How much does a winter bus trip through Europe really cost, and what determines the price?

Bus tours during the New Year and Christmas holidays attract Ukrainians with the opportunity to escape the routine, immerse themselves in the atmosphere of European fairs, and visit several cities in one trip. However, before planning a trip, it is important to understand what the price is based on, what is usually included in the package, and what expenses will have to be paid separately. Learn more about the real cost of winter bus tours to Europe and how to plan your budget without unpleasant surprises

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Holiday trips to Europe for New Year's and Christmas remain one of the most popular options for a short winter getaway for Ukrainians. Recently, Finance.ua calculated the average cost of holiday bus tours and showed that demand for such trips is consistently high, and prices depend on several key factors.

So if you are planning to celebrate the holidays in the Christmas atmosphere of European cities, we will tell you how much it may cost and what to pay attention to. Detailed figures, nuances and tips are provided below.

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Why prices vary so much: the main factors affecting cost

The cost of a festive bus trip is not determined solely by the principle of ‘country + number of days’. The duration of the tour, the number of cities in the programme, the presence of night transfers, the popularity of the destination and the specific departure dates are also important. Routes that fall directly on holiday nights are traditionally more expensive. The city of departure also has an impact — most often, groups depart from Lviv, where prices are usually the most affordable.

What items are prohibited from being taken on board an aircraft during the holidays — we explain here.

Cost guidelines: how much should you budget for?

For a basic understanding: short tours with overnight transfers remain the most affordable — they usually start at around €120-250 per person. If you want more comfort, accommodation without ‘nights on the road’ and more popular destinations (Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Paris), then you should plan a budget of €250-350.

It is worth noting that programmes that include New Year's celebrations or special festive events may be 20–100 euros more expensive. A festive dinner, if not included in the package, is usually offered as an additional option and can cost 60–150 euros per person.

Read also: New Year's tours in Ukraine with Visit Ukraine. Where to go to celebrate 2026?

What is included in the price, and what will you have to pay extra for?

In most cases, the basic package includes travel by tourist class bus, accommodation in 2–3★ hotels with breakfast, a tour guide and standard sightseeing tours. City tourist fees, additional excursions, lunches and dinners, as well as personal expenses are usually paid separately. That is why you should always read the ‘not included in the price’ section carefully — this will help you plan your budget correctly without any unpleasant surprises.

About holiday travel in Europe and where delays and flight cancellations are possible in December 2025-January 2026 — find out more at the link.

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How much does a tour for several days cost?

In terms of average prices, trips lasting 4–5 days during the Christmas and New Year holidays usually start at around €370–380. The final cost depends on the itinerary, accommodation, meals, number of additional activities and individual expenses of the tourist.

New Year's tours of Ukraine 2025/26 and the best offers for the whole family are collected here.

How to save money without spoiling your experience?

Saving money does not always mean giving up comfort. If your budget is limited, consider shorter routes or tours with overnight transfers. If comfort is a priority, choose programmes without overnight travel, but plan for a larger budget. And here's a simple life hack: take snacks and water with you on the road — this helps you spend less at stops and petrol stations.

Winter travel is all about the atmosphere of fairs, lights, new cities, and emotions. But it's also important to take care of safety.

Before travelling abroad, take out travel insurance — it guarantees assistance in case of illness, injury, or other unforeseen situations. The Visit Ukraine portal offers reliable policies for travel in Europe with medical coverage and travel protection.

Ensure your peace of mind and comfort — take out insurance before your trip and travel with confidence!

Reminder! Bus tours to Europe during the holidays remain a popular travel option for Ukrainians. How much do Christmas and New Year's bus tours cost, what is included in the price, and how you can save money — we tell you here.

Photo: generated using Gemini

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