We are heading over to the Christmas Markets next Tuesday the 19th. So excited! We will visit Vienna, Salzburg, Zurich, Colmar, Strasbourg, Baden-Baden and Rothenburg. Can anyone tell me the average cost of items? For instance: a pair of mittens, a small wooden figurine, child's toy, etc. Just looking for a rough estimate. We have a money exchange in process at our bank to get Euros and Francs. We know some vendors will take cards, but want to use cash at the markets if possible.
Thanks!
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1155 posts
Take a debit card (I take two from different accounts) and withdraw cash from an ATM. You will get the best exchange rate, much better than your bank is going to give you. If you feel you must arrive with Euros, get 100 or so for a coffee or breakfast on arrival, get you to your accommodations and then withdraw from ATM. Over the years, we have used less and less cash and more credit cards for purchases, especially post-pandemic. Because we go to Europe once or twice a year, I always come home with 50 to 100 euros and maybe withdraw cash twice on a two to three week trip.
When using credit cards for purchases, make sure you process the transaction in the local currency, do not accept the currency conversion to dollars. The credit card will give you a better exchange than the merchant.
Debit card - to withdraw from ATM.
Credit card - to make purchases.
Posted by
Green Bay
21137 posts
Why not just get the cash you need from an ATM, for a lot lower cost than what your bank will charge you here?
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
2635 posts
If you can stop that process, I agree just use an ATM upon arrival. Some vendors want cash only, but many take cards. As for costs, it all just depends. Say for instance mittens, you may find a cheap pair or a very nice high quality pair, so it is hard to really say. We used mostly cash at the markets and just hit the ATM every other day or so.
Posted by
OP
32 posts
Not sure we could stop the process at this point, but we only did $200 US to start. We will definitely check out the ATM's for more cash! Thanks!
Posted by
Franklin, TN, USA
920 posts
Make sure you log a Trips Report when you get back!
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
2635 posts
With just $200, I wouldn't worry about trying to stop the process. We were supposed to go back to many of these cities for the markets, but Delta mucked up our reservations so much that we just cancelled the whole trip. Next year! We loved Salzburg! You didn't ask, but two restaurants that we loved were Zwettler's and Johaneskellar (cash only for this one). We also did a SOM tour with Bob's Special Tours and it was excellent! Then a half day cooking class to make strudel and cookies. My favorite mug was from Salzburg, and of course it was the only one that broke on the way home. So I need to go back;)
Posted by
1043 posts
ATMs all the way, for sure. And " francs" are those used anymore?
I don't really understand these ATM and credit card inquiries on the forum. It is not any more an issue in Europe than it is in the States. Or pretty much anywhere in the world.
Posted by
Paris
10186 posts
Francs are definitely still used in Switzerland, which the OP noted their itinerary includes.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8046 posts
And " francs" are those used anymore?
In Switzerland, Yes.
Posted by
OP
32 posts
Thanks everyone for the replies. To be clear, treemoss2, my original question was not about ATM's. My original question was general prices of common items at the Christmas markets. We just wanted to get an idea on what items cost.
I do greatly appreciate all of the advice-first time in Europe! We love to know about good restaurants and it's helpful to know to choose the local currency when using a card. Also, Jane, I will try to write a report. I know those have been very helpful to us in the planning of this trip.
Posted by
California
157 posts
A mug of gluhwein will be about 8 euros (3 for the deposit on the mug you keep or return.) A bratwurst will be about 4-5 euros. Food is always paid for with cash.
Mittens, wool hats, etc. are priced similar to what you would find at home. However the wool hats with a lining around the inside by your ears is so much warmer than anything I have seen in the states. There are lots of wooden toys that you can’t find here, prices range from 3 euros for a small car to ? A fun toy that is pretty unique to Europe is a wooden animal, like a dragon, on a spring that you can hang and bounce from a light fixture, about 8 euros. Christmas ornaments start at 2 € and go up and up. A nutcracker can start about 20€ and go over 100 € for big and detailed nutcrackers. Anything priced too low I would check on the bottom to make sure it is made in Germany.
About half of the vendors will take credit cards and half will be cash only. This is what we found last year at the markets.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1474 posts
Just came back from the first Christmas Markt (Ludwigshafen). Not a great market but I took two newcomers and we spent most of the day hitting wineries before that.
Drinks will run 7+ euro plus the deposit on the glass. A sausage is 5+ euro in a bun. Prices are going up from last year. I don't shop the stalls so I can't help with that. Those prices should be good for most of the Rhineland.
I can guarantee the cost at Strasbourg and/or Zurich is even higher. They were last year.