20 European Destinations for a Christmas Holiday by Train
Travelling by train at Christmas changes the experience entirely. The journey becomes part of the holiday rather than a chore to endure. You watch the landscape shift from city sprawl to snow-dusted countryside, arrive in the heart of a town rather than on its outskirts, and skip the airport queues that define December travel.
Here are twenty European destinations where the rail journey is as memorable as the destination itself.
Gengenbach, Germany
Gengenbach does Christmas on a grand scale. Every Advent, the twenty-four windows of its historic town hall become a giant Advent calendar, with a new illuminated artwork revealed each evening from November 30 . The Advent market runs from November 27 to December 23, 2026, and the completed calendar stays illuminated until January 6. It pairs beautifully with Strasbourg, just forty minutes away by train .
Graz, Austria
Graz spreads its Christmas across the city rather than concentrating it in one square. The illuminated Advent calendar on the town hall and a life-size nativity scene carved from ice in the Landhaus courtyard are highlights . Direct trains from Vienna take around two hours and twenty minutes, making it an easy addition to an Austrian itinerary .
Valkenburg, Netherlands
Valkenburg is unique because part of its Christmas takes place underground. The Gemeentegrot, or Municipal Cave, is transformed into a large underground market during the festive season . Christmas Town Valkenburg runs from November 13, 2026, to January 3, 2027, while the cave market remains open until December 30. It works well as part of a rail journey through the Netherlands, Belgium, or western Germany .
Montreux, Switzerland
In Montreux, the train itself is part of the Christmas outing. A cogwheel railway climbs from the shores of Lake Geneva to Rochers-de-Naye, 2,042 metres above sea level, where Santa’s House opens from November 20 to December 24, 2026 . The journey takes around forty-six minutes, and for families, getting there is half the fun .
Milan, Italy
Milan’s Oh Bej! Oh Bej! is not a conventional Christmas market. Held around Castello Sforzesco in early December, it is part of centuries-old celebrations for the city’s patron saint, St Ambrose . The European Sleeper now connects Brussels with Milan overnight, making the journey part of a wider winter trip .
Rovaniemi, Finland
The Santa Claus Express is one of the most magical train journeys in Europe. This Finnish overnight sleeper runs from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, crossing frozen lakes and snow-dusted forests before arriving in Lapland, the official hometown of Santa Claus . Some lucky travellers spot the Northern Lights along the way. The train offers standard and deluxe sleeper cabins, with private bathrooms available on the deluxe option .
Munich, Germany
The Espresso Monaco is a special festive night train running between Rome and Munich during the Christmas season. The celebrations begin on board, with Christmas-themed dining and live music, before arriving in Munich for its famous markets . Stops include Verona, Innsbruck, and several other Italian and Austrian cities along the route .
Bergen, Norway
The Bergen Railway from Oslo to Bergen is one of Europe’s most scenic winter journeys. The train travels around 500 kilometres in about seven hours, passing frozen vistas, waterfalls, dramatic mountains, and fjords . The Hardangervidda plateau and the high-altitude station at Finse are highlights. At Myrdal, you can connect to the famous Flåm Railway for an even more unforgettable descent .
Vienna, Austria
Vienna is easily reached by train from across Central Europe, and its Christmas markets are among the most elegant in Europe. The city’s main market at Rathausplatz is the centrepiece, but over twenty markets are spread across the city, each with its own character . The city is also a hub for onward rail journeys to Graz, Budapest, and Prague.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague’s Christmas markets run from November 28, 2026, to January 6, 2027, making them some of the longest-lasting in Europe . The Old Town Square market is the most famous, but markets at Wenceslas Square, Charles Square, and Prague Castle are also worth exploring. The city is easily reached by train from Vienna, Berlin, and Budapest.
Dresden, Germany
Dresden’s Striezelmarkt has been running for almost 600 years, making it Germany’s oldest Christmas market . The market runs from November 25 to December 24, 2026, and features the world’s tallest Erzgebirge step pyramid at 14.62 metres . Dresden is easily reached by train from Berlin and Prague.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s Christmas markets are diverse and plentiful, from the classic Gendarmenmarkt to the Nordic-inspired Lucia market at Kulturbrauerei . The city is a major rail hub, with connections across Germany and into Poland and the Czech Republic.
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels transforms into a winter wonderland from November 27, 2026, to January 3, 2027, with over 250 wooden chalet stalls spread across the city centre . The Grand-Place hosts a stunning sound and light show every evening. Eurostar connects London to Brussels in under two hours .
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is easily reached by a short train from Brussels, and its Winter Glow festival transforms the city into a fairy-tale destination . The Christmas market runs from November 20, 2026, to January 3, 2027, with wooden chalets, ice-skating rinks, and a magical light experience trail through the cobbled streets .
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is the Capital of Christmas, and its market dates back to 1570. Over 300 wooden chalets fill the main squares, including Place Broglie, Place de la Cathédrale, and Place Kléber . The market runs from November 27 to December 24, 2026. Travel from London takes just over five hours with a change in Paris .
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam’s Christmas markets bring the city’s squares to life during December. The Museumplein market is the most famous, with an accompanying ice rink, while the Funky Xmas Market at Westergas offers local crafts and gifts . Eurostar connects London to Amsterdam in under four hours .
Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp’s Christmas market stretches from the Grote Markt to the Scheldt, with over 70 wooden chalets spread across several locations . The market runs from December 4, 2026, to January 3, 2027. Eurostar’s new direct service from London launches in December, cutting the journey to around two to three hours .
Chur, Switzerland
Chur, Switzerland’s oldest town, brings Christmas into its medieval alleys with decorated cowbells, alpine choirs, and wooden crafts . The Rhaetian Railway runs a special Christmas trip from Chur to Arosa and back on December 11, 2026, with a three-course winter menu served in a festively decorated dining car as the snowy Schanfigg Valley passes by .
Trento, Italy
Trento sits in the Dolomites, and its Christmas market in Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti features vin brulé, cheeses, wooden toys, and traditional presepi . Direct train connections from Verona and Innsbruck make it an easy stop on a wider Italian or Austrian itinerary .
Wrocław, Poland
Wrocław’s market square becomes home to a “Fairy Tale Forest” during December, with gingerbread, Bolesławiec ceramics, and mulled wine served in souvenir boot-shaped mugs . It is one of the most striking squares in Europe and remains less crowded than the famous markets of Germany and Austria.
Planning Your Christmas Rail Trip
Book early. Christmas is peak season, and sleeper trains and popular routes fill up months in advance. If you are travelling over the holiday itself, book as soon as your plans are confirmed.
Consider a rail pass. An Interrail or Eurail pass can make multi-country journeys more affordable, especially if you are visiting several destinations over a week or two .
Check market dates. Many markets close on December 24, while others continue into January. Verify opening times before you commit to a route .
Embrace the journey. The best rail trips build in time to enjoy the scenery, the dining cars, and the slow rhythm of travel. Do not over-schedule. Sometimes the most memorable moments happen between destinations.
Let Traavel Bug design your Christmas rail journey with curated stays, private transfers, and festive experiences tailored to you.
📞 +91 72900 01545
Email: sm@traavelbug.com
Wherever your wanderlust takes you, Traavel Bug is here to craft the journey of a lifetime.