Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Austria
Ready to celebrate New Year's cruising the Danube? This Austrian festive journey brings Vienna's glittering Christmas markets, Budapest's thermal baths, and classical concerts in historic venues. You'll discover Spittelberg's handcrafted gifts, explore Innsbruck's alpine setting, take carriage rides through snowy landscapes, enjoy Seefeld's charm, and ring in the new year with champagne while floating through Central Europe's winter wonderland.
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This trip was great! We met in Munich - 3 Aussies, 2 Americans and Tajna, our tour leader. An orientation walk and a dinner at a beer hall got us started. Tajna is confident, reliable, approachable, understanding and flexible. All of which were excellent qualities for this trip. She took us to multiple Christmas markets and offered suggestions for even more. After Munich came Saltzburg where we also got a Sound of Music tour and a trip through a salt mine in addition to amazing Christmas markets. Then on to Vienna - my favorite place in the trip. Great markets, wonderful food and drink, beautiful city. We ended in Budapest where the rain drove me into the thermal baths for the day. Not a bad way to suffer on a cold rainy day
Europe Christmas Markets: Munich to BudapestThe tour was amazing and made even better by a very knowledgeable CEO. One point that would make the experience better is to have some communication to each traveller before the trip introducing the CEO and meeting time for the kickoff meeting as it is hard to plan your day when you don't find out the details until you get to the hotel
Christmas in Central Europe, Berlin to ViennaTour instructor was really nice and we got to visit some picturesque places
Prague, Munich and Austria
10 best Christmas & New Year Austria tour packages
Compiled by
NinaAustria travel expert at TourRadar
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- Christmas Cruise on the Danube (Passau - Passau)
Europe Christmas Markets: Munich to Budapest
“Great markets, wonderful food and drink, beautiful city. We ended in Budapest where the rain drove me into the thermal baths for the day.”
Marilyn, traveled in December
Austrian holiday magic comes alive with Cathedral Square choirs in Salzburg and Vienna's City Hall illuminations. The season brings delectable treats like Mozartkugel and Lebkuchen, while Hohensalzburg Fortress hosts an intimate market, and Schoenbrunn Palace dazzles with grand Christmas stalls.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- US$3,040
Christmas in Central Europe, Berlin to Vienna
“Our CEO was great. She plotted out our course ahead of time and even with some issues beyond our control, we were still able to navigate safely.”
Christopher, traveled in October
Winter festivities unfold at Salzburg's Hellbrunner Market, where 700 illuminated conifers create a magical scene, while Vienna celebrates near Schönbrunn Palace. Visitors can immerse in coffee house culture and ascend St. Stephen's Cathedral for stunning winter views.
Duration 7 days Destinations Berlin, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $2,099
20% Off- US$1,679
Celebrate Christmas on the Danube with tree decorating and carols on board the AMADEUS Nova, followed by a Christmas Eve mass in Dürnstein. Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market glows with festive lights and lebkuchen aromas. Linz's Christmas market is another stop on the itinerary. A Captain's Gala Dinner takes place on the second day of Christmas while cruising through Austria's winter landscapes.
Duration 7 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Slovakia Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From
20% Off- US$1,354
Duration 8 days Destinations Innsbruck, Seefeld, Salzburg, Oberammergau, Munich Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Collette From
20% Off- US$3,199
This private 8-day trip takes you through Austria's Christmas markets and alpine villages during the holiday season. Walk through Vienna's Old Town and see the festive decorations at Schönbrunn Palace. Cruise along the Danube through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley from Spitz to Dürnstein. The fairy-tale village of Hallstatt awaits with its lakeside lights. Salzburg's Mirabell Palace, where The Sound of Music was filmed, is on the itinerary before you browse its famous Christkindlmarkt.
