GermanyBavariaChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

Birmingham to Munich Christmas Markets

Munich's Christmas markets fill the old town around Marienplatz, and there's a direct flight from Birmingham every day. This guide covers the direct flight, the alternatives via Frankfurt or London, getting in from the airport, and the 2026 market dates.

20 Nov – 24 DecMarienplatz market 2026

~1h 55mDirect flight from Birmingham

Munich (MUC)Best airport from Birmingham

The short answer

The best option for most people is Lufthansa's direct flight from Birmingham to Munich, which takes about 1h 55m and usually leaves in the early evening. From the airport, take the S8 or S1 S-Bahn into the city (about 40–45 minutes). The S8 stops at Marienplatz, right in the middle of the main market.

Market essentials

Munich has one big central market and lots of smaller themed ones, most within walking distance of Marienplatz.

Dates

The main Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz runs from 20 November to 24 December 2026, starting a few days earlier than in past years. Most other markets open in mid-to-late November and close on or just before Christmas Eve. Check each market's own site before you book.

Opening hours

The Marienplatz market is usually open from about 10:00 to 21:00 (20:00 on Sundays) and closes early, at about 14:00, on 24 December. Check the official site for confirmed 2026 hours.

Where

The main market stretches from Marienplatz through the surrounding pedestrian streets, with the Kripperlmarkt (nativity figures) by St Peter's Church. Other markets include the Residenz courtyard, the medieval market on Wittelsbacherplatz and the Tollwood winter festival on the Theresienwiese.

Good to know

Musicians play from the town hall balcony most evenings. Drinks come in mugs with a deposit (Pfand), which you get back when you return the mug. Weekday afternoons are much quieter than weekend evenings.

Every way to get there

From Birmingham to Munich, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

Direct flight from Birmingham, then the S-Bahn

Best for most

Door to door4–5h

£ Cost££

Best forMost trips, anyone in the Midlands

Birmingham (BHX) to Munich (MUC)About 1h 55m. Lufthansa flies once a day, usually in the early evening, with some flights operated by Lufthansa City Airlines. It's the only direct route from Birmingham this winter. Check current schedules.
Munich Airport to the city centreThe S8 reaches Marienplatz in about 40 minutes, and the S1 reaches the Hauptbahnhof in about 45 minutes. Between them they run about every 10 minutes. The Airport-City-Day-Ticket (about €16) covers the trip in and unlimited travel until the next morning. The Lufthansa Express Bus to the Hauptbahnhof takes about 45 minutes.

Find BHX–MUC flights Expedia Skyscanner Train tickets on Klook Train times: Munich Airport → Marienplatz

The evening departure means your first market visit is usually the next morning, so plan for at least two nights.

Fly from Birmingham via Frankfurt

Door to door6–8h

£ Cost££

Best forMore flight times, Lufthansa connections

Birmingham (BHX) to Frankfurt (FRA)About 1h 35m. Lufthansa flies several times a day, with some flights operated by Air Dolomiti. Check current schedules.
Frankfurt to MunichConnect to a Lufthansa flight to Munich (about 1 hour). You can book it as one ticket, so your bags go straight through. You could also take an ICE train from Frankfurt Airport to Munich, which takes about 3h 30m–4h.

Find BHX–FRA flights Expedia Skyscanner Find FRA–MUC flights Expedia Skyscanner

Useful if the direct flight is full or too expensive on your dates, or if you want to fly earlier in the day.

Fly from London Heathrow or Gatwick

Cheapest

Door to door6–8h

£ Cost£

Best forMore choice of flights and fares

Birmingham to Heathrow or GatwickAbout 2–3 hours by coach or train. National Express runs coaches from Birmingham to Heathrow. By rail, take Avanti West Coast from Birmingham New Street to London Euston (about 1h 20m), then continue across London.
London to Munich (MUC)About 1h 50m–2h. British Airways and Lufthansa fly from Heathrow several times a day, and easyJet flies from Gatwick. Check current schedules.

