For many Australians, travelling overseas in December is an annual event, the highlight of the year. Guided Christmas tours are a fantastic way to get the most out of the Christmas holiday period. For a start, most organised Christmas tours include accommodation, meals and transport to a wide variety of destinations and attractions.
Best of all, guided Christmas tours offer quality experiences without all the headaches of planning Christmas travel from Australia. Taking a guided tour is one of the most reliable ways to manage the chaotic peak-season logistics.
Instead of struggling with overbooked hotels, busy airports and complicated holiday transport timetables, these tours provide a structured and stress-free way to travel during Christmas.
Australians are also at an advantage with many of the top Christmas tour destinations being within Asia and nearby regions. This offers manageable flight times, favourable weather conditions and a glimpse into a fascinating array of cultures without the need for long-haul travel.
- Are Guided Christmas Tours Worth It for Australians?
- Why Guided Christmas Tours Work Especially Well for Australians
- Top Christmas Tour Destinations for Australians in 2026
- Christmas Tours for Over 50s and Solo Travellers
- Why Many Australians Choose Wendy Wu Tours at Christmas
- What to Check Before Booking a Guided Christmas Tour
- Last Words on Best Guided Christmas Tours for Australians to Book in 2026
Are Guided Christmas Tours Worth It for Australians?
Australians planning December’s festive season travel often find guided tours to be the easiest way to lock in unforgettable holiday experiences.
Imagine spending Christmas Day watching the sun rise at the Taj Mahal in India or on a cruise of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Wander through the colourful streets of Kyoto in Japan or the laneways of the medina in Marrakech Morocco.
Christmas tours are popular with both couples and solo travellers wanting to celebrate Christmas with new friends in a choice of bucket list destinations.
Overseas Christmas tours for Australians are also perfect for those travelling on limited annual leave as they pack in a diverse range of attractions in a short time span.
You can view available 2026 Christmas tour options here
Why Guided Christmas Tours Work Especially Well for Australians
Guided Christmas tours suit Australian travellers for several practical reasons:
- Shorter flight times compared to Europe or the Americas
- Minimal jet lag when travelling across Asia and nearby regions
- Accommodation locked in during peak December demand
- Planned Christmas Day meals or activities
- No need to manage local transport or language barriers
For experienced travellers, the appeal lies in efficiency rather than convenience alone.
Top Christmas Tour Destinations for Australians in 2026
With a big wide world out there, it was not easy to choose our festive season favourites. After much deliberation, here are the places that made our list of top Christmas tour destinations.
Japan at Christmas
Japan is one of the most popular Christmas destinations for Australians wanting winter scenery without enduring the long-haul flight to Europe or North America.
Japan in December is jam packed with seasonal activities and winter festivals. With snow in its northern regions, Japan is a perfect option for those wanting to experience a white Christmas or escape Australia’s scorching summer heat.
Christmas in Japan
A December Christmas tour to Japan may find you admiring the snowcapped splendour of Mount Fuji, the sparkle of Tokyo’s Christmas illuminations or celebrating Christmas Day soaking up the traditions of old-world Kyoto.
Guided itineraries work well in Japan as it can be a difficult country to navigate for the first time traveller. Japan tours allow smooth travel between cities and regional areas during a busy domestic holiday season.
View Japan Christmas Tours for 2026
India at Christmas
India appeals to Australians seeking cultural depth, varied landscapes and meaningful travel experiences at Christmas. Coincidentally December is one of the most favourable months to visit this intriguing country.
Guided tours help streamline travel across large distances while offering insight into local customs, religious traditions and regional diversity.
Christmas in India
Nothing can prepare you for the majesty and romance of the Taj Mahal in India. It is possibly one of the world’s most coveted destinations and Christmas Day is the perfect time to tick it off your bucket list.
Guided Christmas Tours of India may include a visit to a spice market in Delhi, a trip to the Amber Fort in Jaipur, a wildlife safari in Ranthambore National Park and so much more.
Explore India Christmas Tours for 2026
China at Christmas and New Year Tours
China offers an exceptional range of culturally immersive Christmas and New Year travel experiences. Cool climate travellers will enjoy December’s winter scenery and seasonal events.
For Australians, a fully guided itinerary of China is particularly valuable, given the country’s size, language barrier and transport complexity.
When it comes to Christmas and New Year tours of China you will be spoilt for choice. Which you choose will depend on the range of activities and where you want to spend the festive season.
China Christmas & New Year Tours – Option 1 Highlights
Celebrate Christmas Day with a trip to the Christmas Markets in Shanghai. Have a toast to the New Year with a glass of champagne on top of the Great Wall of China in Beijing.
Explore the winter wonderland of Harbin, see the Terracotta Warriors in Xian and the giant pandas in Chengdu.
Click here for Christmas and New Year Tours of China Option 1
China Christmas & New Year Tours – Option 2 Highlights
Celebrate Christmas Day on a Yangtze River cruise. Bring in the New Year admiring Hong Kong’s famous skyline and New Years Eve fireworks on a Hong Kong Harbour cruise.
Laugh at the antics of the giant pandas and explore the futuristic cyberpunk city of Chongqing. Marvel at the towering Buddhist monuments at the Dazu Rock Carvings, a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In Hong Kong take the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for spectacular views of the city. Shopaholics will get the chance to enjoy Hong Kong’s famous Temple Street Markets.
Click here for China Christmas & New Year Tours – Option 2
Further China planning information is available in our China travel guide.
Vietnam and Cambodia at Christmas
Christmas tours of Vietnam and Cambodia suit Australians looking for a warm-weather Christmas with strong cultural experiences and a laid-back vibe.
