Need vacation ideas for December - Budapest, Edinburgh or Dublin?

It you are interested in Christmas markets I’d choose Budapest. If you are interested in Ye Old Christmas cheer I’d choose Edinburgh. Dublin doesn’t have as much winter city charm IMO.

Of those 3 at this time of year, I would also choose Budapest, although all three are wonderful places to visit.

Thank you!

Its sort of hands down Budapest if for no other reason then its the most beautiful city in Europe: but if you want another reason:

Consumer Prices in Budapest are 35.65% lower than in Edinburgh (without rent)
Restaurant Prices in Budapest are 51.78% lower than in Edinburgh

Consumer Prices in Budapest are 43.76% lower than in Dublin (without rent)
Restaurant Prices in Budapest are 51.03% lower than in Dublin

10 December - 23 December (1 stop flights - cheapest i found without doing a whole lot of work) two tickets in economy:
Lufthansa DFW to Budapest $1730
Lufthansa DFW to Edinburg $2550
American DFW to Dublin $2100

Then I did a quick Hotels.com check and in the right part of town
Budapest the average cost for a 4 star with a Very Good (8) or better rating was right at $100 a night for the 34 properties
Dublin I had I had to guess at for location (never been there) picked close to Marion Square for an average of about $185
Edinburg about the same as Dublin

RT Airport taxi in Budapest about $40
In Dublin about $60
In Edinburg about $100

But of course, none of that matters if you dont enjoy it.

@James E - Wow! Thanks so much!!! Such helpful information!

Edinburgh or Budapest. I found Dublin to be rather uninteresting and a disappointment.

DECEMBER!, Budapest, it is probably the warmest.

Why go to Europe when it is cold?

Why go to Europe when it’s cold? Are you kidding? It’s the best. When else are you going to enjoy skiing in the Austrian Alps? Not in the heat of the summer. It’s lightyears better than Rocky Mountain skiing! I don’t understand the attraction of going in summer when it’s hot, filled with North American tourists, and cultural venues like the ballet and opera are all on summer hiatus. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy the Christmas markets of December?

Of that list, I would go to Budapest especially considering the airfare is the least expensive!

DECEMBER!, Budapest, it is probably the warmest.
Why go to Europe when it is cold?

Budapest will be the coldest!

@Continental - that’s exactly our thought too!

Actually stastically Budapest is about 5F cooler than the others (30 to 42F), but with half the rain.

To be honest, when you are out and about with everyone else, the cold isn't that bad. And the short days means more time to enjoy the lights.