Last Minute Christmas Markets – My Experience of Budapest and Vienna and Avios availability

As December begins, almost all of the Christmas markets in Europe have opened, and cities across Europe are becoming winter wonderland.

With twinkling lights, the echoing of carols and a mug of mulled wine in hand, what more can you need from a last-minute European break? I’ve spent much time researching Europe’s Christmas markets over the years.

I enjoyed coming across the Prague Easter Market last year, and since then, I’ve wanted to visit some of Europe’s Christmas markets. I initially chose Budapest because it’s a city I had yet to visit. After further research, I decided Vienna was also a must-see Christmas market destination easily accessible by train from Budapest. I opted for two nights in Budapest and two nights in Vienna.

When are the Christmas Markets in Europe on Markets on?

Christmas markets in Europe typically start in late November and run until Christmas Eve or just after Christmas, with some extending into early January.

The opening dates can vary from year to year and city to city. Check the official websites because online articles can sometimes need to be more accurate or updated with the most recent opening dates.

How to Choose Which Christmas Markets to Visit

A City on Your Bucket List

If there’s a city you want to visit (and they have a Christmas market), then go for it! The chances are, you’ll have a much better trip. Take Budapest, for example; I enjoyed seeing all the major sights but then enjoyed my trip even more because of spending the evenings at the Christmas market!

The BEST Christmas Markets

If you’re flying across Europe to see a Christmas market, you’ll want to ensure you’re visiting one of the best. Here’s a Times article about the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Length of Trip

If you’re planning a weekend break or even an extreme day trip, picking a destination with good flight connections and proximity to the airport is important. Make sure the city is somewhere you can see at the weekend or somewhere you know well already.

If you have longer, consider visiting nearby cities and travelling between them by train. Take Budapest, Bratislava, Salzburg and Vienna for example – all within 1-3 hours by train from each other.

You could also hop between further away Christmas markets by flight and experience Budapest and Barcelona over a few days.

Reward Flight Availability

Check reward flight availability to some of Europe’s top Christmas market destinations. Here’s our guide to Christmas market award flight availability this December.

Currently, the following destinations have at least 2 return seats available in December (many in Club as well as economy) to the following destinations:

• Berlin
• Cologne
• Budapest
• Vienna
• Brussels
• Edinburgh

Quite a few even have weekend availability, but you will have to be quick!

Christmas Markets in Budapest

To get to Budapest, I booked a convenient Ryanair flight from Bristol. However, the route is also operated by British Airways from Heathrow, starting at £100 each way this December. The flight takes 2 hours, 30 minutes. The journey from Budapest’s airport to the city centre was quick and convenient, adding to the ease of my trip. I booked a Welcome Pickups transfer, but plenty of taxis and bus service are available.

Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market 

In Budapest, I visited the Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market. I saw the tops of the stalls peeking out as I passed on the hop-on, hop-off bus. The market sells traditional Hungarian crafts, local delicacies, and plenty of mulled wine.

The scent of traditional Hungarian spices filled the air, and the sound of carols played by a speaker added to the festive atmosphere.

I particularly loved the soap stall, a stall selling traditional handmade mugs and a stall selling all things paprika.

There’s lots of variety here, and you can find some unique and thoughtful Christmas gifts. The market centres around Vörösmarty Square but continues into the Ferris wheel area, with an ice rink.

There was plenty of traditional food available too. I opted for a traditional langos with cheese and sour cream. Other food available included töltött káposzta (stuffed cabbage), traditional goulash and, of course, Hungarian strudel in a huge variety of flavours.

Drinks on offer included a variety of sweet wines and pálinka (Hungarian brandy).

Budapest to Vienna

Vienna is around 2 hours and 33 minutes away from Budapest and is served by regular train services, some Austrian and some Hungarian. I also saw flights to Budapest for a quick city-to-city hop at Vienna Airport. Make sure you book an ÖBB train. I caught a Hungarian one, which was old-fashioned and slower, with fewer facilities.

I booked my tickets with Rail Europe. Once in Vienna, there are lots of taxis available as well as lots of metro and tram services.

Christmas Markets in Vienna

I love visiting Vienna during the Christmas season! Christmas markets are dotted around Vienna, and visiting the city at Christmas is magical – you may even get snow. Vienna was the first place I saw snow during the trip.

I stayed at Hotel Am Konzerthaus Vienna MGallery, an excellent choice with nearby public transport options 10 minutes walk from the main shopping street (review coming soon).

Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt

Opening Dates: November 10th – December 26th. December 26th until January 4th is a New Year Market.

Vienna has one of the BEST Christmas markets outside of Germany in the city centre. Backed by the city hall and decorated with thousands of decorations, this is one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Europe. The market was much larger than the one I had just visited in Budapest. I was very impressed and enjoyed the busy atmosphere.

Traditional treats like roasted chestnuts, Käsekrainer sausage (and a vegan version), langos and plenty of Glühwein were offered.

There are plenty of stalls selling handcrafted ornaments, gifts and gingerbread. I found plenty of gifts here!

I noticed that this market was more child-friendly, with an ice rink for small children, stalls selling children’s toys and a traditional merry-go-round.

Schönbrunn Christmas Market

Opening Dates: November 18th – January 4th. December 26th until January 4th is a New Year Market.

The following day, I visited the Schobrunn Christmas market. This is Vienna’s second biggest Christmas market and the one I prefer. Entering the Schobrunn Palace is a wow-moment area, but coupled with snow and the Christmas market, it was a magical experience.

First, I visited the state apartments at Schobrunn Palace, where I had panoramic views of the market from above. I then visited the market for lunch and opted for a hot baked potato with garlic cream – it was delicious! You pay a €4 deposit for a mug, which you get back when you return it.

There’s lots of mulled wine, punch with rum and an excellent non-alcoholic warm apple and cinnamon option. Other food offered included hot toast with various traditional toppings, schnitzel and hot pasta.

Shopping in Vienna

As well as the Christmas markets, Vienna is an excellent place for a shopping break. Kaerntner Strasse is the place to go, starting next to the Vienna Opera House. You could wander all day picking up souvenirs, eating delicacies and browsing designer shops.

Travelling to London from Vienna

I flew from Vienna to Heathrow with Austrian Airlines (review coming soon). I had wanted to try the airline and their business class for a while, and the times aligned well with me travelling from Vienna to Cornwall in a day.

Austrian operated 29 flights from Vienna to Heathrow each week spread throughout the day. This is a good chance to collect KrisFlyer miles.

The route from Vienna to Heathrow is also operated by British Airways, with flights starting from £67 each way this December. There are five flights daily to choose from.

Final Thoughts

I loved visiting some of the Christmas markets in Europe this year. Next time, I hope to visit some of the Christmas markets in Germany. It would be worth travelling to a Christmas market even if you stayed one night as long as you plan how to fit everything in.

If I had to choose between Austria or Hungary for Christmas markets, I would choose Austria. I preferred the atmosphere and definitely found more gift ideas in Vienna. The trip has left me feeling very festive and ready for December!