United States
December 31 and January 19 unlock the cheapest international fares.
December 5 and 26 are the busiest nights for domestic stays.
Expedia®’s Winter Travel Outlook shows a dramatic pivot in traveler behavior: Americans are trading cultural capitals for Caribbean sands and Japan’s travel demand momentum is slowing. This winter, it’s “Beach or Bust” as searches for tropical escapes surge in Cancun (+30%) and Punta Cana (+35%), while demand for Paris (+5%) and Tokyo (+15%) cools.
For travelers who want warmth without going full beach mode, Malta is emerging as a Mediterranean wildcard, up 115% thanks to its mild Winter weather and Carnival celebrations in February.
“This winter, the cheapest travel days vary — domestic flights are most affordable in early December, while international deals peak at the end of the month,” said Melanie Fish, VP of Public Relations at Expedia Group. “Keep those windows in mind when booking your winter travel, and use technology to find the best value[1] by setting a price tracker and checking flight deals from your home airport in the Expedia app.”
Best Times to Fly[2]
Domestic
- Slowest: January 27 and February 24
- Busiest: December 22 and 23
- Cheapest: December 4 and 5
- Most Expensive: January 3 and 4
International
- Slowest: February 23 and 24
- Busiest: December 20 and 22
- Cheapest: December 31 and January 19
- Most Expensive: December 19 and 20
Best Times to Stay[3]
Domestic
- Slowest: January 27 and February 24
- Busiest: December 5 and 26
- Cheapest: December 7 and 8
- Most Expensive: February 12 and 14
International
- Slowest: February 23 and 24
- Busiest: December 20 and 26
- Cheapest: December 1 and 10
- Most Expensive: December 27 and 14
Expedia’s Smart Travel Health Check helps travelers identify destinations that prioritize sustainable tourism practices and traveler well-being while offering rich cultural and natural experiences. The assessment uses AI tools to assess destinations based on the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) six principles for sustainable tourism management.
Destination Insights[4]
Trending destinations are those with the fastest year-over-year growth in searches, often driven by new attractions, better accessibility, or major events, while popular destinations are those with the highest overall search volume — so even as Cancun, Punta Cana, and Aruba dominate searches, interest in Hong Kong, Revelstoke, and Malta is skyrocketing.
- Beach or Bust: Travelers are chasing easy, sunny escapes this Winter. Caribbean favorites like Aruba and Punta Cana are booming, and Mexico’s top beaches are Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Cabo San Lucas.
- Japan Cools Down: After last year’s surge, Japan’s momentum is easing. Searches for Tokyo and Kyoto are up just 15%, signaling that travelers are prioritizing other warm-weather destinations such as Canggu, Bali (+180%), which is widely known for its New Year’s Eve celebrations, along with its surf and beach culture.
- Mediterranean Charm in Malta: Malta is trending, with searches up 115%. Here culture meets celebration, with travelers drawn to its mild climate, stunning historic architecture, and vibrant Carnival festivities in Valletta in February.
- Winter Sports Momentum: Italy’s ski scene is heating up as searches for Sondrio jumped 180% ahead of the global sporting championship there. In Canada, Revelstoke (+215%) is luring thrill-seekers with steep terrain and legendary powder.
Winter Travel Tips
Expedia recommends the following to make the most of your Winter getaway:
- Search for Flight Deals: Take advantage of tools that help you identify deals from your home airport, such as Expedia’s Flight Deals, which will show fares that are at least 20% cheaper than the typical estimated price. [5]
- 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: Travelers can save hundreds, on average, when reserving their hotel and flight at the same time.
- Price Drop Protection: Add Expedia’s Price Drop Protection, which provides a refund of the difference if your flight price drops on Expedia after booking.[6]
FAQ
Q: What is the main trend highlighted in Expedia’s Winter Travel Outlook?
A: Americans are shifting from cultural capitals and long-haul destinations to Caribbean beach escapes, signaling a strong “Beach or Bust” trend.
Q: Is Japan still a top Winter destination?
A: Japan’s demand is cooling after years of record growth. Searches for Tokyo and Kyoto are up just 15% compared to last year’s 80% spike.
Q: Which Caribbean destinations are the most popular?
A: Cancun, Aruba, and Punta Cana are leading the surge in beach-focused travel.
Q: Are there any cultural destinations gaining traction?
A: Yes. Malta is up 115% thanks to its mild Winter climate and vibrant Carnival festivities in Valletta.
Q: What are the cheapest days to fly internationally this Winter?
A: December 31 and January 19 are the cheapest days for international flights, based on Expedia data.
Q: What tips does Expedia recommend for saving on Winter travel?
A: Book flights on the cheapest days, bundle flights and hotels, use price alerts, and Price Drop Protection.
[1] Price predictions are not a guarantee. Available to members in the app on select routes.
[2] Based on average daily ticket price on Expedia.com for travel between December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026
[3] Based on average daily rate changes on Expedia.com for travel between December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026
[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] Price Drop Protection is available on select flights for a fee. Refund will be the difference if the price of your flight on Expedia drops. Terms apply (https://www.expedia.com/lp/b/price-drop-protection/terms-original). See site for details.
