The festive season is all about cozy moments, twinkling lights, and memories that last a lifetime. And what better way to experience it than aboard a train winding its way through snowy landscapes, festive markets, and picturesque towns? In this guide for SWITZERLAND TOUR PACKAGE, we explore the best Christmas train tours in Europe that are ideal for families. These journeys offer excitement, convenience, and a sprinkle of holiday magic—plus, we weave in the spirit of a Switzerland tour package into your broader dream of winter travel. Best Christmas Train Tours in Europe for Families.
Let’s dive into magical routes, family‑friendly highlights, travel tips, and how you can combine these tours with switzerland travel packages, switzerland holiday package, or swiss tour packages for a seamless festive getaway.
1. Orient Express Christmas: Switzerland to Germany & Austria
Begin this yuletide journey aboard a beautifully restored vintage train, departing from Zurich or Geneva. The Orient Express Christmas route carries you through snow‑capped Swiss Alps before crossing into Germany’s Black Forest and Austria’s festive Vienna. Highlights include:
- Spectacular alpine views draped in white.
- Christmas markets in Germany and Austria, just minutes from station stops.
- Onboard festive décor, live carol singers, and warm drinks.
Families will love the variety: Switzerland’s chalet‑style stations, German gingerbread towns, and Austrian imperial flair. This journey pairs well with a switzerland europe tour or europe tour packages from switzerland, offering ground transfers and hotel stays in cities like Lucerne, Munich, and Vienna.
2. Glacier Express Winter Special: Switzerland
Nothing compares to the classic Glacier Express winter edition. From Zermatt to St. Moritz, this snow‑swept route traverses deep valleys, high viaducts, and pristine mountain vistas. The slower pace means kids can marvel at frozen lakes, skim through pine forests, and warm up in the panoramic dining carriage.
Key perks for families:
- Child‑friendly commentary in multiple languages.
- Scenic photo spots like the Landwasser Viaduct.
- Optional side trips: sledding near Zermatt, ice skating in St. Moritz.
You can easily integrate this into a switzerland tour package, especially switzerland land tour packages or package trip to switzerland, providing hotel stays, transfers, and pre‑booked Glacier Express seats. Make sure to check early for trip to switzerland cost estimates, especially during the busy December season.
3. Bernina Express Holiday Lights: Switzerland to Italy
Crossing deep mountain passes into picturesque valleys, the Bernina Express transforms into a holiday wonderland during Christmas. Starting from Chur or Davos, it winds through the Swiss Engadin valley into Italy’s scenic Tirano. Festive villages lining the route glow from holiday lights.
Why families adore this route:
- Dramatic red‑car carriages that delight kids.
- Visits to Alp‑decorated Swiss stops like St. Moritz.
- A festive Italian market in Tirano for gelato and panettone.
It’s a natural addition to swiss holidays packages or swiss trip package itineraries combining Swiss scenery with a brief Italian flair. Pairing with vacation packages to switzerland gives the full package—lodging, multi‑day rail travel, and transfers.
4. The Christmas Markets Express: Prague to Vienna
Although not entirely within Switzerland, this route often features in europe tour packages from switzerland designed for Swiss‑based travelers seeking festive markets beyond Swiss borders. Depart from Prague, explore its charming Old Town Christmas market, then travel to Vienna for imperial holiday celebrations.
Family favorites along this route:
- Prague’s medieval town square decked in lights and ornaments.
- Vienna’s Rathausplatz Christmas market, carousels, concerts.
- Comfortable overnight train cabins or first‑class seating.
Pair this rail tour with pre‑ or post‑ stays in Switzerland through switzerland visit package offerings: for example, spend a few days in Zurich or Lucerne at the start or end of your trip.
5. The Lapland Express via Stockholm: Extend Beyond Switzerland
A longer but enchanting itinerary: combine a switzerland europe tour with winter flights or transfers to Stockholm. From there, board the Lapland Express northward into Swedish Lapland—a real winter wonderland rich in reindeer safaris, northern lights, and even Santa experiences in Kiruna or Rovaniemi.
Family‑friendly advantages:
- Arctic-themed cabins, storytelling, and onboard meals.
- Daytime stops in snowy wilderness.
- Access to dog sledding, ice‑hotel tours, and visits to Santa villages.
