Summer travel is nice, but with the crowds and sweltering heat, sometimes those European ‘grams aren’t as great as they seem. You can still do plenty of sight-seeing when you travel during the winter. In fact, winter trips to these European locations are more affordable than they were this past summer. With all of the added holiday festivities, swapping your plans for this season could be the move.
Winter deal destinations in Europe
01
Summer to winter deal destination
Berlin
Germany
29% price decrease
Hacker tip
Where can you go to get festive views of Berlin from above? You could pay a visit to the top of the Berlin TV Tower…or add drinks to the mix by grabbing a table at Klunkerkranich. No matter which place you choose, try to head up at night to see the city decked out in its holiday decór.
01
Summer to winter deal destination
Berlin
Germany
29% price decrease
Hacker tip
Where can you go to get festive views of Berlin from above? You could pay a visit to the top of the Berlin TV Tower…or add drinks to the mix by grabbing a table at Klunkerkranich. No matter which place you choose, try to head up at night to see the city decked out in its holiday decór.
Median flight price by month**
Median hotel price by month**
Median rental car price by month**
Median flight price by month**
November
$647
December
$790
January
$634
February
$650
Median hotel price by month**
November
$121 / night
December
$114 / night
January
$88 / night
February
$75 / night
Median rental car price by month**
November
$51 / day
December
$56 / day
January
$62 / day
February
$48 / day
02
Summer to winter deal destination
Barcelona
Spain
28% price decrease
Hacker tip
Usually packed in the warmer months, Barcelona is quite mild in the winter, which provides opportunities to visit the city’s most famous sights with minimal crowds. After you’re finished touring the usual spots – Basilica Of The Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, Park Güell – make your way to Placa de Catalunya square, where you can enjoy a few laps around the ice skating rink.
02
Summer to winter deal destination
Barcelona
Spain
28% price decrease
Hacker tip
Usually packed in the warmer months, Barcelona is quite mild in the winter, which provides opportunities to visit the city’s most famous sights with minimal crowds. After you’re finished touring the usual spots – Basilica Of The Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, Park Güell – make your way to Placa de Catalunya square, where you can enjoy a few laps around the ice skating rink.
Median flight price by month**
Median hotel price by month**
November
$126 / night
December
$137 / night
January
$131 / night
February
$129 / night
Median rental car price by month**
Median flight price by month**
November
$652
December
$825
January
$586
February
$504
Median hotel price by month**
November
$126 / night
December
$137 / night
January
$131 / night
February
$129 / night
Median rental car price by month**
November
$31 / day
December
$57 / day
January
$50 / day
February
$43 / day
03
Summer to winter deal destination
Athens
Greece
28% price decrease
Hacker tip
Athens in the winter is great for hopping from one ancient ruin to the next without working up a sweat. After you’ve had your fill of outdoor sight-seeing, try your hand at an authentic Greek cooking class. You’ll get to pick up your ingredients from the Athens Central Market and learn how to cook traditional Greek dishes – all while staying warm indoors.
03
Summer to winter deal destination
Athens
Greece
28% price decrease
Hacker tip
Athens in the winter is great for hopping from one ancient ruin to the next without working up a sweat. After you’ve had your fill of outdoor sight-seeing, try your hand at an authentic Greek cooking class. You’ll get to pick up your ingredients from the Athens Central Market and learn how to cook traditional Greek dishes – all while staying warm indoors.
Median flight price by month**
Median hotel price by month**
November
$118 / night
December
$108 / night
January
$108 / night
February
$123 / night
Median rental car price by month**
Median flight price by month**
November
$753
December
$918
January
$736
February
$770
Median hotel price by month**
November
$118 / night
December
$108 / night
January
$108 / night
February
$123 / night
Median rental car price by month**
November
$15 / day
December
$20 / day
January
$21 / day
February
$20 / day
04
Summer to winter deal destination
Copenhagen
Denmark
27% price decrease
Hacker tip
Remember when “hygge” was all the rage? For those who don’t know – hygge roughly means the absence of frustration due to good food, drinks and coziness. Well you know where the phrase came from? The Danes. So it only makes sense to practice a hygge while in Copenhagen – grab a cup of coffee (or hot chocolate) from Democratic Coffee and enjoy a stroll to take in all the sights.
04
Summer to winter deal destination
Copenhagen
Denmark
27% price decrease
Hacker tip
Remember when “hygge” was all the rage? For those who don’t know – hygge roughly means the absence of frustration due to good food, drinks and coziness. Well you know where the phrase came from? The Danes. So it only makes sense to practice a hygge while in Copenhagen – grab a cup of coffee (or hot chocolate) from Democratic Coffee and enjoy a stroll to take in all the sights.
