Germany Christmas Market itinerary

Strasburg and Colmar are a 30 minute train ride apart. I'd suggest spending all those nights in Strasburg.
And two nights in Stuttgart, where they decorate the roofs of the huts in elaborate fashion. Esslingen is really special with the thematic dress area, live entertainment stage, and the kids' Middle Ages games- and don't forget about the hot tubs!
Stuttgart also has the car museums.
Have a magical trip!

I personally would go straight to Salzburg after landing in Munich. It's an easy train ride, and you start at your furthest point.

Stuttgart is worth 2 nights so that you can see both the Stuttgart and Esslingen markets at night.

Public transportation including the U-bahn is great in Munich. The markets are fairly spread out in Munich, so I think staying outside the city center is an okay thing to do.

I agree with Dave- Salzburg is magical, and actually should be experienced by waking up there! Spend two nights, maybe?

Thank you Pat, you may be right.. I may just do 2 nights in Strausbourg and day trip to Colmar from there.. I still have one night in Mulhouse - so that'll be 3 nights in that region..

With extra night, I may just add 1 night to Stuttgart as Dave suggested..or do you think, I should add 3 nights total to Munich?? (can't decide between 2 or 3 nights at Munich)

Hi, Dave, I looked into go straight to Salzburg from the airport upon arrival, but the logistics had to be perfect and cross fingers my flight will arrive on time for my train etc.. .. and that leaves another layer of uncertainty... I can buy the flexible train tickets, I guess ... still something to think about..

We just bought our Salzburg train tickets once we were in country. I'm still trying to convince you to sleep in Salzburg (wink emoji).
Oh, you should decide quickly and book lodging, as many options are probably already full, especially on the weekends. I found some hotels were fully booked in June.
Again, have a wonderful time.

As noted the Ubahn in Munich is quite easy to use. I suggest you look for a hotel, or even better, a pension, north of the Altstadt, but close to the museums and university, and a couple blocks from a Ubahn stop. That would get you into the city center in 10-15 minutes, at most.

In Salzburg, if you decide to stay, either look north of the river or south of the fortress to save money. I love Boutique Hotel am Dom, the location is perfect, but it's not inexpensive.

You flat out will not have time to do Regensburg, Rothenberg, and Bamberg if you only spend 3 nights in Nuremberg. Nuremberg alone can easily take 2-3 days for a short visit. Regensburg and Bamberg deserve more than a day, and that's not including the fact you'd spend the equivalent of a whole day just in travel between them.

And if you plan to visit the Porsche or MBZ museums in Stuttgart you can easily do one in a day, but not both, and you'll miss some of the other good things the city has to offer.

I wouldn't stay in Colmar if you're also going to Mulhouse. I'm not even sure I'd stay there since you're also going to Basel. Split your nights between Strasbourg and Basel, and day trip the others.

When are you arriving in Munich? Unless you are arriving super late, I would suggest just taking regional trains to get to Salzburg from Munich airport. You can buy your ticket on arrival -- consider a Bayern ticket.

As for adding the day to Munich or Stuttgart, I personally would add to Stuttgart, but Munich doesn't really "speak to me" the way it does to a lot of other people. Some of it depends on what you plan to do away from the markets, too. And, of course, what you are looking for in a Christmas market. If you're look for a break from traditional Christmas markets and/or looking for a young person market/experience like the Tollwood Winter Festival, Munich is the place for that, too.

I like the layout just a few changes that I would suggest. We’re Christmas Market junkies. Been to 6 years of markets many a few times. Vienna Budapest Salzburg and Dresden all time favorites.

Day 1 - 3. Munich. 2 nights
Day 3–5 Salzburg. 2 nights
Day 5- 7 Nuremberg. 2 night. Do Regensburg and that’s it.
Day 7 - 8 Stuttgart 1 night
Day 8 - 10. Strasbourg 2 nights
Day 10-11 Colmar. 1 night
Da 11-12 Mulhouse 1 night
Day 12-13 Basal

Don’t start with Day 0. It makes you a day short. Missing Bamberg or Rothenburg is no disaster you have some outstanding cities to see. Good luck. What day do you need a motel In Munich?

Here a suggestion about Strasbourg. We’re going to the market this year and I have reservations in Offenbach Germany. Taking the train to Strasbourg each day. Only 32 minutes. Staying at the B & B hotel a few minute walk from the train station. Price 110 per. There is the standard 3 star and the upgraded 4 star. This is the upgraded.