Christmas markets are a staple of our festive activities and many are free to enter. However, while there's a great selection of food and drink on offer to help curb your hunger while you're shopping for the perfect gifts, it can be a little pricey. And with the current cost of living crisis, everything seems to be a little more expensive this year.
Cardiff Christmas Market has plenty of food and drink options, you can read our guide here to the refreshments available there, all ranging in price and value. One of the most expensive food and drink combinations is bratwurst and beer, which will set you back £13 for both.
READ MORE: The delicious Christmas treats you can indulge in right now in and around Cardiff
But how does Cardiff Christmas Market compare to other Christmas markets in the UK? We've taken a look at the prices for food and drink at some of the major Christmas markets ito see how Cardiff compares. Meanwhile, you can read here about great Christmas markets in and around Wales.
Cardiff Vs Birmingham Christmas market
Known for its huge and impressive German Christmas market, Birmingham attracts crowds year after year and with some cheaper prices than Cardiff you can understand why. You can save 50p for a Bratwurst and beer at Birmingham Christmas market compared to Cardiff, with Birmingham costing £12.50 and Cardiff £13.
Some pints of beer are also cheaper in Birmingham, costing £6.50 compared to Cardiff's most expensive at £7. Other beers at Cardiff Christmas market are priced at £6.50, matching Birmingham, and £6, making it slightly cheaper.
Mulled wine is cheaper in Cardiff, setting you back £5 compared to Birmingham's £6. Bratwursts individually cost the same, £6, at both markets. The cheapest crepes at Cardiff Christmas market are 50p cheaper than the cheapest crepes in Birmingham with them costing £4 in Cardiff and £4.50 in Birmingham.
Cardiff Vs Manchester Christmas market
Also known for having a large and popular Christmas market, which spans different parts of the city, is Manchester. But is it cheaper than Cardiff? You can keep up to date with the latest What's On news by signing up to the newsletter here.
Starting with hot cider, a pint will cost you the same, £5, in Cardiff and Manchester. However, beer is cheaper in Manchester, costing £5.50 compared to Cardiff's cheapest at £6. If you prefer wine you can save 20p in Cardiff with a glass costing £4.80 compared to Manchester's £5 a glass.
Prosecco is also cheaper in Cardiff at £5.50 for a glass compared to Manchester's which is £7.50 - a massive £2 difference. You can also save 20p in Cardiff when it comes to Yorkshire pudding wraps as they will set you back £7.80 and in Manchester one will cost you £8.
A beef burger is cheaper in Cardiff, costing £6 compared to Manchester's £7, and you save a pound again when it comes to chips, with them costing £3 in Cardiff and £4 in Manchester. Bratwursts, however, are the same price, £6, in Cardiff and Manchester.
Cardiff Vs Newcastle
Over 300 miles away from Cardiff is Newcastle where there is a great Christmas market. Pancakes and crepes in Newcastle and Cardiff are the same price, starting at £4.
Again burgers are cheaper in Cardiff, costing £6 compared to a whopping £8 at Newcastle Christmas Market. Bratwursts come out at the same price, £6 - and there's also a cheaper option in Newcastle with one stall, Tel Und Gina's German Christmas Market Bratwurst Booth, charging £5, saving you a pound, for a double extra large bratwurst.
Cardiff Vs Liverpool
Festive cabins and Christmas bars are a staple part of the fab Liverpool Christmas Market. Mulled wine is more expensive in Liverpool, costing £6 compared to Cardiff's £5.
Pints in Liverpool come in mid-range at £6.50, matching Cardiff but also being cheaper than Cardiff's most expensive £7 pint. For a glass of wine, Liverpool is significantly more expensive at £6.50, compared to the Cardiff Christmas Market's price of £4.80. Prosecco is also more expensive at £7.50 in Liverpool, compared to £5.50 in Cardiff.
Cardiff Vs Winter Wonderland in London
It is capital city Vs capital city as we compare prices in Cardiff and London. It might not come as a surprise that a Bratwurst costs more at Winter Wonderland in London, setting you back £7.50 compared to Cardiff's £6. Some bratwursts at London's Winter Wonderland are even priced at a whopping £9.
With chips at £3 at Cardiff Christmas Market, you are paying two pounds more in London (£5 a portion). Surprisingly, beer is priced the same, or cheaper, than Cardiff, ranging from £6 to £6.90 a pint. But mulled wine is cheaper in Cardiff, costing you £5, whereas in London you will be spending £5.40 to £6.40. Crepes also jump up in price in the English capital, costing £5.50 compared to Cardiff's £4.
Verdict
Overall, Cardiff Christmas Market appears to be fairly middle of the range for price. It is certainly cheaper than Winter Wonderland in London, but that comes as no surprise, however, a clear trend is that pints in Cardiff tend to be more expensive than elsewhere. Cardiff is also coming out overall cheaper than Manchester and Liverpool, making it more affordable to visit.
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