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How about experiencing the magic of Christmas abroad this year? From Vienna to Copenhagen, via Berlin: after the French Christmas markets, overview Europe's Most Beautiful Christmas Markets Accessible by Train !
Which Christmas markets in Europe are worth visiting beyond the Eurostar network? Vienna, Zurich, Zagreb, Stuttgart, Budapest, Berlin, and Copenhagen are accessible without flying, via TGV Lyria, DB/ICE, ÖBB, or European Sleeper, depending on the destination!
Is a night train really necessary for these cities? No: Zurich and Stuttgart are connected by daytime TGV/ICE trains, with no overnight travel required. Vienna, Zagreb, Budapest, and Copenhagen, however, are farther away and require a connection—sometimes overnight.
And for the closest destinations, accessible via a single direct Eurostar train (Lille, Brussels, Cologne, Aachen...), head to our dedicated guide.
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The most beautiful Christmas markets accessible by Eurostar train from Paris
Please note that the direct Paris-Vienna overnight train was discontinued on December 14, 2025, after the French government ended its subsidy. There are currently no direct connections; it’s best to travel via Stuttgart, Zurich, or Frankfurt, for a total trip time of at least 10 hours, including transfers.
From mid-November through Christmas, the Christmas markets transform Vienna into a true winter fairy tale. The most famous of these, the Wiener Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz, is known for its local crafts, the scent of mulled wine and roasted almonds wafting through the air, its gigantic illuminated Christmas tree, its ice rink, ice shows, sumptuous decorations, and Austrian culinary specialties. More info here (official website).
Dates: from the November 13 through December 26, 2026 for the Rathausplatz market.
Hours of operation: Every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (until 6:30 p.m. on December 24).
Since there is no direct overnight train, plan on a connection via Stuttgart, Zurich, or Frankfurt (minimum travel time of 10 hours).
Zurich Central Station is home to Europe's largest indoor Christmas market, featuring a 10-meter-tall Christmas tree decorated with Swarovski crystals and 120 stalls! More info here (official website).
© christkindlimarkt.ch
Dates: from the November 19 through the end of December 2026 approximately (the closing date is still uncertain, depending on the source: December 23 or 24).
Zurich is actually one of the easiest destinations on this list: the TGV Lyria runs directly from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zurich during the day, taking 4 hours and 4 minutes, with six round-trips daily.
This Christmas market has been voted the best Christmas market in Europe several times! Every year, Zrinjevac Park is transformed into a festive Christmas village with food stalls, concerts, magnificent lights, and its must-see ice rink on King Tomislav Square. More info here.
Dates: from the November 28, 2026, through January 7, 2027.
Includes a connection in Munich: a daytime TGV/ICE from Paris to Munich (5 hours and 40 minutes), followed by an authentic overnight train from Munich to Zagreb (Nightjet). Total travel time: approximately 16 hours.
With more than 300 beautifully decorated chalets, the Stuttgart Christmas market is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. Every year, it draws crowds with its daily Christmas concert from the balcony of City Hall, its local specialties (such as Schupfnudeln), and its ice rink. More info here.
Dates: from the November 25 through December 23, 2026.
Hours of operation: from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Stuttgart, along with Zurich, is the fastest destination in this selection: a direct TGV/ICE train from Paris Gare de l'Est during the day takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes to 3 hours and 22 minutes (just as fast as some Eurostar destinations!).
Budapest’s oldest and most popular Christmas market, the Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market is renowned for its handmade and locally produced goods. It’s the perfect place to enjoy spiced mulled wine, small Hungarian cinnamon cookies, or apple-and-date pastries, all while admiring the light displays on the building facades. More information here (Budapest Tourist Office).
Dates for 2026 to be announced. The 2025 event took place from November 14 to December 31.
No direct trains: take a train via Munich (daytime train) or via Zurich, with a Nightjet overnight train for the final leg of the journey. Allow 13 to 16 hours for the total trip, including one transfer.
Berlin has more than 60 Christmas markets! But the one at Gendarmenmarkt is especially popular for its elegant atmosphere. There, you'll find handmade crafts and daily performances set against a magnificent architectural backdrop. More info here (official website).
Dates: from the November 23 through December 31, 2026.
Hours of operation: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on December 24, 12:00 p.m. to midnight on December 31).
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Berlin with a Twist: Our Top Local Picks and Eco-Friendly Experiences
There is a real overnight train running from Paris to Berlin, but not under the same conditions as before: since March 26, 2026, European Sleeper has been operating the Paris–Brussels–Berlin route three times a week (and no longer via Strasbourg, as the former Nightjet did). Our article about this overnight train provides details on schedules and fares.
Every winter, Prague sets up its largest Christmas market on Old Town Square, between the Astronomical Clock and the Gothic spires of the Church of Our Lady before Týn. Highlights include a massive Christmas tree—sourced from a different region of the country each year—wooden chalets, mulled wine (svařák), and trdelník, those sweet, rolled pastries. For a more local vibe, head to Peace Square (náměstí Míru) in the Vinohrady neighborhood. More information here (Czech Tourist Office).
The Christmas market in front of the Church of Our Lady of Victory in Prague
Dates: from the November 28, 2026, through January 6, 2027 in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. The neighborhood markets (Peace Square, Republic Square) open earlier, as early as November 20 or 25, but close on December 24.
There is no direct train from Paris, but there are two options that allow you to travel part of the way overnight:
Every year in Copenhagen, As Christmas approaches, the Tivoli Gardens take on a fairy-tale atmosphere with their light displays, stalls selling Danish specialties, and fireworks. The one activity you can't miss if you go there: ice skating on the frozen lake! More info here (official website).
Dates: from the November 13, 2026, through January 3, 2027, closed on December 24.
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Copenhagen: Our Complete Guide to Exploring the Danish Capital by Train
There are no direct trains, but starting July 13, 2026, a dedicated overnight segment will make the trip easier: take the European Sleeper to Hamburg, then a daytime train to Copenhagen. Expect a total travel time of 13 to 17 hours, depending on the route.
🎟️ Want to travel by night train for less?
With the HOURRAIL Club!, you'll enjoy exclusive discounts negotiated with our travel partners, including European Sleeper : the overnight train that takes you to Berlin, Prague, or Copenhagen via Hamburg.
Join the HOURRAIL Club!
Why settle for just one Christmas market when you can explore seven in a single week? If you want to extend the magic of Christmas for a week that’s 100% enchanting, we’ve put together a turnkey itinerary Discover Europe's most beautiful Christmas markets in 7 days without spending a single euro on a hotel!
Of course, if you can, we still recommend staying at least 2 or 3 days in each city so you'll really have time to explore them.
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
