Planning a Christmas trip to Europe can feel overwhelming. In this guide, we walk you through the exact steps we use every year when planning our own Christmas trips. You’ll learn how we choose our dates, find the best flights, pick the right area to stay in, and decide which activities to book. We also cover how we keep everything organised so the trip runs smoothly. These are the strategies that consistently work for us, and they’ll make planning your Christmas in Europe much easier.
A Guide to Planning Your Christmas Trip
Step 1: When to Travel for Christmas Markets in Europe
The first thing we do is decide when we want to go, and not primarily where we want to go. This is because we tend to be more flexible with the destination, that way we can find the best deals and it’s more fun that way. Unless there’s a particular destination on your bucket list, of course.
Most Christmas markets are in December, so that’s usually the month we focus on.
Before you book a trip, make sure the time you plan to go, the markets are running in that destination. We also think about how long the trip will be. Are we looking at a weekend trip, a long weekend, or a full week? It’s important to know this because it will affect where we stay and what we can realistically see and do.
Step 2: How to Get the Best Flight Deals for Christmas Travel
Once we have our dates, we start looking at flights. We use Skyscanner and Google Flights first. Later, we check each airline’s website or app to compare prices. Some airlines offer lower fares directly. Never settle for the first price you see.
Both platforms have an Explore option for flexible travelers. You can search “Everywhere” or “Explore” to see the cheapest countries first. Then you can view the cheapest cities in each country. After that, you will see flights with different dates. This helps you find the option that fits your plans.
This tool works well if you know your dates but not your destination. It also helps if you have a set budget. You can quickly see which trips match your price range.
Once you know where you want to go, start a more specific search. You can type in a destination like Edinburgh if it offers a good price. Choose the month you want to travel, such as December, and look for the cheapest flights. Cheaper flights often include a layover. That may work for some travelers. We live in Madrid, so a layover in Europe is usually not worth it. We filter for direct flights only. If a layover is fine for you, keep the search set to cheapest flights. Then check all available dates.
If we choose to travel from December 18 to December 22, we may find a direct Ryanair flight for about $144 per person. It is important to enter the correct number of travelers. Some deals show only one seat left. Searching with the real number of passengers gives accurate results.
Next, we compare the price on Ryanair’s website. We enter the same route, the same dates, and the same number of passengers. Low cost airlines often show a cheap price for only one part of the trip. Always check if the fare is for a single flight or the full round trip.
Airlines usually offer several fare types. The basic fare normally includes only a seat. It does not include a seat assignment or checked baggage. It usually includes one small underseat bag. You can upgrade if you need a 10-kilogram bag or other extras.
Price is not the only thing to consider. Arrival and departure times matter. This is important for transport. Buses, trains, or metros may not run when you land. That can make reaching your accommodation difficult. Not all hotels offer 24-hour check-in. If you book on Booking.com, check that late arrivals are allowed. Arriving very late can be inconvenient and unsafe.
Arriving late in a new city can feel stressful. This is especially true if you travel alone or with children. We prefer to arrive earlier in the day so we have daylight to settle in and explore. For returning flights, a later time is usually fine. We already know the city and we know how to get home safely.
Once our flights are sorted, we move on to accommodation.
Step 3: Tips for Booking Hotels for a Christmas Europe Trip
We usually use Booking.com because our experiences have been better than with other platforms like Airbnb.
When choosing a place, we use filters for rating, location, budget, and transport access. We usually look for a rating of 9 or higher. For short trips, we prefer central locations. This helps us walk to main sights or use public transport easily. Cheaper stays outside the center often cost more time, so we avoid them.
We also pay close attention to check-in policies. Some places do not accept late check-ins. We recommend choosing accommodation that allows late check-ins or self check-in. This helps if your flight is delayed or arrives late. Good timing is important in winter because daylight hours are shorter. This is one reason we prefer flights that arrive earlier in the day.
Always select the correct number of rooms before booking. If you are a family of four, a one-bedroom place may fit everyone. Many one-bedroom stays use sofa beds in the living area. Some have an open layout with all beds in one space. If you want separate bedrooms, you must book a place with more rooms. Always check the layout so everyone sleeps comfortably.
Step 4: How to Organise Your Christmas Europe Itinerary
After flights and accommodation are booked, we start planning activities outside the Christmas markets. We usually use GetYourGuide for this.
We like it because most activities have free cancellation up to 24 hours before. All your tickets are stored in the app. Using our link earns us a small commission, which helps support the channel and keep our travel guides coming.
To find activities, start with GetYourGuide. Type the city or place you’re visiting in the search bar to see options. Sometimes it only shows the most popular activities.
Another tip is to search Google for activities first. When you find one you like, type it into GetYourGuide to check availability and book.
We plan carefully because in December the sun sets early. Organizing activities in advance ensures you don’t miss anything and keeps the trip relaxed.
Step 5: Tips for Renting a Car in Europe During Christmas
If we need to rent a car, there are important things we need to consider. For example, will there be snow, do I need to get winter tires? Does it have insurance? Does it have unlimited mileage?
And if you have small children, you might need to request child seats. We also check pick-up and drop-off times to make sure they align with our flights. Taking the time to check all these details ensures we don’t run into any unpleasant surprises.
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Related Reads You’ll Love…
If you want to go even deeper with your planning, we’ve got a few posts that pair really well with this one. You can check out the best apps you’ll actually use when visiting Europe, our guide to the top Christmas markets, a full list of things to do around Europe during the holidays, and our favourite tips for travelling Europe on a budget. Each one will help you plan smarter, save time, and make your trip feel a little easier.
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