HungaryBudapestChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

London to Budapest Christmas Markets

Budapest pairs two big Christmas markets with steaming outdoor thermal baths, and it's about two and a half hours' flight from London. This guide covers every practical way to get there, how to reach the centre from the airport, and when the markets open in 2026.

13 Nov – 1 JanBasilica market 2026
Budapest (BUD)Best airport from London
~2h 30mFlight time from London

The short answer

For most people the best option is a direct flight to Budapest, which takes about 2h 30m. British Airways flies from Heathrow, easyJet and Wizz Air from Gatwick, Wizz Air from Luton and Ryanair from Stansted. From the airport, the 100E Airport Express bus runs 24 hours a day to Deák Ferenc tér in about 40 minutes, a short walk from both main markets.

Market essentials

Budapest's two headline markets are a 10-minute walk apart in central Pest.

Dates

Advent Bazilika, in front of St Stephen's Basilica, runs from 13 November 2026 to 1 January 2027. The Vörösmarty tér Christmas Fair (Vörösmarty Classic Xmas) usually opens in mid-November and runs to New Year's Eve, and is expected to open on 13 November 2026. Check the official sites before you book.

Opening hours

The Basilica market is open 11:00–22:00 (23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays), with shorter hours on 24–26 December and 1 January. Vörösmarty tér usually opens from 11:00 and closes a little earlier, with reduced hours over Christmas. Some craft stalls at Vörösmarty tér pack up a few days after Christmas.

Where

Vörösmarty tér is at the northern end of Váci utca, and St Stephen's Basilica is on Szent István tér. Both are close to Deák Ferenc tér, where the 100E airport bus stops and three metro lines meet.

Thermal baths

Széchenyi Baths in City Park has large, naturally heated outdoor pools, which are especially good on a cold evening. Take metro line M1 to Széchenyi fürdő. A day ticket with a locker typically costs about £25–£35, more at weekends. Book online and bring flip-flops and a towel.

Good to know

Hungary uses the forint (HUF), not the euro, and cards are widely accepted. Expect lángos, chimney cake and mulled wine at the stalls. The Basilica market has a free light show on the church façade in the evenings and a small ice rink.

Every way to get there

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

1

Fly from Heathrow to Budapest, then the 100E bus

Best for most
Door to door5–6h
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips, short breaks
  1. London Heathrow (LHR) to Budapest (BUD)About 2h 30m. British Airways flies several times a day. Budapest is one hour ahead of the UK. Check current schedules.
  2. 100E Airport Express to Deák Ferenc térAbout 40 minutes, every 6–15 minutes by day and around the clock at night. It costs 2,500 HUF (roughly £5–£6). Tap a contactless bank card on the reader as you board by the front door, or buy in the BudapestGO app. Day travelcards are not valid on this bus.
Compare LHR–BUD flightsTransfer options: Budapest Airport → Deák Ferenc tér

Return fares are typically £80–£250, and December weekends cost the most.

2

Fly budget from Luton, Gatwick or Stansted

Cheapest
Door to door5–6h
£ Cost£
Best forTight budgets, flexible dates
  1. London Luton (LTN), Gatwick (LGW) or Stansted (STN) to Budapest (BUD)About 2h 30m. Wizz Air flies from Luton and Gatwick, easyJet from Gatwick, and Ryanair from Stansted, most with at least one flight a day. Check current schedules.
  2. Budapest Airport to the centreTake the 100E bus as above. A taxi to central Pest takes 25–35 minutes and typically costs about £30–£35 on the regulated meter; use the official taxi rank, Bolt or Uber.
Compare LTN–BUD flightsCompare STN–BUD flightsCompare LGW–BUD flights

Typical return fares are £40–£150 if you book early. Add a cabin bag if you plan to bring gifts home.

