Discover how Vienna’s Christmas market compares to Budapest in both charm and cost. From festive treats to mulled wine and local delicacies, Vienna dazzles with its visual splendour but comes with higher prices. If you’re planning a festive escape, find out where your euros stretch further while soaking up the holiday magic!
Christmas market in Vienna
As HVG writes, the imperial city boasts a rich tradition of Christmas markets, with the Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz standing out as a must-visit. Set against the backdrop of the town hall, this market offers not just a traditional market and festive food and drink but also features a grand Christmas tree, a skating rink, a Ferris wheel, and dazzling decorations. While the market opens at 10 AM, the evening is the best time to experience the enchanting lights, despite the weekend crowds. Visitors are welcomed by a glowing archway and a charming two-storey carousel, adding to the festive allure.
Photo: Daily News Hungary / Fanni Forgács
Food prices
This year’s Christmas market in Vienna offers surprisingly reasonable prices compared to Budapest. While a hot dog near Budapest’s Basilica can cost up to HUF 7,000 (EUR 17.21), here, you can enjoy one with potato chips for just HUF 4,450 (EUR 10.90). Roast chestnuts are also a bargain at HUF 2,000 (EUR 5) compared to HUF 2,800 (EUR 7) in Budapest, and trdelník (similar to Hungary’s chimney cake) is uniformly priced at HUF 2,450 (EUR 6), regardless of flavour.
Although the variety of lángos toppings is limited, they are affordably priced, starting at HUF 2,000 (EUR 5). The market also showcases Austrian culinary delights, such as Tyrolean kiachl—a doughnut-like treat—costing between HUF 2,000 (EUR 5) and HUF 2,800 (EUR 7), making it a feast for both the palate and the wallet.
Drinks
At this year’s Christmas market, drinks come with a EUR 5 deposit for a festive red mug that you can keep as a souvenir. However, drink prices are often higher than in Budapest. A 0.25-litre serving of mulled wine costs EUR 5.40 (around HUF 2,200), compared to EUR 3.56 (HUF 1,450) for 0.3 l in Hungary. Punch is similarly priced, and beer is particularly costly, with some stalls charging up to EUR 4.80 (around HUF 1,950) for a small 0.33-litre pint. While the atmosphere is delightful, be prepared for higher drink costs.
Decoration
The Christmas market in Vienna goes beyond food and drink with an enchanting light show that transforms the space into a festive wonderland. Alongside beautifully decorated stalls, visitors can marvel at LED globes and deer. The trees in the square sparkle with red-lit hearts, and a giant LED heart occasionally floats overhead to the sound of music.
While the organisers have created an Instagram-worthy visual spectacle, the extensive light installations have resulted in cordoned-off lawns, making the space feel more confined compared to the more open layout of Budapest’s market. Nevertheless, Vienna’s market is unmatched in its dazzling, photo-ready atmosphere.
Photo: FB/Advent Basilica Budapest
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Depends on where you go in Vienna. This year´s favourite for me is the Karlsplatz (places featuring EUR 4 hot drinks, this year as well as EUR 3 sandwiches. Shocker), followed by Am Hof. Also – the different markets feature different and some very creative (annual) mugs.
The various punch, red and white mulled wines, etc. – lots of choice, good quality, and also in the food department, EXCELLENT quality. The latter can be very miss and miss, in Budapest. Unfortunately.