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 Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Prague and Dresden
This route exists only with us. It starts in Budapest, where the Christmas market opens as early as mid-November, and runs in a straight line to the north-west without covering a single kilometre twice. On the way you stop in Bratislava and spend two days each in Vienna and Prague.
The finale belongs to Dresden and the Striezelmarkt, one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets. When you stand between the wooden pyramids with a piece of real Christstollen in your hand, you know why Advent in Central Europe is something special.
Highlights
Five cities in five countries, no leg twice
Stopover in Bratislava with castle and old town
Two days each in Vienna and Prague
Grand finale at Dresden's Striezelmarkt
Short train times thanks to a clever order
At a glance
RouteBudapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Prague, Dresden
Train timeabout 9.5 hours including the ride back to Prague
For whomfor everyone who wants to see as many markets as possible
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
Budapest · the Danube and the Chain BridgeBratislava · old town and castleVienna · Schönbrunn and the GloriettePrague · Charles Bridge and the castleDresden · the Striezelmarkt
Day by day
Day 1
Budapest
Welcome to Budapest
Pick-up at the airport and transfer to your hotel. In the evening the Christmas market on Vörösmarty tér beckons with handicrafts and the scent of chimney cake.
Day 2
Budapest
Budapest
A tip-based tour connects Buda and Pest; in the afternoon you visit the Parliament on the Danube. In the evening you taste lángos, kürtőskalács and Hungarian mulled wine on a market tour.
Day 3
Vienna
Bratislava and on to Vienna
The train brings you to Bratislava, where your luggage waits safely at the station. A tip-based tour leads through the old town up to the castle. In the evening you continue to Vienna in one hour.
Day 4
Vienna
Imperial Vienna
Tip-based tour through the Inner City and a visit to Schönbrunn Palace. In the evening a local takes you across Spittelberg and Am Hof, with punch and stories.
Day 5
Prague
To Prague
A free morning in Vienna, perhaps for a coffee in a coffee house. Then the train brings you to Prague, where the market on Old Town Square awaits in the evening.
Day 6
Prague
The golden city
On a tip-based tour a guide leads you across Charles Bridge; in the afternoon you visit Prague Castle. In the evening there is a Christmas walk through the illuminated old town.
Day 7
Dresden
Through the Elbe Valley to Dresden
The train follows the Elbe through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. In Dresden you visit the Zwinger and enjoy an Advent tour with Christstollen and mulled wine across the Striezelmarkt.
Day 8
Prague
Goodbye
Train back to Prague and transfer to the airport.
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
Széchenyi thermal bath or a dinner cruise on the Danube
Advent concert or an evening at a Heuriger wine tavern
Day trip to Kutná Hora or a Bohemian dinner
Meissen porcelain manufactory or the Bastei
Seats reserved on modern long-distance trainsYour evening market walk with a localAdd an Advent concertChristkindlmarkt in Vienna
Book online
Book Christmas Capitals 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.
€2,190 per person in a double room with 3★ hotels, €2,390 with 4★ hotels. Single room supplement: €620 (3★) or €795 (4★) for the whole trip. Prices guaranteed for bookings until 30 November 2026.
Which cities does Christmas Capitals visit?
Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Prague and Dresden, in 8 days and 7 nights. You arrive at Budapest Airport and fly home from Prague Airport.
How long are the train journeys on Christmas Capitals?
In total about 9.5 hours including the ride back to Prague. 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.
