Tip-based tours with a local guide, tip already included
Entrance to the most important sight in every city
A guided Christmas market tour in every city
Day tickets for tram, bus and metro for every day in a city
City taxes and digital travel documents
From 20 guests: your own tour leader for all 8 days at no extra cost
Not included
Flights
Lunch and dinner
Drinks and personal expenses
Optional concerts, dinners and excursions
Optional, prices on request
Advent concert in a historic church or an evening at a Heuriger wine tavern
Salzburg Advent singing or a trip to the Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf
Swarovski Crystal Worlds, the Nordkette cable car or Neuschwanstein Castle
Seats reserved on modern long-distance trainsYour evening market walk with a localAdd an Advent concertChristkindlmarkt in Vienna
Book online
Book Best of Austria now
Choose your arrival day, hotel category and number of travellers – you see your price straight away. We confirm within 24 hours and send your invoice with a payment link.
Xmas deal: prices guaranteed for bookings until 30 November 2026
Early bird: Advent 2027 at today's price when you book by 24 December 2026
20% deposit, the balance 60 days before arrival
Payment by secure payment link – card or bank transfer
Your trip includes Vienna – add our most-loved evenings: the imperial Christmas market at Schönbrunn, a Mozart concert or the pub crawl. Book online in seconds for your Vienna dates.
Join our pub crawl Vienna tour: 4 hand-picked pubs, fun drinking games and a big club finale with a local guide, all for 22€. Party responsibly, Vienna-style.
On days without a market your guide shows you the city's most beautiful Advent lights instead.
Good to know
Rest days. Some museums close on certain weekdays, for example the DomQuartier in Salzburg on Tuesdays, the museums at the Golden Roof in Innsbruck on Mondays in winter and several Dresden collections on Mondays. We plan the days so you find everything open, or choose an equivalent house.
Christmas holidays. Most markets close on 23 or 24 December, and from 24 to 26 December many sights have shorter opening hours. For these days we plan your programme individually.
Tip-based tours. In most cities you discover the old town on a tip-based tour with a passionate local guide. We already pay the tip for you.
Luggage. One medium-sized suitcase per person fits easily in the train's luggage racks. Luggage transport between hotels on request.
Not the right trip?
Tailor-make your own trip
Different cities, more nights, a family or a group, a different season? Tell us your wishes – our Vienna team plans your own route by train, with hotels, guides and Christmas markets, and sends you a proposal by email.
Your first trip idea instantly on screen and in your inbox
Any route through Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia and Italy
Your dates, your pace, your hotel category
Planned by the same Vienna team since 2016
Thank you – we're on it! 🎉
Your request has reached our Vienna team. We'll get back to you by email shortly.
For travel agents & tour operators
Sell our Advent rail trips – with commission
Every trip runs daily and is guaranteed from 2 guests, so you can sell it without risk. Download the brochure for this trip in your clients' language, send it on and earn commission on every booking.
Commission on every booking – ask for your partner rates
Brochures in English, German, Spanish and Italian, ready to forward
Your client books online or we send them a payment link – you choose
Groups from 20: own tour leader in your language at no extra cost
One contact in Vienna, replies within 24 business hours
Brochures to download
Prices, day-by-day programme and conditions – ready to send to your clients.
€2,290 per person in a double room with 3★ hotels, €2,390 with 4★ hotels. Single room supplement: €705 (3★) or €755 (4★) for the whole trip. Prices guaranteed for bookings until 30 November 2026.
Which cities does Best of Austria visit?
Vienna, Wachau, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Munich, in 8 days and 7 nights. You arrive at Vienna Airport and fly home from Munich Airport.
How long are the train journeys on Best of Austria?
In total about 6 hours, split into four short legs. You travel in modern long-distance trains in 2nd class with reserved seats.
When can I start?
Any day between 14 November 2026 and 19 December 2026. Ideal: arrival between 27 November and 16 December 2026, when all markets on the route are open.
How do I pay?
After your booking you receive an invoice with a payment link by email: 20% deposit on booking, the balance 60 days before arrival (the full amount if you arrive sooner). Bookings are non-refundable; travel insurance from our partner Faye is recommended.
Is the trip guaranteed?
Yes, from 2 guests. From 20 guests your own tour leader in your language joins you for all 8 days at no extra cost.
