How much does a Christmas market weekend cost? It depends on the destination, the dates and the kind of traveller you are. Realistic price ranges so you can plan ahead, and three costed scenarios (budget, comfort, premium) to calibrate your preparations.
The costs to plan for
Five items make up the bulk of the total budget:
- Transport: the most variable, depending on how you travel and how far ahead you book (€15 to €200 per person each way)
- Accommodation: the biggest item, especially at weekends (€70 to €350 a night)
- Meals: €25 to €80 per person per day depending on the standard
- At the market: mulled wine, street food, souvenirs (€20 to €60 a day)
- Extra activities: museums, tastings, tours (€10 to €50 per person per day)
Budget scenario: €240 to €370 per person for 2 days
This scenario assumes you book as early as possible and make a few trade-offs.
| Item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | OUIGO or BlaBlaCar Paris-Strasbourg return | €40 to €70 |
| Accommodation | Youth hostel, private room, 2 nights | €140 to €200 |
| Meals | 2 sandwiches or market meals a day | €40 to €60 |
| At the market | 3 mulled wines, 2 sweet treats | €20 to €30 |
| Activities | 1 museum visit, free or €10 | €0 to €10 |
| Total per person | €240 to €370 |
Tips for staying within this budget: travel midweek, book 3 months ahead, take TER regional trains rather than the TGV, eat standing up at the market rather than in a restaurant, sleep on the outskirts and use public transport.
Comfort scenario: €450 to €710 per person for 2 days
The middle-of-the-road scenario, and the most common for a couple or two friends visiting one of the flagship Christmas markets.
| Item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | TGV Inoui Prem's fare, Paris-Strasbourg return | €90 to €140 |
| Accommodation | 3-star hotel in the centre, 2 nights, shared room | €180 to €280 |
| Meals | 2 restaurant meals + 1 market meal a day | €100 to €160 |
| At the market | 5 mulled wines, tastings, 1 souvenir | €50 to €80 |
| Activities | 2 paid visits (museum + boat trip) | €30 to €50 |
| Total per person | €450 to €710 |
Premium scenario: €930 to €1,580 per person for 2 days
The upmarket romantic weekend, or a family leisure trip packed with activities.
| Item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | TGV Inoui 1st class, Paris-Strasbourg return | €180 to €300 |
| Accommodation | 4- or 5-star hotel in the centre, 2 nights | €350 to €600 |
| Meals | 1 fine-dining dinner + good-quality meals | €200 to €350 |
| At the market | Premium tastings, artisan purchases | €80 to €130 |
| Activities | Private guided tour + spa + wine tasting | €120 to €200 |
| Total per person | €930 to €1,580 |
Comparing destinations
For the same “comfort” profile (TGV, 3-star hotel, 2 nights, restaurant meals), the gap between destinations can be sizeable:
| Destination | Budget per person (2 days) |
|---|---|
| Amiens | €320 to €480 |
| Reims | €380 to €550 |
| Metz | €400 to €580 |
| Lille | €420 to €620 |
| Strasbourg | €500 to €750 |
| Colmar | €520 to €780 |
| Paris (Tuileries) | €600 to €900 (excluding transport) |
What the main activities cost once there
| Activity | Average price |
|---|---|
| Mulled wine (glass) | €3 to €5 |
| Mulled wine (souvenir mug with deposit) | €5 to €8 with a €1 to €3 deposit |
| Bredele biscuits by weight (100 g) | €3 to €6 |
| Artisan gingerbread (250 g) | €8 to €14 |
| Raclette / tartiflette cone | €7 to €12 |
| Flammekueche | €6 to €10 |
| Vintage carousel ride | €3 to €4 |
| Big wheel | €6 to €10 |
| Ice rink (skate hire included) | €5 to €10 |
| Tourist office guided tour (2h) | €10 to €15 |
| Boat trip (Strasbourg) | €14 to €18 |
| Wine tasting (Alsatian cellar) | €10 to €25 |
Hidden costs to anticipate
Parking
If you come by car, allow €15 to €30 a day for town-centre parking. Park-and-ride car parks cost €3 to €8 a day but usually involve a tram ride (allow 30 minutes there and back).
The mug deposit
More and more markets serve their mulled wine in a returnable mug with a deposit (€1 to €3). If you buy several and hand the mugs back, you get the money back. If you keep the mug as a souvenir, add €2 to €3 per drink.
Bank charges
Most stalls now take cards, but many set a minimum spend (€5 or €10). Carry a little cash for small purchases. If you pay contactless, check your limit before you leave.
How to save without spoiling the experience
- Travel midweek: 30 to 50% saved on accommodation
- Book 3 to 4 months ahead: it locks in the best train and hotel prices
- Share your purchases: in a group, split what you buy at the market rather than doubling up
- Favour the lesser-known markets: Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim have pricey hotels, whereas Mulhouse, Metz and Amiens are gentler on the budget
- Stock up on specialities at the market: gingerbread, bredele and mulled wine to take away let you prolong the experience at home without paying for another trip
Frequently asked questions
What is the average budget for a Christmas market weekend for two?
Expect between €450 and €710 per person for a 2-day weekend as a couple in comfort mode (TGV Prem's fare, 3-star hotel in the centre, 2 restaurant dinners, tastings at the market). That is the most representative median budget. In a budget version, staying on the outskirts and eating at the market, you get down to €240-370. At the other end, a premium weekend with a 4-star hotel and a fine-dining dinner comes to €930-1,580.
When should you go to keep costs down?
The golden rule: aim for midweek rather than the weekend. From Sunday evening to Thursday evening, hotels are 30 to 50% cheaper, and TGV Prem's fares open from €39 for Paris-Strasbourg. Avoid the weekend closest to 8 December (the Immaculate Conception is a public holiday in Italy, Spain and Austria, and the Fête des Lumières fills Lyon) and the final week before Christmas, when prices soar everywhere.
How much does mulled wine cost at a Christmas market?
Expect between €3 and €5 a glass, depending on the town and the version. Strasbourg, Colmar and Paris charge at the top of the range (€4-5), while Mulhouse and Amiens stay around €3. If the mulled wine comes in a ceramic mug, add a deposit of €1 to €3, refunded when you return the mug. Many people keep the mug as a souvenir, which effectively adds €2-3 to the advertised price.
Should you bring cash, or is a card enough?
Almost every stall now takes contactless cards, but many set a minimum spend of €5 or €10. For small purchases, carry €20-30 in coins and small notes. Check your contactless limit before you leave too: it is easy to hit it quickly at a market.
Is town-centre parking always paid?
During the market season, yes, and it is often full as well. Multi-storey car parks in the centre cost between €15 and €30 a day depending on the town. Park-and-ride car parks on the outskirts (P+R) cost €3-8 a day and usually include return public transport for 4 people. In Strasbourg, the P+R Rotonde is unbeatable. In Colmar, the Lacarre car park comes with a free shuttle.
Where to go next
For a weekend as a couple, our guide for couples gives precise suggestions for making a romantic budget go further. With the family, the family guide breaks down the specific costs (carousels, ice rinks, children's tickets).