Trip ideas · Christmas markets: Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, Nuremberg

Christmas markets: Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, Nuremberg: a One-Week Road Trip From Munich

Checked 8 October 2026 against each tourism board's, city's and operator's own page · skynomad

Day by day

Most hours at the wheel in a day No limit3 hours4 hours5 hours6 hours

Kilometres and hours are motorway estimates between the cities named, without stops or traffic. Where you sleep in a smaller place nearby, the real place and its distance are given.

1. Day 1

   Munich → Salzburg 149 km · about 1 h 40 driving

   Christkindlmarkt on Dom- and Residenzplatz, one of the oldest Advent markets. Source

   

2. Day 2

   Salzburg → Vienna 316 km · about 3 h 40 driving

   Several Christmas markets incl. the Rathausplatz market and ice rink. Source

3. Day 3

   A day out from Vienna No long drive

4. Day 4

   Vienna → Prague 320 km · about 3 h 40 driving

   Christmas markets on Old Town and Wenceslas Squares. Source

5. Day 5

   A day out from Prague No long drive

6. Day 6

   Prague → Nuremberg 297 km · about 3 h 15 driving

   Christkindlesmarkt on the Hauptmarkt plus partner-cities and children's markets. Source

7. Day 7

   A day out from Nuremberg No long drive

8. Day 8

   Nuremberg → Munich 173 km · about 2 h driving

Why go in December

• Salzburg Christkindlmarkt: 19 November 2026 – 1 January 2027. Source
• Vienna Christmas Market on Rathausplatz (daily 10:00–22:00): 13 November – 26 December 2026. Source
• Prague Christmas markets, Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square (organiser Trhy Praha): 28 November 2026 – 6 January 2027. Source
• Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt: 27 November – 24 December 2026 (24 Dec 10:00–14:00). Source

What to watch for

• All four markets overlap only from 28 November to 23 December 2026; Vienna closes 26 Dec, Nuremberg 24 Dec (28 Nov – 23 Dec 2026). Source
• Nuremberg advises against arriving by car during the market; use U1 or park outside the centre (27 Nov – 24 Dec 2026). Source
• Austria: winter tyres required in wintry conditions (1 November – 15 April). Source
• Czech Republic: winter tyres (official tourism board wording; legally tied to wintry conditions) (1 November – 31 March). Source
• Munich low-emission zone (Umweltzone) on and inside the Mittlerer Ring: green sticker required; diesel ban Euro 4 and older (year-round). Source

What the week costs to drive

Not included: hotels, food and parking. For your own car and exact days, use the trip cost calculator.

The rules on this route

Driving in Germany · Driving in Austria · Driving in Czechia

Use this route in my plan to get every vignette, zone, kit rule and deadline for these countries in one checklist, with dates. The speed limits and sign words pages can then show only these countries.