Advent Markets Abroad: ÖAMTC Recommends Traveling by Public Transport

Advent markets create a festive atmosphere not only in this country – they also enhance the pre-Christmas season in our neighboring countries. Across Europe, city centers are decorated to match the Advent season. "A trip to Christmas markets abroad is the ideal combination to undertake a city trip and simultaneously get into the holiday spirit," says ÖAMTC travel expert Yvette Polasek.

ÖAMTC recommends traveling by public transport: "Don't drink and drive"

"Some Advent markets are particularly easy to reach by bus and train – in terms of sustainable mobility and true to the motto 'Don’t drink and drive', traveling by public transport is ideal and usually much more relaxing," says the mobility club's travel expert.

For example, there are many direct connections by train and bus to the Christmas markets in the Czech Republic – especially the capital Prague is known for its festive pre-Christmas atmosphere. You can also reach Brno, last year's European Christmas Capital, with direct connections from Vienna in just under 90 minutes: The train station is located right in the city center, meaning you can easily reach the different Advent markets on foot. It takes only about an hour by train from Vienna to Bratislava – the Christmas market in the historic old town is ideal for a day trip during Advent.

From Western Austria to diverse Christmas paradises

In the west of the country, the many direct train connections to Switzerland offer a great opportunity to try the fine Zurich winter specialties such as honey tirggel and Christmas biber, taste nut bread and raclette in Bern, or experience the charm of Christmas under palm trees in Montreux on Lake Geneva. And South Tyrol is just a stone's throw away: Christmas fans can fully enjoy themselves in Bolzano, for example, which is very easily accessible by train.

The most famous Christmas market in Germany is probably the "Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt" – aside from this classic, you can also take a relaxed train ride to Berlin and explore the Christmas market at Alexanderplatz or one of the many other markets along the Spree. Night trains to Hamburg are also offered from Innsbruck or Vienna – in the famous Hanseatic city, you can wonderfully get into the festive spirit at the historic Advent market at the town hall square.

Caution with Blood Alcohol Limits Abroad

"Those traveling by car should be aware of the regulations regarding blood alcohol limits in our neighboring countries, as these are neither uniform nor identical to the regulations in Austria," warns Yvette Polasek. In Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland, as in Austria, the limit is 0.5 per mille; for novice drivers, lower blood alcohol limits may apply. In the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, a general limit of 0.0 per mille applies.

Detailed information on which regulations and traffic rules apply in different countries can be found in the ÖAMTC Country Information.

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