United States
Expedia data shows travelers can still save by booking by key dates and bundling flights and hotels, with holiday packages available for under $1,000
Holiday travel is getting more expensive this year, with average ticket prices up 15% for domestic trips and 20% for international trips year-over-year. [1] Expedia’s 2026 Holiday Travel Outlook identifies when to book, which travel dates may offer better fares, and how travelers can find more value this holiday season.
The outlook also highlights domestic holiday packages available for under $1,000 per person and international packages available for under $2,000 per person, giving travelers more ways to make their holiday plans work within budget.
When should travelers book holiday flights? [2]
- Thanksgiving: Book by November 5 to save up to $125 on domestic travel and book by October 15 to save up to $230 on international travel.
- Christmas: Book by November 10 to save up to $166 on domestic travel and book by December 1 to save up to $422 on international travel.
- New Year’s Eve: Book by November 7 to save up to $182 on domestic travel and book by December 4 to save up to $266 on international travel.
Which travel dates may offer better fares? [3]
- Thanksgiving: Depart November 23 and return November 26 for the lowest average ticket prices this week. November 29 is the highest average ticket price among the dates analyzed for both domestic and international travel.
- Christmas: Depart December 24 and return December 28 for the lowest average ticket prices this week. December 26 is the highest average ticket price among the dates analyzed for both domestic and international travel.
- New Year’s Eve: Depart December 30 and return January 1 for the lowest average ticket prices this week. January 2 is the highest average ticket price among the dates analyzed for both domestic and international travel.
How can travelers find holiday travel deals on Expedia?
- Search for Flight Deals: Use Expedia’s Flight Deals, which will show fares that are at least 20% lower than typical predicted prices. The new map discovery experience, available on iOS, also makes it easier for travelers to discover the best deals. [5]
- Save with Price Alerts: Expedia members can receive notifications when airline prices drop on select routes by using tools such as Price Tracking on the app.
- 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. Free for Gold and Platinum One Key members. [6]
- Bundle & Save: Travelers can save hundreds, on average, when reserving their hotel and flight at the same time.
Where can travelers find value over the holidays? [4]
Travelers can find domestic holiday packages under $1,000 per person and international holiday packages under $2,000 per person. Expedia package options include lodging, transportation, and activities bundled into one itinerary.
Thanksgiving getaway ideas
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Domestic travel under $1,000 per person
For a sweet holiday getaway close to home, travelers can consider Hershey, Pennsylvania, where searches are up 75% year over year and average daily rates are down 15%.
A sample three-night package for two adults, traveling November 23–-26, includes:
- A stay at Super 8 by Wyndham Hershey Chocolate Avenue
- One-stop United flights between New York (LGA) and Harrisburg (MDT)
- Private SUV airport transfer
- $55 in package savings with Bundle & Save deals
Rates and availability are subject to change.
Mérida, Mexico
International travel under $2,000 per person
For a warm-weather cultural getaway, travelers can look to Mérida, Mexico, where searches are up 10% year over year and average daily rates are down 15%.
A sample three-night package for two adults, traveling November 23–-26, includes:
- A deluxe suite at Casa Loreto 1893
- One-stop flights from New York (JFK) to Mérida (MID) on American Airlines, with a one-stop Delta return
- Visits to Uxmal and the ChocoStory chocolate museum
- $729 in package savings, including one night free with Bundle & Save deals
Rates and availability are subject to change.
Christmas getaway ideas
Atlanta, Georgia
Domestic travel under $1,000 per person
For a city break with family-friendly attractions, Atlanta, Georgia, is drawing attention, with searches up 120% year over year and average daily rates down 10%.
A sample package for two adults, traveling December 24–-28, includes:
- A deluxe room with one king bed at Hotel Grenada
- Round-trip nonstop flights from New York (JFK) to Atlanta on Frontier Airlines
- World of Coca-Cola general admission
- $266 in package savings, including one night free with Bundle & Save deals
Rates and availability are subject to change.
São Paulo, Brazil
International travel under $2,000 per person
For travelers seeking a lively urban holiday, São Paulo, Brazil, stands out, with searches up 35% year over year and average daily rates down 40%.
A sample package for two adults, traveling December 24–-28, includes:
- A room with one king bed at Grand Mercure SP Itaim Bibi
- Round-trip nonstop flights from New York (EWR) to São Paulo (GRU) on United Airlines
- A compact SUV rental
- $151 in package savings with Bundle & Save deals
Rates and availability are subject to change.
New Year’s Eve getaway ideas
Portland, Oregon
Domestic travel under $1,000 per person
For a Pacific Northwest escape with access to the outdoors, Portland, Oregon, is trending, with searches up 60% year over year and average daily rates down 25%.
