Christmas News 2025 · Winter Edition

Special trains, must-see markets and European routes that ignite the season from Italy, Spain and France… and beyond.

ÖBB Nightjet

Night train · Bavaria

Rome–Munich: wake up in the Bavarian markets

Sleep on the road and wake up in Marienplatz amidst mulled wine, lights and Christmas carols.

• Train: Nightjet NJ 294/295 Rome ⇄ Munich
• Program, schedules and purchase (Nightjet)

Departures: Dec 2025

Renfe AVE

Festive getaways

Madrid and Barcelona in a Christmas spirit

Plaza Mayor and Fira de Santa Llúcia, with fast AVE connections between them.

• Train: Renfe BIRD Madrid ⇄ Barcelona
• Schedules, prices and purchase (Renfe)

Nov–Jan

Treno storico

Special train · Tuscany

Espresso di Natale: direct to the “Città del Natale”

Vintage carriages, festive atmosphere and foot stop at Arezzo's mercatini.

• Train: Christmas Espresso Rome ⇄ Arezzo
• Program/dates and purchase

Dates: Nov–Dec 2025

TGV INOUI

Markets by train

Alsace, Lille and more: France in Christmas mode

Strasbourg, Colmar and Lille by TGV; ideal for adding to your itinerary from Paris.

• Train: SNCF TGV INOUI Paris ⇄ Strasbourg/Colmar/Lille
• Timetables and purchase (SNCF Connect)

Nov–Jan

Trenitalia

Themed trains · Nativity scene

Assisi and Umbria: Mercatini & Presepi edition

Regional and Medium Distance via Foligno. Perfect for a day trip from Rome.

• Train: Trenitalia Regionale/IC Rome ⇄ Assisi
• Find timetables and buy tickets (Trenitalia)

Dec-Jan

Frecciarossa + Regionale

AV + regional routes

Trento, Bolzano and Merano: the route of the mercatini

AV Rome–Verona and regional link to the Adige Valley (Trenitalia).

• Train: Trenitalia Frecciarossa + Regional
• Frecciarossa (info/purchase)
• Regional (hours/purchase)

From 4:20

2025 Selection

Editorial curation

Europe lights up: 4 must-see stops

Four easy train linking ideas for a stylish and stress-free Christmas route.

• Strasbourg — TGV INOUI from Paris · SNCF Connect
• Colmar — TGV to Strasbourg + TER · SNCF
• Prague — Railjet/EC via Vienna · ÖBB
• Montreux — IC/IR from Geneva/Lausanne SBB

Agenda

Useful dates

Mercatini agenda & trains

Typical ranges (2025). Check schedules/prices on the official links.

• Arezzo · Christmas Espresso — Nov–Jan 6 · Program
• Trent — ~21 Nov–6 Jan · How to get there (Trenitalia)
• Bolzano — ~28 Nov–6 Jan · How to get there (Trenitalia)
• Nuremberg — End Nov–Dec 24 · DB
• Madrid/Barcelona — Nov–Jan · Renfe AVE
• Montreux Christmas — End Nov–Dec 24 · SBB
• Rome–Munich (Nightjet) — December departures · Nightjet

Suggested update: early November

DB ICE/IC

Classical Bavaria

Nuremberg: the original Christkindlesmarkt

ICE/IC connections from Munich and other German cities.

• Train: Deutsche Bahn ICE/IC to Nürnberg Hbf
• Schedules and Purchase (DB)

End of Nov – Dec 24

ÖBB Railjet

Winter Waltz

Vienna & Salzburg: Lights and Music

High-frequency Railjet between Vienna and Salzburg; easy to combine.

• Train: ÖBB Railjet
• Opening hours and purchasing (ÖBB)

Nov–Jan

SNCB

Canals and chocolate

Witches: A Nordic Tale Between Canals

IC from Brussels to Bruges every few minutes (SNCB).

• Train: SNCB IC Brussels ⇄ Bruges
• Schedules and purchasing (SNCB)

Nov–Jan

SBB

Lake & Alps

Montreux Noël: magic by the lake

IR/IC from Geneva/Lausanne to Montreux. Views of Lake Geneva and the Alps.

• Train: SBB IC/IR Geneva/Lausanne ⇄ Montreux
• Schedules and Purchase (SBB)