Travelers Can Start the Year with Big Savings and Fewer Crowds by Traveling in January and February When Flight Prices Drop Up to 15%

Flight data from the Expedia® Winter Travel Outlook released today shows interest is up 10% for wintertime travel this year.¹ While many of the season’s top and fastest-growing spots are warm-weather beach locales like Curaçao (+90%) and Maui (+80%), cities and ski and snow getaways are also heavily in the mix.² 

 Post-holidays winter is the low season for travel, making it a time to take advantage of lower costs and visit popular destinations without big crowds. Historically, average hotel prices in January and February are 10% cheaper compared to summer, and flight prices drop up to 15% compared to Christmastime.³ 

For tips on where to go and how to save this winter, read the Expedia Winter Travel Outlook below. Findings include: 

• Top winter destinations for U.S. travelers include Los Angeles and Cancún, while the fastest-growing are Vancouver (+115%), Curaçao (+90%), Kyoto (+85%), Maui (+80%) and Zurich (+65%).² 

• Destinations for hotel savings include Seattle, Vancouver, Boston and Chicago, where average wintertime daily rates are around 40% lower than summer.  

• Flight deal destinations for winter include Rome, Barcelona and Montreal, with average ticket prices down 15% or more compared to summer.⁴ 

• Northern Lights tourism continues to drive interest for winter, as the prime aurora season is from January to early March. For U.S. travelers, Canadian destinations seeing year-over-year search increases for Northern Lights hunting include Banff (+60%)⁶ and Yellowknife (+10%).¹ 

“Winter travel doesn’t have to put a freeze on your post-holiday spending,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. “With lower airfare and off-season hotel rates, it’s a great time to get some winter sun or pack a parka and enjoy a crowd-free European city. A no-brainer hack to remember is when you book your flight and hotel together on the Expedia app, you can save hundreds of dollars on average on your trip.” 

Get the full view on winter travel trends below and download the Expedia app to start planning a low-season getaway.  

Destination Insights² 

• Most Popular Escapes: Expedia’s search data highlights Los Angeles and Cancún as the most popular destinations overall for Americans this winter, while two destinations seeing the biggest year-over-year spikes in flight interest are Vancouver (+115%) and Maui (+80%). Vancouver’s rise as a winter hotspot is in part due to the Tour Tourism effect of the final Eras Tour stop which came to the city in early December.  

• Christmas Markets and Festivals: Travelers are increasingly drawn to European destinations for their seasonal charm, with Zurich (+65%) and Zermatt (+60%) offering festive experiences like the Christkindlimarkt and Bahnhofstrasse Market. Paris (+40%) and London (+30%) captivate with the Tuileries and Notre-Dame Christmas Markets, and Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. Domestically, Aspen’s (+25%) 12 Days of Aspen festival adds a holiday touch to a winter ski getaway. 

• Winter Sun: Caribbean and Hawaiian beaches are hot this winter, with travelers showing interest in Cancún, Santo Domingo, Montego Bay, and Punta Cana. Curacao (+90%), Maui (+80%), Barbados (+55%) and Honolulu (+30%) are also trending. 

Best Time to Travel This Winter⁵ 

Expedia’s historical booking data highlights a consistent trend of lower ticket prices in January and February compared to December, driven by a post-holiday dip in demand. Domestic flights are about 10% cheaper in January, while international flights reach their lowest in February, offering 15% savings compared to the peak holiday rush in December. 

Hotel Deals This Winter³ 

Expedia data reveals average nightly rates can drop as much as 45% during the winter compared to summer.  

Flight Deals⁴ 

Winter means big flight savings, including for these popular destinations.  

Chase the Northern Lights in Canada this Winter 

It’s not too late for Americans to plan a Northern Lights experience for 2025. These Canadian destinations offer a prime front row seat for this bucket list experience.  

• Yellowknife, Northwest Territories: Yellowknife is one of the country’s best places to catch the Northern Lights and winter flight searches are up 10%.¹ Locals recommend a minimum three- to four-night stay to increase the odds of glimpsing the aurora. Package rates for a four-night trip, including a stay at the Explorer Hotel and roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles in February, start around $1,638. Schedule an intimate aurora-viewing experience with transportation and a midnight snack included through Bucketlist Tours for around $97 per person.  

• Banff, Alberta: Lodging searches for Banff are up 60% this winter, for good reason.⁶ Set against the stunning backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, combine the possibility of catching the Northern Lights with Banff’s luxurious lodges, world-class ski resorts, and indulgent hot springs for a winter getaway like no other. A four-night hotel stay at Rimrock Resort in February starts at approximately $289 per night and includes an exclusive “Aurora Wake-Up Call” service, ensuring guests won’t miss the magic if the Northern Lights make an appearance, visible right from the hotel. 

Winter Travel Tips  

Allow Expedia’s suite of traveler tools to simplify the journey by taking the guesswork out of booking, saving on airfare and simplifying the planning process.  

• Save with flight alerts: Use Price Tracking on the Expedia app to pinpoint the optimal booking window and receive instant notifications when flight prices drop.* 

• Be flexible: The biggest flight savings come from adjusting your plans and sidestepping any peak days like the Friday before Christmas. For more travel tips and insights on holiday travel planning, check out Expedia’s Holiday Travel Outlook. 

• Bundle and save: Travelers can save by bundling their flight or hotel booking on Expedia, taking advantage of discounted rates.  

• Book once, earn twice: Unlock the benefits of One Key™ membership by earning OneKeyCash™ on eligible Expedia bookings. Input airline mileage plan details at checkout to earn twice, turning each trip into a more rewarding experience. 

Data Sources 

¹Based on Expedia.com flight searches for travel during the weeks of Dec.1, 2024 – March 1, 2025, as of Oct. 25, 2024, compared to the same time period in 2023. 

²Most popular and trending destinations based on Expedia.com flight and hotel searches for travel during the weeks of Dec.1, 2024 – March 1, 2025, as of Oct. 25, 2024. Trending destinations are based on comparisons to the same time period last year. 

³Based on average daily rate price changes for travel during Dec.1, 2023 – March 1, 2024, compared to May 24 – Sept. 3, 2023, as of November 2024. 

⁴Based on average ticket price changes for travel during Dec.1, 2023 – March 1, 2024, compared to May 24 – Sept. 3, 2023, as of November 2024. 

⁵Based on Expedia flight demand for travel during December, January, and February 2024 
compared to the same time frame in 2023 
 
⁶Based on Expedia.com lodging searches for travel during the weeks of Dec.1, 2024 – March 1, 2025, as of Oct. 25, 2024, compared to the same time period in 2023. 
 
*Price predictions are not a guarantee and are available on select routes. Available as a One Key member benefit.