Rail & Markets: A Post-Cruise Journey from Budapest to Strasbourg

This is my own upcoming Rail & Markets post-cruise trip, arranged with Railbookers for 21–28 November 2026. Rather than flying straight home after the cruise, I'll continue by rail from Budapest to Strasbourg, travelling through Austria and Switzerland before settling into Alsace. This is the planned itinerary, not a report of a journey I've already taken.

Day 1 · 21 November: Budapest, Vienna, and the Sleeper

The journey begins at Budapest Keleti station, pictured above. A morning train takes me to Vienna Hauptbahnhof in Standard Class, leaving time in Vienna before the overnight departure for Zurich.

For the overnight leg, I've booked a Double Comfort Plus sleeper compartment for two, with its own WC and shower. This first night is spent on the train rather than in a hotel.

Day 2 · 22 November: One Night in Zurich

The sleeper arrives in Zurich the following morning. I'll spend one night at Hotel Altstadt, with buffet breakfast included, before continuing towards France the next day.

Days 3–4 · 23–24 November: Two Nights in Colmar

From Zurich, the route continues to Mulhouse, where I'll change trains for Colmar. Both rail segments are booked in first class with semi-flexible tickets.

Two nights at Gustave Hotel Colmar, with breakfast included, give this stop a full day without another train to catch. This is the first Alsace base of the trip, with time set aside for exploring Colmar and its Christmas markets, subject to their seasonal opening dates.

Days 5–7 · 25–27 November: Three Nights in Strasbourg

A short first-class train journey takes me from Colmar to Strasbourg on 25 November. I'll stay for three nights at Appart'City Strasbourg Centre in a studio, with breakfast included.

Strasbourg is the final base for the Rail & Markets portion of the trip. Two full days here leave room for the city and its Christmas markets as they open for the season, rather than another series of hotel changes.

Day 8 · 28 November: The Journey Concludes

The Railbookers arrangements conclude in Strasbourg on 28 November. From there, I'll depart Strasbourg on a TGV train direct for Paris CDG for my return flight home.

A Post-Cruise Journey, Built Around the Traveller

This example combines a daytime train, a private overnight sleeper compartment, and hotel stays of one, two, and three nights. It's a shape that can be fully customized around your cruise, your pace, and the places you want to linger.

The dates, accommodation, and rail arrangements above describe my own November 2026 booking, not a fixed departure or a package offered at a set price. Christmas market opening dates need to be checked for each destination and travel year; market visits are not listed as booked tours in these arrangements.