Data shows budget-friendly options for flights under $500 and stays under $150 as holiday travel demand surges.

With the winter holidays just around the corner, travelers are still searching for affordable ways to celebrate the season. Expedia^®’s latest data reveals that it’s not too late to plan a festive getaway without overspending. From sunny escapes in Florida to cultural adventures in Mexico, there are plenty of destinations where flights and accommodations remain budget-friendly, even for last-minute planners.

Best Time to Travel

Travelers can save over $200 by flying on December 31[1], the cheapest day to travel, compared to December 27, when prices peak, making New Year’s Eve an ideal time for a more affordable getaway.

Destinations to Fly Under $500[2]

• Domestic: Burbank, Oakland, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Buffalo, Baltimore, Las Vegas, Dallas, Chicago.
  • Trending Now: Burbank (+20%)[3], Oakland (+25%), and Buffalo (+30%) are seeing spikes in flight searches. Burbank and Oakland offer easy access to California’s holiday festivities, while Buffalo’s proximity to Niagara Falls and winter sports makes it a seasonal favorite.
• International: Toluca (Mexico), San Andres (Columbia), Hermosillo (Mexico), St. Lucia, Puerto Escondido (Mexico), San Pedro Sula (Honduras), Santa Marta (Columbia), Monterrey (Mexico), Curitiba (Brazil), Toronto (Canada)
  • Trending Now: Toluca, Mexico (+50%), Santa Marta, Colombia (+30%), San Pedro Sula, Honduras (+25%), Monterrey, Mexico (+25%), and Puerto Escondido, Mexico (+20%) are seeing strong year-over-year growth. These destinations are attracting holiday travelers for their warm weather, vibrant cultural celebrations, and affordability compared to traditional winter hotspots.

Destinations to Stay Under $150 per Night[4]

• Domestic: Pensacola (FL), Augusta (GA), Fort Wayne (IN), Amarillo (TX), Wichita (KS), Huntsville (AL), Tallahassee (FL), Tulsa (OK), Des Moines (IA), San Bernardino (CA)
  • Trending Now: The mild winter weather in Pensacola (+30%) makes it a perfect escape from colder climates, while Tulsa’s affordability and growing arts scene appeal to travelers, marking a 20% surge in searches.
• International: Cebu City (Philippines), Guadalajara (Mexico), Bogotá (Colombia), Calgary (Canada), Monterrey (Mexico), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Lima (Peru), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).
  • Trending Now: Guadalajara (+30%), Guatemala City (+65%), Santo Domingo (+50%) offer warm weather, vibrant holiday traditions, and cultural experiences at a fraction of the cost compared to more traditional winter hotspots.

Last-Minute Holiday Travel Tips

Expedia recommends the following to make the most of this Holiday season:

• Be Flexible with Dates: Flying midweek or on the holiday itself can unlock lower fares.
• Consider Alternative Airports: Smaller airports often offer cheaper flights and less congestion.
• 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] 
• 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 are the cheapest destinations to fly to for Christmas and New Year’s?

A: Flights under $500 include Burbank, Oakland, Buffalo domestically, and Toluca, Santa Marta and San Pedro Sula internationally.

Q: Where can I find affordable hotels for under $150 per night during the holidays?

A: Pensacola, Tulsa, Guadalajara, Santo Domingo, and Bogotá all offer stays under $150 per night.

Q: How can I save money on last-minute holiday travel?

A: Bundle flights and hotels on Expedia to save hundreds of dollars on average.

Q: What warm-weather destinations are affordable for New Year’s Eve?

A: Guadalajara, Santo Domingo and St. Lucia provide sunny escapes at budget-friendly prices.

[1] Based on average ticket pricing on Expedia.com between December 22, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

[2] Based on average daily ticket price on Expedia.com for travel between December 22, 2025, to January 4, 2026.

[3] Based on searches made on Expedia.com between September 1, 2025, to December 7, 2025 for travel between December 22, 2025, to January 4, 2026, compared to the same period the previous year.

[4] Based on average daily rate changes on Expedia.com for travel between December 22, 2025, to January 4, 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.