When is the Aachen Christmas market 2026, and how do I visit from Amsterdam?
The 53rd Aachener Weihnachtsmarkt runs from Friday, November 20, to Wednesday, December 23, 2026, around the cathedral and the town hall, on the Münsterplatz, the Katschhof and the Markt. It opens daily from 11:00 to 21:00, with three exceptions: on Sunday, November 22 (Totensonntag), only from 18:00 to 21:00; on Saturday, December 12, until 22:00; and on December 23 until 20:00. Entry is free, and Aachen is about 232 km from Amsterdam, 3 h 09 by car on a clear road.
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With a driver by the hour: prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, Aachen day from Amsterdam | €65 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, Aachen day from Amsterdam | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, Aachen day from Amsterdam | €100 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
By the hour: minimum 2 hours, 40 km included per hour, and the day starts and ends in the same city. The driver waits between stops. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
What is included in the price
- A fixed price confirmed at booking, with VAT included: no meter and no surge
- The chauffeur’s name, car and phone number before pickup, plus e-mail reminders 24 hours and 2 hours ahead
- Water and phone chargers (iOS and Android) in the car
- Status updates to the person who booked, if that is not the passenger: confirmed, chauffeur en route, guest in the car, arrived
Exceptions to the daily hours
| Date | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sun Nov 22 (Totensonntag) | 18:00 to 21:00 |
| Sat Dec 12 | 11:00 to 22:00 |
| Wed Dec 23 | 11:00 to 20:00 |
What to buy
Aachener Printen, the local spiced gingerbread, from about €3 a bag; Reibekuchen, potato pancakes, for about €5 to €7; and Glühwein, typically €4 to €5 a cup.
Parking and the environmental zone
Garages in the center fill up quickly; the park and ride costs €5 per car, shuttle bus included, for up to five people. Aachen has had an environmental zone since February 1, 2016, where only cars with a green sticker may drive.
A day from Amsterdam
A day of 12 hours covers the round trip of about 462 km: €780 in Business Class, €960 in Van Class, €1,200 in First Class. Maastricht's market is about 37 km away for an evening finish.
Related questions
Do I need a passport?
Carry it: Germany is running checks at its land borders, including the one with the Netherlands, until March 15, 2027.
Is Aachen better than Cologne?
It is smaller and more compact, and closer to Maastricht and Valkenburg.
Is the market open on Christmas Eve?
No. Its last day is December 23, closing at 20:00.
Sources
- Festivals in Deutschland: Aachen (checked October 20, 2026)
- City of Aachen: the environmental zone (German) (checked October 20, 2026)
- European Commission: temporary border controls (checked October 20, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.