A sample package for two adults, traveling December 30–-January 1, includes:
- A queen room at The Hoxton, Portland
- One-stop flights from New York (JFK) to Portland (PDX) on Delta, with a nonstop return
- Half-day Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls Tour
- $69 in package savings with Bundle & Save deals
Rates and availability are subject to change.
Pattaya, Thailand
International travel under $2,000 per person
For a tropical New Year’s break, travelers can look to Pattaya, Thailand, where searches are up 30% year over year and average daily rates are down 15%.
A sample package for two adults, traveling December 29–-January 2, includes:
- A two-night stay in a platinum one-bedroom with pool view at The Gems Mining Pool Villas Pattaya
- One-stop flights from New York (JFK) to Bangkok (BKK) on Turkish Airlines, with one stop on the return
- Private Sedan airport transfer
- $612 in package savings, including one night free with Bundle & Save deals
Rates and availability are subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How much have average holiday ticket prices increased year over year?
A: Average ticket prices for 2026 holiday travel are up 15% for domestic trips and 20% for international trips compared with 2025. The comparison is based on Expedia.com average ticket prices for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve travel across the top 25 U.S. destinations.
Q: When should travelers book holiday flights for domestic travel?
A: Domestic travelers should book by November 5 for Thanksgiving to save up to $125, by November 10 for Christmas to save up to $166, and by November 7 for New Year’s Eve to save up to $182.
Q: When should travelers book holiday flights for international travel?
A: International travelers should book by October 15 for Thanksgiving to save up to $230, by December 1 for Christmas to save up to $422, and by December 4 for New Year’s Eve to save up to $266.
Q: Which holiday flight dates have the lowest average ticket prices in the outlook?
A: The outlook identifies November 23-26 for Thanksgiving, December 24-28 for Christmas, and December 30-January 1 for New Year’s Eve as the dates with the lowest average ticket prices among the dates analyzed for each holiday week.
Q: Which holiday travel dates have the highest average ticket prices?
A: November 29 had the highest average ticket price among the Thanksgiving dates analyzed, December 26 had the highest average ticket price among the Christmas dates analyzed, and January 2 had the highest average ticket price among the New Year’s dates analyzed.
Q: Can changing travel dates help travelers find lower fares?
A: Travelers who can shift their departure or return by a day or two may find more favorable fares, according to the outlook.
Q: Where can travelers find holiday package options under $1,000 per person?
A: Domestic package options under $1,000 per person include Hershey, Pennsylvania; Atlanta, Georgia; and Portland, Oregon. The sample packages include lodging, flights or other transportation, and activities or experiences.
Q: Where can travelers find international holiday package options under $2,000 per person?
A: International package options under $2,000 per person include Mérida, Mexico; São Paulo, Brazil; and Pattaya, Thailand. The sample packages include lodging, flights or other transportation, and activities or experiences.
Q: What is included in the sample holiday packages?
A: Depending on the destination, sample packages include hotel accommodations, flights, airport transfers, car rentals, tours, attraction admission, and package savings through Bundle & Save deals. Package inclusions vary by itinerary.
Q: Which destinations are featured for Thanksgiving travel?
A: The Thanksgiving package examples feature Hershey, Pennsylvania, for domestic travel and Mérida, Mexico, for international travel.
Q: Which destinations are featured for Christmas travel?
A: The Christmas package examples feature Atlanta, Georgia, for domestic travel and São Paulo, Brazil, for international travel.
Q: Which destinations are featured for New Year’s Eve travel?
A: The New Year’s Eve package examples feature Portland, Oregon, for domestic travel and Pattaya, Thailand, for international travel.
Q: How can travelers find holiday travel deals?
A: Travelers can use Flight Deals, Bundle & Save, Price Tracking, and Price Drop Protection. Flight Deals show fares that are at least 20% lower than typical predicted prices, while Bundle & Save allows travelers to reserve a hotel and flight together. Price Tracking can notify Expedia members when airline prices drop on select routes, and Price Drop Protection provides a refund of the difference if an eligible flight price drops after booking. Terms and availability apply.
Notes to Editor
1 Based on Expedia.com combined average ticket price for travel during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve in 2026 compared to 2025 for the top 25 U.S. destinations
2 Based on Expedia.com flight data for travel during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve in 2025
3 Based on Expedia.com average ticket price for travel during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve in 2026
4 Sample packages originate from New York City to destinations where search interest is up year over year and average daily rate is down year over year; rates and availability are subject to change.
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. Terms apply (https://www.expedia.com/lp/b/price-drop-protection/terms-original). See site for details.
