AustriaSalzburgChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

Birmingham to Salzburg Christmas Markets

Salzburg's Christmas markets sit in front of the cathedral with the fortress above and the Alps behind. This guide covers direct flights from Birmingham, routes via Munich or London, the 2026 market dates and easy day trips to the lakes and mountains.

19 Nov – 1 JanChristkindlmarkt dates 2026/27

Salzburg (SZG)Best airport from Birmingham

~2h 10mDirect flight time

The short answer

From early December, take a direct Saturday flight from Birmingham to Salzburg. Ryanair flies from 5 Dec 2026 and Jet2 from 19 Dec 2026. Then catch bus 10 or bus 2 into the city in about 15–25 minutes. For earlier dates or other days of the week, fly Birmingham to Munich and take the train to Salzburg, which takes about 2–2.5 hours.

Market essentials

Salzburg has several markets, and most are within walking distance of each other in the old town.

Dates

The main Salzburg Christkindlmarkt on Domplatz and Residenzplatz runs from 19 Nov 2026 to 1 Jan 2027. The Hellbrunn Advent market at Hellbrunn Palace runs from 19 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 and is closed on Mondays. Check the official sites before you go.

Opening hours

The Christkindlmarkt opens 10:00–20:30 Monday to Thursday, 10:00–21:00 on Fridays, 09:00–21:00 on Saturdays and 09:00–20:30 on Sundays. On 24 Dec it closes at 15:00, and on 25–26 Dec it opens 11:00–18:00. Hellbrunn opens 13:00–20:00 Tuesday to Friday and 10:00–20:00 at weekends.

Where

The main market fills the squares around Salzburg Cathedral. Mirabellplatz has a smaller market across the river. Hellbrunn is on the southern edge of the city and is easy to reach by bus.

Good to know

The traditional Krampus run is on 5 Dec at 18:30 and the Perchten run on 21 Dec, both at the Christkindlmarkt. Saturdays and the week before Christmas are the busiest times, so go on a weekday evening for a calmer visit.

Every way to get there

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

Fly direct from Birmingham to Salzburg

Fastest

Door to door4–5h

£ Cost££

Best forDecember weekend breaks

Birmingham (BHX) to Salzburg (SZG)About 2h 10m. Ryanair flies once a week from 5 Dec 2026, and Jet2 flies on Saturdays from 19 Dec 2026. Both are mainly ski-season flights, so there are no direct flights for the early weeks of the market. Check current schedules.
Bus into SalzburgBus 10 runs to the city centre in about 15 minutes, every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday. Bus 2 runs daily to the main station in about 23 minutes. Tickets cost a few euros from the machine at the stop.

Compare BHX–SZG flights Transfer options: Salzburg Airport → Salzburg

Saturday flights fill up with skiers, so book early and add hold luggage when you book if you need it.

Fly to Munich, then the train to Salzburg

Best for most

Door to door6–7h

£ Cost££

Best forAny date, including November

Birmingham (BHX) to Munich (MUC)About 1h 50m with Lufthansa, which flies most days. Check current schedules.
Munich Airport to Salzburg Hbf by trainAbout 2h to 2h 30m, usually with one change. Book ahead and fares often start from about £16 one way. Trains run all day.

Compare BHX–MUC flights Train times: Munich Airport → Salzburg Hbf

This route lets you add a night in Munich for its own Christmas markets on the way.

Fly from London to Salzburg

Cheapest

Door to door6–7h

£ Cost£

Best forMore flight days and cheaper fares

Birmingham to Stansted or GatwickAllow about 2h 30m to 3h by train or coach. Driving to Stansted takes about 2h 15m.
London Stansted (STN) or Gatwick (LGW) to Salzburg (SZG)About 2 hours. Ryanair flies from Stansted, usually once or twice a day. From Gatwick, British Airways flies, easyJet starts on 4 Dec 2026 and Jet2 on 19 Dec 2026. Check current schedules.
Bus into SalzburgBus 10 to the centre takes about 15 minutes, and bus 2 to the main station takes about 23 minutes.

Compare STN–SZG flights Compare LGW–SZG flights

Early-morning flights from Stansted usually mean staying the night before or catching a very early coach.

Where to stay in Salzburg

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

See hotels in Salzburg

All options compared

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

Option	Door to door	Cost	Best for
Fly direct from Birmingham to Salzburg	4–5h	££	December weekend breaks
Fly to Munich, then the train to Salzburg	6–7h	££	Any date, including November
Fly from London to Salzburg	6–7h	£	More flight days and cheaper fares

Day trips and where to stay

Salzburg is a good base for lakeside villages and Bavarian mountain markets, all reachable by bus.

Your base

Salzburg old town

Stay in the Altstadt or near Mirabellplatz so you can walk to the Christkindlmarkt and back in the evening. December weekend rates are noticeably higher than weekdays.

Hotels in Salzburg

Direct bus 150

St Gilgen and Wolfgangsee

Bus 150 runs from Salzburg along the Wolfgangsee. The Wolfgangseer Advent starts on 20 Nov 2026 and spreads across St Gilgen, St Wolfgang and Strobl, with an Advent boat on the lake. Check opening days on wolfgangsee.at.

Hotels in St. Gilgen

About 55 min by bus

Berchtesgaden, Germany

Bus 840 runs about hourly from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof. The Berchtesgadener Advent market usually runs from late November into early January, with mountain views all round.

Hotels in Berchtesgaden

About 2h 15m by bus

Hallstatt

The lakeside village is a full day out. Take bus 150 to Bad Ischl, then change for Hallstatt. The train via Attnang-Puchheim and the ferry across the lake takes about 3 hours.

Hotels in Hallstatt

Local tip: The Salzburg Card includes city buses, so it covers the trip to Hellbrunn as well as many museums.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

Are there direct flights from Birmingham to Salzburg?

Yes, but only in winter, and they're mainly for skiers. Ryanair flies once a week from 5 Dec 2026, and Jet2 flies on Saturdays from 19 Dec 2026. The flight takes about 2h 10m. For November or midweek dates, fly via Munich or from London.

When are the Salzburg Christmas markets in 2026?

The main Christkindlmarkt on Domplatz and Residenzplatz runs from 19 Nov 2026 to 1 Jan 2027. The Hellbrunn Advent market runs from 19 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 and is closed on Mondays.

How do I get from Munich Airport to Salzburg?

Take the train, which takes about 2h to 2h 30m with one change. Advance fares are often from about £16 one way. Driving takes about 2 hours.

How do I get from Salzburg Airport to the old town?

Bus 10 reaches the centre in about 15 minutes, Monday to Saturday. Bus 2 runs daily to the main station in about 23 minutes. A taxi takes about 10 minutes.

Can I visit Hallstatt from Salzburg in winter?

Yes. It takes about 2h 15m each way by bus with a change at Bad Ischl, so plan a full day. Check winter timetables before you go.

How many days do I need in Salzburg?

Two or three nights is enough for the city markets and Hellbrunn, plus one day trip to Wolfgangsee, Berchtesgaden or Hallstatt.

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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.