Median flight price by month**
Median hotel price by month**
November
$405 / night
December
$661 / night
January
$617 / night
February
$796 / night
Median rental car price by month**
Median flight price by month**
November
$647
December
$737
January
$597
February
$718
Median hotel price by month**
November
$405 / night
December
$661 / night
January
$617 / night
February
$796 / night
Median rental car price by month**
November
$56 / day
December
$141 / day
January
$110 / day
February
$150 / day
05
Summer to winter deal destination
Vienna
Austria
26% price decrease
Hacker tip
There’s no shortage of Christmas markets in Europe during this time of year and Vienna is home to some of the best.Known as one of the largest Christmas markets in the world, Vienna’s Christmas World (from 11/19 – 12/26) has 150+ stalls filled with baked bites, festive (spiked) beverages, and quality goods. Just be sure to get there early in the morning to beat the crowds and remember to bring some cash, too.
05
Summer to winter deal destination
Vienna
Austria
26% price decrease
Hacker tip
There’s no shortage of Christmas markets in Europe during this time of year and Vienna is home to some of the best.Known as one of the largest Christmas markets in the world, Vienna’s Christmas World (from 11/19 – 12/26) has 150+ stalls filled with baked bites, festive (spiked) beverages, and quality goods. Just be sure to get there early in the morning to beat the crowds and remember to bring some cash, too.
Median flight price by month**
Median hotel price by month**
November
$174 / night
December
$214 / night
January
$133 / night
February
$125 / night
Median rental car price by month**
Median flight price by month**
November
$397
December
$423
January
$390
February
$381
Median hotel price by month**
November
$174 / night
December
$214 / night
January
$133 / night
February
$125 / night
Median rental car price by month**
November
$76 / day
December
$101 / day
January
$116 / day
February
$81 / day
06
Summer to winter deal destination
Amsterdam
Netherlands
26% price decrease
Hacker tip
As if we needed another reason to visit Amsterdam – this city goes all out for the holidays. Most notably is The Amsterdam Winter Paradise (from 12/15 – 1/1): think of it as a winter wonderland carnival for all ages. From rides, to snow tubing, aprés ski village, ice skating, live performances and much more, there really is no shortage of things to do at this magical holiday festival.
06
Summer to winter deal destination
Amsterdam
Netherlands
26% price decrease
Hacker tip
As if we needed another reason to visit Amsterdam – this city goes all out for the holidays. Most notably is The Amsterdam Winter Paradise (from 12/15 – 1/1): think of it as a winter wonderland carnival for all ages. From rides, to snow tubing, aprés ski village, ice skating, live performances and much more, there really is no shortage of things to do at this magical holiday festival.
Median flight price by month**
Median hotel price by month**
November
$165 / night
December
$163 / night
January
$130 / night
February
$128 / night
Median rental car price by month**
Median flight price by month**
November
$755
December
$856
January
$754
February
$720
Median hotel price by month**
November
$165 / night
December
$163 / night
January
$130 / night
February
$128 / night
Median rental car price by month**
November
$58 / day
December
$65 / day
January
$57 / day
February
$58 / day
07
Summer to winter deal destination
Dublin
Ireland
25% price decrease
Hacker tip
Sure Dublin is rich with history and culture, but what can you do there to get into the spirit? Grab drinks at a festive bar, of course. Take a walk around Phoenix Park to get some fresh air and admire the surrounding gardens, then go over to Hole in the Wall. Here, you can get drinks at “the most festive bar in Dublin” – just make a reservation ahead of time.
07
Summer to winter deal destination
Dublin
Ireland
25% price decrease
Hacker tip
Sure Dublin is rich with history and culture, but what can you do there to get into the spirit? Grab drinks at a festive bar, of course. Take a walk around Phoenix Park to get some fresh air and admire the surrounding gardens, then go over to Hole in the Wall. Here, you can get drinks at “the most festive bar in Dublin” – just make a reservation ahead of time.
Median flight price by month**
Median hotel price by month**
November
$171 / night
December
$162 / night
January
$120 / night
February
$126 / night
Median rental car price by month**
Median flight price by month**
November
$600
December
$708
January
$591
February
$594
Median hotel price by month**
November
$171 / night
December
$162 / night
January
$120 / night
February
$126 / night
Median rental car price by month**
November
$37 / day
December
$93 / day
January
$33 / day
February
$37 / day
08
Summer to winter deal destination
Zurich
Switzerland
24% price decrease
Hacker tip
Feeling the holiday season? While you’re in Zurich, stop by The Landesmuseum – it gets decorated in lights around Christmas time so you can watch a spectacular light show followed by cocktails at one of the bars scattered throughout the courtyard (from 11/10 – 12/30). More interested in shopping? Visit Old Town to take your pick of Swiss souvenirs at the unique shops along the cobblestone streets.
