We are planning a trip to visit Christmas Markets in Germany in Dec 2025. We have a rough itinerary of places we'd like to go, possible places to stay. I've been pouring over Rick Steves' materials for years! We're looking at 3-4 cities, about a 10 day trip, and we'd like to move from one to the next using the trains (all our destinations for this first trip are along the train lines.) We're considering flying into one airport and out of another to minimize backtracking. We'll be staying in each place at least overnight, possibly 2 nights, to not only enjoy the Christmas market but hopefully see a little of the city itself. As this is my first European trip, I'd like to work with a travel agent located in Germany who can handle the basics for us; help us finalize the itinerary, book our hotels, purchase travel insurance, and advise on best train reservations/planning. I think we can handle most everything else but I'd like someone there to call if something really goes wrong. I was going to use the vacation planning specialists that Rick Steves offers but for a while now, it has said that service is not currently available and to check back in 2025. I understand that for Christmas market travel, especially if you want prime hotel locations close to the town/train stations, you really need to be booking about a year out. Does anyone have any recommendations for travel services in Germany? We'd be mostly in Bavaria for this first trip, although, if a good travel agent has a tour or trip itinerary offered over there, we're open and flexible right now. Thank you!
Posted by
Chicago
647 posts
You could start with the Tourist Board/Tourist Office. I'm sure they can assist
with some level of information and perhaps steer you towards agents.
Perhaps some of the guides that are listed in the Rick Steves books may also
be able to advise, or serve as agents.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5620 posts
Perhaps my Xmas markets Trip Report will have some helpful info.
You really don't need a travel agent, it's so easy to get around. And if there's a major problem, like bad weather or train strike, don't think a travel agent will be able to fix that.
If you book hotels now you should be ok. I booked our trip the previous June, and yes, some hotels were already booked full for the weekends.
Mrs. Jo is the expert here on the Forum, she lives in Germany, so Search for her posts.
You will have a magical trip!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14746 posts
I'm not sure which markets you are considering but you might also consider doing the Rick Steves Munich, Salzburg and Vienna tour. The last 3 of 2025 are focused on Christmas Markets.
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/austria/munich-salzburg-vienna-tour
With a 10 day trip, remember that your first 2 days will be travel days (leave the US in the afternoon/evening, arrive Europe the next day) and of course your last day will be a travel day. IF you opt to do the RS tour, do plan to arrive the day before the our starts. This time of year there can be travel delays due to weather both at home and your destination airport.
Posted by
Michigan
458 posts
I'm not sure you need a travel agent in Germany - is there a reason you want this? Any travel agent in your city or area could help you plan this out, make your reservations, and you would be able to call them if needed. One of our first trips abroad with kids, we used a local travel agent to arrange airfare and hotels, and it was useful to be able to contact her when one of our hotels switched us to a different hotel (she helped us get some money back). Not something we need anymore, especially in Europe - as others have said, it's pretty easy. But I can understand why you might want to use one the first time around - I just don't think you need one actually in Germany.
Posted by
Salt Lake City
1528 posts
We have done 5 Christmas Market Trips. We have not had trouble booking hotels 6 months in advance. (Booking.com or HRS.com). Booking is not as heavy in December as during trade markets. Even when we had last minutes changes, it was manageable. The booking sites have maps. Look up the Christmas Market location and see how close a hotel is. Google Maps or Apple Maps work as well.
Dbahn has a pretty user friendly website for trains. (https://int.bahn.de/en/offers).
I use the info here plus the websites above to work out trial itineraries. We usually travel Frankfurt to Munich, or Stuttgart to Munich. It would be easy enough to do a circular route from Munich or Frankfurt.
Next year we are thinking of starting and ending in Hanover. I am not the brightest guy in the world and we manage.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1488 posts
https://www.rtttravel.com/ They speak English.