3

Fly to Vienna, take the train to Budapest

Most scenic
Door to door8–9h
£ Cost££
Best forSeeing two Christmas market cities
  1. London to Vienna (VIE)About 2h 15m. British Airways and Austrian fly from Heathrow and Ryanair from Stansted. Check current schedules.
  2. Vienna to Budapest Keleti by trainAbout 2h 40m on ÖBB Railjet or EuroCity trains from Wien Hauptbahnhof. Fares start at about €20 in second class if you book ahead.
Compare LHR–VIE flightsTrain times: Vienna → Budapest

Spend a night or two in Vienna on the way, then fly home from Budapest.

4

Eurostar and Nightjet sleeper via Vienna

Flight-free
Door to door25–27h
£ Cost£££
Best forRail fans, a slow and memorable trip
  1. Eurostar: London St Pancras to Brussels or AmsterdamAbout 2 hours to Brussels-Midi, or about 4 hours to Amsterdam Centraal. Book a train that arrives by mid-afternoon to leave a buffer before the sleeper.
  2. ÖBB Nightjet to Wien HauptbahnhofFrom Brussels, it leaves at about 19:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and reaches Vienna at about 10:15. From Amsterdam, it runs every night and reaches Vienna at about 09:50. Fares start at about €30 for a seat; couchettes and sleeper berths cost more.
  3. Vienna to Budapest KeletiAbout 2h 40m by Railjet or EuroCity, arriving in Budapest in the early afternoon.
Train times: London → BrusselsTrain times: Brussels → ViennaTrain times: Vienna → Budapest

Timetables change on 13 December 2026, so check sleeper times for your dates before booking the Eurostar.

Where to stay in Budapest

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

See hotels in Budapest

All options compared

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

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly from Heathrow to Budapest, then the 100E bus5–6h££Most trips, short breaks
Fly budget from Luton, Gatwick or Stansted5–6h£Tight budgets, flexible dates
Fly to Vienna, take the train to Budapest8–9h££Seeing two Christmas market cities
Eurostar and Nightjet sleeper via Vienna25–27h£££Rail fans, a slow and memorable trip

Where to stay and what to add

Budapest is compact, and a second market city is under three hours away by train.

Your base

Budapest

Stay in District V (Belváros-Lipótváros) to walk to Vörösmarty tér, the Basilica and the Danube. District VI and VII are a bit cheaper and still central.

Hotels in Budapest
Metro M1 from the centre

Széchenyi Baths

Go after dark, when the steam rises off the outdoor pools. City Park's ice rink is next door if you want to skate afterwards.

Hotels in Budapest
About 2h 40m by train

Vienna

Rathausplatz, Spittelberg and Schönbrunn Palace all have markets. Trains run often from Budapest Keleti to Wien Hauptbahnhof.

Hotels in Vienna

Local tip: Change money only at banks or use a card. Avoid the airport exchange desks and street changers, which give poor rates.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When do the Budapest Christmas markets open in 2026?

The Advent Bazilika market runs from 13 November 2026 to 1 January 2027. The Vörösmarty tér Christmas Fair usually opens in mid-November and is expected to open on 13 November 2026, running until New Year's Eve. Check the official sites for final dates.

Which London airports have direct flights to Budapest?

British Airways flies from Heathrow, Wizz Air from Luton and Gatwick, easyJet from Gatwick, and Ryanair from Stansted. Flights take about 2h 30m. Check current schedules, as winter timetables can vary.

How do I get from Budapest Airport to the city centre?

The 100E Airport Express bus runs 24 hours a day to Deák Ferenc tér in about 40 minutes and costs 2,500 HUF. Pay by contactless card when you board. A taxi takes 25–35 minutes and typically costs about £30–£35.

Can I get the train from London to Budapest?

Yes. Take the Eurostar to Brussels or Amsterdam, the ÖBB Nightjet sleeper to Vienna, then a 2h 40m train to Budapest. It takes about a day and a night in total.

Are the thermal baths open in winter?

Yes. Széchenyi's outdoor pools stay open all year and are warm enough to enjoy in freezing weather. Book a ticket online to skip the queue.

How many days do I need?

Two or three nights is enough for both markets, a thermal bath and a walk up to Buda Castle. Add a couple of nights if you want to combine the trip with Vienna.

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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.