Holiday Flights Are Cheaper Than Ever, and These Are the Most Affordable Destinations

Holiday flights are more affordable than you might think—and the best part is, there’s still time to snag a great deal, whether you’re visiting family or starting a new tradition of traveling more.

This insight comes from a recent study from Kayak, which analyzed holiday travel trends and identified the best times to book flights, as well as the most affordable destinations this November and December.

“Good news: holiday airfare is down across the board,” the report stated. “Thanksgiving prices have dropped 6%, while the December holidays are seeing a 9% dip this year.” This trend applies to both domestic and international travel, and the company recommends booking no later than the end of October to secure the best deals on holiday flights.

The study found that Minneapolis was the cheapest U.S. city to travel to overall, with average round-trip tickets costing around $350 through the end of the year. Other top Thanksgiving destinations under $400 for round-trip tickets include Denver, Chicago, Seattle, and Atlanta. 

For those traveling in late December into early January, several domestic and international destinations offer great deals on flights:

• Nashville: $393 
• Atlanta: $400 
• New York: $417 
• Las Vegas: $422  
• Nassau: $633  
• Mexico City: $688  
• Tulum: $712 
• Iceland: $715 
• Cancun: $784

The study leveraged its own booking data to perform year-over-year comparisons, highlighting holiday airfare pricing trends for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve. It also examined historical searches for travel between Nov. 17, 2023, and Jan. 3, 2024, to identify the best time to book for this year’s holiday season based on average round-trip economy fares secured six months in advance.

Another recent study by the travel app Going found that travelers looking to save on airfare should avoid flying on the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as the Sunday and Monday before Christmas. Additionally, those who travel on the actual holiday can save up to 25% on ticket costs, offering an even better deal for budget-conscious fliers.