Even though I’ve lived in Europe my whole life, I was still in for a shock on my first trip to explore the European Christmas markets 7 years ago.
I’ll never forget the surprise of realising that what I thought was one huge Christmas market in Hamburg was actually three different ones—all within walking distance of each other. While you’ll often hear people talk about the Christmas market in a city, it’s actually pretty common for places to have multiple markets scattered around.
Once I started reading up on them, I put together a list of European Christmas markets I wanted to visit. I’ve been working my way through it ever since, with my personal record being around 25 markets in a single trip!
To pull that off, I’ve had to get pretty good at researching and planning Christmas market trips, and now I want to share everything I’ve learned with you.
From when to visit and how to start planning, to finding accommodation, packing, and getting around Europe—I’ve got you covered!
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1. When is the best time to visit the European Christmas markets?
The Christmas season in Europe usually kicks off around mid-November.
These days, most cities release their market schedules well in advance. So, if you already have a few destinations in mind, it’s worth checking when each market opens and closes before booking your flights—especially if you’re only spending a day or two in each place.
Every year, I see people booking trips to Europe for Christmas, only to realise too late that many markets actually shut down before then. On top of that, a lot of Christmas markets are either completely closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day or have much shorter opening hours.
The weeks leading up to Christmas are also packed. Some of the most popular markets in Europe attract millions of visitors each year, which means not only is it harder (and pricier) to find accommodation, but walking around the markets themselves can be a bit of a nightmare.
You often can’t get close enough to see what the stalls are selling, spend ages waiting in queues, and struggle to find a peaceful spot to eat.
Generally, the earlier in the season you visit, the better. If that’s not an option, consider markets that stay open after Christmas—like those in Wrocław, Budapest, or Prague—as they might be slightly less crowded then.
If you can, try visiting mid-week. I like to go just after the markets open for a quiet browse, then return in the evening to soak up the festive atmosphere. The worst time to visit is in the afternoon when locals pop by after work, and weekends are always the busiest, no matter what time of day.
Looking for more festive travel tips or inspiration on which markets to visit? Check out all my European Christmas market guides here!
2. How should you pack for a trip to Europe?
Whenever I scroll through Christmas market threads, packing is always a heated topic. And I get it—if you’re coming from a place without proper winters, the cold can be a bit of a shock. But as someone who doesn’t cope well with chilly weather, I promise there’s no need to pack like you’re heading off on a polar expedition.
A warm winter coat and knitwear are a must, of course. I personally love layering up and never leave the house without my bobble hat, scarf, and gloves.
Footwear-wise, if you’re planning to do a lot of walking (and let’s be real, you are), comfy hiking boots with water insulation are probably your best bet. Plus, if you’re not used to European cobblestones, be warned—they can be an absolute nightmare if it’s icy or covered in a layer of snow. It doesn’t snow as much in December these days, but when it does, things can get slippery fast.
That said, I’ll admit I’ve never been great at the whole “comfort over looks” thing (I mean, I don’t even own a single pair of jeans—just dresses). So, I usually wear my Chelsea or leather boots with thermal tights and wool socks, and I’ve always been fine.
If you don’t handle winter well, adding a thermal top and leggings is a good idea. But I wouldn’t go overboard packing loads of outfits. If you’re a shopper, you’ll want to leave space for all the goodies you’ll pick up at the markets. You can always rewear your clothes, grab some cheap thermals from places like Primark or Uniqlo, or just warm up with another cup of Glühwein 😉
Bonus packing tips
- Pack a foldable duffel bag in your suitcase—if you end up checking your luggage on the way back, you can use the duffel as a carry-on.
- Many vendors don’t provide single-use bags, so bring a reusable tote for your market finds.
- A crossbody bag (or any bag you can keep an eye on) is a good idea—pickpockets love those crowded Christmas markets as much as we do. This is the crossbody bag* I use, and it fits SO much!
- If you plan to shop a lot, check your options for shipping parcels back home—it might actually be cheaper than checking an extra bag.
- Bring a universal travel adapter—if you’re visiting multiple countries, it’ll save you the hassle of figuring out different plug types.
3. Should you bring cash or card?
It really depends on which countries you’re visiting. Scandinavian countries are becoming more and more cashless, while in many other places, cash is still king.
In general, most Christmas markets accept both cash and card, but each vendor can set their own rules. Some places have a minimum spend for card payments, so it’s always best to come prepared.
Also, when you buy hot drinks at many European Christmas markets, you’ll need to pay a Pfand (deposit)—usually around €2 for plastic cups and €4–5 for ceramic mugs. You’ll get the deposit back when you return your cup or mug, or you can keep the mug as a souvenir. I’ve noticed that even if you pay by card, many places refund the deposit in cash.
ATMs are widely available, but some charge withdrawal fees. If you plan to use a currency exchange office, always double-check the rates against the average interbank rates and make sure it’s commission-free. It’s also worth checking with your bank in advance to see what fees they charge for international card payments.
I’ve been using my Revolut card for travelling, and it’s been an absolute game-changer. The basic account is free (you just pay for shipping when ordering the card), and you can exchange money in advance, earn interest on EUR savings, split bills with other Revolut users, and use disposable virtual cards for online shopping. The paid plans also come with perks like free airport lounge access, travel insurance, and a VPN. If you’d like to sign up, you can use my referral link*.
4. Are Christmas market cruises better than self-planned trips?
Whether a river cruise is worth it really depends on the kind of traveller you are and what you want from your Christmas market experience.
Cruises take all the hassle out of planning. You won’t have to worry about booking different hotels, sorting out transport, or figuring out how to get from city to city—it’s all taken care of, with food, lodging, and travel bundled together. Plus, cruises have a cosy, festive vibe, with Christmas-themed activities that make the experience even more special.
