December in Hungary, Austria and Germany

I pack carryon only regardless of how long a trip is. We are headed to the Christmas Markets in December as well, for 2 full weeks. I do take 2 pair of shoes, but tend to wear my same boots every day until the last day or so. I take water resistant down jacket that is about mid thigh, but also bring a true waterproof rain jacket. Then I am set regarding of weather. I stick to thinner shirts and add a scarf if needed. I tend to wear fleece lined leggings but also bring one pair of skinny jeans. This is what I do for most of our trips to Europe and it’s easy to pack and I don’t end up taking things I don’t use. I can wear most of the clothes more than once, do I don’t need to do laundry for these types of trips.

Since we probably live in similar climates, I'll pass this along. I underestimated what I'd want to wear in January in those countries. When I saw 35-45F, balmy!!! However, keep in mind, that if you are site seeing and going to markets, you will likely be outside all day long. Plus, if you like to dip into to beautiful churches, you won't warm up there. Churches aren't that warm and are damp. In general, public transportation wasn't warm, either. No big deal, I just wore all the layers I had, most days. So that would be a lightweight coat (rated about 50 degrees, raincoat, thin fleece pullover, long sleeve shirt and leggings under my pants. Plus, a hat, wool socks, and gloves. I liked having thin gloves, and warmer mittens. One thing I wasn't prepared for is wet feet. When it snowed, it was usually slushy, wet stuff. So be sure to have waterproof footwear.

It seems to me that it is windier than heck in Vienna, at least in the winter. I had a neck gator which I was grateful for.

As usual, even with winter and bringing boots, we packed carry on, only. It was challenging to pull a suitcase thru fresh snow, so if you are one that can use a backpack suitcase, that might be helpful. I've traveled to that area twice, for a month in January.

As opposed to traveling in warmer weather, our clothes didn't need to be washed (except for socks and underwear which we sink washed). What we typically needed was a means to dry our clothes. Most of our accommodation bathrooms had a heater/towel warmer so we were usually drying clothes and shoes in the bathroom.

If I can do carry on, then I do. If I can't, then I don't. Depends on the time of year and the airline. Winter on Turkish Air, yes; Lufthansa, No. Has to do with size and weight limits. But luggage doesn't get to define my holiday.

My only real difference in winter travel is shirts are long sleeve, a set of long-johns, scarf, watch cap and down jacket (not coat). The scarf and cap go in the jacket pockets which I wear on the plane. No gloves. They just get in the way of everything I want to do. My jacket has warm pockets.

The temps at the southern end of your trip are not so terribly cold and for some reason when you are out in the square with the locals and holiday celebrators, it seems even warmer. Driest months are January, March, April, July, December and February. It only snows a few days each winter. Ocassionally before Christmas, but not often. When it does snow it rarely stays on the ground more than 2 days.

I wouldn't over pack for it. If it gets colder than the norm you have an excuse to buy a souvenir sweatshirt.

Maybe the ship has a laundry?

EDIT: I live here, and dress like i described, and it doesnt seem as cold as the averages: https://weatherspark.com/d/84771/12/15/Average-Weather-on-December-15-in-Budapest-Hungary#Figures-Temperature

In DEC around Nuremberg, you should be prepared for temps in the 20's, and wet. Vienna shouldn't be that much different, though my experience is based of visits in March/April. You want boots, not shoes, and waterproof. Preferably insulated.

From your hotel in Nuremberg to the airport take the Ubahn. Route U2. 15 minutes.

I hate doing laundry when on vacation. Get a hotel with the service.

Be advised, hotels in Nuremberg (and most other major towns in Bavaria and Austria) are already selling out for nights starting 1 DEC.

On my first Christmas Market trip in Vienna I was so cold even with the hats, gloves and scarf I brought from CA. I went into a hat store near the Freyung Christmas Market and bought a knit hat there. It was so much warmer with a wool lining around the ears. The next day, everyone I was traveling with went into the store and bought a new hat! What a great souvenir!
You will definitely need more than one pair of shoes. Maybe a pair of shoes and a pair of boots. They will get wet. Be sure to have wool blend socks too.
All river cruise ships I have been on have a laundry service. Very easy.
At Christmas I always have a medium size suitcase that I check on the plane. That way I have some room for the wonderful decorations I see in the markets. I take a taxi to the train station and wheel my luggage through the station. I use elevators or escalators with it. Be prepared for a big lift and step onto the train. If you buy first class train tickets there is more room for stashing your luggage near you.

how do you pack boots? and what style of boot? I have cold weather/hiking boots that have GREAT traction but are a big large and clunky with the complicated boot lacing you get with hiking boots.

Or i have more dressy type boots that zip on the sides. (actually warmer then the hiking boots)

Any suggestions for reasonably priced boots and Jackets would be appreciated. As i need to buy a jacket/coat and i could use knew boots as my Dressy type boots are getting old as is my winter jacket.

I will need gloves because a of an issue with my hands and cold weather. but i am used to that.

As for long underwear, i used to have a nice pair or two as i skied a lot until my hip could no longer handle it. So i may have those still. if not any suggestions?

What about a small pocket flashlight? It will be winter so gets dark much sooner. And while smart phone have built in lights it still may be better to have a flashlight?

I am not sure how the rain coat bit would work in the winter. Do you have one big enough to go over your winter jacket or do you have one that is winter weight? If the latter where do you get those?

Well thanks for the help so far.

Douglas, guess I pack for the optimistic average. Then if things turn worse, I get the experience of shopping in another country. No way I am packing boots; maybe a light rain shell, only maybe.