AustriaViennaChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

London to Vienna Christmas Markets

Vienna has some of Europe's most elegant Christmas markets, and it's an easy 2-hour flight from London. This guide covers every practical way to get there, how to reach the centre while the airport train line is closed, and when the markets open in 2026.

13 Nov – 26 DecRathausplatz market 2026
Vienna (VIE)Best airport from London
~2h 15mFlight time from London

The short answer

For most people the best option is a direct flight from Heathrow (British Airways or Austrian) or Stansted (Ryanair) to Vienna, which takes about 2h 15m. From the airport, take the ÖBB Railjet to Wien Hauptbahnhof (about 15 minutes) or the CAT bus to Wien Mitte (about 21 minutes), then walk or take the U-Bahn to the markets.

Market essentials

Vienna has around a dozen Christmas markets, and the biggest is outside the City Hall.

Dates

The Wiener Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz runs from 13 November to 26 December 2026. Most of the other markets open in mid-to-late November, and a few carry on into early January as New Year markets. Check each market's own dates before you book.

Opening hours

Rathausplatz is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. On Christmas Eve (24 December) it closes early, at 18:30.

Where

Rathausplatz (City Hall) is the main market. Spittelberg, Am Hof, Karlsplatz, Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace are also popular, and all can be reached by U-Bahn or tram.

Good to know

Punsch and Glühwein are served in souvenir mugs with a deposit (Pfand). You get the deposit back if you return the mug, or you can keep it. Weekday afternoons are much quieter than Friday and Saturday evenings.

Every way to get there

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

1

Fly from Heathrow to Vienna, then the Railjet or CAT bus

Best for most
Door to door4–5h
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips, short breaks
  1. London Heathrow (LHR) to Vienna (VIE)About 2h 15m. British Airways and Austrian Airlines both fly this route all winter, with several flights a day. Check current schedules.
  2. Vienna Airport to the city centreThe S-Bahn line through Wien Mitte is closed from 7 September 2026 until the end of October 2027. During the closure, the ÖBB Railjet runs nonstop to Wien Hauptbahnhof in about 15 minutes, twice an hour. The City Airport Train (CAT) runs as a bus to Wien Mitte instead (about 21 minutes, every 12–15 minutes). Vienna Airport Bus line 2 goes to Schwedenplatz in about 22 minutes.
Compare LHR–VIE flightsTrain times: Vienna Airport → Wien Hauptbahnhof

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

2

Fly budget from Stansted or Gatwick

Cheapest
Door to door5–6h
£ Cost£
Best forTight budgets, flexible dates
  1. London Stansted (STN) or Gatwick (LGW) to Vienna (VIE)About 2h 15m. Ryanair flies from Stansted all winter. Jet2 adds Christmas-market flights from Stansted and Gatwick from mid-November to 21 December. easyJet is scheduled to fly from Gatwick from late November. Check current schedules.
  2. Vienna Airport to the city centreUse the same options as above. The cheapest are the REX 7 train to Hauptbahnhof (about 20 minutes) and the shortened S7 to St. Marx, where you change to tram or U-Bahn. Both cost a few euros on a regular public transport ticket.
Compare STN–VIE flightsCompare LGW–VIE flights

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

3

Eurostar to Brussels, then the Nightjet sleeper

Flight-free
Door to door22–23h
£ Cost£££
Best forRail fans, a slow and memorable trip
  1. Eurostar: London St Pancras to Brussels-MidiAbout 2 hours. Book a train that arrives by mid-afternoon to leave a buffer before the sleeper.
  2. ÖBB Nightjet: Brussels-Midi to Wien HauptbahnhofLeaves Brussels on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, at about 19:00, and arrives in Vienna at about 10:15 the next morning. It calls at Cologne, Munich and Salzburg on the way. Fares start at about €35 for a seat, €55 for a couchette and €99 for a sleeper berth. Check times for your date, because timetables change in mid-December.
Train times: London → BrusselsTrain times: Brussels → Vienna

The Paris–Vienna Nightjet stopped running in December 2025, so Brussels is now the only direct sleeper link from the Eurostar network.

Where to stay in Vienna

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

See hotels in Vienna

All options compared

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

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly from Heathrow to Vienna, then the Railjet or CAT bus4–5h££Most trips, short breaks
Fly budget from Stansted or Gatwick5–6h£Tight budgets, flexible dates
Eurostar to Brussels, then the Nightjet sleeper22–23h£££Rail fans, a slow and memorable trip

Add more markets by train

Vienna is well placed for adding a second Christmas market city by fast train.

Your base

Vienna

Stay in the 1st district (Innere Stadt) or the 7th (Neubau) so you can walk to Rathausplatz, Spittelberg and Am Hof.

Hotels in Vienna
About 1h by train

Bratislava

Slovakia's capital has a compact old-town market and is an easy day trip by regional train.

Hotels in Bratislava
About 2h 30m by train

Salzburg

Mozart's city has a market in front of the cathedral, with views up to the fortress. Railjets run often from Wien Hauptbahnhof.

Hotels in Salzburg
About 2h 40m by train

Budapest

Vörösmarty Square and St Stephen's Basilica host two big markets. It works well as a second stop before you fly home.

Hotels in Budapest

Local tip: Vienna Airport is about 20km from the centre, and the airport rail line is partly closed until October 2027. Allow extra time to get to your flight home.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When do the Vienna Christmas markets open in 2026?

The main market on Rathausplatz runs from 13 November to 26 December 2026. Most other markets open in mid-to-late November. Check each market's own website for its exact dates.

Which London airports have direct flights to Vienna?

This winter, British Airways and Austrian fly from Heathrow, and Ryanair flies from Stansted. Jet2 runs seasonal Christmas-market flights from Stansted and Gatwick until 21 December, and easyJet is scheduled to fly from Gatwick from late November. There are currently no direct flights from Luton.

Is the City Airport Train running?

Not as a train. From September 2026 until the end of October 2027, the CAT runs as a replacement bus between the airport and Wien Mitte while the rail line is rebuilt. The Railjet and REX 7 trains to Wien Hauptbahnhof still run.

Can I get the train from London to Vienna?

Yes. Take the Eurostar to Brussels, then the ÖBB Nightjet sleeper to Vienna, which runs three nights a week. The whole trip takes about 22–23 hours, including the night on board.

Is it worth driving to Vienna for the markets?

Not usually. It's about 1,450km (900 miles) each way via the Channel Tunnel or a ferry, which means two long days of driving in winter. You also need an Austrian motorway vignette. Flying or the sleeper train makes more sense for a short break.

How many days do I need?

Two or three nights is enough to see the main markets, plus a coffee house or palace visit. Add a night if you want a day trip to Bratislava 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.