View Packagechris.harrad2025-02-04T14:58:53+00:00

Budapest & its Christmas Markets

Friday 21 November - Monday 24 November

(3 nights)

From £435

Discover the Magic of Budapest at Christmas

There’s no better time to visit Budapest than in the run-up to Christmas. The city comes alive with twinkling lights, steaming mulled wine, and some of Europe’s best-loved festive markets.

Voted year after year as one of Europe’s top Christmas market destinations, Budapest’s winter charm is unbeatable — think crisp, cold evenings, the scent of roasted chestnuts in the air, and stunning festive decorations lining the cobbled streets. Add to that elegant architecture, indulgent cakes, thermal baths, and panoramic river views — it’s the perfect pre-Christmas treat.

Your holiday includes

Interntional flights
4* hotel accommodation (local rating)
3 Continental breakfasts
Airport transfers in Budapest
Spice Escapes host

Your holiday extras

Single supplement
change of luggage allowance if required
Personal travel insurance
Some drinks & some meals
Personal extras

Budapest in late November is a delight for the senses. The city’s grand squares and streets are dressed for the season, with glittering lights, warming street food stalls and festive scents filling the air. Wander through charming Christmas markets, discover the city’s rich history, and take in sweeping views from the banks of the Danube.

This relaxed city break gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Whether it’s a dip in the famous outdoor thermal baths, a visit to Buda Castle, or an evening spent sampling Hungarian cakes and wine, Budapest offers the perfect mix of culture, festive cheer, and winter magic.

Location & Itinerary

Provisional Itinerary

Friday - Depart from the UK on your flight to Budapest. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in. As it’s a later arrival, the evening is yours to settle in, maybe stretch your legs for a short walk nearby, or relax with a drink in the hotel bar.

Saturday - After breakfast start exploring this beautiful city at your own pace. You might like to wander over to St Stephen’s Basilica or Vörösmarty Square, where one of Europe’s best-loved Christmas markets takes over the square with stalls selling festive gifts, mulled wine, and local treats like chimney cakes.

If you fancy getting your bearings, there are hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses and Danube river cruises available, or you might prefer to head across the Chain Bridge and up to Buda Castle for incredible views of the city.

Sunday - You might want to revisit your favourite market stalls, check out the Advent Fair at the Basilica, or relax in one of the city’s famous thermal baths like Széchenyi or Gellért.

There’s plenty to fill your day — from visiting the impressive Parliament Building to taking a stroll along the Danube promenade. For something different, you could stop by one of Budapest’s famous ruin bars for a drink or explore the lively Jewish Quarter.

Monday - Check out after breakfast and free time before your transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Travel & Stay

Hotel Oktogon Haggenmacher

Hotel Oktogon Haggenmacher is a stylish 4-star hotel set on Budapest's elegant Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Housed in the historic Haggenmacher Palace, originally built in the late 19th century, the hotel beautifully blends classic grandeur with fresh, contemporary design.

Following a thoughtful renovation, the interiors now offer a bold, modern feel while preserving the building’s architectural character. The hotel features 121 air-conditioned rooms, all with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee-making facilities.

Guests can enjoy a fitness centre, a wellness area with sauna, and a relaxed bar and lounge. A generous buffet breakfast is served daily, with options to suit various dietary needs.

Perfectly placed in the heart of Budapest, the hotel is just a short stroll from iconic landmarks like the Hungarian State Opera House and Heroes' Square. With its mix of old-world charm and modern comforts, it’s an ideal base for exploring this beautiful city.

Provisional Flight Information

21/11/25 Gatwick to Budapest Dep: 0915 Arr: 1240

24/11/25 Budapest to Gatwick Dep: 1120 Arr: 1310

21/11/25 Stansted to Budapest Dep: 0920 Arr: 1255

24/11/25 Budapest to Stansted Dep: 1800 Arr: 1935

21/11/25 Luton to Budapest Dep: 0830 Arr: 1200

24/11/25 Budapest to Luton Dep: 1655 Arr: 1840

21/11/25 Birmingham to Budapest Dep: 1250 Arr: 1630

24/11/25 Budapest to Birmingham Dep: 1920 Arr: 2100

21/11/25 Manchester to Budapest Dep: 1445 Arr: 1835

24/11/25 Budapest to Manchester Dep: 1935 Arr: 2135

21/11/25 Edinburgh to Budapest Dep: 0850 Arr: 1255

24/11/25 Budapest to Edinburgh Dep: 2040 Arr: 2245

Included luggage allowance

Small hand bag/rucksack plus 10kg cabin bag. Switch to 20kg hold luggage £60.

Availability & Pricing

Flights	Price
Own flight and transfers	£435.00	Sold Out
Birmingham	£665.00	Sold Out
London Gatwick	£665.00	Sold Out
Edinburgh	£695.00	Sold Out
London Luton	£695.00	Sold Out
Manchester	£695.00	Sold Out
London Stansted	£725.00	Sold Out
Budapest & its Christmas Markets- Accommodation	Price
Place in a Double Share Room (Must be 2)	£0.00	Sold Out
Place in a Female Twin Share Room	£0.00	Sold Out
Place in a Male Twin Share Room	£0.00	Sold Out
Place in a twin share room	£0.00	Sold Out
Place in a single room	£199.00	Sold Out
Option	Price
Change to 20kg hold luggage	£60.00	Sold Out

Not enough spaces left for you? Click here to join the waitlist

Passport validity

For UK passport holders your passport must be:

Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

The rules of travel to most European countries have changed. Starting in the first half of 2025 UK citizens are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay.

ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to a number of European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport (and other documents if required) and verify that you meet the entry conditions.

NB - There is no official date for the ETIAS currently confirmed but when it is introduced it will be your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged this. We will update everyone when the ETIAS is required with information on how to apply for this online.

Travel Insurance

Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel.

Global Health Insurance Card

A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).

UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.

Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.

NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!

The latest FCO travel guidance for Hungary

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hungary