Season · Advent 2026
Christmas markets 2026 by car: dates, hours and day trips
The 2026 season opens in Cologne on 16 November; Munich and Rothenburg follow on 20 November, Dresden on 25 November and Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt on 27 November, all running until 23–24 December (official organiser dates). Several markets close on Totensonntag, 22 November. A day trip from Munich to the Nuremberg market with your own car and driver costs $945 per car. Prices checked .
- Season16 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
- Salzburguntil 1 Jan 2027
- Day trip from$945
- ClosedTotensonntag, 22 Nov (several markets)
When are the big Christmas markets open in 2026?
| Market | City | Dates 2026 | Daily hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christkindlesmarkt | Nuremberg | 27 Nov – 24 Dec 2026 | 10:00–21:00; 24 Dec 2026: 10:00–14:00 |
| Christkindlmarkt (Marienplatz) | Munich | 20 Nov – 24 Dec 2026 | 10:00–21:00 (Sun –20:00); 24 Dec 2026: 10:00–14:00 |
| Reiterlesmarkt | Rothenburg ob der Tauber | 20 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 | 11:00–19:00 (Fri–Sat –20:00) |
| Striezelmarkt | Dresden | 25 Nov – 24 Dec 2026 | 10:00–21:00; 25 Nov 2026: 16:00–21:00; 24 Dec 2026: 10:00–14:00 |
| Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom | Cologne | 16 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 | 11:00–21:00 (Thu–Fri –22:00, Sat 10:00–22:00) |
| Salzburger Christkindlmarkt | Salzburg (Austria) | 19 Nov 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 | 10:00–20:30 (Sat 09:00–21:00) |
Which markets can I combine in one day by car?
- Munich → Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt and back in one day (about 340 km in total)
- Munich → Salzburg Christkindlmarkt (Austria) and back
- Frankfurt → Rothenburg Reiterlesmarkt and back
- Frankfurt Airport → Cologne cathedral market on arrival day
- Berlin → Dresden Striezelmarkt
Is a car better than the train in December?
With your own car you choose the times, keep shopping bags and coats in the car, stop at a second town on the way and get back to the hotel after the lights come on, without train connections or late transfers. For families and groups one minivan is often simpler than several train tickets.
What does a Christmas-market day trip with a driver cost?
Per car for the whole day with driver: Nuremberg from Munich $945, Salzburg from Munich $900, Rothenburg from Frankfurt $945. Market food and entry tickets are not included.
Is Neuschwanstein reachable in late 2026?
The castles remain accessible, but the main road through Schwangau is closed until about mid-December 2026, with a detour via Hohenschwangau — allow extra time. Our Neuschwanstein day trip from Munich costs $855 per car. [7]
When should I book for Advent weekends?
Advent Saturdays are the busiest days. Book a few days ahead; free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
Prices for these trips (USD per car)
| Route | Sedan | Minivan (7) | Minibus (Sprinter) | Premium (Mercedes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuremberg Christmas market day trip from Munich 340 km · driver waits, back the same day | $945 | $1,275 | $2,270 | $2,040 |
| Salzburg day trip from Munich 300 km · driver waits, back the same day | $900 | $1,215 | $2,160 | $1,945 |
| Rothenburg ob der Tauber day trip from Frankfurt 360 km · driver waits, back the same day | $945 | $1,275 | $2,270 | $2,040 |
| Neuschwanstein day trip from Munich 260 km · driver waits, back the same day | $855 | $1,155 | $2,050 | $1,850 |
| Frankfurt Airport to Cologne 190 km · one way | $475 | $640 | $1,135 | $1,025 |
| Berlin to Dresden 195 km · one way | $485 | $655 | $1,160 | $1,050 |
| Munich Airport to Munich city 40 km · one way | $170 | $230 | $630 | $370 |
per car, not per person. 50% online to confirm, the rest in cash to the driver, or 100% online; full refund if cancelled 24 h+ before pickup. Trips under $100 are paid in full online.
Questions
Are the markets open every day?
Most open daily until 23 or 24 December; on 24 December many close early (e.g. Nuremberg and Munich at 14:00), and several are closed on Totensonntag, 22 November.
Can the driver wait while we visit the market?
Yes. On a day trip the car and driver stay with you for the whole day.
Can we visit two markets in one day?
Yes — for example Rothenburg on the way between Frankfurt and Munich, or Nuremberg and a stop in a smaller town. Send us the plan and we confirm the price.
Which language does the driver speak?
The standard driver speaks German and English; a Russian-speaking driver is free on request when available. Other languages: ask before booking.
Can I cancel?
Yes — free of charge up to 24 hours before pickup.
Where do the dates come from?
From each market’s official website, checked on the date below; organisers can change hours.
Sources and checks
- Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt 2026 — Stadt Nürnberg · checked
- Münchner Christkindlmarkt am Marienplatz — muenchen.de · checked
- Rothenburger Reiterlesmarkt — Rothenburg Tourismus Service · checked
- Dresden Striezelmarkt 2026 — Landeshauptstadt Dresden · checked
- Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom 2026 — Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom · checked
- Salzburg Christmas Market 2026/27 — dates — Salzburger Christkindlmarkt · checked
- Hohenschwangau — Royal Castles, visitor information — Hohenschwangau Tourist Information · checked
Numbers and dates on this page come from the sources below, checked on 27 October 2026. Rules, timetables and fair dates can change — check the official page before you travel.
Transfers
You may also need
- Trade fairs in Germany 2026–2027: dates and how to get there
- Munich to Neuschwanstein: every way compared
- Landing at Munich Airport late at night: how to get to Munich
- Landing at Frankfurt Airport late at night: how to get to Frankfurt
Checked by the RideDEU team on 27 October 2026. RideDEU is a booking service operated by GG Services Limited (Hong Kong).