And nothing says Christmas quite like the markets. Giving access to the railway network of 30 European countries, including some ferry connections, and virtually endless itinerary possibilities, Interrail is the perfect way to discover some of the most picturesque Christmas markets around Europe, such as those in Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
Stockholm is transformed at Christmas, with its city squares and river banks peppered with wooden stalls and huts selling Swedish Christmas treats and delicacies. Whilst their markets are younger and smaller than other European cities, Stockholm makes up for it with variety. From Drottningholms Slott Christmas Market held at the Royal Residence showcasing Sweden’s best creative and artisanal handicrafts to the markets at the world’s first ethnographic open-air museum, Skansen’s Julmarknad, where visitors can make their own Christmas decorations. From Stockholm, travellers have quick and easy access to neighbouring countries such as Denmark and Germany, best accessible via rail with trains leaving every hour.
Denmark kicks off the Christmas season from mid-November and by the time Christmas arrives on the 25th, markets have popped up in almost every square or garden in Copenhagen. Those visiting the country’s capital for the break should visit Tivoli, Copenhagen’s famous amusement park, which will be completely transformed into a Christmas fairytale with thousands of lights and Christmas trees decorating the grounds. For those with time, Hans Christian Andersen’s hometown of Odense is a short 2-hour train ride away, with trains leaving every half hour from Copenhagen.
And there is no better place to see Christmas come to life than the home of Santa Claus, in Finland. Store windows and whole streets are adorned with magnificent lighting displays and illuminations, drawing thousands of people out onto the streets. From there, take a spin on one of the city’s many ice-skating rinks, drink glögi which often comes with an almond for good luck at Helsinki’s largest Christmas markets held in front of the Lutheran cathedral.
Travelling with an Interrail Pass means having access to a suite of different benefits, such as 30% discounted tickets to travel by boat from Denmark to Norway or Sweden with Fjord Line ferries, or up to 50% discount on online bookings for travels between Finland and Sweden by boat. A complete list of Pass benefits for each country is available via the free Interrail Rail Planner App. And with the Rail Planner App, travellers can easily plan their journey like a local, hopping on and off trains and discovering more of Europe.
Interrail Passes can be booked up to 11 months in advance.