They’re also a great way to visit multiple markets in a short time. So if you want a stress-free experience or aren’t confident planning a European trip on your own, a cruise could be a good option.
They’re especially great for older travellers or anyone with mobility issues since they cut out the physical strain of carrying luggage, walking long distances, and figuring out public transport.
That said, in my opinion, they’re hugely overpriced—even for the lower-tier options. You can easily follow the same itinerary for a fraction of the cost and with way more flexibility.
With a self-planned trip, you can choose exactly which European Christmas markets to visit instead of just the most touristy ones. Also, as cruises often arrive right when the markets are at their busiest, expect big crowds.
At the end of the day, it’s all about what suits you best. If you’re after a hassle-free trip where everything is sorted for you, a cruise could be worth it. But if you want more flexibility and better value, planning it yourself is the way to go.
5. How far in advance should you start planning?
Since I live in Europe, I have the flexibility to tweak my dates or use different transport options, so I usually don’t start planning until September or even October. By then, it can be trickier to find reasonably priced accommodation, but I can make it work.
If you’re coming from farther away—like the US or Australia—you’ll need to start much earlier. You’d be surprised how many people begin planning for next year right after Christmas!
Hotels in the most popular cities book up ridiculously fast, especially if you’re travelling with family or staying for a longer period, where every penny counts. On top of that, Christmas market season overlaps with holiday travel, so flight prices can shoot up quickly.
I always like to book accommodation with free cancellation, just in case I need to adjust my plans or a last-minute deal pops up. Once your flights are sorted and your dates are locked in, you’ll have a much better idea of your budget and can start saving right away.
Also, never travel without wide-coverage travel insurance. Accidents happen, flights get delayed or cancelled due to unpredictable weather, and luggage can go missing. It’s stressful enough dealing with that at home—let alone abroad, where things can get unnecessarily expensive if you’re not covered.
6. How do you decide which European Christmas markets to visit?
I totally get the temptation to squeeze in as many markets as possible—especially if you’re coming from far away or want a one-and-done kind of trip.
But it’s important to be realistic about how much you can actually do without spending half your time in airports or dragging your suitcase from one train station to the next.
If you try to cram in too many markets, you’ll burn out fast. What’s supposed to be a magical, festive trip will start feeling like a chore—and the whole point is to have fun!
Trust me, I’ve made that mistake. I was way too ambitious with my plans, and by the end, I felt like I was just ticking places off a list rather than actually enjoying them. I’d arrive at a market and almost immediately want to leave—either because I had many more to get to or because I was simply too tired.
With some markets, it can also start to feel like once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. When I first started visiting, everything felt new and exciting. But over time, I realised that some of the “handmade” goods were actually factory-made, and many stalls looked nearly identical.
That’s why I’d say mix it up! The big markets, like Vienna or Colmar, are definitely worth seeing—they go all out for Christmas, and the atmosphere is pure magic. But the smaller, less crowded ones can be just as special. In Bratislava, for example, we got to try dishes we hadn’t seen anywhere else.
If you’re lucky enough to visit the European Christmas markets multiple years in a row, start small and figure out what you love (and what you don’t), so future trips feel even more tailored to you.
7. How do you find accommodation for your trip?
One question I see all the time is, “Can you recommend a hotel as close as possible to [insert Christmas market]?” And honestly, that’s one of the biggest rookie mistakes you can make.
Now, if you have mobility issues, limited time in a city, or just prioritise convenience over everything else, then fair enough—go for it. And if money is no object, then hey, you do you!
But what a lot of people don’t realise is that you don’t need to stay right next to the markets for an amazing experience. If you’re from a place where getting around without a car isn’t easy, it might not be obvious at first, but trust me—things work very differently in Europe.
Most major cities have great public transport, with daily, 72-hour, or even weekly passes that can save you money. And if navigating buses and trains isn’t your thing, ride-sharing apps like Bolt and Uber are often available and pretty affordable.
The problem with staying right in the city centre is that hotels (and private rentals) jack up their prices before Christmas—because they know tourists will pay. But if you’re willing to expand your search, you can save a tonne of money.
For example, in Vienna, we found a hotel just a 10-minute subway ride from Stephansplatz, and it saved us around €250 per night. That’s a massive amount, especially when you’re barely spending time in your hotel anyway. If you’re open to staying a little further out, you can find some amazing bargains!
8. How do you get around European Christmas markets?
Following on from that last point, I know the distances between cities can look a bit overwhelming on a map. But unless you’re heading somewhere really off the beaten path, I promise—you don’t need to rent a car, hire a driver, or join a group tour.
It’s super easy to travel between cities by bus or train. Unlike in the US, public transport in Europe is generally fast, convenient, and affordable. When we planned our trip to Colmar, for example, it actually worked out cheaper to stay in Basel, Switzerland—but we could just hop on a train and be in Colmar within 45 minutes.
Many places offer flexible tickets that let you take any train on a specific route. For example, Vienna has an €18 return ticket to Bratislava, which you can use within 4 days. Plus, it includes free public transport in Bratislava on the first day. There are also great options for places like Colmar and Strasbourg—groups of up to 5 people can travel across the entire Alsace region for less than €40!
Unless you’re covering really long distances, I’d avoid flying between countries. A few years ago, budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air tightened their baggage policies—you now have to pay extra for a larger carry-on, which can add up fast if you’re taking multiple flights. Plus, if you’re planning to shop for souvenirs at every stop, you’ll want all the luggage space you can get!
So, there you have it—my top tips for planning your trip to the European Christmas markets! Did I miss anything? If you have any questions, drop them in the comments, and who knows—I might add even more tips to the list!