In December the climate in both countries is generally hot and sunny apart from the north of Vietnam which experiences cooler winter temperatures.
Christmas in Vietnam
A guided Christmas tour of Vietnam will give a good overview of the ever-changing landscape of this fascinating country.
Visit the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, discover the ancient charms and history of Hoi An and Hue. Enjoy peaceful moments on a Christmas cruise of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place of spectacular beauty.
Click here for Vietnam Christmas Tours
Christmas in Cambodia and Vietnam
For the ultimate in festive season celebrations why not add a Christmas tour of both Vietnam and Cambodia to your Christmas wish list.
This exceptional guided Christmas tour of Cambodia and Vietnam adds the highlights of the Vietnam tour with a Mekong River Cruise from Cambodia.
Walk amid the breathtaking grandeur of Angkor Wat, discover Cambodia’s tragic history at the Killing Fields and celebrate Christmas on a Mekong River Cruise from Cambodia to Vietnam. Along the way explore the treasures of Vietnam with a trip to Saigon, Hoi An Ancient Town and Ha Long Bay.
Explore Vietnam & Cambodia Christmas Tours
Thailand at Christmas
Thailand remains a much-loved Christmas destination for Australians thanks to its reliable weather, well-developed tourism infrastructure and relaxed festive pace. While Christmas is not traditionally observed, December is one of the best months to travel.
Christmas in Thailand
A guided itinerary of Thailand will show you a diverse range of landscapes and experiences. Enjoy the fast pace and bright lights of Bangkok or delve into Thailand’s historic past with a visit to Ayutthaya and Hell Fire Pass.
Head north to the stunning White Temple in Chiang Rai and visit the Golden Triangle that borders Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Spend the night in a Hmong hilltribe lodge and celebrate Christmas in the vibrant mountain city of Chiang Mai.
See Thailand Christmas Tour Options
Morocco and South Africa
For Australians wanting a Christmas trip beyond Asia, Morocco and South Africa offer distinctive experiences. Morocco combines historic cities, markets and desert landscapes, while South Africa offers wildlife and scenic coastlines.
Guided tours simplify travel planning at a busy time of year and are well suited to December departures.
Christmas in Morocco
Celebrate Christmas Day in Marrakech with a walk through the colourful laneways of the Medina.
Travel to Tangier and visit the Hercules Caves and the famed Kasbah. In Fez explore the lively souks and historic mosques.
Leave the city behind with a trip into the rich red sandy landscapes of the Agafay Desert. Learn about traditional Berber life in the Atlas Mountains.
See Morocco Christmas Tour Options
Christmas in South Africa
Celebrate Christmas Day tasting sumptuous wines in the scenic vineyards of South Africa’s Winelands.
Go spotting “The Big 5” in Greater Kruger National Park and drive along the Garden Route to the picturesque coastal town of Knysna.
Enjoy a cruise past the Castle of Good Hope and take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town.
Discover South Africa Christmas Tours
Christmas Tours for Over 50s and Solo Travellers
Guided Christmas tours are especially popular with over 50s travellers, and we understand why. After decades of hosting Christmas at home, handing the whole production over to someone else is half the appeal. No cooking, no cleaning up, and Christmas Day spent somewhere memorable instead of in the kitchen.
Over 50s Christmas holidays on a guided tour also come with a built-in social side. Most groups on these itineraries are made up of travellers aged 50 and over, so you are travelling with people of a similar age, pace and outlook. For solo travellers, this solves the biggest problem with Christmas travel. You are never eating Christmas lunch alone, and by the end of the first day you will know everyone on the bus.
If you are booking a Christmas tour for over 50s, a few things are worth checking before you pay a deposit:
- The single supplement. Some operators reduce or waive it on selected departures, but never assume. Ask before booking.
- The pace. Check how many one-night stops the itinerary has and how early the daily starts are. Back-to-back early mornings wear thin quickly.
- Walking demands. Sites like the Great Wall and Angkor Wat involve serious steps and uneven ground. A realistic itinerary will say so.
- Travel insurance. Premiums step up with age, so price your travel insurance before you commit to the tour, not after. A quote takes a few minutes and saves an unwelcome surprise later.
We are in this age bracket ourselves, and in our experience the operators who cater well to over 50s are upfront about all four of these. The ones who bury the detail are the ones to avoid.
Why Many Australians Choose Wendy Wu Tours at Christmas
With over 25 years’ experience, Wendy Wu Tours have a reputation for excellence amongst Australian travellers. Our honest Wendy Wu review of China tours has everything you need to know when considering a Wendy Wu tour.
Wendy Wu’s fully guided Christmas itineraries are designed around Australian travel preferences and focus on cultural depth. With clear inclusions and realistic pacing, the tours are particularly valuable during the December peak season.
For Australians travelling at Christmas, this level of organisation can make a noticeable difference to the overall experience.
Browse Wendy Wu Christmas Tours for Australians in 2026
What to Check Before Booking a Guided Christmas Tour
Before booking a Christmas tour for 2026, Australians should check:
- What is included on Christmas Day
- Group size and pace of travel
- Weather and seasonal packing requirements
- How much free time is built into the itinerary
- Whether flights are included or booked separately
Clear inclusions matter more at Christmas than at any other time of year.
Last Words on Best Guided Christmas Tours for Australians to Book in 2026
For Australians, guided Christmas tours provide a practical way to travel overseas during one of the most hectic times of year. With strong destination options across Asia and nearby regions, December 2026 is shaping up as a good year to plan early.
If your priority is efficient travel, cultural insight and minimal planning stress at Christmas, December guided tours are well worth considering.
