It’s beginning to feel a lot like the holidays and soon the beautifully festive Christmas markets of Europe will be open. But why visit one market when you can experience more on a multi-country train tour? Buy those fabulous gifts, and enjoy the mulled wine and hot chocolate along the way before getting back onboard for the next market.

Visit the Christmas markets of Europe by train

Flying from country to country in Europe to visit all the gorgeous Christmas markets is expensive and also heavy on carbon emissions. Thankfully, travelers can now reach numerous festive markets by train, thanks to the green travel company, Byway.

Based in the UK, Byway has built an impressive record, taking happy travelers along to cities like Cologne, Bruges, Strasbourg and more. Now, they are taking their offerings to new heights by offering three new itineraries to visit the holiday markets in several countries without having to fly.

Meanwhile, all US travelers have to do to enjoy the experience is fly to London, England. From there, travelers head through the channel tunnel on the Eurostar to Paris. From there, tourists will catch the sleeper train to Zurich in Switzerland to experience the iconic markets of the city.

Festive markets in Prague, Czech Republic

Then, it’s back on board to head to the beautiful capital city of the Czech Republic, Prague, with its many gorgeous Christmas markets. While there, visit the larger markets in Old Town Square, Prague Castle and Wenceslas Square. Each offers traditional arts and crafts, decorations and wooden toys to choose from.

For a smaller market, likely with less crowds, visit the Namesti Republiky (Republic Square) market to pick up some gifts and decorations.

Christmas markets in Germany

From there, Byway has put together a circular trip that takes travelers back through Germany. While there, they can explore the cities of Berlin and Cologne and their beautifully festive markets.

Cologne is a particularly famous destination when it comes to Christmas markets. Visitors can explore the Harbor Christmas market with its maritime theme, and the Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom under the grand cathedral. Make sure to also visit the Market of Angels in Neumarkt.

Byway’s train tour takes six days in total, and the company recommends visiting between December 2 and 26.

5-day Christmas market train tour

For travelers with less time to spare, the company offers a five-day train tour, starting in London, and hopping on the Eurostar to Brussels. Once there visit the Winter Wonders, dubbed Plaisirs d’Hiver or Winterpret. This truly festive market offers 200 chalets groaning with beautiful gifts and food treats. Moreover, visitors can enjoy fabulous sound and light shows at the Grand Place as well as an ice-skating rink and a life-size manger to visit.

Head off to Berlin, to enjoy the street markets, where besides the normal stalls, delicious currywurst is on offer. Alternatively, visit the many excellent restaurants in Germany’s capital. The next stop is Amsterdam in the Netherlands with its fabulous ICE village in the Museumplein. Byway recommends going on this tour between December 13 and 26.

12-day festive Christmas market tour

Meanwhile, on a 12-day train tour, the cost includes a two-night stay in Budapest, Hungary. This city has received the vote for the best Christmas market in Europe three times. Meanwhile, this tour takes you to cities like Prague, Cologne, Munich, Krakow and Brussels.

Moreover, there is a sleeper leg between Munich and Budapest, along with many lovely hotels to choose from in the cities. For this one, Byway suggests taking the festive train tour between December 2 and 23 December.

Visit Byway’s website here to find out more about their magical Christmas market train tours.