Danube Express · 12 days · 11 nights
Balkan Explorer: Venice to Istanbul
Venice · Trieste · Postojna · Pula · Rijeka · Sarajevo · Mostar · Belgrade · Sofia · Plovdiv · Istanbul
Danube Express · 8 days, 7 nights
Christmas Markets of Central Europe: Budapest to Munich
Eight festive days from Budapest to Munich, with the Christmas markets of Vienna and Salzburg and a private Silent Night performance.
- BudapestDay 1
- ViennaDay 3
- SalzburgDay 5
- HellbrunnDay 6
- OberndorfDay 6
- MunichDay 6
Train stopExcursion by road
Duration8 days
Nights7
RouteBudapest → Munich
Places visited6
From, per personUS$10,338
Overview
Two nights in Budapest open this Advent journey. The train then visits Vienna for an after-hours tour of Schönbrunn Palace and a private concert, crosses to Salzburg for its famous Christkindlmarkt and the Silent Night Chapel at Oberndorf, and ends with two nights in Munich.
- A drinks reception in Budapest's Royal Waiting Room with a brass band send-off
- An after-hours private tour of Schönbrunn Palace
- A private classical concert at Palais Daun-Kinsky in Vienna
- Fortress Hohensalzburg and Salzburg's Christkindlmarkt
- A private Turmblasen brass performance from Salzburg Cathedral's towers
- A private Silent Night performance at the Stille Nacht Chapel
- A brewery tour with a Bavarian dinner in Munich
- Munich's Christmas market on Marienplatz
Day by day
Day 1Arrive in BudapestBudapest
You are met and taken to the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace (or similar) for two nights. A welcome reception dinner introduces you to your fellow travellers.
Day 2BudapestBudapest
A panoramic tour covers the Castle District, St Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion, passing the Parliament, Opera House, St Stephen's and Heroes' Square. The rest of the day is free for the Christmas markets, the Great Market Hall or a thermal bath.
Day 3Budapest → ViennaOn board the Danube Express
After a drinks reception in the Royal Waiting Room at Nyugati station, a brass band plays as the train departs. Lunch is served on the way to Vienna, where an exclusive after-hours guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace awaits, followed by dinner on board.
Day 4ViennaOn board the Danube Express
A private concert by the Vienna Residence Orchestra at Palais Daun-Kinsky starts the day, followed by a panoramic city tour with the option of the Museum of Fine Arts. Alternatively, visit the Christmas market at Maria-Theresien-Platz or the Hofburg, before dinner on the train.
Day 5SalzburgOn board the Danube Express
A tour starts at Mirabell Palace, then continues to Fortress Hohensalzburg above the city. After free time at the Christkindlmarkt and lunch in a local restaurant, you visit the Residenzgalerie, then the cathedral organ gallery for a private Turmblasen brass performance from the towers.
Day 6Salzburg → MunichMunich
A coach tour reaches Hellbrunn Palace and its Christmas market and the famous gazebo, then Oberndorf for a private performance of Silent Night in the Stille Nacht Chapel. Lunch on board carries you into Bavaria, and in the evening you tour a historic Munich brewery with a tasting and traditional dinner.
Day 7MunichMunich
Visit Motorworld Munich, a showcase of classic and luxury cars, before lunch and time at Munich's Christmas markets, including Marienplatz. The evening ends with a farewell dinner.
Day 8Depart Munich
After breakfast at the hotel you are transferred to the airport.
Where you spend each night
- Night 1Budapest
- Night 2Budapest
- Night 3On board the Danube Express
- Night 4On board the Danube Express
- Night 5On board the Danube Express
- Night 6Munich
- Night 7Munich
The map is schematic. Dashed lines are excursions by road.
Most spacious
Superior Deluxe Class
12 cabins per departure · 8.6 m²
- King-size bed made up each evening
- Full-length sofa and two chairs for daytime
- Two large picture windows, one that opens
- En-suite shower room with WC (1.9 m²)
- Double wardrobe, safe, Wi-Fi and USB ports
Classic
Deluxe Class
5 cabins per carriage · 7.74 m²
- Two lower beds made up during dinner
- Two armchairs and a free-standing chair
- Large picture window that opens partially
- En-suite shower, washbasin and WC, heated towel rail
- Toiletries, dressing gown and hairdryer provided
Every cabin has its own private shower room, individually controlled air-conditioning and a dedicated cabin attendant.
- Five-star hotel nights in Budapest and Munich
- Private en-suite cabin on the Danube Express
- Cabin attendant service with evening turndown
- An experienced tour management team throughout
- A UK-registered doctor and medical facilities on board
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All gratuities, on and off the train
- Luggage porterage throughout the journey
- Freshly prepared meals on board plus dining in local restaurants
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included
- Expertly guided off-train excursions as described in the itinerary
- Deposit
- 30% of the total at booking
- Final payment
- 125 days before departure
Dates and prices
Live availability. Choose a cabin type, then select Book Now to reserve online, or Join waitlist on sold-out dates.
Deluxe Class
December 3, 2026
US$ 11,237.00
US$ 10,338.04 pp dbl
December 3, 2027
US$ 12,713.00
US$ 11,695.96 pp dbl
December 3, 2026
US$ 16,913.00
US$ 15,559.96 pp sgl
December 3, 2027
US$ 19,069.00
US$ 17,543.48 pp sgl
Superior Deluxe Class
December 3, 2026
US$ 14,529.00
US$ 13,366.68 pp dbl
December 3, 2027
US$ 16,459.00
US$ 15,142.28 pp dbl
December 3, 2026
US$ 23,723.00
US$ 21,825.16 pp sgl
December 3, 2027
US$ 26,788.00
US$ 24,644.96 pp sgl
Join the waitlist
This departure is currently sold out. Leave your details and we will contact you the moment a cabin becomes available.
Questions about this journey
Which Christmas markets are visited?
The journey includes time at the Christmas markets of Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg and Munich. In Salzburg you visit the Christkindlmarkt on Domplatz and Residenzplatz, plus the smaller markets at Hellbrunn Palace and Oberndorf.
What is special about the Silent Night visit?
In Oberndorf you visit the Stille Nacht Chapel, built where the carol was first performed, and hear a live performance of Silent Night just for the group. The nearby museum and its small Christmas market are also included.
How many nights are on the train?
Three nights are on board, between Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg. The journey begins with two hotel nights in Budapest and ends with two in Munich.
Is there anything for Sound of Music fans?
Yes. Mirabell Palace and the gazebo at Hellbrunn, both used in the film, are part of the Salzburg touring.
Are drinks included?
Yes, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included, along with meals on board and in local restaurants. The Munich brewery visit also includes a tasting.
What does it cost and when does it run?
This is an Advent departure. Live dates and fares are shown on this page, and our reservations team can help on (866) 484-7882.
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