What We Spent: Realistic Budget for a 10-Night Christmas Market Trip to Switzerland, France, & Germany
Dreaming of a European Christmas Market Adventure? Here's what it actually costs to visit Switzerland, France, and Germany during the Holidays. We get asked all the time about budgeting for the magical experiences - you know, the twinkling lights, the aroma of mulled wine and gingerbread, the carols echoing through cobblestone squares. But those dreams can cost a pretty penny. So we’ve crunched the numbers from one of our 10-night Christmas market-hopping adventures, and we're pulling back the curtain to share exactly what we spent. Here’s a realistic look at the cost of a mid-range European Christmas market trip.
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Basel, Switzerland
We've all been there: pouring over travel blogs and seeing influencer girlies in twirly velvet dresses showing off the dreamiest Christmas vibes. But it’s nearly impossible to try to decipher vague budget estimates from these picture-perfect Christmas market vacation posts. That's why we're committed to providing honest, transparent travel information for couples and other travelers looking to experience the magic of European Christmas markets on various budgets. We believe in realistic itineraries and budgets, and we want to empower you to make informed decisions about your own Christmas market adventure.
This trip-budget breakdown is from a trip that took us through some of Europe's most memorable markets: Basel, Switzerland; Colmar and Strasbourg, France; Frankfurt and Cologne, Germany; and finally, back to Zurich, Switzerland, for our departure. Ten nights, six cities, and plenty of Christmas cheer and train travel. But how much did it all cost?
Cologne, Germany
Before we dive into the numbers, let's clarify what we mean by "mid-range." We opted for comfortable, well-rated hotels and Airbnbs (mostly 3.5-4 stars). We consider ourselves “sort of” foodies, but we mostly love the experience of grazing and sharing treats and meals at the Christmas markets rather than long, lavish meals. Think plenty of mulled wine, delicious market snacks, and the occasional sit-down meal at a cozy restaurant. We also factored in transportation between cities (mostly trains), local transport (Ubers), shopping for souvenirs and gifts, and a few fun extras like ice skating and a light show. We also want to emphasize that these prices are in USD.
Here's the cost breakdown of our 10-night Christmas market trip through Basel, Colmar, Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Cologne, and Zurich:
Frankfurt, Germany
How Much Does a Christmas Market Trip Cost?
Our 10-night Christmas Market trip cost us $5,500 for two people. This includes everything: flights, accommodation, transportation, food and drinks, shopping, and entertainment. Keep in mind that this is a per-couple cost.
Let's break it down by category:
Flight Costs for Our Europe Trip: $1550
We found a great deal on flights by booking early and staying flexible with our travel dates. We flew round-trip from DFW to Zurich during the last two weeks of November. This cost is a significant portion of the overall budget, so finding a good flight deal is always a win.
Trains Between Cities: $567
This includes all train journeys between the cities on our itinerary: Zurich Airport to Basel, Basel to Colmar, Colmar to Strasbourg, Strasbourg to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Cologne, and Cologne back to Zurich. Train travel in Europe can be quite scenic, but it's important to factor in the cost. We used the Trainline app to book all of the trains we took across Europe. We know there are many apps and options for booking train travel, but we prefer this app for its ease and convenience. We’ve used it for years and will keep using it!
Here’s the train cost breakdown (Prices are for two tickets in USD):
Zurich Airport to Zurich’s Central Station: $15
Zurich to Basel - Second class tickets: $76
Basel to Colmar - Local train tickets: $33
Colmar to Strasbourg - Local train tickets: $33
Strasbourg to Frankfurt - Second class tickets: $130
Frankfurt to Cologne - First class tickets: $140
Cologne to Zurich - First class tickets: $140
Cost of Ubers & Local Transport: $158
We mostly took Ubers to and from train stations and hotels in each city. Within the Christmas market areas, we mostly walked, which is a great way to soak up the atmosphere, see more of each destination, and walk off some of the treats we consumed.
The average cost of going from a central train station to a centrally located hotel in Europe is about $10-$15. The average price of taking an Uber from a centrally located hotel to the airport is about $35, but it depends on the time of day.
