Christmas Markets 2024 itinerary

For Salzburg, keep the car another day or so and go to the markets at the Wolfgangsee. You won't regret it.

I assume you are comfortable driving in snow and ice. If not, I would consider taking the train.

Did you check the fees if you cross the border with a rental car? Personally, I feel most of the trip can be done by train. Do you really want to drive on icy roads ( review 2023 December storms), park far away from the markets, pay for gas, parking, etc? The trains generally come right into the center of the various towns.

I love Rothenburg, but the markets are very small there, so I'd take away a day.
Perhaps add a night in Regensburg, the markets there get wonderful reviews.
Too much time in Fussen, actually I find the area extremely touristy, a lot of walking, and just not worth it.
Add a day to charming Salzburg, and decrease a day in Munich. From what I've read, there are more charming markets than Munich.
Mrs. Jo is a German resident and the Xmas market expert here, hopefully she will add her thoughts.
I'll attach my 2019 Trip Report here. Altho my trip was different than yours, I'd highly recommend considering Strasbourg/ Colmar and the Stuttgart/ Esslingen markets, for some real magic.
Safe travels!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/christmas-markets-switzerland-france-germany-2019

I love the European Christmas Markets and I go almost every year.
You have to plan for winter weather. I would never drive myself, the train is a better option. Your itinerary especially in the alps would be fine in summer or fall, but won’t make it in December. I was in Munich this December and there were no nice days to go on the Zugspitz, hike to Mary’s Bridge, or any cable cars. You might get snow, but you will get rain in Europe in December. This year there was so much snow they closed the Munich airport in early December. Also the days are short and you can enjoy the Christmas Market’s lights starting about 4 pm.

Ooh! Following this thread closely. I have a credit with an airline that I need to use before the end of the year. For those of you who have been to the Christmas markets, is is just about buying? Or is it as much about atmosphere and culture?

I lived near RodT for 4 years. I've spent much time in all the places you mention. I've also just returned from two weeks traveling between Nuremberg and Konstanz.

Here's my $0.02 worth.

Stay in Nuremberg and day trip RodT, not vice versa. Nuremberg is bigger, better, and much easier to find an accomodation in, plus easier to get around. Driving from there to RodT in the winter can be a challenge, the roads are not what people in the States are used to, being much narrower and much faster.

Stay in Garmisch, or Mittenwald, not Fussen. Again, the roads are not that good and Fussen is not central to most of what you're planning to see. Garmisch and Innsbruck are the best markets in that corner of Bavaria. Expect much snow and ice.

Drop the car in Garmisch, and take the train to Salzburg. Berchtesgaden is closed in the winter, it's not worth even trying to get there unless you plan to ski. You can easily take the train back to Munich from there, and it's much less expensive and safer.

The walk on the Rothenburg’s town wall is an uneven surface and I found it a little difficult last time I did it. Just a warning to be careful, especially if there has been any snow.

Thanks to all for the helpful comments. Much appreciated. Looking forward to my trip. I am considering some adjustments to the itinerary based on the feedback.

I would certainly not rent a car and drive a few hours after a trans-atlantic flight. Take a train to Würzburg perhaps from the airport and then consider what you want to do then. Not sure I would want 3 nights in Rothenburg, maybe choose another city and only spend 1 night there?

My friend and I did the Christmas markets last year in December and did not rent a car. The trains are easy, you don’t have to worry about road conditions, parking or staying somewhere that provides parking. Renting a car in Germany and returning it in Austria will come with a high price tag for dropping it in another country. For Germany you could each buy a Deutschland ticket for €49 per month. It doesn’t work for the fast trains, but covers all regional and local trains and other transportation. I believe it is valid to get you to Salzburg as well. You don’t have to buy or reserve anything, just hop on the train, bus, S Bahn, etc. The ticket was on an app on our phones and it was so easy to get around. It was also easy to cancel. We only needed it for the month of December. It was far less expensive than renting a car as well.

I used the MVV-App to purchase my D-ticket.