08
Summer to winter deal destination
Zurich
Switzerland
24% price decrease
Hacker tip
Feeling the holiday season? While you’re in Zurich, stop by The Landesmuseum – it gets decorated in lights around Christmas time so you can watch a spectacular light show followed by cocktails at one of the bars scattered throughout the courtyard (from 11/10 – 12/30). More interested in shopping? Visit Old Town to take your pick of Swiss souvenirs at the unique shops along the cobblestone streets.
Median flight price by month**
Median hotel price by month**
November
$158 / night
December
$192 / night
January
$180 / night
February
$164 / night
Median rental car price by month**
Median flight price by month**
November
$758
December
$1,017
January
$753
February
$718
Median hotel price by month**
November
$158 / night
December
$192 / night
January
$180 / night
February
$164 / night
Median rental car price by month**
November
$65 / day
December
$118 / day
January
$97 / day
February
$122 / day
09
Summer to winter deal destination
Istanbul
Turkey
24% price decrease
Hacker tip
Exploring Istanbul during winter is ideal, especially because you won’t have to sweat through your clothes while waiting to see the historic museums and mosques around the city. Plus, most of the biggest attractions are indoors, so you’ll have plenty to do during rainy winter days. Grab a Museum Pass ahead of time to visit multiple places throughout your stay.
09
Summer to winter deal destination
Istanbul
Turkey
24% price decrease
Hacker tip
Exploring Istanbul during winter is ideal, especially because you won’t have to sweat through your clothes while waiting to see the historic museums and mosques around the city. Plus, most of the biggest attractions are indoors, so you’ll have plenty to do during rainy winter days. Grab a Museum Pass ahead of time to visit multiple places throughout your stay.
Median flight price by month**
Median hotel price by month**
November
$106 / night
December
$113 / night
January
$102 / night
February
$117 / night
Median rental car price by month**
Median flight price by month**
November
$950
December
$1,092
January
$807
February
$823
Median hotel price by month**
November
$106 / night
December
$113 / night
January
$102 / night
February
$117 / night
Median rental car price by month**
November
$23 / day
December
$21 / day
January
$25 / day
February
$26 / day
10
Summer to winter deal destination
Prague
Czech Republic
23% price decrease
Hacker tip
Romance and music during the holidays? In Prague? Yes, please. After you book your accommodations, buy tickets for the holiday concert of your choice at The Municipal House’s Smetana Concert Hall or Lobkowicz Palace. Or, watch a performance of the Nutcracker at Prague’s National Theater. After your show, head to T-Anker Restaurant for a romantic nightcap that overlooks the city.
10
Summer to winter deal destination
Prague
Czech Republic
23% price decrease
Hacker tip
Romance and music during the holidays? In Prague? Yes, please. After you book your accommodations, buy tickets for the holiday concert of your choice at The Municipal House’s Smetana Concert Hall or Lobkowicz Palace. Or, watch a performance of the Nutcracker at Prague’s National Theater. After your show, head to T-Anker Restaurant for a romantic nightcap that overlooks the city.
Median flight price by month**
Median hotel price by month**
Median rental car price by month**
Median flight price by month**
November
$766
December
$977
January
$744
February
$733
Median hotel price by month**
November
$78 / night
December
$104 / night
January
$60 / night
February
$133 / night
Median rental car price by month**
November
$37 / day
December
$29 / day
January
$56 / day
February
$127 / day
Roam through more of the guide
‘Tis the ski-son
Find out more about this season’s trendiest ski destinations and the must-have items to bring on your next winter adventure.
See new cities for less
You can still visit a new place when you’re low on cash – shake up your winter routine with a trip to one of these affordable destinations.
Methodology*KAYAK US considered economy, round trip flights with the greatest decrease in price from the summer to winter seasons in 2022. For the summer months, search dates 3/15/22 – 7/1/22 and travel dates 5/28/22 – 9/5/22 were used. For winter months, search dates 6/1/22 – 9/15/22 and travel dates 11/18/22 – 1/2/23 were used.
**Median airfare, median nightly hotel/vacation rental rates and median daily rental car rates by month for each destination are based on the above indicated search and travel dates. Airfare is round trip pricing with a US origin. Hotel and car rates are daily median rates excluding taxes and fees.