GermanyBavariaChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

London to Nuremberg Christmas Market

Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt is one of Germany's oldest and best-known Christmas markets, and there are more direct flights from London this winter than usual. This guide covers the direct flights, routes via Munich or Frankfurt, getting into town, and the 2026 market dates.

27 Nov – 24 DecChristkindlesmarkt 2026
Nuremberg (NUE)Best airport from London
~1h 35m–2hDirect flight from London

The short answer

For most people the best option is a direct flight to Nuremberg. Ryanair flies from Stansted all winter, easyJet starts seasonal flights from Gatwick and Luton in late November, and British Airways is scheduled to fly from Heathrow over the Christmas period. From the airport, the U2 underground takes about 13 minutes to the Hauptbahnhof, which is a short walk from the market on the Hauptmarkt.

Market essentials

The Christkindlesmarkt fills the Hauptmarkt in the old town, with up to 180 stalls under red-and-white awnings.

Dates

The 2026 market opens on Friday 27 November at 17:30, when the Nuremberg Christkind (Christ Child) reads the opening prologue from the balcony of the Frauenkirche. It runs until 24 December 2026.

Opening hours

Daily from 10:00 to 21:00. On Christmas Eve (24 December) it's open from 10:00 to 14:00 only.

Where

The main market is on the Hauptmarkt, by the Frauenkirche and the Schöner Brunnen fountain. Next to it are the Sister Cities market, with stalls from Nuremberg's twin towns, and the Kinderweihnacht (children's Christmas market), with old-fashioned rides.

Good to know

Try Nürnberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and 'Drei im Weggla' (three small Nuremberg sausages in a roll). The market drew more than 2 million visitors in 2025, so go on a weekday morning if you can. Weekend evenings are very busy.

Every way to get there

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

1

Fly direct to Nuremberg, then the U-Bahn

Best for most
Door to door4–5h
£ Cost£
Best forMost trips, short breaks
  1. London to Nuremberg (NUE)About 1h 35m–2h. Ryanair flies from Stansted all winter. easyJet starts seasonal flights from Gatwick on 19 November 2026 and from Luton on 23 November 2026, a few times a week. British Airways is scheduled to fly from Heathrow from late November, about four times a week. Check current schedules.
  2. Nuremberg Airport to the old townThe U2 underground runs from the airport to the Hauptbahnhof in about 13 minutes, about every 10 minutes. From there it's a 10–15 minute walk to the Hauptmarkt, or change to the U1 for Lorenzkirche.
Find STN–NUE flightsExpediaSkyscannerFind LGW–NUE flightsExpediaSkyscannerTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Nuremberg Airport → Nürnberg Hbf

Ryanair advertises starting fares of about £15–£21 each way for November and December, but December weekends cost much more. Typical returns are £50–£200.

2

Fly to Munich, then the ICE train

Door to door6–7h
£ Cost££
Best forMore flight times, combining Munich and Nuremberg
  1. 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.
  2. Munich to NurembergTake the S-Bahn from the airport to München Hauptbahnhof (about 45 minutes), then an ICE to Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof (about 1h 10m). ICE trains run often, and advance fares can be very cheap.
Find LHR–MUC flightsExpediaSkyscannerTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Munich → Nuremberg

This route makes the most sense if you want to see the Munich markets as well.

3

Fly to Frankfurt, then the ICE train

Door to door6–7h
£ Cost££
Best forFlexible times, Heathrow travellers
  1. London Heathrow (LHR) to Frankfurt (FRA)About 1h 30m. British Airways and Lufthansa fly many times a day. Check current schedules.
  2. Frankfurt Airport to NurembergDirect trains from the airport's long-distance station take about 2h 15m, but there are only a few a day. Other trains need a change, and the trip takes about 2h 30m–3h.
Find LHR–FRA flightsExpediaSkyscannerTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Frankfurt Airport → Nuremberg

Frankfurt has its own big Christmas market on the Römerberg, so you could stop off for a night.

4

Train via Brussels and Frankfurt

Flight-free
Door to door9–11h
£ Cost£££
Best forRail fans, avoiding flying
  1. Eurostar: London St Pancras to Brussels-MidiAbout 1h 55m.
  2. ICE: Brussels-Midi to FrankfurtAbout 3 hours on the direct ICE, which calls at Cologne on the way. Leave a good gap before your onward train.
  3. ICE: Frankfurt to Nürnberg HauptbahnhofAbout 2 hours. Check times for your date, because timetables change in mid-December.
Train tickets on KlookTrain times: London → BrusselsTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Brussels → Nuremberg

You can break the journey with a night in Cologne or Frankfurt and visit their markets too.

Where to stay in Nuremberg

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

See hotels in Nuremberg 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.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly direct to Nuremberg, then the U-Bahn4–5h£Most trips, short breaks
Fly to Munich, then the ICE train6–7h££More flight times, combining Munich and Nuremberg
Fly to Frankfurt, then the ICE train6–7h££Flexible times, Heathrow travellers
Train via Brussels and Frankfurt9–11h£££Rail fans, avoiding flying

Add more markets by train

Nuremberg is a good base for Franconian and Bavarian market towns.

Your base

Nuremberg

Stay inside the old city walls, near the Hauptmarkt or Lorenzkirche, so you can walk to the market and stroll back after dark.

Hotels in Nuremberg Expedia
About 45 min–1h by train

Bamberg

A UNESCO-listed old town with a market on Maxplatz and a trail of nativity scenes around the town. It's known for its smoked beer too.

Hotels in Bamberg Expedia
About 1h by train

Regensburg

Regensburg has several markets, including a popular one in the grounds of Thurn und Taxis Palace (entry fee). Check its dates before you go.

Hotels in Regensburg Expedia
About 1h 10m by train

Munich

Bavaria's capital has its main market on Marienplatz from 20 November to 24 December 2026, plus lots of smaller ones.

Hotels in Munich Expedia

Local tip: Hotels inside the old town fill up early for Christkindlesmarkt weekends, so book as soon as you know your dates.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When is the Nuremberg Christmas market in 2026?

The Christkindlesmarkt opens on Friday 27 November 2026 at 17:30 with the Christkind's prologue. It runs until 24 December, when it closes at 14:00. It's open daily from 10:00 to 21:00.

Which London airports fly to Nuremberg?

Ryanair flies from Stansted all winter. easyJet starts seasonal flights from Gatwick (from 19 November 2026) and Luton (from 23 November 2026). British Airways is scheduled to fly from Heathrow over the Christmas market season. Check current schedules before booking.

How do I get from Nuremberg Airport to the Christmas market?

Take the U2 underground to the Hauptbahnhof (about 13 minutes), then walk 10–15 minutes through the old town to the Hauptmarkt. You can also change to the U1 and get off at Lorenzkirche.

Is it worth flying to Munich instead?

Only if you want more flight choice or plan to see Munich too. It adds about 2 hours each way by S-Bahn and ICE, compared with a direct flight to Nuremberg.

When is the best time to visit?

Weekday mornings are the quietest. The opening evening on 27 November is atmospheric but very crowded. Weekends in December are the busiest, so book hotels early.

How many days do I need?

One or two nights is enough for the market and the old town. Add a night for a day trip to Bamberg or Regensburg.

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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.