Find LHR–MUC flights Expedia Skyscanner Find LGW–MUC flights Expedia Skyscanner

This only saves money if the London fare is much cheaper than the direct flight from Birmingham. Count the cost of getting to London and the extra time.

Train via London and Paris

Flight-free

Door to door13–15h

£ Cost£££

Best forRail fans, avoiding flying

Birmingham New Street to London St PancrasAbout 1h 20m by Avanti West Coast to London Euston, then a five-minute walk to St Pancras.
Eurostar: London St Pancras to Paris Gare du NordAbout 2h 20m. From Gare du Nord, walk about 10 minutes to Gare de l'Est.
TGV: Paris Gare de l'Est to München HauptbahnhofOne direct TGV a day takes about 5h 50m and gets in mid-evening. Other trains need a change in Stuttgart, Karlsruhe or Mannheim. Check times for your date, because timetables change in mid-December.

Train tickets on Klook Train times: Birmingham → London Train tickets on Klook Train times: London → Paris Train tickets on Klook Train times: Paris → Munich

It's a long day, so many people split it with a night in Paris.

Where to stay in Munich

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Munich Expedia KKday

Plan the rest of your trip

🎟️ Tours & tickets 🚕 Airport transfer 📶 Travel eSIM 🚗 Car hire 🎫 City passes 🧳 Luggage storage ⏱️ Flight delay claim

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

Option	Door to door	Cost	Best for
Direct flight from Birmingham, then the S-Bahn	4–5h	££	Most trips, anyone in the Midlands
Fly from Birmingham via Frankfurt	6–8h	££	More flight times, Lufthansa connections
Fly from London Heathrow or Gatwick	6–8h	£	More choice of flights and fares
Train via London and Paris	13–15h	£££	Rail fans, avoiding flying

Add more markets by train

Munich has fast trains to other Bavarian and Austrian market towns, so a day trip is easy.

Your base

Munich

Stay in the Altstadt or near the Hauptbahnhof so you can walk to Marienplatz and the Residenz market and get to the airport easily.

Hotels in Munich Expedia

About 1h 10m by train

Nuremberg

Home to Germany's most famous Christmas market, the Christkindlesmarkt, which opens on 27 November 2026. ICE trains run often from Munich.

Hotels in Nuremberg Expedia

About 30–45 min by train

Augsburg

Augsburg has a traditional market in front of its Renaissance town hall and is an easy half-day trip.

Hotels in Augsburg Expedia

About 1h 30m–2h by train

Salzburg

Cross into Austria for the market in front of Salzburg Cathedral, with views up to the fortress.

Hotels in Salzburg Expedia

Local tip: Look at the Bayern-Ticket for day trips. It gives a group unlimited travel on regional trains around Bavaria for one day, which can be much cheaper than single fares. It isn't valid on ICE trains.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

Are there direct flights from Birmingham to Munich?

Yes. Lufthansa flies direct from Birmingham to Munich once a day, taking about 1h 55m. It's the only direct route this winter, so book early for December weekends.

When does the Munich Christmas market open in 2026?

The main Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz runs from 20 November to 24 December 2026. Most of the smaller markets open in mid-to-late November. Check each market's own site for exact dates.

How do I get from Munich Airport to Marienplatz?

Take the S8 S-Bahn, which goes straight to Marienplatz in about 40 minutes. The S1 goes to the Hauptbahnhof in about 45 minutes. An Airport-City-Day-Ticket costs about €16 and also covers travel around the city for the rest of the day.

Is it cheaper to fly from London?

Sometimes. There are more flights from Heathrow and Gatwick, so fares can be lower. But getting from Birmingham to a London airport takes 2–3 hours and costs extra, so compare the total before you book.

Can I combine Munich and Nuremberg?

Yes, easily. ICE trains between Munich and Nuremberg take about 1h 10m and run often. Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt runs from 27 November to 24 December 2026.

How many days do I need?

Two or three nights is enough for the Munich markets and a beer hall or two. Add a night if you want a day trip to Nuremberg or Salzburg.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.