The nearest airport covered in the guide is Lehigh Valley International Airport, code ABE. Its transport page lists rental cars, taxis, hotel shuttles, scheduled bus services and rideshare. Plan the transfer to your accommodation's actual address, and leave time for check-in before your first market visit. The Bethlehem, Pennsylvania guide covers arrival, parking and buses in detail.
Your options at ABE
The right choice depends on your arrival time, luggage, group size and where you are staying. The airport lists several modes of transport, but that does not confirm a direct connection to either market.
Rental car: useful if you plan to move between the two sides of town or visit outside the centre. Free public parking is listed next to Christkindlmarkt.
Taxi: simple with luggage, especially for a late arrival.
Rideshare: pickup is at the sheltered outdoor waiting area on the Second Level of the Main Terminal. Follow the signs and your booking's instructions.
Hotel shuttle: confirm beforehand that your accommodation offers one, how to request it and its operating hours.
Scheduled bus: check the route and timetable for your date and your final stop.
When comparing, look at the total price, luggage space, child seats or mobility aids, waiting time and the return journey. These say more than the lowest advertised starting fare.
Choose your first district
Bethlehem has two Christmas markets on different sides of town. Christkindlmarkt is on PNC Plaza at SteelStacks on the South Side, visitor address 645 East First Street. Christmas City Village is in the Sun Inn Courtyard in the historic district. Decide which you want to see first and, ideally, stay on that side.
When you search for directions or accommodation, use the full name: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, or Bethlehem, PA. Places and events with the same name exist elsewhere.
Timing your arrival day
Avoid booking a workshop or a fixed slot immediately after landing. A delayed flight or a slow transfer then puts the whole day under pressure. A relaxed first evening works well:
Arrive and check in: drop your luggage at the hotel.
Pick an open market: on an open Friday, Christkindlmarkt is free to enter from 5 to 8 pm. On a Friday to Sunday between 20 November and 20 December, the Village opens until 7 pm.
Keep it short: one circuit, a food break, then back to the hotel.
Christkindlmarkt and ArtsQuest's food and drink sales are cashless. Have a card or digital payment ready, or convert cash to an ArtsQuest CashCard at the festival. Check your own card's foreign transaction charges before you travel rather than assuming fee-free payments.
Planning the way back
Check the airport journey again before departure. The option that worked on arrival may not suit an early flight. For a one-night stay, ask your accommodation about luggage storage on departure day, so you can see the second district without carrying bags. Keep the hotel address and pickup point saved for both journeys.
If you leave on a Sunday, remember the earlier closing times: Christkindlmarkt closes at 6 pm and the Village at 7 pm.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct shuttle from ABE to the Christmas markets?
The guide does not list one. Plan the transfer to your accommodation and continue from there.
Where do I meet my rideshare at ABE?
At the sheltered outdoor waiting area on the Second Level of the Main Terminal, following current signs.
Can I pay in cash at Christkindlmarkt?
ArtsQuest sales are cashless, but you can load cash onto a CashCard at the festival. Independent vendors decide on cash themselves.
Research status: 29 October 2026. Dates, times and prices are planning information and can change, so check the official organiser and venue sources before you travel.
