Group chats are where trips begin. But the vast majority never make it beyond that chat. New data from KAYAK finds that 84% of American travelers have seen a group trip dwell in chat limbo for months without being booked.
But there may be a good reason to finally turn “we should” into “we booked.” The travel expert’s data shows the average price for vacation rentals for groups of five or more has fallen 12%, while searches for properties of this size are up 20%. In other words: More travelers are looking to get the group together, and doing it could come with some savings.
Can group travel help cut costs?
Dividing accommodations, rental car prices, gas and even food amongst friends can unlock significant savings. Traveling with five people requires five calendars, five opinions and at least one person who refuses to answer the poll.
With travel costs higher than last year, Americans are finding smart ways to make their getaways happen:
- 25% are traveling with a group to share the costs
- 31% are opting for cheaper accommodations
- 36% are choosing more affordable destinations
Because that large villa overlooking the ocean looks a lot less intimidating once the nightly rate is divided five, six or more ways. The trick? Knowing where to go.
The best value destinations for group getaways.
KAYAK’s ranking of vacation rentals for 5 travelers or more highlights where groups can share a vacation rental for some of the lowest per person costs.
Top 5 US best value destinations for a group of 5+ travelers
Vegas for five? Maybe not such a gamble. At an average price of $157, Las Vegas comes out as KAYAK’s lowest-priced U.S. destination, followed by Myrtle Beach at $243 for beach lovers, while Nashville gives groups looking for live music and a shared place to stay another more wallet-friendly option.
Pricey destinations don’t always stay pricey when the bill is split. The number that matters isn’t the sticker price, what matters is the per-person cost.
Top 10 best value international destinations for a group of 5+ travelers
International group travelers can find particularly strong value in Oranjestadt , where the average vacation-rental cost is $207 per person.
Athens, Madrid, Tokyo, Barcelona, Lisbon and Rome combine major cultural attractions with shared experiences.
Time to get it into the books.
If your group trip has spent the last six months collecting thumbs up emojis instead of confirmation numbers, now might be the time to pick the dates.
And for those friends who still can’t commit? Keep an eye out for KAYAK’s new BookBoards. They might just find their indecision blown up to billboard size. Because at some point, “we should totally do this” has to become “what time’s our flight?”
Methodology
Based on stays searches made on KAYAK and associated brands in the period between March 1st, 2026 and June 11th, 2026 for travel days between July 1st 2026 and December 31st, 2026. They were compared to the same search and travel period in 2025, All prices are average per person, for 1 room and night in vacation rentals for groups of five or more. Prices may vary and are subject to change.
