United States
Book Thanksgiving by September 27 and Christmas by November 25 to save up to $140 on holiday flights
Today marks 100 days until Christmas, and Expedia’s Holiday Travel Outlook reveals that now is the prime window for travelers to lock in their plans and save.
“This holiday season, Thanksgiving is trending tropical with Puerto Rico topping domestic getaways, while Christmas is going global with Rio de Janeiro leading international escapes,” said Melanie Fish, head of public relations for Expedia Group brands. “Timing is everything: Expedia data shows booking by October 28 for Thanksgiving and December 4 for Christmas can save travelers up to $140 on flights.”
When is the Best Time to Fly over the Holidays?
| Holiday | Thanksgiving | Christmas |
|---|---|---|
| Book By Date[1] | Domestic: Monday, October 27, to save up to $60 International: Saturday, September 27, to save up to $70 | Domestic: Saturday, October 25, to save up to $60 International: Tuesday, November 25, to save up to $140 |
| Cheapest Day to Depart[2] | Monday, November 24 | Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) |
| Cheapest Day to Return[2] | Sunday, November 30 | Wednesday, December 31 (NYE) |
| Busiest and Most Expensive Days to Avoid[2] | Wednesday, November 26 and Friday, November 28 | Saturday, December 20 and Friday, December 26 |
Expedia data reveals that travelers have beach getaways and culturally rich destinations on their mind for this upcoming holiday season, with San Juan, Puerto Rico, the top trending domestic destination for Thanksgiving and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the top trending international destination for Christmas.
What Destinations are Trending over the Holidays?[3]
Thanksgiving
- San Juan continues its popularity streak following the recent local residency of a famous pop artist, and Thanksgiving provides an ideal time for American travelers to enjoy an island getaway without the need of taking a passport.
- For the first time, Medellin makes its way into the international trending list as a top destination this Thanksgiving with its mild temperatures and a strong expat community that integrates Thanksgiving celebrations into local bars and restaurants, creating a sense of home away from home.
| Domestic Destinations | International Destinations |
| San Juan, PR +40% | Osaka, Japan +40% |
| Pittsburgh, PA +35% | Rome, Italy +25% |
| Wilmington, DE +30% | Panama City, Panama +20% |
| San Diego, CA +25% | Montego Bay, Jamaica +15% |
| Kahului, HI +25% | Medellin, Colombia + 15% |
Christmas and New Years
- The Christmas holiday is an ideal time for families to escape the winter chill and head to sun-soaked beach destinations like Hawaii, where both Kahului and Honolulu are trending this upcoming holiday season.
- Rio de Janeiro is a top warm-weather escape for American travelers, where summer is in full swing and the iconic New Year’s Eve celebration on Copacabana Beach is a bucket-list experience for many travelers.
| Domestic Destinations | International Destinations |
|---|---|
| Kahului, HI +35% | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil +95% |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL +30% | Santo Domingo, DR +35% |
| San Antonio, TX +30% | Punta Cana, DR +35% |
| Indianapolis, IN +25% | Lagos, Portugal +35% |
| Honolulu, HI +20% | Montego Bay, Jamaica +30% |
Practical tips for smooth holiday travel include:
- Book morning flights: Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks report finds morning flights are 57% less prone to cancellations than flights after 9 p.m., highlighting the benefits of seizing the day.
- Renew travel documents: Make sure to renew or sign up for TSA PreCheck, have your REAL ID, and make sure passports are up to date before the busy holiday rush.
- Save with Price Alerts: Expedia members can receive notifications when airline prices drop by using tools such as Price Tracking on the app.
- Bundle and Save: Book a package deal, which includes flight and hotel, to save an average of $300 per person.[4]
- Explore Flight Deals: Expedia’s Flight Deals scans over 2 million flights daily to surface fares that are 20% or more below average predicted fares from your home airport.[5]
- Book once, earn twice: Unlock the benefits of One Key® membership by earning OneKeyCash™ on eligible Expedia bookings. Input the airline mileage plan details at checkout to earn twice, turning each trip into a more rewarding experience.[6]
For year-round travel tips, Expedia’s Cheap Flights guide breakdowns how to save on airfares. It includes data-backed advice on the best times to book domestic and international flights, plus tools to help travelers save no matter the season.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When should I book international flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas?
A: Book by September 27, 2025, to maximize savings (up to about $60). Waiting past that date increases the chance of higher prices and fewer available seats.
Q: When should I book international flights for Christmas 2025?
A: Book by November 25 to maximize savings (up to about $140). Booking earlier locks in fares and reduces holiday‑season stress.
Q: When should I book domestic flights for Thanksgiving 2025?
A: Book by October 27, 2025, to maximize savings (up to about $60). Domestic fares often rise as the holiday approaches, so earlier is better.
Q: What are the cheapest days to fly during the holidays?
A: Cheapest for Thanksgiving depart: Monday, November 24, 2025; return: Sunday, November 30, 2025. Cheapest for Christmas departure: Wednesday (Christmas Eve), December 24, 2025; return: Wednesday (New Year’s Eve), December 31, 2025.
Q: What days should I avoid flying during Thanksgiving and Christmas?
A: Avoid Wednesday, November 26 and Friday, November 28 for Thanksgiving; avoid Saturday, December 20 and Friday, December 26 for Christmas. These are typically the busiest and most expensive travel days.
Q: What are the most popular destinations for Thanksgiving?
A: Domestically, it includes San Juan, Pittsburgh, Wilmington, San Diego and Kahului. Internationally, travelers are interested in holidaying in Osaka, Rome, Panama City, Montego Bay, and Medellin.
Q: What are the most popular destinations for Christmas and New Years Eve?
A: For Christmas and New Years, the top domestic destinations include Kahului, Fort Lauderdale, San Antonio, Indianapolis, and Honolulu. Internationally, the top picks are Rio De Janeiro, Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Lagos, and Montego Bay.
Q: What days should I avoid flying during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays?
A: For Thanksgiving, avoid Wednesday, November 26; for Christmas, avoid Saturday, December 20.
Q: Is it better to fly in the morning during the holidays? (Adjust according to Air Hacks trip)
A: Yes. According to Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report, morning flights are 57% less likely to be canceled than those after 9 p.m. Flying earlier in the day can help travelers avoid disruptions during the holiday season.
Q: How can I get cheap flights for Thanksgiving or Christmas?
A: Use Expedia’s Price Tracking to get alerts when fares drop. Search for your preferred flight on the Expedia app and select ‘watch prices’. You’ll not only be notified when price changes occur, it will save the flight in your app, so you don’t have to start a new search every time to see if the price has changed.
[1] Based on Expedia.com flight data for travel during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s in 2024
[2] Based on Expedia.com flight demand for travel during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s in 2025
[3] Trending destinations based on Expedia flight demand for travel during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s 2025, compared to the same period in 2024
[4] Savings vary and are not available on all packages. Savings are compared to the price of the same components booked separately.
[5] Expedia predicts flight deals based on historical data collected from searches made on or by Expedia for this route. See site for details.
[6] OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.
