THE cheapest Christmas markets in Europe have been revealed with France and Croatia coming out on top as some of the biggest bargains.
An affordable break can also be found in Latvia and Estonia – although you’re best off avoiding Germany.
2
The Post Office has looked at the top 13 Christmas markets in Europe, and ranked them on affordability.
The Christmas Markets Barometer looked at the costs of a number of different items, including cups of coffee, two-course meals, glasses of mulled wine, pieces of cake and return transfers.
It also looks at how much it costs for two nights at a B&B as well as flights or trains to the destination.
A Christmas market break to Riga in Latvia came out on top, costing just £496.64 for two adults.
Prices were kept low thanks to cheap extras like £4 for two airport transfers, and £7 for four pieces of stollen (a type of Christmas cake).
2
The average two-night stay at a hotel with return flights cost just £326 for two.
We’ve found a two night stay at Old Riga Palace including flights for just £101 per person when travelling on December 12.
The market itself runs from November 30 to January 6 at Dome Square so there’s plenty of time to check it out.
Other bargain markets included Zagreb in Croatia, costing £522.65 for two, followed by Tallinn in Estonia (£530.90), Lille in France, (£575.38) and Prague in Czech Republic (£612.81).
Some great deals include two nights in Zagreb with return flights in December costing just £262 per person, while a weekend in Tallinn and flights costs £281 per person.
But it’s bad news for Brits choosing Austria or Germany.
While they are some of the most popular choices for a weekend pre-Christmas break, they are also the most expensive.
Total costs on average trips to Vienna came to £776.74 while Munich worked out to £724.62 for two.
Thankfully, we’ve found a few bargain deals – two nights in Vienna with flights costs just £333 per person and a weekend in Munich with a five-star hotel plus flights is just £308 per person.
Nick Boden, Head of Post Office Travel Money, said this year was a great year to go abroad near Christmas, with package holiday prices dropping.
He explained: “Big falls of over 25 per cent in many other cities suggest there is more flight and hotel availability this year, resulting in strong competition for business and lower prices.
“This makes it a great time for holidaymakers to plan bargain Christmas markets trips.”
Post Office’s cheapest Christmas market destinations
1. Riga, Latvia – £496.64
2. Zagreb, Croatia – £522.65
3. Tallinn, Estonia – £530.90
4. Lille, France – £575.38
5. Prague, Czech Republic – £612.81
6. Krakow, Poland – £616.04
7. Budapest, Hungary – £624.07
8. Stockholm, Sweden – £625.16
9. Berlin, Germany – £647.28
10. Copenhagen, Denmark – £655.48
11. Strasbourg, France – £683.36
12. Munich, Germany – £724.62
13. Vienna, Austria – £776.74
We’ve also rounded up the best Christmas markets in the UK if you don’t fancy jumping on a plane this season.
The Christmas ads are also here – here are some of the best from Ikea to Aldi
There are still some great Christmas break deals, including some winter sun destinations.
