PolandPomeraniaChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

Manchester to Gdańsk Christmas Market

Gdańsk's Christmas market fills Targ Węglowy beside the Golden Gate, with the rebuilt merchants' houses of the Old Town all around. This guide covers direct flights from Manchester, getting in from the airport, market dates and easy day trips by train.

Late Nov – 23 DecUsual market dates (2026 TBC)
Gdańsk (GDN)Direct from Manchester
~4h 30mDoor to door, Manchester to the Old Town

The short answer

Fly direct from Manchester to Gdańsk (about 2h 15m–2h 20m) with Ryanair, or Jet2 on its Christmas markets flights. From the airport, take the PKM train towards Gdańsk Główny (about 30–45 minutes, sometimes changing at Gdańsk Wrzeszcz) or bus 210 (about 40 minutes), then walk about 10–15 minutes to Targ Węglowy.

Market essentials

The main market is on Targ Węglowy, at the western edge of the Old Town.

Dates

In 2025 the market ran from 21 November to 23 December, and one Polish travel site reports 20 November to 23 December 2026. That hadn't been confirmed by the city when we checked, so check Gdańsk's official tourism site before booking.

Opening hours

In 2025 it opened daily from 12:00, closing at 20:00 Sunday to Thursday and 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. 2026 hours may differ.

Where

Targ Węglowy, next to the Golden Gate (Złota Brama) at the start of the Royal Route, with smaller market zones spread along nearby streets. It's about 10–15 minutes' walk from Gdańsk Główny station.

What to eat

Expect Polish favourites like pierogi, grilled sausage and oscypek cheese, plus food stalls from around the world. Mulled wine (grzaniec) comes in a mug with a small deposit. Entry is free.

Good to know

Gdańsk is on the Baltic coast and can be cold and windy in December, so pack warm layers. Poland uses the złoty (PLN), and cards are widely accepted.

Every way to get there

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

1

Fly Manchester to Gdańsk, then the PKM train

Best for most
Door to door4–5h
£ Cost£
Best forMost trips
  1. Manchester (MAN) to Gdańsk (GDN)About 2h 15m–2h 20m direct. Ryanair flies the route several times a week. Typical return fares are around £40–£150, but December is the priciest month. Check current schedules.
  2. PKM train to Gdańsk GłównyThe airport station is a short walk from the terminal. Some trains run through to Gdańsk Główny (about 30 minutes); others need a change at Gdańsk Wrzeszcz (about 45 minutes in total). Tickets cost a few złoty. Services are limited late at night.
  3. Walk to Targ WęglowyAbout 10–15 minutes on foot from Gdańsk Główny.
Compare MAN–GDN flightsTrain times: Gdańsk Airport → Gdańsk Główny

Bus 210 from the stop opposite the terminal goes to Gdańsk Główny in about 40 minutes for 4.80 zł, and the N3 night bus runs from about 23:00 to 04:00. A taxi or ride-hailing car takes 20–30 minutes and usually costs around 40–80 zł (roughly £8–£16).

2

Jet2 Christmas markets flights or city break

Door to door4–5h
£ Cost££
Best forPackage city breaks with hotel included
  1. Manchester (MAN) to Gdańsk (GDN) with Jet2Jet2 has run seasonal Christmas markets flights from Manchester to Gdańsk, twice a week (Mondays and Fridays) in recent years, and flights are listed from about 20 November 2026. Jet2CityBreaks also sells them as packages with a hotel. Check Jet2 for 2026 dates.
  2. Into the Old TownTake the PKM train or bus 210 if you've booked flight-only. Jet2CityBreaks packages often include a transfer to your hotel; check when booking.
Compare MAN–GDN flightsTransfer options: Gdańsk Airport → Gdańsk Old Town

Jet2 also flies to Gdańsk from East Midlands for the 2026 Christmas markets season, on Mondays and Fridays from 27 November to 21 December.

3

Fly from Leeds Bradford with Ryanair

Door to door4–5h
£ Cost£
Best forYorkshire
  1. Leeds Bradford (LBA) to Gdańsk (GDN)About 2h 15m direct. Ryanair flies a few times a week. Check current schedules and compare fares with Manchester.
  2. PKM train or bus 210 into townAbout 30–45 minutes by train or about 40 minutes by bus to Gdańsk Główny, then a 10–15 minute walk to the market.
Compare LBA–GDN flightsTrain times: Gdańsk Airport → Gdańsk Główny

Where to stay in Gdańsk

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

See hotels in Gdańsk

All options compared

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

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly Manchester to Gdańsk, then the PKM train4–5h£Most trips
Jet2 Christmas markets flights or city break4–5h££Package city breaks with hotel included
Fly from Leeds Bradford with Ryanair4–5h£Yorkshire

Where to stay and day trips

Base yourself in the Old Town and use the fast local trains to explore.

Your base

Gdańsk Old Town

Stay in the Main Town (Główne Miasto) around Long Street and Long Market to walk to the market and the riverside. Hotels near Gdańsk Główny are handy for trains to Sopot and Malbork.

Hotels in Gdańsk
About 20 min by train

Sopot

SKM trains run every 10–15 minutes from Gdańsk to the seaside resort of Sopot. Walk out along its long wooden pier. Tickets cost a few złoty.

Hotels in Sopot
About 30–55 min by train

Malbork Castle

The huge brick castle of the Teutonic Knights. Trains from Gdańsk Główny take 30–55 minutes depending on the service, then it's about a 20-minute walk from Malbork station. Allow around 3–4 hours with the audio guide. Winter hours are shorter and some routes are limited on Mondays, so check zamek.malbork.pl before you go.

Hotels in Malbork

Local tip: Go to Malbork early in the day: in winter the castle closes mid-afternoon and the last tours start well before closing time.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When is the Gdańsk Christmas market in 2026?

In 2025 it ran from 21 November to 23 December, and 2026 is expected to follow a similar pattern, with one Polish travel site reporting 20 November to 23 December. Check Gdańsk's official tourism site to confirm before booking.

Which airlines fly from Manchester to Gdańsk?

Ryanair flies direct from Manchester. Jet2 also runs seasonal Christmas markets flights, listed from about 20 November 2026. Ryanair flies from Leeds Bradford too. Check current schedules.

How long is the flight from Manchester to Gdańsk?

About 2h 15m–2h 20m direct.

How do I get from Gdańsk Airport to the Old Town?

Take the PKM train towards Gdańsk Główny (about 30–45 minutes, sometimes changing at Gdańsk Wrzeszcz) or bus 210 (about 40 minutes), then walk 10–15 minutes to Targ Węglowy. A taxi takes about 20–30 minutes.

Can I visit Malbork Castle as a day trip from Gdańsk?

Yes. Trains take 30–55 minutes, then it's a 20-minute walk to the castle. Go early, as winter opening hours are short.

How many days do I need in Gdańsk?

Three days lets you enjoy the market and Old Town and fit in Sopot and Malbork.

More route guides

Christmas markets · Austria

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…

Read the guide
Christmas markets · Denmark

Edinburgh to Copenhagen Christmas Markets

Copenhagen at Christmas means Tivoli Gardens lit up with thousands of lights, mulled wine by the Nyhavn canal and an easy hop over the bridge to…

Read the guide
Christmas markets · Germany

London to Berlin Christmas Markets

Berlin has dozens of Christmas markets, from palace courtyards to the square under the TV Tower, and it's under two hours' flight from London. This…

Read the guide

Travelling from somewhere else?

Use our route planner to compare flights, trains, coaches, ferries and driving from any city to any destination, door to door.

Open the route planner

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.