Mainland Europe boasts dozens of celebrated Christmas markets, transforming these picturesque cities into something truly enchanting during the festive season.
However, the expense of travelling overseas for a meaningful visit to destinations such as Berlin or Copenhagen can frequently discourage us from even attempting it.
Fortunately, one travel influencer has discovered the solution.
TikTok user Caitlin Pagano has scoured Skyscanner for affordable flights to a selection of gorgeous city destinations where Christmas markets enchant tourists and residents alike.
Removing the hassle of hunting for inexpensive flights, Caitlin has identified 8 European cities offering return journeys for under £150 – and you don’t need to request time off work.
Caitlin’s flight selections are all timetabled to depart on Friday, December 12 after 6pm and return to the UK before midnight on Sunday, December 14. While the price now varies marginally from when she showcased the trips in her TikTok post, all of the round trips still cost under £200.
The most affordable is a £70 journey to Gothenburg in Sweden via Ryanair from London Stansted airport. Caitlin captioned her post: “9-5 people, I got you! Flying out late on a Friday with return flights on a Sunday evening.”
Gothenburg, Sweden
The majority of the flights she recommended depart from Stansted, while three leave from other London airports. First up is her proposed trip to Gothenburg, which leaves at 7.50pm and arrives at 10.45pm local time. The return flight departs Sweden at 10.30pm, landing you back on British soil by 11.25pm.
The price has risen from £48 return, but the £70 fare remains a bargain to experience a market that visitors on Tripadvisor have described as “fantastic”.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Next on the list is a journey to Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, with Ryanair. Depart at 7.25pm to arrive at 10.20pm local time, before leaving the city at 10.15pm and touching down back at Stansted at 11.10pm.
Unfortunately, the cost for this has now doubled – with fares now at £144. But it could still be worth the outlay – Tripadvisor reviewers describe the Tivoli Gardens market as like “stepping into a fairytale”.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s Christmas markets are legendary, and now courtesy of a £151 fare you can savour them over the course of a weekend. While the cost is approximately 50% higher than Caitlin’s post indicated, you can experience Berlin at a reasonable rate thanks to Ryanair.
The flight departs Stansted at 7pm, touching down in Germany at 9.50pm. After a weekend discovering markets that visitors labelled “spectacular”, you’ll be home in time for dinner.
The return journey departs Berlin at 6.30pm, and lands at Stansted at 7.20pm.
Cologne, Germany
Another German destination renowned for its Christmas markets, Cologne’s gothic architecture provides the perfect backdrop for festive fun. However, it’s also the most expensive destination on the list.
Despite prices nearly doubling since Caitlin’s post, a visit to the iconic market nestled in the shadow of Cologne’s “imposing” cathedral is well worth the expense. Ryanair provides flights for £199 departing from Stansted at 6.35pm and arriving at 8.55pm.
The return journey at 2pm on Sunday ensures you’ll be back by 2.20pm UK time, so make sure to maximise your Saturday to soak up all that Cologne has to offer. Tripadvisor reviewers have praised the markets, describing them as “amazing” and “magical”.
Gdansk, Poland
According to one Tripadvisor reviewer, the Christmas markets in Gdansk transform this “stunning” city into a “twinkling” spectacle at night. It’s also the second cheapest getaway on Caitlin’s list, with prices starting at £89 at the time of writing.
This fare will get you to Gdansk by 10.40pm, having taken a Ryanair flight operated by Buzz at 7.20pm from Stansted. The return trip lands just before midnight and is operated by Malta Air – leaving Gdansk at 10.30pm and arriving at Stansted at 11.50pm.
Vienna, Austria
If flying from Stansted isn’t convenient, there are other options available. A trip to the “dazzling” Christmas markets in Vienna was labelled as a “must-do” by one Tripadvisor user.
The Austrian capital, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is less than two and a half hours away from London by plane. Austrian Airlines offer a £184 return journey that departs London Heathrow at 7.25pm, arriving at 10.40pm.
The return flight departs Vienna at 5.15pm, arriving in the UK at 6.40pm. Despite the shorter city visit compared to other destinations, Tripadvisor reviews hail it as “probably the most beautiful city to visit for Christmas”.
Budapest, Hungary
London Luton offers another alternative airport with easy, affordable flights to Europe’s stunning Christmas markets, including Budapest’s festive scenes. Wizz Air provides return flights for just under £200.
Departing Luton at 7.20pm, the outbound flight lands in Hungary at 10.50pm local time. The following day, you can experience a “buzzing” market and a “beautiful” light show projected onto the Basilica.
Unfortunately, the return flights are slightly earlier. Wizz Air’s plane departs Budapest at 4.55pm, landing back at Luton at 6.40pm.
Edinburgh
For those preferring to stay within the UK, Caitlin recommends a trip to Edinburgh – a mere 85-minute flight.
Although Caitlin’s suggested journey has seen a price hike from the original £88 fare, for just an extra £5, you can still savour all the sights and sounds of Scotland without losing much time.
An Easyjet flight to Edinburgh departs Stansted at 9.45pm, arriving at 11pm. The return journey, operated by Ryanair, leaves at 8.20pm and arrives at 9.45pm – all for £93.