Christmas markets via Frankfurt: Colmar, Gengenbach, Cologne

Any way you can go from Strasbourg to the Stuttgart markets and the incredible Esslingen market (right outside Stuttgart)? There's just so many magic experiences awaiting you! Our 2019 Trip Report is below. Perhaps you'll find something helpful. Safe travels!

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

Hoping they are not already booked in Dec. but try Motel One in Frankfurt, near the Römer. If they are booked, try Hotel am Dom or the Mirimar Hotel. All are near the Christmas market in Frankfurt and easy access to the main station by way of trams or underground trains.

Pat, Esslingen looks wonderful, thank you for the recommendation. Maybe we’ll stop there instead of Gengenbach. Loved your trip report. I wish we had more time!

We have been to many of the Christmas markets over the years, traveling by train each time. For a short trip, it appears you have planned to visit several markets for a quick stop each time. We find that train travel is very efficient and generally drops you in the middle of town where the markets are located. Ribeauville usually has the medieval market on a couple of weekends in Dec. so be sure it matches up with your plan. Esslingen is a wonderful market and so close to Stuttgart. We were there last Dec.and meeting up with a German couple for the weekend. We went into Stuttgart for a tour of the Mercedes museum. I highly recommend you try to include that if you have not already been. Perhaps you might consider focusing on fewer towns with markets so you could also include a bit of sightseeing each place. We have visited the Frankfurt market and frankly, we did not think it was one of the better markets. Have not been to Gengenbach but we enjoyed the Cologne markets very much. You could easily do a short train ride in the day to visit Aachen for the wonderful cathedral and treasury plus the market. Have you looked up the schedules for trains on the DB site? It appears you are spending a lot of time just traveling by train. I would recommend you check the RS guidebooks for recommended lodging. We have been very happy that most of the recommendations are central in the towns. Also, check to find lodging close to both train station and markets because you will be lugging your bags quite a bit. Have a wonderful time! I have also used Booking.com to find hotels because it will show the distance of the hotel from the city center, which is the usual location of the market. Be prepared for cold weather! Drink lots of gluhwein for me!

Forgot to add that the Hamburger Hot hotel is just across the street from the train station in Frankfurt. We have stayed there a few times since we can walk across the street back to the main train station and zip to the airport for flights home in the morning. Very clean and convenient to a few restaurants. Very affordable!

I’m staying at the Hamburger Hof Hotel in Frankfurt in December for the convenience. We stayed there last year and it was fine.

Just from reading your post, I booked my RT direct flights to Frankfurt for the Christmas markets. I will be there 7 days to soak up the ambiance. Now on to booking hotels and creating my itinerary.

Anyone have good intel on when the Christmas markets actually open this year as Advent is later, December 1, a friend told me.

Judy B, it depends on the market, but from what I’m reading, most open by Nov. 27. Some of the smaller ones in Alsace are only open on the weekends.

https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Festivals-Events/frankfurt-christmas-market

https://www.christmasmarketsgermany.com/cologne.php