Credit card experts at Compare the Market crunched the numbers on accommodation, mulled wine, bratwurst and more across 24 markets nationwide. The result? Swansea came in second cheapest in Britain for 2025, beaten only by Southampton.
Bargain beer and budget beds
Visitors to Swansea’s Christmas Market can expect to pay an average of £110 a night for accommodation — cheaper than Cardiff (£180) and Birmingham (£165).
And when it comes to festive tipples, Swansea pours one of the cheapest pints in the UK at just £3.30, second only to Oban’s £3 pint. Mulled wine averages £5, hot chocolate £4.50, and a crepe £5.50.
The only sting in the tail? A bratwurst will set you back £8 — pricier than Southampton (£6) and Oban (£6).
National picture
Southampton topped the affordability list with £105 accommodation and £5 mulled wine, while Oban scooped the crown for cheapest pint.
At the other end of the scale, London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland was branded the UK’s priciest festive trip — with accommodation averaging £550 a night and mulled wine at £7.40 a glass.
Wales and Scotland shine
Both Wales and Scotland scored well in the top 10, with Swansea joined by Cardiff and Aberglasney, while Aberdeen and Glasgow flew the flag north of the border.
Charlie Evans, credit card expert at Compare the Market, said:
“Christmas markets should be about festive fun, not financial stress. Setting a clear spending limit before you arrive could help keep your budget on track and make it easier to avoid impulse purchases.”
Festive tips
Experts advise shoppers to:
- Compare prices before committing — food and drink costs can vary stall to stall.
- Track spending as you go — budgeting apps can help avoid nasty surprises.
- Protect yourself when travelling — credit cards may offer purchase protection on bookings.
10 more affordable Christmas markets in the UK
| Rank | Christmas market | Average cost of accomm-odation | Average mulled wine price | Average beer price | Average hot chocolate price | Average bratwurst price | Average crepe price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southampton Christmas Market | £105 | £5.00 | £3.97 | £4.50 | £6.00 | £5.00 |
| 2 | Swansea Christmas Market | £110 | £5.00 | £3.30 | £4.50 | £8.00 | £5.50 |
| 3 | Oban Winter Festival | £115 | £5.00 | £3.00 | £4.50 | £6.00 | £5.00 |
| 4 | Aberdeen Christmas Village | £130 | £5.50 | £4.73 | £5.50 | £8.50 | £5.50 |
| 5 | Aberglasney Winter Fair | £130 | Free | £4.74 | £4.00 | £6.00 | £4.50 |
| 6 | Nottingham Winter Wonderland | £170 | £5.00 | £3.97 | £4.50 | £6.00 | £5.50 |
| 7 | Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market | £165 | £6.50 | £7.00 | £5.00 | £6.50 | £4.50 |
| 8 | Glasgow Christmas Winterfest | £165 | £6.00 | £6.50 | £5.00 | £8.00 | £5.00 |
| 9 | Cardiff Christmas Market | £180 | £3.00 | £4.30 | £4.00 | £7.00 | £5.00 |
| 10 | Winchester Christmas Market | £175 | £8.50 | £6.00 | £5.00 | £8.00 | £6.00 |
The Christmas market is a rip off