Though this extension isn’t strictly Swiss, many switzerland travel packages include add‑on options like flights or connecting train/flight transfers for families wanting broader festive adventures.
What Makes a Train Tour the Perfect Christmas Gift for Families?
Comfort and Convenience
Say goodbye to airport stress. Trains are spacious, walkable, and let kids stretch their legs between stops. Many offer family cabins or open tables for games and meals.
Festive magic in motion
Rail routes in December often feature holiday decor, themed meals, live music, and activities on board. Towns along the way glow with lights and markets you step off into.
Scenic joy and pace for sight‑seeing
Trains like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express move slowly through Alps landscapes, giving families time to soak in the view together. Kids love spotting snowy peaks, tunnels, and frozen lakes. Best Christmas Train Tours in Europe for Families.
Built‑in holiday destinations
Each stop is a chance to explore Christmas markets, castles turned into light shows, or quaint villages dressed in festive cheer. Many routes are carefully selected to include top holiday hotspots.
Tips for Planning a Family Christmas Train Tour
1. Book early and coordinate accommodations
Winter is high season. Secure rail tickets and hotels well in advance—especially if you want to add a switzerland tour package, switzerland land tour package, or couple package for side trips like Zermatt or Lucerne.
2. Check seasonal schedules
Not all routes run daily in winter, and some scenic routes may operate on limited days. Verify dates in advance and plan backup days just in case.
3. Pack smart — layers, shelf life snacks, power banks
Winter temperatures vary. Wrap everyone in warm layers, keep snacks handy for the long stretch between stations, and ensure devices are charged for onboard entertainment.
4. Engage the kids
Bring story books or scavenger hunts—counting viaducts, icy lakes, singing along with carols—activities that make the journey part of the experience.
5. Plan festive side activities
Sneak in seasonal extras: sledding near mountain stations, skating rinks by town squares, or even short horse‑drawn carriage rides in Christmas villages.
Suggested Sample Itineraries
A) Classic Swiss Christmas: Glacier Express + Bernina Express
- Day 1–2: Arrive Zurich → Lucerne Christmas market visit
- Day 3: Glacier Express to St. Moritz with festive lunch
- Day 4: Bernina Express to Tirano, explore Italian market
- Day 5–6: Return via coach or train, spend final days in Lucerne or Zurich
This fits neatly into a switzerland europe tour, with internal rail, hotels, and guided visits. Approximate trip to switzerland cost varies depending on class and duration.
B) Multinational Holiday Highlights: Switzerland + Germany + Austria
- Day 1–2: Lucerne → Glacier Express to St. Moritz
- Day 3–4: Travel to Zurich, overnight EuroCity to Munich
- Day 5: Explore Munich Christkindlmarkt
- Day 6–7: Train to Vienna, enjoy the Rathaus Christmas fair
Ideal as part of an europe tour packages from switzerland. You can package this with swiss tour packages that include international rail tickets and hotels. Best Christmas Train Tours in Europe for Families.
Why Use Switzerland Tour Package Blog for Planning?
At SWITZERLAND TOUR PACKAGE, our blog provides families with inspiration, travel tips, and tailored ideas—without pushing hard‑sell offers. We deliver in‑depth content about festive travel, how to pick the right switzerland travel packages, and how to combine them with broader European Christmas adventures. Our goal is to inform and entertain—ensuring content is original, family‑focused, and perfectly aligned with Google AdSense policies.
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Our blog content naturally includes popular holiday travel queries like switzerland tour package, switzerland holiday package, swiss tour packages, switzerland land tour package, package trip to switzerland, swiss trip package, europe tour packages from switzerland, switzerland europe tour, switzerland visit package, trip to switzerland cost, vacation packages to switzerland, switzerland couple package.
These terms appear within helpful sections—exploring tours, combining packages, and planning costs—adding real value while boosting search relevance.
Final Thoughts: Capturing Christmas Spirit on Rails
A Christmas train tour in Europe is more than transportation—it’s part of the holiday story your family will remember. Whether winding through snowy Swiss valleys, exploring German tree-lined squares, or venturing into Lapland’s frosty forests, each route blends seasonal charm with scenic wonder. Best Christmas Train Tours in Europe for Families.
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