The genius way to enjoy 2 of Europe's best Christmas markets on 1 trip - for half price

With Christmas fast approaching, festive market getaways are once again topping travel wishlists. According to ABTA - The Travel Association, almost a third of Britons planning winter holidays this year are choosing Christmas market trips, with Viennacontinuing to rank among the most sought-after destinations. Yet soaring December flight prices have made the Austrian capital a costly choice for many travellers.

However, travel experts say there's a way to see not one, but two of Europe's most beautiful Christmas markets for around half the usual price - with just a small tweak to the itinerary. Instead of flying directly to Vienna, travellers can fly to nearby Bratislava in Slovakia, which sits less than an hour from the Austrian capital.

Hadleigh Diamond, commercial director at luxury airport transfer company SCS Chauffeurs, says this route can "slash costs comfortably low while doubling the festive experience."

Return flights from Manchester to Bratislava in early December start at around £61 with Ryanair, compared to £150-£250 for direct flights to Vienna. The Slovak capital's airport is small and well connected, and the onward journey to Vienna takes just under an hour by train or chauffeur transfer - making it a surprisingly easy cross-border hop.

The reward for this short detour is the chance to explore two distinctive markets in a single weekend. Bratislava's Main Square Christmas Market offers over 50 wooden stalls selling handcrafted ornaments and Slovak specialities such as lokše (potato pancakes) and mulled wine. A towering Christmas tree dominates the square, surrounded by lights and live festive performances that fill the air with music and the scent of roasted chestnuts.

Just across the border, Vienna's world-famous Christmas markets provide an entirely different experience. The city transforms into a winter spectacle, with its grand architecture illuminated by fairy lights and more than a dozen markets scattered through the streets. The Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz, Vienna's main market, features over 100 stalls, ice-skating trails and traditional treats such as sachertorte and spiced punch.

Diamond explains that many travellers "head straight for Vienna and pay peak-season premiums, unaware that Bratislava's market is a hidden gem just an hour away." Combining the two, he adds, gives visitors "double the experience for half the cost - and a more relaxed start to the trip."

The appeal goes beyond saving money. Smaller airports like Bratislava's are often quicker to navigate, with shorter queues and less congestion, allowing more time to enjoy the destination.

Trains between Bratislava and Vienna run several times a day, while chauffeur services provide a direct and scenic transfer across the Danube valley.

For travellers planning ahead, the advice is to book December flights early and secure transfers in advance to avoid last-minute price spikes. Experts also suggest checking alternative hubs such as Salzburg, Nuremberg or Budapest, all within reach of major market cities.