Accommodation Costs for Christmas Markets: $2025
Our hotels and Airbnbs averaged around $200 per night for ten nights. Weekend hotel nights are more expensive than weekday nights. We prioritized locations that were convenient to the Christmas markets and other attractions rather than strictly based on budget accommodations or places with amazing views.
Christmas Market Trip Food & Drink Expenses: $910
This food and drink price is for 10 days for two people. This includes everything from market snacks and mulled wine to restaurant meals. We often shared food and drinks at the markets and cafes, which is both a great way to save money and try a wider variety of different treats.
Shopping (Souvenirs & Gifts): $240
We allocated a reasonable amount for those must-have Christmas market treasures. It's easy to get carried away with shopping at the markets, so setting a budget beforehand is a good idea. We spent about $100 on ourselves and $140 on gifts for family and friends.
Entertainment in and outside of Christmas Markets: $100
This covered a few extra activities beyond the markets themselves. We enjoyed ice skating at the Gnome Market in Cologne and also saw a beautiful light show at the Illuminarium in Zurich.
Want a Cost Breakdown Per City?
Basel for 2 Nights: $612
Hotel: $440, Food & Drink: $150, Uber to & from the train station: $22
Basel was a charming city with beautiful markets near the Rhine. We especially enjoyed the festive atmosphere and the delicious Swiss chocolate!
Hotel: The Passage
Watch the Vlog: https://youtu.be/YaCEADDaWds
Basel Travel Guide: https://andrewandkait.com/blogs/basel-christmas-markets
Looking for unforgettable things to do in Basel? Check out these experiences to see much of the city quickly!
Colmar for 2 Nights: $580
Airbnb: $450, Food & Drink: $130
Colmar was like stepping into a fairytale with its colorful half-timbered houses and picturesque canals. The Christmas markets here were smaller but incredibly charming.
Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/12066189
Watch the Vlog: https://youtu.be/P7y7ekM-0IU
Colmar Travel Guide: https://andrewandkait.com/blogs/colmar-christmas-guide
Where do you stay in the small city of Colmar? Use our favorite and most reliable Booking search engine below!
Strasbourg for 1 Night: $527
Hotel: $330, Food & Drink: $170, Uber to & from train station: $27
Strasbourg is known as the "Capital of Christmas" and for good reason. The markets here were extensive and incredibly festive. We loved exploring the city's historic center and enjoying the amazing market dishes!
Hotel: Hotel Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg - MGallery
Watch the Vlog: https://youtu.be/G4YufQjB7tE
Strasbourg Guide: https://andrewandkait.com/blogs/strasbourg-christmas-guide
Check out these top tours in Strasbourg to enjoy while you’re there!
Frankfurt for 1 Night: $296
Hotel: $175, Food & Drink: $90, Uber to & from train station: $31
Frankfurt's Christmas market was full of lots of handcrafted goods and delicious German food. While it's not worth going out of your way to visit, it’s the perfect place to spend one night to start or end your trip, as it’s a major airline hub.
Hotel: Moxy Frankfurt City Center
Watch the Vlog: https://youtu.be/JWJp0Xt2dg8
Frankfurt Guide: https://andrewandkait.com/blogs/what-to-know-before-visiting-frankfurt-christmas-markets
Cologne for 2 Nights: $614
Hotel: $340, Food & Drink: $180, Uber to & from train station: $44; Entertainment: $50
Cologne's Christmas market was set against the backdrop of the stunning Cologne Cathedral, which made for a truly magical experience. We also enjoyed the city's vibrant atmosphere.
Hotel: 25hours Hotel The Circle
Watch the Vlog: https://youtu.be/c91IKOBGEm0
Cologne Guide: https://andrewandkait.com/blogs/cologne-christmas-markets-travel-guide
Zurich for 2 Nights: $565
Hotel: $290, Food & Drink: $190, Uber to airport: $35; Entertainment: $50
Zurich was our final stop, and we enjoyed exploring the city's Christmas markets and its beautiful lakefront. It was a perfect way to end our trip.
