Booking a trip for this December to visit a Christmas Market somewhere in Europe!

[Guest]

I haven’t fully decided where (Finland, Belgium, Netherlands are top contenders) but my question is, is an hour enough time for a layover in Iceland?

Coming from Seattle all the cheapest flights to these countries have a one hour layover in Iceland and sounds stressful like it won’t be enough time. Do we have to go through customs?

Thanks!

[Beth]

1 hour is fine.

Icelandair move you very quickly from one flight to the next.

No going through customs, etc.

Take advantage of the free layover if you can. I stayed the max 7 days in May and it was so worth it.

[Claire]

The best markets are:

• Prague
• Budapest
• Vienna
• Strasbourg
• Nuremberg

[Melissa]

I did it last September. We did have to go through customs but we landed and were through in less than 15 minutes. We actually had time to get a cup of coffee while waiting at the gate to board the next flight which was wheels up and in the air at the time the flight was scheduled.

The most efficient airport I have ever been to.

I'd fly through there to go from New Jersey to the West Coast it was efficient and probably still be quicker than a flight that had a layover somewhere across the country. !

Don't miss: Dominican Republic for Christmas – TUI vs Love Holidays!

[Bridget]

Icelandair makes all their layovers short. It’s a small airport and an hour is fine. Christmas markets in Munich are great!

[Jill]

Just so ya know … the Christmas markets aren’t as big in those locations.

Do they even have one in Amsterdam?

I don’t think so, I was there last year…. Belgium…. Yes, but smaller than in Germany (we went to Brussels and Brugge) and no idea about Finland.

And yes, an hour … you should be fine it’s not a massive airport

[Caroline]

You do have to go thru customs in Iceland if you aren't traveling on to the UK - as to if an hour is enough, I think it depends on how busy things are but personally I'd want more than an hour.

I just traveling thru the Iceland airport to/from UK on a trip, and it was very busy (seems to be a major layover hub) and while I didn't have to go through customs, the hour isn't really an hour once you get off the flight, consider boarding starts ahead of the next flight time, etc.

I had just enough time to use the bathroom and get a coffee and a snack before I had to get to my gate. great airport though!

[Brady]

1 hour is plenty.

I had to for a bathroom break, coffee and a randomly selected in depth back room security search where they swabbed every item in my bag and gave me a full and thorough pat down.

[Jonas]

Re. Christmas markets Austria, Germany and Switzerland are the experts. Or go to north Sweden and participate in reindeer racing!

[Jonas]

Iceland airport is quite small so it should be adequate time if you’re not delayed.

You will not have to go through customs for a transit but probably border control and show passports as you are entering EU/EFTA.

[Manon]

When it comes to Christmas markets in The Netherlands; Dordrecht (the largest), Den Haag, Haarlem, Valkenburg (in caves), Maastricht and Leiden are most visited and known.

There’s also one in Bourtange (fortified city up North), which is also cute.

And Dickens fest is held in Deventer, which is great but very busy!

Explore these too: Me & my boyfriend are wanting to go away for 4 nights beginning of December

[Stephanie]

Aren’t the Northern lights ramping up? A little longer stay in Iceland might be a bonus!

Btw, I’ve read Bruges & Brussels Christmas markets are special. We didn’t have enough time to get all the way into Belgium.