Duration 8 days Destinations Vienna, Durnstein, Spitz, Salzburg, Hallstatt Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Agate Travel From
20% Off- US$9,759
Duration 7 days Destinations Vienna, Hallstatt, Lienz, Innsbruck Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Agate Travel From
20% Off- US$9,189
Five nights at the 4-star Living Hotel an der Oper includes daily breakfast and puts you close to the Vienna State Opera during the holiday season. During summer, a boat takes you through the Danube Valley from Spitz to Melk Abbey, while winter months offer extended walking tours through Krems and Dürnstein instead. Bratislava's Gothic and Baroque landmarks come into view via bus, then you'll return on a Twin City Liner catamaran after a 2-hour walking tour that includes Michael's Gate and St. Martin's Cathedral.
Duration 6 days Destinations Vienna, Wachau, Krems an der Donau, Durnstein, Spitz, Melk, Hallstatt, Bratislava Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator STM Tours LLC From $1,527
27% Off- US$1,115
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Austria
What are the must-visit Christmas markets during an Austria Christmas & New Year tour?
The Christmas markets of Austria transform city squares into winter gathering places. Vienna's markets stand out with the Schönbrunn market set against the Habsburg summer palace backdrop. The Freyung market in Vienna's center draws visitors with local crafts and decorations. Salzburg's Christkindlmarkt surrounds St. Stephen's Cathedral with traditional stalls while Linz's Old Town square brings together vendors selling regional specialties. A TourRadar traveler noted "The Christmas markets in Vienna were absolutely magical especially the one at Belvedere Palace with its stunning lake views."
What's the average temperature during Christmas & New Year in Austria?
Winter temperatures in Austria change based on location. Vienna sees temperatures from -2°C to 4°C (28°F to 39°F). Mountain areas like Innsbruck and Salzburg get colder with readings near -10°C (14°F). The Wachau Valley stays a bit warmer. Mountain resorts like Leutasch where Hotel Hubertushof stands provide reliable snow conditions. According to a TourRadar traveler "The snowy conditions in Salzburg during Christmas were perfect creating a true winter wonderland atmosphere around Hohenstauffen Hotel."
Which cities offer the best New Year's Eve celebrations in Austria?
Vienna stands out with its New Year's Eve Trail (Silvesterpfad) which creates celebration zones across the historic center especially near St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Prater. Salzburg puts on fireworks above the Hohensalzburg Fortress and Innsbruck blends mountain scenery with city festivities. The ibis Innsbruck hotel provides a good base for celebrations. A TourRadar traveler noted "Celebrating New Year's Eve in Vienna's historic center was magical especially with the midnight fireworks display over the Danube."
What special holiday meals and treats can I expect on an Austrian Christmas & New Year tour?
The holiday season brings out Austria's rich food traditions. Visitors can try the Linzer Torte from Linz Viennese Glühwein and seasonal pastries. Hotels like the ibis Innsbruck serve special Christmas Eve dinners. Market stalls offer roasted chestnuts fresh pretzels and various wursts. River cruise companies Viking and A-ROSA create holiday menus with local dishes. One TourRadar traveler shared "The Christmas dinner at Hotel Caroline in Vienna was exceptional featuring traditional Austrian dishes and seasonal specialties."
What are the best accommodation options for a Christmas & New Year tour in Austria?
Lodging choices in Austria range from city hotels to mountain retreats. Vienna's Hotel Caroline puts guests in the city center while Salzburg's Hotel Hohenstauffen shows traditional hospitality. The Hotel Hubertushof in Leutasch offers rooms with mountain views. River ships like the A-ROSA FLORA combine travel with holiday spirit on the Danube. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The Hotel Hohenstauffen in Salzburg was perfectly located for exploring the Christmas markets and offered wonderful festive decorations throughout."
How far in advance should I book an Austrian Christmas & New Year tour?
The holiday season requires early planning with bookings needed 6-8 months ahead. Popular spots like Vienna's Hotel Caroline and Viking's Christmas Market cruises often fill up by late summer. This applies especially to higher-end rooms and special events like New Year's galas. A TourRadar traveler suggested "We booked our Vienna Christmas markets tour through AmaWaterways 7 months ahead and were glad we did as many similar tours were fully booked by autumn."