Hotel: ibis Styles Zurich City Center
Watch the Vlog: https://youtu.be/dLq9qrrb8Zc
Zurich Guide: https://andrewandkait.com/blogs/zurich-christmas-markets-travel-guide
Where do you stay on a budget in such a pricey city? Use our favorite and most reliable Booking search engine below!
This detailed breakdown should give you a much clearer picture of what a mid-range European Christmas market trip actually costs. Remember, these are our specific expenses, and your own budget may vary depending on your travel style and preferences. However, we hope this provides a helpful starting point for planning your own exciting Christmas market adventure. We also encourage you to do your own research and compare prices for flights, accommodation, and transportation to find the best deals for your trip.
Zurich Hauptbahnhof Train Station market in Zurich, Switzerland
Christmas Markets Trips Budget Lessons
Price Per Night: Strasbourg, Cologne, and Zurich emerged as the Most Expensive. Accommodation costs certainly played a role, as did other factors like dining, transportation, and entertainment. Basel and Zurich were close runners-up for the priciest stops, though. They’re known to be pricey destinations, and, well, they live up to the hype! We spent more than expected in Cologne because each of the half-dozen Christmas markets was so different; we wanted to sample everything. Strasbourg was a very close third, as it is such a popular Christmas market destination that we found almost nowhere under $250 a night for a weekend during this peak season within walking distance of the markets. Colmar is no budget destination either. There were too many great things to taste in the Alsace region. We spent more on food here than in most places!
Frankfurt Was Surprisingly Budget-Friendly: This city offered a great balance of festive atmosphere and reasonable prices. It’s also not the most riveting market city and, frankly, lacks the Christmasy charm that some smaller destinations offer. But as a major airline hub, if you’re flying into or out of Frankfurt, it’s definitely worth a one-night stop.
There Are No “Cheap Hotels” in Zurich: Unless you want to go the hostel route, the cheapest 3-star you’ll find is about $150 and is still quite a walk from the biggest Christmas markets in Zurich. The ibis was fine, but a bit lower-end and further away from what we normally book
Train Travel Adds Up: The cost of train tickets between cities is a significant portion of the overall budget. Factor this in when planning your itinerary, especially if you're traveling between multiple countries. Researching train prices in advance and booking tickets early can sometimes save you money.
Food and Drink Costs Can Be Managed: Our approach of sharing and grazing at markets helped us keep our food expenses in check without sacrificing the culinary experience. This let us try a variety of foods without overspending. If you want a unique restaurant experience, make lunch rather than dinner reservations to save a bit of money and still have an elevated experience. Unless you adore fine dining or hate sharing, we’d recommend a budget of about $50 per person per day for food if you’re on a strict or mid-range budget.
Gnome Market in Cologne, Germany
What We Would Do Differently
While Cologne is our absolute favorite market (click here to find our full list of favorites!), we wouldn’t pair it with an Alsace and Switzerland trip. It makes more sense to go to Cologne with more German destinations or a combo trip to the Netherlands or Belgium. We also wouldn’t go back to Frankfurt unless we were flying into or out of the city. Zurich is also a great destination to fly into and out of, but we wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to visit it. If you want to visit the Alsace area (like Strasbourg and Colmar) for their iconic Christmas markets, we recommend flying into or out of Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Basel, or even Paris.
We would also spend more time in Strasbourg! While one night and two days scratched that itch, it wasn’t nearly enough. There is SO much to do in Strasbourg that we highly recommend spending 2-4 nights there - especially if you want to move around less. It's also a great place to stay and take day trips from if you’re visiting places like Freiburg, Offenburg, Colmar, and Basel.
Which Christmas Market is Our Favorite?
We’ve ranked every Christmas market destination we’ve visited to share which ones are the most fun, charming, and delicious! Click here to see the full list!
Christmas market in Basel, Switzerland
Want more insider tips and travel inspiration? Join our Europe Christmas Market Facebook group! We'd love to connect with you and help you plan your dream trip. For more information on each destination, check out our other blog posts for more Christmas market travel tips. And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, Andrew & Kait, for videos showcasing each of these incredible Christmas market destinations.