Vienna & Budapest Christmas Markets — 4 Nights, Twin City

November 2026 and December 2026 are on sale, from £449 per person. Market seasons are set locally each year, so we check the dates you want are actually running before anything is booked.

Barely, on this break — the months on sale are held at the same lead-in fare. What moves the figure is the day of the week and how close to Christmas you travel. Midweek and earlier in the season is cheaper and noticeably less crowded.

Four nights, which is what the break is built around: two full evenings at the markets and a day for Vienna and Budapest itself. Tell us if you want it longer or shorter and we will price it.

Return flights from London (regional UK airports available at a supplement), 4 nights at Austria Trend Hotel Rathauspark & Mercure Budapest City Centre or similar (4★), Cabin baggage per person, The connection between the two cities and ATOL 10713 financial protection and a dedicated UK consultant.

Airport transfers, hold luggage and seat selection are optional extras, as is travel insurance, which you need to arrange separately. Meals are not included — the room is booked room only — and neither is market spending. Local city or tourist taxes are payable at the hotel.

Austria Trend Hotel Rathauspark & Mercure Budapest City Centre or similar (4★). Where a package says "or similar" we confirm the actual property in writing before you pay. If you want a specific hotel or a particular district, tell us and we will price it.

The published fare is from London. Regional departures are available from most UK airports at a supplement we confirm rather than estimate — tell us your nearest airport when you get in touch.

No. British passport holders can visit the Schengen area, which includes Austria and Hungary, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years of the date you arrive and be valid for at least three months after you leave. Always check the latest official entry requirements on GOV.UK before travelling.

The EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System is replacing passport stamps with fingerprints and a photograph taken at the border. On a short break the practical effect is allowing extra time at the border the first time you travel under it.

The euro in Vienna and the forint in Budapest. Hungary is in the Schengen area but outside the eurozone, so you will want both currencies. Cards work almost everywhere, but a good number of market stalls — especially food and mulled wine — take cash only, and many charge a small refundable deposit on the mug. Carry some notes.

Viennese punsch and Hungarian chimney cake. Prices at the stalls are set locally and are not part of the package, so budget for food, drink and anything you buy on top of the holiday price.

The Danube that links both cities lit for the season. Two imperial capitals on the Danube, close enough to do as one trip. Vienna brings the Rathausplatz market and the coffee houses; Budapest brings the basilica light show and the thermal baths.

Yes, with two caveats that apply anywhere at this time of year: the markets is busiest after dark and on the weekends closest to Christmas, and it is cold. Tell us the ages travelling and we will price the right room configuration rather than assume two adults.

The earlier the better for December. Peak weekends and the best-value hotels sell through first, and short-haul seats get dearer as the aircraft fills rather than cheaper near departure.

Yes. Flights and hotel are sold together as a package under our ATOL licence 10713, and you receive an ATOL Certificate setting out what is covered. We also hold IATA accreditation 91285611. That is financial protection if a supplier fails; it is not travel insurance. Tell us your dates and departure airport, we confirm a live price, and once you are happy we hold the booking and set out the payment dates in writing.